blenderwars Chapter 303 - 302: Sakazuki Fishing
Chapter 303 - 302: Sakazuki Fishing
New World, former G-1 Branch, now New Marineford.
Originally a strict military fortress, after becoming the new Marine Headquarters, it had grown even more solemn and imposing.
The simple, straightforward walls, the densely packed firepower points, and the countless warships docked in the harbor all showcased its overwhelming might.
Inside the conference room.
Sakazuki sat at the head seat, with Tsuru and Borsalino sitting to his left and right.
Further back were Vice Admirals who had been recalled from nearby bases, arranged in a semicircle around the center. Many Rear Admirals were taking notes.
A row of Den Den Mushi sat on the table, all used to broadcast the contents of the meeting to Marines stationed across the world.
Karol stood at the front, beside the large screen, explaining the current situation in the New World.
On the massive screen, the territory of the Four Emperors and the Navy's division of power were clearly marked. As the briefing went on, the Navy's influence gradually encroached on the Four Emperors' territory.
What had originally been a trapezoidal zone of influence was steadily filled in, forming a semicircle backed by the Red Line.
Karol pointed at the last small gap in that semicircle with a pointer.
"One week ago, Dakhra Island, which we had already captured, was attacked by a Devil Fruit user."
"More than half of the 43rd Fleet was wiped out. It's now been reorganized. The attacker died in the Great Eruption."
"The 44th, 47th, 51st, 52nd, and 57th Fleets continued their push north after that, taking the Briana Islands."
The last gap on the large screen was filled in.
"Our strategic deployment in the New World is now complete."
"Next comes full-scale legion warfare."
"A while ago, one of the Four Emperors, Red-Haired Shanks, contacted the other Emperors. Nobody knows what they discussed, but the number of ships exchanging between the four sides has increased significantly."
"They may have formed an alliance. This is something we need to be on guard against."
"Regarding the blockade of resources in the New World, there are still issues with smuggling and circulation."
"Our intelligence agents have confirmed that the Vinsmoke family of the North Blue is secretly colluding with the Four Emperors."
"Using their technology with massive snails that can cross the Red Line, they've struck a deal with Knock, seeking his support to swallow up the other kingdoms in the North Blue."
Borsalino tilted his head slightly, puzzled.
"Hmm?~"
"The Vinsmoke family… I remember they're one of the World Government's affiliated nations~"
"And yet they're colluding with the Four Emperors~"
Vice Admiral Tsuru clasped her hands under her chin.
"They're probably doing it to achieve some goal."
"That man may be a genius scientist, but his dream has always been to unify the North Blue."
"He can't hold back any longer…"
Karol chuckled.
"Exactly."
"After all, that guy has been drifting for over twenty years without gaining even an inch of land."
"Even a slow mind would eventually get the picture."
Even if Judge had higher emotional intelligence, he wouldn't keep working for the Government for free for over twenty years…
"As for how to deal with him…"
Karol turned to Sakazuki at the head of the table. Sakazuki's voice was calm and cold.
"Report it to the World Government first and set the charges."
"Then send troops and destroy the country."
Karol nodded, indicating he understood.
Sakazuki looked at the map on the big screen.
His cold but powerful voice echoed through Marine bases across the New World.
"The so-called Four Emperors are nothing but the biggest trash on the sea."
"Even united, they're just a pile of garbage bound together."
"Our strategic deployment in the New World is complete."
"Reinforcements will arrive in waves."
Sakazuki slowly stood, and everyone around him rose as well. On the other end of the Den Den Mushi connection, Marine soldiers across various bases stood straight and serious.
Sakazuki took a deep breath.
"Everyone."
"For the past eight hundred years, we've never been closer to victory than we are now."
"This war, one that will shape the world for centuries to come, will be carried out by us."
"The pirates who have plagued this world for eight centuries will finally meet their end."
"This war, which bears the future of the world, is one we will not lose, and cannot lose."
"All bases and fleets, maintain current status, stay alert, and prepare for war with everything you have!"
"When the final decisive battle arrives!"
"In the name of Justice, we will crush them completely!"
"Justice will prevail!!!"
Across the world, in every Marine base receiving the broadcast, soldiers' fervent battle cries shook the sky.
"Victory! Victory!! Victory!!!"
...
Grand Line, Sabaody Archipelago.
Inside the Marine branch base, the roaring cries of "Victory" swept across the island.
Sengoku, the base's Inspector and acting commander, held a snack bag in his hand. As he munched away, he leaned against the window, tilting his head slightly as if feeling the feverish fervor like a blind man sensing heat.
"How does it feel, Issho?"
By the window, Issho slowly turned around, a faint smile appearing on his face.
"I can feel their belief in victory."
"And that unparalleled fervor. Fleet Admiral Sakazuki has already become a kind of faith, hasn't he?"
Sengoku paused mid-snack and laughed.
"Yeah."
"No Fleet Admiral before him has ever achieved what Sakazuki has."
"The name Sakazuki itself has become the symbol of the Marines—the soldiers' faith."
"With just one command, countless Marines would gladly give their lives for him."
Issho raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised.
"Sengoku=san, are you that lacking in confidence?"
It was basically admitting that Sakazuki outshone him completely...
Sengoku gave a bitter smile and shook his head.
"I'm nowhere near him... sigh."
Issho's blind white eyes opened slightly.
"Even so, it only makes me want to meet him more..."
"But still..."
"Sending troops to destroy a nation—isn't that kind of punishment a bit too heavy?"
Sengoku continued eating his snacks.
"That's just Sakazuki's usual way."
"But... it's very effective."
"It cuts down on trouble significantly."
"Your promotion to Admiral is already on its way."
"Codename 'Fujitora.'"
"Once it's officially announced to the world, you'll be transferred to the New World."
Fujitora smiled faintly.
"I see…"
"Then I'll have to look forward to it."
"After all, seeing it with my own eyes is different."
"Sengoku-san."
"If you're free now, how about a little gamble?"
Sengoku's mouth twitched, his face full of black lines.
"No…"
Issho, a Gravity Fruit user and avid gambler, was one of the powerful fighters gathered through the World Military Draft. After sparring with Sengoku to confirm his strength, he was reported to Marine Headquarters.
Sakazuki had personally signed the order for his promotion to Admiral, with the codename "Fujitora."
At the same time—
Another Marine base on the Grand Line reported discovering a suspected Admiral-level Logia user. Since the location was far, Sakazuki temporarily reassigned Borsalino to conduct the evaluation.
That was why Borsalino had appeared in New Marineford.
...
Grand Line, Dieppe Island.
Inside the Marine branch base.
"Victory! Victory!! Victory!!!"
The cries echoed across the entire island.
Even though the meeting was over, the shouts hadn't stopped.
Amidst the crowd of Marine soldiers, a tall man with striking green hair shouted along before finally falling silent.
A fervent gleam burned faintly in his eyes.
"Not surprising — my idol, Sakazuki-sama!"
"Destroying countries, wiping out pirates — you say it so casually!"
"Send the troops and annihilate a nation!"
"Cool!!!"
At that moment.
A laser beam leapt across the Red Line and flew toward this place...
...
The New World.
A video conference initiated by Knock was also underway.
He casually shut off the broadcast image of the Navy's internal conference:
"Speak up. How shall we respond next?"
A conference like this, aimed at the entire Navy, was easy for Knock to arrange with his connections and resources — buying off a few corrupt people made it trivial.
In a somewhat dim palace projection, Kaido sneered:
"Barororororo!!!!"
"Respond to what...."
"This is the war I've always dreamed of!"
"A war that sweeps the world! Unprecedented...."
"WAR!!!"
In a projection filled with food in the background, Charlotte Linlin unusually looked serious:
"Kaido!!!"
"Is your head all muscle?!"
"That Sakazuki fellow won't be easy to deal with."
"Right now the most important issue should be how to blockade the New World."
"The Navy has an endless supply of materials and troops; the New World does not....."
Knock chuckled lightly:
"The problem of blockading the New World needn't worry you."
"I have already obtained the technology to easily cross the Red Line. As for the price..."
Kaido in the projection grinned viciously and said:
"Now we're all on the same front."
"Things like this ought to be shared, right? Hmm?"
Hearing that, Charlotte Linlin sneered as well:
"Kaido is right — don't hoard this during a time like this....."
Knock sneered coldly but said nothing.
Shanks had to step in to smooth things over, but the end result was not great; they parted with a bit of displeasure.....
...
The South Blue.
A pink-haired Bonney was busy on a small boat by the shore.
She had left the Sorbet Kingdom many days ago; the impulse in her heart had been worn down somewhat, and she began to think about how to take revenge on Sakazuki.
She had no detailed plan — she couldn't even get close to Navy headquarters, and she might even put her grandmother in danger....
After much thought, she decided on the riskiest plan: go to the shore merchants, sell some materials, and set sail.....
On the deck, with the last sale completed.
A pirate flag bearing a circular ring at the back of the skull and long pink hair was finished:
"Good. The Bonney Pirates are formed!"
With her ability, she could easily deceive the Navy. If she could make a small name for herself, let the world know the name of the Bonney Pirates.....
Then when she killed Sakazuki, no one would suspect it was vengeance.....
Though naive....
As a princess, Bonney had never been raised toward piracy.
She had some knowledge about fighting, but not much.
She did not understand the terror of true power, and worse of all.....
She currently had no source of income. With her huge appetite, it wouldn't take long before she ran out of money for food and ended up begging for meals.....
Hah—
A gust of wind and snow condensed on the small boat's deck.
Bonney immediately stood guard, but what condensed turned out to be a familiar person; she lowered her hands:
"Tch, what are you doing here."
"When did you eat a Devil Fruit anyway."
Sabo looked at that pirate flag with a face of headache and helplessness:
"That's a long story."
"But why did you think of becoming a pirate....."
"Bartholomew Kuma wouldn't want this for you."
The Revolutionary Army hated pirates as well; many within the revolution had been persecuted by pirates.
So when Bonney bought black cloth, Sabo had a bad premonition; as Bonney started to pen the flag, that bad premonition became reality.....
When Bonney announced the formation of the pirate crew, Sabo could no longer hold back.....
Bonney's face turned slightly angry, eyes reddened:
"You have the nerve to speak!"
"It's because of your existence that he died!!!"
"Do you feel any guilt!"
"Why didn't you avenge him!!!"
Tears poured from her eyes as she punched Sabo.
Thud!
Sabo was knocked flying, slammed into the deck and slid.
Bonney pounced on Sabo and unleashed a flurry of punches like rain, striking Sabo's face.
Sabo said nothing, allowing Bonney to vent...
After a while.
Bonney seemed to exhaust herself, kneeling astride Sabo, covering her face and crying helplessly:
"Waa—"
"Why.... why....."
Listening to Bonney's accusations, Sabo lay on the ground and clenched his fist. How he longed to avenge Kuma..... but...
"Sorry.... Bonney."
"Now.... is not the time."
"The greater good comes first....."
At the decisive moment of the Navy and Pirate showdown, it concerns the future of the world; it carries the expectations of the world's people. If someone at this time ruined everything for personal revenge.....
No one dares to bear that eternal curse.....
"One day we'll face him."
"We will certainly avenge Kuma."
Bonney wiped the tears from her eyes, sneered coldly and stood up:
"One day...."
"I can't wait."
"I'll take revenge my own way."
"Don't follow me."
"Or I will kill you....."
"Get off my ship!"
Sabo slowly rose, dusted himself off, sighed inwardly, then transformed into wind and snow and dispersed, continuing to protect Bonney from the hidden high sky...
He couldn't let Kuma's daughter suffer another accident...
...
The New World, New Marineford.
Sakazuki stood at the edge of the office on the topmost level of the fortress, watching the fleets assigned missions and beginning to depart.
Watching ship after ship sail out of the harbor, he asked Karol beside him:
"How many have taken the bait?"
Karol flipped through his notes nearby:
"Since the recruitment began."
"The two biggest fish we've hooked so far are — a Gravity Fruit user, Issho."
"And Aramaki, Woods-Woods Fruit user."
"They are both Admiral-grade forces, and their Devil Fruit powers are extraordinary."
"As for Vice Admirals and above, there are quite a few, but none with abilities that particularly stand out yet."
Sakazuki gave a faint chuckle:
"No need to rush...."
That indifferent voice sounded softly:
"Give them a little treat first."
"Next year we'll comprehensively improve, and expand recruitment promotion."
"There's still plenty of time."
"There will always be bait that can lure them out."
"These wild ones."
"It's better if they die..."
-----------
The fanfic is Finished on p@treon/tambeerg. 414 chapters in total