"How the hell did guys who picked fights with both the Dark King and Pops end up under your command...?"
"Ha ha ha! Told you—blessed by coincidence."
Black Cat Pirates First Fleet flagship.
The deck of this galleon—the vessel with the best sailing performance and defensive capabilities among ships seized during the Pirate Alliance incident, now modified—held an impressive assembly.
First Fleet Admiral, "Pirate Empress" Boa Hancock.
Her sister and flagship captain, the snake-ability user Boa Sandersonia.
"Ghost Princess" Perona, possessing both tactical-level suppression and reconnaissance capabilities.
"Blade of the King's Counsel" Amis, captain of the bodyguards who'd continued death-defying training against Black Cat's strongest forces.
Her subordinates—the bodyguards serving as Black Cat's trump card.
"Fish-Man Karate Instructor" Hack, who'd elevated Black Cat Pirates' soldiers into elite troops.
"Ashen General" Taki, who'd left the Marines to join Black Cat and earned a bounty.
Fleet staff officer Galdino, preparing options for fleet decisions.
The great pirate who once challenged Whitebeard in war—"Desert King" Crocodile.
And above all—the Pirate King's right hand, "Dark King" Silvers Rayleigh.
Plus Whitebeard Pirates First Division Commander, "Phoenix" Marco.
Even in the New World, forces capable of instantly crushing any half-hearted pirate were concentrated on this single ship.
"Anyway, Marco. The Marines are definitely attacking Fish-Man Island?"
"Y-yeah. You're one dignified young lady."
Marco's ship also functioned as a paddle ship capable of moving without wind.
Therefore Hancock's ship was currently being towed, leaving navigation to the Whitebeard vessel.
"Yeah, no doubt. That's why Pops gathered forces and rushed toward Fish-Man Island, but..."
"Some interference or trouble occurred?"
While exchanging information on Black Cat's deck, bodyguards moved back and forth carrying wooden cups of alcohol and tea on trays.
Marco nods at Amis's question—the bodyguard captain who'd brought him a tray with drinks and snacks.
"Yeah, we were blocked. Damn it, Big Mom..."
"Linlin moved? I see... Even Whitebeard would be delayed."
Crocodile, who'd fought in the New World and even challenged Whitebeard, knew these seas second only to Rayleigh.
The Desert King quietly smirked at how chaos throughout the world's seas had spread even to these Emperor-ruled waters.
"Your side—you're heading to Fish-Man Island to retrieve your Governor, right?"
"Indeed. While it was merely high probability initially, I'm now certain. Master is currently fighting on Fish-Man Island."
Hancock declares this while swirling tea in her cup to cool it—brought by bodyguard Chris.
"Yes, I agree."
"You too, Dark King? I knew some reckless youngster had emerged, but does he have reason to fight?"
"Absolutely."
Rayleigh hands his empty cup to a passing bodyguard, immediately exchanged for a full one.
"That's the kind of pirate he is. He has his own schemes, no doubt, but regardless—"
Noticing Marco's skeptical stare at this scene of young women serving him, Rayleigh continues pouring alcohol down his throat.
"If the Marines—no, the government captured Fish-Man Island, they'd have issued statements and self-justifications by now. Since they haven't, fighting continues. Or communication remains impossible."
"Could Fish-Man Island's forces alone still be holding them off?"
"True, fish-man soldiers are formidable, but you know the Marines aren't that soft. Ironically, they're stronger conquering islands and nations than chasing pirates."
The beer and rum Mihawk had ordered in bulk through Bege for brewing reference now served as voyage supplies.
Mainly for Rayleigh and Crocodile.
The bodyguards had wondered if they'd loaded too much, but since it could entertain major pirates, perhaps it wasn't wasted—they continued vigilant hospitality doubling as intelligence gathering.
"And if Kuro witnesses such situations, he'll struggle to improve them somehow. ...Probably he's currently organizing kingdom forces to clash with the Marines."
A mere boy pirate organizing an entire nation's military to face government forces head-on.
Normally laughable—yet the Dark King and the girl on his lap drinking cocoa laugh aloud, while the girl called fleet admiral and the bodyguards look pained.
Seeing this, Marco becomes certain it's extremely likely actually happening.
"...Too reckless. Hope he's safe if that's true."
"That's why he has this bounty at fourteen."
"Horo horo horo, though he'll turn fifteen soon."
"No, even at fifteen, 2.8 billion is insane. Just breaking a hundred million is already crazy."
Most absurd: the combined bounties here exceed most pirate crews' totals.
"But with Whitebeard unable to break through? That many enemies?"
"Yeah. Linlin—Big Mom with her executives, plus considerable troops. They led a fleet blocking our path."
"Fighting continues?"
"Pops found an opening and cleared a path. Told us to rush to Fish-Man Island with whatever we could."
"...Numbers favored them regardless of quality. All the more reason to urgently retrieve Master."
Hancock grasped the situation instantly, befitting an admiral.
While she doesn't think Whitebeard will lose, Big Mom's fleet numbers warrant caution.
Depending on circumstances, they might split their fleet toward Fish-Man Island like Whitebeard did.
Then whether conquering or retreating, they must resolve Fish-Man Island's situation and free Kuro and his allies quickly—or things will worsen.
"Marco—was it? I propose an alliance until rescuing Master. Having taken in many fish-men, Fish-Man Island's problems are no longer unrelated to us Black Cats."
"Yeah, asking the same. Only my ship broke through."
The paddle ship being towed holds individuals approaching division commander strength—if not quite there—assembled regardless of unit affiliation.
Small numbers considering impact on fighting Big Mom's forces, yet elites who'll aid rescuing Fish-Man Island.
"With your elites joining our forces, we can accomplish far more. Really helps."
Marco's eyes catch the bodyguards serving him and his soldiers while remaining ready to act if needed.
Black Cat's elite unit, endorsed by both Rayleigh here and "Death's Teacher" Juracule Mihawk remaining for island suppression and development.
Not everyone's present, but for rescuing the Governor, the finest are here: starting with captain "Blade of the King's Counsel," plus "Silver Maiden," "Magic Marksman," and "Dance of Death."
They lack self-awareness, but forces here could shift the tide of war between Whitebeard and Big Mom if they participated.
As Whitebeard Pirates' No. 2, everyone here—alongside the Dark King—held fascinating interest.
Promising cooperation while investigating Black Cat's central figures like Hancock and Amis, Phoenix Marco served as accompaniment while the Dark King drank, quietly deepening his thoughts.
(Hmm, that Linlin...)
(Personally led an expedition... interesting.)
◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇
—Likely on Celestial Dragon orders, enemy Marines were executed.
—We'll soon fight Marines attacking under their direct orders, but don't leave the ship until things settle.
After the pirate's one-sided declaration, Marine prisoners were left inside this ship serving as their base.
Few real restraints remained—ability users wore Seastone bracelets, but only abilities were sealed while physical capabilities barely dropped. They could probably remove them if they tried.
"Pirate! What's the situation?!"
Such light restraints couldn't keep the hot-blooded Marine called Smoker quiet.
Hearing bombardment begin, he'd bolted from the room, running toward the deck where pirates would be.
"Direct confrontation. Seems they read our objective too. Unlike before, they're trying to grind us down with crane-wing formation centered on three lines."
"Damn it...!"
Smoker curses—unclear which side he's on—glaring at the battlefield.
Meanwhile, pirate Captain Kuro occasionally kicks toward the rain of shells targeting charging fish-man forces, returning those shells toward enemy positions.
"Pirate—Kuro!!"
"Yes?"
"Remove this!"
"What do you intend?"
"Joining the fish-men's assault!"
Full pirate route now.
The only actual pirate boy here looks pained while intercepting shells.
"Hina and the others changed clothes so they might not notice, but if obvious Marines like us defect, it'll start a chain reaction!"
"Wait, that's pointless."
"It has meaning! This ridiculous battle for people who'd order incomprehensible executions... I won't let it repeat twice, three times—!"
"Not that."
The pirate places a hand on the white-haired Marine's shoulder—bloodlust personified.
The bombardment had stopped.
Probably didn't expect shells kicked back.
Artillery units frantically retreat, abandoning some field guns.
"Look at that."
"Huh?!"
Meanwhile Kuro has a nearby mermaid wave color-coded flags, then points to a specific location.
The enemy—the Marine forces' rear and above the Celestial Dragons' ship.
"What are they doing way back there—"
A mixed group wearing suits and Marine uniforms.
Despite being in the rear, they're aiming rifles, ready to fire anytime.
"Barrier troops. Probably."
"Bar—"
The Marine's jaw drops at the pirate's words.
Barrier troops.
Execution squads that don't officially exist in the Marines—shooting fleeing or defecting soldiers from behind.
Such impossible units exist. Smoker's mouth hangs open, repeatedly trying to close it.
Twitching while attempting closure—
"Are they insane?!"
◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇
(Agree one through a hundred—but on this battlefield they're moving problematically, so I can't dismiss them, damn it.)
Never expected they'd go that far.
Celestial Dragons are absolute—cultural to those living under government protection, making defiance difficult.
I understood this much—no problem there.
That's precisely why preparing Celestial Dragons lending power to the enemy side might move things forward—had some small expectation... but forcing the situation back under control with executions plus barrier troops is completely unexpected.
(If only government officials composed those units—but Marines mixed in makes it brutal. Internal paranoia accelerates.)
Anxiety over who's devoted to the Marines versus who's a government plant steals thought, ultimately focusing them on attacking us.
If this were enemy commander strategy, it'd be troublesome but comprehensible...
(The enemy adapted too. Those near our assault units move to flank, while others engage in straight firefights...)
"Mm. Sharly, raise yellow and green flags on the left wing."
One of the caretakers Arlong left behind—a mermaid girl probably Robin's age—cooperates with Li Ling and other mermaids to raise signal flags.
Slightly anxious, but it reached the defending units.
They repositioned to obstruct enemies trying to flank our main force.
(Seemingly solid strategy. Normal move targeting main forces. But they haven't ordered other encircling units to charge.)
...
What the hell.
I understand what they want.
Rather—what they want me to do.
(But seriously—that's way too convenient for them.)
The enemy commander probably wants us to flee.
Completely natural, utterly unsuspicious unit guidance.
Steadily establishing command over us, they're tightening Fish-Man District defenses while subtly thinning routes toward the New World.
(If my reading's correct, next move: mass rifle fire from soldiers lying in painstakingly dug trenches.)
Indeed—timing Arlong's group breaking through infantry lines, soldiers in trenches block their path with rifle volleys.
Normally attack enough to kill momentum—but the tough fish-men assembled can't be stopped.
Thorough delaying tactics disguised as attrition.
(Different positions but... still can't settle this without restraining the Celestial Dragons.)
This enemy movement probably has insurance.
They see some winning move.
...Should I accelerate advance speed while I can?
"For the cannons—ah no, no need to fire. Sorry, bring one case of shells. Carefully."
Civilian fish-men look puzzled, but Private First Class Spaniel quickly brings shells with other soldiers.
"Direct hits?"
"Hardly."
Smoker sounds slightly concerned, but I wouldn't do that.
"We're fighting, but I hope Marine casualties remain low."
...
It's true, okay?
...
Hey, I mean it!
So stop looking at me like I'm shady, Smoker!
"I'll slam shells between assault main forces and enemy Marines to detonate them. Makes precision targeting difficult."
"Smokescreens, then."
"Even assembling our toughest fish-men, guns remain threatening."
Actually, Arlong's group taking bullets without losing momentum is abnormal.
Rampaging with those serrated swords—ordinary soldiers can't stop them.
(Problem: can we break the final defensive line? The commander—or whoever's responsible—is conservative.)
Hearing we're charging, they've kept stronger forces close.
(Assault force penetration within expectations. Then it depends how much we can disrupt them—including separate units.)
"Private First Class Spaniel, toss shells over one at a time."
"Y-yes!"
Realized after speaking—crazy orders throwing explosives.
Thanks for obeying faithfully, Spaniel!
"Now then—directly from Vice Admiral Garp."
During Holy Land time, Garp taught me various things including warship bags.
I'd rather not be dragged from work, but I'm grateful for thorough instruction in this. Got used to handling shells.
Especially range—my bombardment vastly exceeds Vice Admiral Garp's.
Tremble before your own shells, Marines!
Fwahahahahaha!!!
"Let me show you a meteor shower."
Seconds later, Marine defensive lines were thoroughly destroyed by massive shells kicked from the enemy ship's deck.
◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇
"We'll reach Sabaody Archipelago in days, then after coating function inspection at Marine docks, proceed to Fish-Man Island."
In a warship's flag officer quarters, a young officer reports to the room's occupant.
The room reeks of alcohol.
Normally work desks hold empty cheap bottles—another freshly emptied bottle joins them.
"...Situation?"
"Yes sir. Like the previous incident, our mission is protecting the unreturned Celestial Dragon party."
"An incident on Fish-Man Island—right under the Holy Land's nose—this delayed."
The room's occupant snorts at World Government nobility's movements.
Normally an attitude—including liquor bottles—deserving reprimand for military officers, especially superiors.
But the reporting officer says nothing, actually nodding imperceptibly in agreement.
"Communication lost—but too much is off. Probably blocked communication to secretly do something, then couldn't move as a result."
"...Fish-Man Island means, likely—"
"Yeah. Well, that's beyond control now. They've even prepared all this."
Through the window, accompanying ships are visible.
Warships packed with massive cannons, various supplies, and soldiers.
"Akainu, Kizaru, even Sensei got taken down. The Marines' backs are against the wall."
"...I believe the government's back is against the wall, sir."
"Fair point. Idiots. If they hadn't meddled, we'd have his help."
"...Think you could fix this world...?"
"Kuro..."
Behind them, multiple warships and transport ships in tow, the room's occupant—Admiral Aokiji—murmurs quietly.
The First Fish-Man Island Battle.
Its conclusion approached.
***
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