Chapter 230: Defense of the Marine Headquarters Family!
"As expected. Sengoku's plan may have succeeded, but it's stirred up everyone's fury."
Vice Admiral Tsuru was inwardly startled, but not entirely surprised.
Kill-stealing was the kind of thing that drew immense hatred—like a pirate bounty being snatched at the last second.
In that situation, she too would join forces with others who'd been robbed to launch a counterattack.
"What now?"
The Marine officers' smiles vanished the moment they heard who was coming.
Two Yonko, plus Hawkeye and the Heavenly Yaksha, and the Revolutionary leader who opposed the World Government at every turn.
That kind of lineup…
Was enough to not only siege a newly founded family base—
but even launch a direct assault on Marine Headquarters.
"Retreat?"
"Sengoku was too impulsive. He should've brought the family token back to HQ and founded the family there instead."
"Our warships can cross the Calm Belt freely—we could've safely delivered the token."
The officers were beginning to panic.
Some even started criticizing Sengoku's decision.
If the family monument was destroyed, the family would dissolve.
Would the Marine Headquarters Family, established with so much effort, be wiped out just as it was born?
"Warships can cross the Calm Belt,"
Tsuru replied coolly, "but do you think the pirates can't?"
"Don't forget—with the arrival of the Reincarnation Game, pirates now possess powers far beyond previous limits. They no longer fear the Sea Kings of the Calm Belt."
"And a territory teleportation scroll costs 400,000 reward points. Who can afford that?"
Right now, the most important thing was to stabilize morale.
The high-ranking officers looked at each other, speechless.
Because she was right.
The pirates and the Revolutionary Army wouldn't sit idly by and watch them carry the family token away unchallenged.
Using it immediately had always been the best option.
"We were being too short-sighted."
Those who had just complained now looked ashamed.
Many of them were high-ranking officers from the East Blue branches. They had staked everything to bind themselves to HQ, so their fears were understandable.
"It's fine."
Tsuru shook her head. "You've all witnessed the power of families with your own eyes. The world has changed. Even if the pirates gather in large numbers, without a family, they're just a disorganized mob."
She raised the spirits of the demoralized troops.
"A level 2 family can house 500 members. That means we now have 500 Giant warriors!"
The Giants were one of the most physically dominant races in the One Piece world.
While size didn't always equal power, even an average Giant, with some training, had the strength of an officer-level fighter.
Upon hearing this,
the Marine officers' eyes lit up. They had been too shaken earlier to react properly.
That's right!
Five hundred Giant warriors!
Not even the famed Giant Kingdom could produce that many trained warriors.
But now, the Marine Headquarters Family could.
"We haven't even claimed our rewards for five consecutive Corrupted Lord kills,"
Tsuru added with a faint smile.
This was exactly the morale boost she needed—
stoking the flames of determination in her commanders' hearts.
"That's right, we haven't drawn rewards yet!"
"Five hundred Giant warriors and the Game Merchant's prizes? The Navy is unstoppable!"
There were many races in the One Piece world—Longarm, Fishmen, Minks…
But only the Giants were universally acknowledged as natural-born warriors.
As the cheers rang out, the Game Merchant appeared.
Tsuru respectfully bowed.
"Honorable Mr. Fang Yi, the Navy would like to exchange its reward points from hunting the Corrupted Lord and claim the reward draws."
Meanwhile, countless pirate ships were approaching fast.
At the front were the Red Force and the Moby Dick, along with the Revolutionary leader's sailing ship.
They were now less than 2,000 meters from the Marine camp.
For regular pirates,
2,000 meters would be a safe distance. But these were top-tier players.
Even at double that distance, they could launch an effective assault with ease.
It was a clear provocation.
"Crimson Troll Whitebeard!"
The Marine soldiers' hearts pounded in their chests.
Capturing Kizaru, crippling Akainu, clashing with all three Admirals—
his terrifying achievements reminded the Navy just how fearsome the remnants of the old era could be.
"Do not fear. They won't act rashly."
Tsuru's voice had a calming, almost magical effect,
steadying the nerves of the troops.
Though the Game Merchant had never shown clear favoritism,
no one dared to interfere when someone was redeeming rewards.
Even the Five Elders, who wanted to flay the Revolutionary Army alive, could only issue threats.
They had to wait until the drawing was done to take action.
So,
whether it was Whitebeard or Shanks, they could only watch as the Marine Headquarters Family grew stronger before their eyes.
"Five draws in a row… who will take them?"
Right now, the East Blue was like a dry field—one spark, and it would ignite.
A war was about to break out.
But Fang Yi's presence had delayed that explosion.
The strongest of the sea gathered in one place, all waiting for one man's decision.
Tsuru took a deep breath and nervously asked,
"Mr. Fang Yi, since tokens and emblems can be fused, could we combine our reward draws into a single super draw?"
"Cunning Navy… making such an absurd request!"
"There's already a good chance to draw purple-quality gear. Isn't the Navy being too greedy?"
"They're jealous of the Revolutionary Army's silver items, that's all…"
Red-Haired Shanks stood silently on the Red Force's deck.
He no longer had his usual easygoing air. His expression was grave.
The situation was spiraling out of control.
If they couldn't destroy the Navy's newly formed family now, it would snowball—putting the pirates and the Revolutionary Army at an ever-growing disadvantage.
"This really is… Sengoku to a T."
Shanks shook his head helplessly.
Years ago, when he and Buggy stayed behind before reaching the final island with Roger,
he had already decided not to go—especially after Roger's death.
He inherited the Captain's will, even when Buggy cursed him for it.
Just like that straw hat—
Roger entrusted it to him, and he had waited ever since for the one who would change the world.
The child chosen by the Nika Fruit—Luffy.
Shanks touched his empty right arm, eyes resolute. He murmured,
"Sorry… until Luffy is ready, I have to maintain balance in this world.
Only then can we finally reach the new era."
Under countless watchful eyes,
the world held its breath, awaiting the Game Merchant's response.
Fang Yi didn't even pause to think. He replied casually,
"You may. But… who will draw the prize?"
"I vote for Admiral Akainu!"
A voice rang out from one of the warships.
There were too many Marines—no one could tell who it was.
"I also vote for Admiral Sakazuki! He's the one who deserves it!"
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