Queen

Their hearts were never united to begin with. Some among them were originally from the World Government, divided into multiple factions.

And without a legitimate source of military funding, it would be a miracle if they did not collapse.

As for doing business themselves? That was pure wishful thinking. Did they think the World Government was just sitting around doing nothing?

Lin Qi finally understood the difficulties faced by the fleet admirals throughout history.

If the Marines wanted to become completely independent, they would face three major problems.

1. Funding, which was also the biggest problem.

2. Purging dissidents. If the Marines wanted independence, they would definitely have to remove certain troublemakers. By then, the conservative faction within the Marines would be weakened by a third.

3. Facing three dangerous enemies.

Once the Marines became independent, the Revolutionary Army, Pirates, and World Government would all become enemies.

"Forget it. I'm not even an Admiral yet, so why am I worrying about this?"

What reassured Lin Qi was that Sengoku was clearly on his side.

By appointing Momonga instead of Rudolf to lead, he had indirectly demonstrated his dissatisfaction with the World Government.

When they boarded the Warship, the atmosphere was terrifyingly grim.

An army of over ten thousand people stood without making a single sound.

They truly were the Marines' most elite force.

Momonga silently ordered the Warships to set sail.

Mornpeng Island was far from Marine Headquarters. Traveling through the night, they would not arrive until tomorrow.

The people on Mornpeng Island probably had no idea that when they woke up, death would be waiting for them.

That night, Gion came to find Lin Qi alone.

The two stood on the deck, gazing at the night sky in silence.

"I once went to Mornpeng Island to capture Pirates. The people there were all kind, and the locals were simple and honest," Gion said bitterly.

"Are you confused about the justice in your heart?" Lin Qi asked.

"Yes. Could you tell?"

"Those people were clearly just unarmed civilians. Yet because they sheltered a little girl, they have to face the risk of death. Isn't that ridiculous?"

"Even if they want to find the culprit, they shouldn't implicate the citizens. The citizens are innocent," Gion said dejectedly.

"It's not like the World Government has only done this once or twice. The upper ranks of the World Government are descended from Celestial Dragons—what good could they possibly be?"

Lin Qi took it in stride and gently wrapped an arm around Gion's slender waist.

"We can't decide the path our predecessors took, but our own path lies beneath our feet."

"You and I are only Rear Admirals now. Who can say what the future of the Marines will be?"

"If one day you and I both become Admirals, or even fleet admirals, then we can try to turn our ideas into reality."

"In this world, strength is the foundation that determines everything. No one will pay attention to the thoughts of the weak."

"Do you understand what I mean?"

Gion's beautiful eyes gradually brightened, as though she had found a goal. Her previous despondency vanished.

"For our future, for the people's future, let's do this!"

Gion held out her fist and bumped it against Lin Qi's.

"Let's do it."

The next day.

Mornpeng Island.

Within the Kingdom.

Dawn had just broken, and thick fog drifted across the sea.

Some hardworking farmers had already finished plowing two mu of land.

"Look, isn't something approaching from the sea?"

A resident fetching water narrowed his eyes and looked out over the ocean.

Ten massive Warships, like ten colossal beasts, slowly approached.

"Quick! Notify His Majesty the King! We're under attack!"

The Kingdom on Mornpeng Island did not have many people, only around a million.

Nor did it possess any noteworthy military power. The number of people in the entire Kingdom who could use Haki could be counted on one hand.

Using a Buster Call against such a weak little Kingdom was nothing more than a one-sided massacre.

"Open fire!"

Bang! Bang! Bang!

There was no need for anyone to land on the island. The most terrifying aspect of a Buster Call was its artillery bombardment, powerful enough to blanket an entire area with fire.

At Momonga's command, five hundred cannons simultaneously unleashed carpet bombardment upon Mornpeng Island.

Some Vice Admirals and Rear Admirals who still possessed a conscience frowned deeply.

Senior officers were meant to deal with powerful enemies.

In the current situation, there was no need for them to act at all.

Since the Buster Call bombarded entire areas in waves, once the bombardment ended, not a single living creature would remain on the island.

It was precisely because of the orderly bombardment that the Kingdom's people had some time to escape.

The old King vowed to live and die with the Kingdom, giving the chance to live to everyone else.

A group of civilians and officials boarded five Refuge Ships and gradually sailed away across the sea.

Momonga shut his eyes tightly. As though he had not seen the Refuge Ships, he ignored them and allowed them to depart.

"Bastard! What are you doing? You let those criminal citizens escape! If something happens, can you bear the responsibility?!"

"I think you're harboring sinister intentions. I will report this matter to the World Government."

Rudolf forcefully snatched the communications Den Den Mushi from Momonga's hand and gave the order.

"Attack! Aim the cannons at the Refuge Ships!"

Bang! Bang! Bang!

After the savage bombardment, nothing remained of the Refuge Ships but dust.

The sea turned crimson with blood.

Thus, a Kingdom of a million people was completely wiped out in less than an hour.

That was the power of a Buster Call.

No wonder those Kingdoms feared the Buster Call so deeply.

The blazing fire on Mornpeng Island was branded deeply into Lin Qi's eyes.

The mission complete, the ten Warships prepared to turn around and head back when a hearty laugh rang out from the distance.

"Hahahaha! Look what we've run into—a Buster Call! What kind of worthless crap is that?"

"Hahahaha! Boss Queen is right!"

A Pirate Ship nearly as large as one of the Buster Call Warships swaggered over.

At the prow stood a fat man holding a Gatling.

"The Beasts Pirates!"

Seeing the flag on the Pirate Ship, the Marines were shocked.

"How did we run into them here?"

"Even Queen, one of the Three Calamities, is here. Why aren't they staying in the New World? Did they come here to die?"

"I'm dying of laughter. These days, any random nobody dares pick a fight with a Buster Call," Rudolf laughed loudly.

"We have five Vice Admirals, ten Rear Admirals, and ten thousand elite soldiers here. Forget one mere Queen—even if Kaido came, what could he do?"

"Since we ran into you here, there's no need for you to go back. Go spend the rest of your days in Impel Down!"

"Vice Admirals, please join me in taking action and capturing Queen alive."

"He is the technical adviser of the Beasts Pirates. He knows all of Kaido's secrets."

After Rudolf finished speaking with passionate fervor, he realized that no one present was paying him any attention. His face immediately darkened.

"Let's move. Perhaps we can use Queen against the Beasts Pirates."

Only after Momonga spoke did the Vice Admirals join forces and use Geppo to rush toward Queen's ship.

"Damn it! Five of you Marines against one—have you got no shame at all?!"

Queen cursed furiously at the sight.

Even he could not handle five Vice Admirals at once.

Rat-a-tat-tat!

Before anyone could get close, Queen raised his Gatling and unleashed a barrage.

The Marine soldiers were still using Flintlock Pistols, while the Pirates already had Gatlings.

For a moment, Lin Qi did not know what to say.

The Vice Admirals easily dodged the bullets and landed on the Pirate Ship one after another.