Two days later.
New World, Marine G1 Branch—now the new Marine Headquarters.
The entire base was running in a fast, efficient rhythm.
With all departnts of the Marines now moved to this location, the plans set by Akainu and Vice Admiral Tsuru were being carried out step by step.
It was hard to believe.
At first, the pirate crews that invaded Whitebeard’s territory were almost completely wiped out or beaten by the Whitebeard Pirates.
But after a long string of battles, even the Whitebeard Pirates were exhausted.
And they had only dealt with one of the three major threats—pirates, Marines, and the Four Emperors. What they had just overco was only the pirates.
Next ca the Marines and the Four Emperors!
And right now...
The entire Whitebeard crew was completely worn out.
The Marines took this chance to strike hard and carve out a piece of Whitebeard’s territory.
Led mainly by Admirals and Vice Admirals, the Marine fleet had won battle after battle during this campaign.
Up until now...
The Marines had already taken control of nearly one-third of the islands under Whitebeard’s rule!
————
Now, the Admirals and powerful Vice Admirals had returned to Marine Headquarters.
They were about to hold a eting to decide whether to keep pushing into Whitebeard’s territory.
Inside the Marine HQ conference room—
Everyone was sitting quietly on their cushions. So were drinking tea, others polishing their weapons...
As a few top officers entered the room, everyone stopped what they were doing and looked toward the main seat.
"Brannew."
Once everyone was seated, Akainu gave Brannew a nod.
"Yes, Fleet Admiral Sakazuki!" Brannew stood up straight with a folder in hand and responded firmly.
Then he stepped forward, opened the folder, and said,
"After this period of battle, our Marines have achieved a major step forward!"
"As of now, we have successfully taken over a full one-third of the Whitebeard Pirates’ territory!"
"This stunning victory has not only struck a heavy blow to the Whitebeard Pirates and all the arrogant pirates in the New World—it’s also laid a solid foundation for our Marines to fully advance into the New World!"
At that mont, everyone in the room looked encouraged. They started whispering to each other, filled with hope and excitent over this win.
"But!"
Brannew suddenly changed tone, and his face beca much more serious.
The whispers in the room stopped right away.
"According to intel from our spies placed among other powers, because we’ve had so many victories, so big nas have finally lost their patience."
"King the Wildfire from the Beasts Pirates, Charlotte Katakuri—one of Big Mom’s top officers—and the entire Red-Haired Pirates crew are already on their way to the first half of the New World!"
Boom!!!
When Brannew said that, everyone in the room imdiately understood the true reason for this eting.
Because of the Marines’ fast expansion in the New World, the Four Emperors were no longer sitting back. They had decided to step into the war between the Whitebeard Pirates and the Marines!
"That’s right!"
"The Four Emperors’ new target... is us!" Brannew confird loudly.
After he finished speaking, Brannew closed the folder and stepped back behind Akainu.
Right after that, the office filled with the voices of Marine officers in heated discussion.
"Unbelievable... all of the Four Emperors have made a move!"
"It must’ve been our Marine operations that pushed these top powers into action!"
"They’re clearly trying to stop our next move."
"Exactly!"
"They don’t want the Marines getting stronger in the New World!"
"Hmph!"
"So what!"
"The Marines are unstoppable!"
"That’s right!"
"I say we strike while the iron’s hot—wipe out those so-called Four Emperors once and for all!"
"Agreed!"
"No, that’s the wrong call!"
"That would just tear the entire New World apart. It’s not in the Marines’ best interest."
"Yeah, it goes against what’s best for us. Plus, we’re not ready to take on all four Emperors at once if they team up."
"Hmph! Are you saying the Marines are weaker than the Four Emperors?"
"Isn’t that obvious?"
...
Inside the eting room, the loud debate didn’t seem to bother Akainu at all, nor the senior Marine leaders sitting beside him.
Akainu exchanged a glance with Sengoku, then looked toward Vice Admiral Tsuru. She gave a small nod.
"Silence!"
Brannew stepped forward and spoke sternly.
In an instant, the room went quiet again.
Then Vice Admiral Tsuru stood up and said calmly:
"Before we decide whether to continue with this operation, there are two things we must consider."
"First!"
"If we keep going, we’ll have to face the Four Emperors together."
"Kaido of the Beasts!"
"Big Mom!"
"Red-Haired Shanks!"
"Now that the Four Emperors are united, are we even capable of dealing with that?"
"Second!"
"Even if we win this war, it’ll co at a terrible cost!"
"By the ti it’s over, any territory we take might already be in ruins. That’s not sothing the World Governnt wants."
"So the question is—knowing all this, is it still worth it to continue?"
"These two points must be thought through carefully."
After Vice Admiral Tsuru finished speaking, she returned to her seat.
This ti, no one in the room responded right away. Everyone fell silent, deep in thought.
Just as she said, the pressure from the Four Emperors was enormous. Kaido, Big Mom, Red-Haired Shanks...
Just hearing those nas was enough to make their hearts tremble.
If they had to face enemies of that level, there’s no way they could handle it.
Can the Marines really win against an alliance of such powerful people...?
Even if they sohow win the war, just like Vice Admiral Tsuru said, the territory they’d get would be nothing but ruins.
By then, most of the civilians might already be dead...
————
Akainu sat at the head of the table, his eyes sweeping across the room, taking in everyone’s expressions.
Back when he was still an Admiral, he definitely would’ve pushed to keep fighting.
But now that he’s the Fleet Admiral, his role is different, and so is what he has to think about and take responsibility for.
He can’t afford to throw the Marines away in the New World.
Beside him, Sengoku and Vice Admiral Tsuru let out a silent breath of relief when they saw the look on Akainu’s face.
Thank goodness.
It seed like Sakazuki wouldn’t insist on continuing the war.
If the war kept going, it really wouldn’t benefit the Marines—or the World Governnt.
————
anwhile—
The Dream Exploration Team had already arrived, and the Dream was now docked at the port of the Kingdom of Magiatsuka.
"I’m back..." Liv looked at the port, which felt both familiar and strange. Her heart was filled with emotion.
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