Even though Blackbeard had ordered the entire fleet to retreat at once, the endless formation stretching across the sea could not simply turn around and leave. The massive Pirate armada pivoted with extreme sluggishness.
Blackbeard's flagship had been positioned at the very front of the marching formation. Now that the army was retreating, it had instead become the rearmost vessel. Only after the Pirates ahead began moving and the other pirate ships cleared a passage could Blackbeard's flagship return to its position at the head of the fleet.
But at that moment, Blackbeard received news he very much did not want to hear.
"Boss! It's Aokiji! Aokiji has moved!" The spy secretly planted in Dressrosa reported firsthand intelligence. "Not long ago, Dressrosa began mustering its troops. The Germa Corps that had been deployed elsewhere has already set out, while Dressrosa's local forces are still gathering. And Aokiji himself left Dressrosa alone long ago!"
"!!!" Blackbeard's eyelid twitched. The Germa Corps joining Uchiha Hiko had made all the major powers envious for quite some time. Especially after they had split up and put down wars in several countries one after another, their reputation had soared. They were one of Uchiha Hiko's two most capable main forces. But he had heard not long ago that they were still fighting elsewhere. How had they suddenly returned to Dressrosa already?
Blackbeard grabbed the Den Den Mushi and contacted every ship and unit. "Tactical adjustment. Guard against a flanking assault by the Germa Corps. We've received word that the Germa Corps has moved out. All units, be prepared. Do not get drawn into battle. Withdraw quickly!"
The Germa Corps?
The expressions of ordinary Pirates changed the moment they heard that name.
They were the legendary War Experts, nation-destroying machines, an undefeated force of legend. They