Great Victory Learning! Assault on Marineford!

The Sengoku period was filled with anxiety.

Those scum who banded together were already incredibly difficult to deal with.

Even in a direct confrontation, without the support of the World Government, the outcome would be uncertain for the Navy alone.

However, those bastards chose an even more shameless and unreasonable approach.

Drag.

They want to drag the navy down with their bare hands.

The navy, on the other hand, was completely helpless.

To make matters worse, unrest has already begun to stir among the Affiliated Nation.

The Sengoku period felt they had exhausted all options.

If we can't even find the enemy, what can we do with them?

"We need a victory, Sengoku,"

The Five Elders Mars, said indifferently, "A victory that can inspire and boost morale is needed to calm the Affiliated Nation down first."

"Victory?"

Sengoku was completely baffled. "Those guys probably have no intention of engaging us head-on. The war can't even begin, so how can we talk about victory?"

"Can't you win if you can't find the enemy?"

The Five Elders merely glanced at him dismissively. "Sengoku, as a soldier, no one is more qualified than you. Garp is too self-centered, Zephyr lost his spirit early on. Only you are a soldier the government can always trust."

"However, it's not enough to deal with the problem solely from the soldier's perspective. Sooner or later, you will succeed Kong as the new Fleet Admiral, Sengoku. You need to learn to take a broader view of the overall situation."

"Right now, for example, you shouldn't be thinking about how to defeat those guys and win, but how to make the whole world believe that we have won a crucial victory."

Sengoku's eyes widened instantly, and his expression became somewhat strange.

How can you win without even touching the enemy's shadow?

"Saint Mars, do you mean... we faked a victory?"

"We say we've won, the evidence we've presented proves we've won, and the vast majority of media outlets worldwide will agree that we've won."

"What do you mean by forgery?" Mars said. "Didn't we just achieve a great victory?"

The Sengoku was instantly rendered speechless.

Is that even possible?

Is this the difference between a politician and a soldier?

However, Saint Mars's idea was not without merit.

The Affiliated Nation desperately need a great victory to boost morale.

Otherwise, if the kings are all caught up in the fear brought about by the Pirate Alliance, the government's actions will be greatly restricted.

Even the World Government cannot openly defy the will of its Affiliated Nation.

Is this a white lie?

"But, Saint Mars,"

Sengoku added with some concern, "What if Roa and the others become enraged and retaliate against the Affiliated Nation again?"

"I've said it before, it was a necessary sacrifice."

The Five Elders remained indifferent. "Sengoku, which do you think poses a greater threat to the world: sacrificing a few Affiliated Nation, or allowing those monsters to successfully occupy the New World?"

"..."

The Sengoku was speechless.

Finally, he nodded hesitantly. "Yes, I understand."

So the navy began to take action, preparing to artificially create a "great" victory.

However, this plan naturally drew some objections from the navy's upper echelons.

At the naval operations conference convened by Sengoku, the Garp the Hero burst into laughter after hearing Sengoku's plan.

"Hahaha! Are we trying to fool the whole world now?"

"How pathetic,"

Vice Admiral Tsuru crossed his arms, a sigh echoing on his face. "Unable to defeat the enemy, have we been reduced to resorting to such methods to maintain the government's prestige?"

Zephyr bluntly retorted sarcastically, "Instead of wasting our energy on this, we should be searching for the enemy's whereabouts. What's the point of this superficial effort? Do you think we can fool ourselves?"

Not only them, but other high-ranking naval officers gathered there generally had strong opinions about the plan.

Doesn't this prove that these naval personnel are useless, incapable of providing the public with a sense of security, and only capable of relying on deception?

As Vice Admiral Tsuru said, this is simply too tragic.

Among these naval officers, the one who shouted the loudest was a guy who didn't even have a rank yet.

Kuzan, who was exceptionally allowed to participate in the gathering due to his considerable strength, was extremely indignant. "Sengoku Admiral, since when has the Navy resorted to lies to uphold justice!"

Borsalino quickly tugged at him from beside him.

Vice Admiral Garp and Professor Zephyr dare to question because their status and seniority speak for themselves. What nonsense are you spouting, little Lami?

Sakazuki simply crossed his arms and remained silent.

"There's no better way."

Sengoku sighed, ignoring the doubts of the crowd, and said with a hint of helplessness, "We can't let the panic spread any further."

"Many Affiliated Nation are now pressuring the government. They feel that fighting to the death with those bastards over a New World that has little value is not worth it at all. They want the government to abandon the New World! To abandon the Affiliated Nation of the New World!"

"If we can't restore their confidence, this operation will probably be abandoned soon."

"..."

Upon hearing this, the officers present finally showed solemn expressions.

Ultimately, the foundation of the World Government's rule lies in its Affiliated Nation scattered throughout the world!

The united will of the Affiliated Nation is, in theory, the highest power in the world.

"So, this is the only way?"

Kuzan scratched the back of his head, feeling as if his enthusiasm had been doused with cold water.

His very first operation tarnished his image of the navy.

Is this how you have to uphold justice?

But regardless of what the officers thought, the "Peacekeeper" plan officially began.

With the navy as the main force and CP as aid, a fabricated war aimed at deceiving the world was launched.

Two days later, news of the naval fleet's major victory spread throughout the world.

Almost all mainstream media outlets around the world reported on this great victory immediately.

The news report stated that the navy fleet successfully ambushed the pirates returning from the North Blue, and a fierce battle ensued between the two sides in a certain area of New World.

Although the pirates were incredibly powerful, fortunately, the entire navy fought bravely and ultimately dealt a heavy blow to the pirates' large fleet.

Unfortunately, at the crucial moment, Golden Lion used his power, leading many pirate leaders in a hasty escape.

Pictures don't lie.

Each newspaper carried a slightly blurry picture of naval commanders bravely fighting against the evil pirates.

Among them are Garp the Hero, who punched "Golden Lion" away; Sengoku, who slapped "Roa" Sengoku coughed up blood; and Zephyr, who kicked the giant blue dragon head.

At the end of the news report, the writer declared in a passionate tone that the enemy was not as terrifying as imagined!

The government and navy will not allow them to run rampant again! They will wipe out these villains completely before they cause even greater damage!

And so, the whole world was in an uproar once again.

"I knew it! If the Navy could defeat the Rocks Pirates once, they can certainly defeat them a second time!"

"Yes! Back then, Vice Admiral Garp alone managed to win. This time, with almost the entire high command of the Navy coming out, it'll be a piece of cake!"

"In the end, they're just a bunch of thugs hiding in the New World! Bullying ordinary countries might be fine, but if they really go against the Navy, they'll only be defeated!"

A joyful atmosphere instantly spread across the sea, especially among the Affiliated Nation, where it felt like New Year's Day, with some countries even starting several days of celebrations.

However, no one noticed that amidst this jubilation, there were also some overly radical voices.

"Since that's the case, then let's not give them any more breathing room! If we let them continue to grow, who knows what kind of trouble they'll cause!"

"That's right! Even if it means making some sacrifices, it doesn't matter! As long as we can take care of those guys, it's all worth it!"

"We can no longer be coerced by them. Even if it costs us several Affiliated Nation, we must eliminate them. Otherwise, if we miss this opportunity, the price we'll have to pay in the future to get rid of them might be dozens of times higher!"

In this atmosphere, opposing the navy's pursuit of victory seems to have become politically incorrect.

However, there are other voices as well.

"Wait, am I the only one who thinks something's off about these photos?"

"Yes, the blue dragon that Kaido transformed into doesn't look very real!"

"Roa's face isn't as handsome as the wanted poster! I've carefully collected every single wanted poster of such a gifted young man! There's no way I could be mistaken!"

Unfortunately, such voices were almost instantly drowned out by the noise, and no one paid any attention.

However, some insightful people also seem to hold this attitude.

The Sphinx.

"Pops! It seems like Roa and the others have been dealt a heavy blow by the Navy!"

Marco came over excitedly, waving the newspaper.

The Whitebeard, who had been looking rather worried these past few days, brightened up instantly upon hearing this. However, after taking the newspaper and examining it closely, he frowned again.

"No! This is fake news!"

How could that be?

Marco looked bewildered. "The newspapers should have spread all over the world by now, how could it be fake?"

"Use your brain, Marco!"

Whitebeard said coldly, "Given Roa's bastardly personality, if the Navy really comes knocking, the high-ranking officers might survive, but how could the fleet possibly be spared?"

Marco instantly realized that his Pops's words made perfect sense.

Roa's petty nature, even if he can't do anything to Garp, Sengoku, and the others, he definitely won't let those ordinary marines go before he tries to escape.

He was such a vicious and cruel person.

In other words...

Marco opened his mouth, somewhat incredulous, "The government is... lying?"

"Has the government really been forced to this extent?"

On a deserted island in the North Blue, where all the scattered personnel had just gathered, preparing to use it as their next base, Dragon sighed.

"I couldn't believe it when I first heard it from Mr. Zephyr."

That's the World Government!

The World Government exists as their ultimate hypothetical Self-Respect Army!

As expected, compared to the pirate alliance formed by Roa, the strength of the Self-Respect Army was far too weak.

"Roa and the others are probably going to be furious next,"

"I wonder how they'll retaliate," Doctor Trafalgar sighed.

When that country in the North Blue was attacked a few days ago, they were terrified.

Given Roa's vengeful nature, being so fooled would definitely lead him to retaliate fiercely.

If they get caught up in the chaos, they'll be like stray dogs on the street, utterly powerless against the two major powers.

Dragon also looked dejected. "While weakening the prestige of the government and the navy would be a great thing for us, I still hope that the pirates will cause less harm to any country."

Paradise, Roger Pirates.

"Hahaha! That cunning Roa doesn't seem like the type to be ambushed by the Navy! The really interesting things are about to begin!"

Roger burst into laughter.

"That doesn't matter anymore, Roger, it's time to prepare for soaring to new heights!"

"Oh!!"

While the whole world was buzzing with discussion, some cheering and others frowning, somewhere in the sky above North Blue...

"Hey, hey, hey! I don't remember ever getting beaten up by Sengoku again!"

Roa flipped through the newspaper, his face contorted with anger. "Fake News! This is a blatant violation of my right to reputation! Can I sue them?!"

"They've already won before they've even faced each other? Then they definitely have won!"

Roa really didn't expect the government to pull off such a bizarre move; even India couldn't beat you guys.

This news article is truly a masterpiece of winning strategies!

"Hahahaha!"

The Golden Lion laughed heartily, his laughter full of mockery. "Don't you think you're just like a cornered wild dog, barking wildly at the enemy and thinking you've won a great victory?"

"But the stray dogs are already barking at us, so shouldn't we kick them hard?"

Ochoku's lips curled up in a mocking smile.

"Haha! How about we go and take care of a few more Affiliated Nation?"

Silver Axe suggested, "Let's take this opportunity to expose their laughable lie!"

"Great idea!"

Charlotte Linlin licked her even redder lips with her scarlet tongue, "Let the World Government understand what happens when you fool us!"

Then.

"Affiliated Nation?"

Roa put down his newspaper, a bright smile on his face. "Why would the World Government care about a mere Affiliated Nation state?"

Couldn't it have been enough for everyone to just do a token gesture?

If you honestly hand over the New World to us, we'll also behave ourselves and stop causing trouble. It'll be better for everyone.

But since you insist on causing trouble, then we have no choice but to take it seriously.

"You mean to say that an Affiliated Nation is not enough for you to vent your anger, right?"

Kaido asked with interest, "So what do you think?"

"The vast majority of the navy's combat power has already been deployed, which means their rear is undefended!"

Roa raised his right index and middle fingers. "Two choices: Marineford, or Mary Geoise."

Everyone was taken aback.

"Roa, are you serious?"

Ochoku suddenly felt his mouth was dry.

Is it really possible to go this far?

Is it possible for a human to offer a choice between the Marine Headquarters and the World Government's central command?

"Seriously speaking, I recommend Marineford."

Roa said seriously, "Mary Geoise has the Five Elders and the Knights of God; it's not so easy to destroy."

And Imu.

"Compared to that, Marineford practically nothing more than a Fleet Admiral, Kong!"

Wow, that's serious!

However, it's definitely for real!

This kid is definitely serious!

Ochoku opened his mouth, but for a moment he didn't know what to say.

Silver Axe and Captain John exchanged bewildered glances.

Even Charlotte Linlin and Redfield looked somewhat stunned.

Only Kaido and Golden Lion burst out laughing at the same time.

"Hehehe! I knew you wouldn't let me down!"

"Hahaha! What are we waiting for? Let's go! Marine Headquarters!!"