"Therefore..."
Sakazuki gave Gawain a long look.
"The Five Elders have demanded that we end the standoff with the Great Pirate Alliance as soon as possible!"
Pirates can continue their life of pillaging and plundering in suitable environments, but their existence must never be a threat to Mary Geoise!
They've given us three days. Within those three days, we must drive out the Pirate Alliance!
Otherwise..."
At this point, Sakazuki's gaze towards Gawain grew increasingly worried. Meeting Sakazuki's gaze, Gawain pondered for a moment, then asked with a light laugh.
"There's something wrong with the way you're looking at me, Sakazuki."
So, if we can't resolve this within three days, will the Five Elders take some measures to punish me?
After all, I'm the one who caused all of this."
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain smiled slightly and pointed to the railway tracks of the Sea Train that were running and constantly rising and falling with the waves not far away.
He continued speaking.
"In any case, my decision to blockade the Grand Line is still a bit premature."
If we prioritize the development of the Sea Train project, we can lay the Sea Train to a more detailed extent within three to five years.
Our personnel mobilization will be much faster than it is now, and we can respond to the Great Pirate Alliance much more quickly.
I was just a little too hasty!
You don't need to understand why I'm in a hurry; you just need to know that I am indeed in a hurry!
Therefore, I initiated the lockdown plan too early, which made the situation slightly more dangerous and severe than we originally planned.
Ultimately, however sooner or later, when I blockaded the Grand Line and intended to eradicate the roots of pirates...
This battle is now inevitable!
So...!"
Gawain suddenly raised his right hand, and under the gaze of everyone around him, he gave a cold laugh.
Pointing to the indistinct silhouette of the ship in the distance, Gawain smiled slightly.
"Therefore, everyone!"
I have no interest in knowing what kind of pressure the Five Elders will be forced to exert on me under the pressure the Pirate Alliance is already putting on Mary Geoise!
We only have three days left, so time is of the essence!
Sakazuki and Borsalino, you two convey a message to the navy for me.
Tell those old guys Sengoku and Garp that it's time for them to really shine too!
My base at Reverse Mountain faces daily attacks from pirates, while the strike force led by Issho within the Grand Line relentlessly pursues the pirates hiding along the route.
That's why those pirates still refuse to give up their delusional fantasies even now.
It's because in their hearts, the new generation of great pirates, who serve as their guiding principles and beacon, have not yet been completely defeated!
Look, the situation before us is so clear: it's just a matter of one battle!
In this battle, we must either break the backbone of the New World pirates, or at least achieve enough results to prove an absolute victory, even if we cannot completely defeat them!
After this battle, I will crush the pirates' spirit and make them unable to cause us any more trouble!
Forever!!!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain clenched his fist tightly.
Standing before him, Sakazuki widened his eyes and brows.
Even he felt like crying at that moment!
Or rather, it was especially him who wanted to cry!
Because he had waited for this day for far too long!!!
He suddenly knelt down, bowing to Gawain as he solemnly addressed him.
"Please rest assured, Gawain, Borsalino and I will return to Marine Headquarters immediately and begin discussions with Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"
Within three days, the entire high command of the Navy will gather in Mary Geoise!
The time has come for our soldiers to fight to the death. We are destined to use a victory to usher in a new era of justice!
I will never allow Mary Geoise to send the God's Knights to imprison or slander you in any way!
This is a war we absolutely cannot lose, and we certainly will not lose!
Please wait for my news, sir!
As soon as he finished speaking, Sakazuki up and glanced back at Borsalino.
Meeting Sakazuki's gaze, Borsalino gave an annoyed smirk.
"Well, I'm going to be busy for quite a while now."
But this is good, because after this battle, I'll probably have a lot more time to rest!
So please rest assured, sir.
Even if Kuzan couldn't bear to see the Navy suffer heavy casualties, he wouldn't show any compassion for those destined to die in the war when pirates came knocking on his door.
You will see a united and energetic naval force.
Besides that, I must wish you good fortune in your military campaigns.
I wish you continued success and that you will never forget your original aspirations!
Because what we and you are pursuing is not just a victory!
We want more!!!
As soon as he finished speaking, Borsalino grabbed Sakazuki and they disappeared into the sky, heading towards the Marine Headquarters.
After the two of them disappeared, Gawain immediately frowned.
"The God's Knights?"
He murmured something, then shook his head thoughtfully.
"I haven't heard much about this team, but they're quite famous in Mary Geoise."
After all, they are the only team qualified to judge the Celestial Dragon.
Therefore, even though the Five Elders gave me enough freedom, my actions must still be kept within certain guidelines.
For example, I must never put too much pressure on or harm Mary Geoise through my actions.
Otherwise, even I would probably have to pay a price.
"Snort!"
No sooner had Gawain finished speaking than Hancock suddenly snorted.
"Whoever dares to judge you, I'll kill them!"
"Haha, how could that be? Even if they were qualified, I would not put myself in a position to be judged by them."
However, in order to increase our chances of victory, I think there's something else I need to do!
After saying that, Gawain gently patted Hancock on the shoulder.
"Hancock, you and Gion keep an eye on the other side, and also inform Kaya to announce the war declaration to the Dark Bird Banner on my behalf."
Anyone who is able to appear at the Mary Geoise outpost within two days without affecting their respective combat missions.
They can all come and join the fight.
I will decide when the war begins.
From the third sunrise after this sunset, I will conduct a war mobilization outside Reverse Mountain.
You should also be prepared!
After saying that, Gawain strode back and walked away.
As he walked, he waved to Mihawk.
"As for you, Mihawk, come with me."
Accompany me for a while, help me meet a few people I need to communicate with, and let me organize and teach you the skills I've recently acquired.
This battle is one we cannot afford to lose, so even I have to do some last-minute cramming.
Let's go, let's have a proper talk with the last few fighters we can recruit!
"Um!"
Upon hearing Gawain's words, Mihawk nodded decisively.
Although he didn't consider himself Gawain's subordinate, he could fool himself, but he couldn't fool Gawain.
He's already received Gawain's talent, so why is he still acting all high and mighty?
Moreover, Mihawk had no power to refuse new techniques.
And so, the two of them left Mary Geoise and boarded the Sea Train to an unknown place.
Meanwhile, at Marine Headquarters...
Borsalino and Sakazuki have also appeared in Sengoku's office!
Unlike in the past, the Sengoku Office was now filled with many people.
Besides the usual Sengoku —Garp, Sengoku, and Tsuru—there's also Admiral Kuzan, and a series of Vice Admiral including Chaton and Onigumo.
Upon seeing Sakazuki and his companion return, Onigumo immediately asked a question.
"Admiral Sakazuki, have you seen Lord Gawain?"
How should we deal with the overwhelming tide of pirates sweeping across the alliance?
Should we fight or not?
Or should we let them go and ease the tension hanging over Mary Geoise as soon as possible?
After saying that, Onigumo stared intently into Sakazuki's eyes.
He desperately wanted to know the answer!
At the same time, Kuzan, who was standing nearby, also took off his blindfold.
He wasn't expecting an answer, because he already knew what it was!
He was met with the gazes of Onigumo and a group of Vice Admiral who were relatively unfamiliar with Gawain.
Sakazuki was silent for a moment, then he clenched his fist and smashed Sengoku's desk to pieces!
"The situation has come to this point, does anyone still intend to let the pirates run rampant? Damn it!!!"
Remember this: Lord Gawain will never let us, warriors with boiling blood, down!
Gawain has given his orders; this war is inevitable.
No one should try to make the navy retreat at this time, no one should try!!!
At this point, Sakazuki's gaze clashed sharply with Sengoku's thoughtful expression.
He couldn't even be bothered to look at Kuzan anymore; everyone knew that Kuzan and Sengoku Garp were always in cahoots!
Sengoku took a deep breath, meeting Sakazuki's eyes, which were filled with molten Magma.
"Sakazuki, you're underestimating me!"
At this point, Sengoku suddenly stood up.
Standing before everyone with his arms crossed, Sengoku spoke solemnly in a low voice.
"The enemy has assembled all of their Emperor-level pirate crews, along with more than two hundred high-ranking pirates with bounties exceeding eight hundred million."
In addition, the enemy's basic combat strength, that is, the number of people with bounties ranging from 100 million to 500 million, is almost more than 30,000!
This far exceeds the number of our officers at the colonel level!
If we were alone facing such a lineup, we might not lose, but we definitely couldn't win!
We have to admit that unless we receive full support from Mary Geoise, we absolutely cannot fight against the great pirate group that has been entrenched in the New World for hundreds of years on our own!
But!!!"
When someone says "but," it means a turning point is coming!
Sengoku suddenly stretched out his right hand and clenched his fist tightly in front of his chest!
"However, this battle is not just ours to fight, and we are not even the main characters in this battle!!!"
Since Gawain is willing to stand at the forefront of the war, how can we not protect his rear?!
Sengoku's clenched fist suddenly relaxed.
"Garp, this time, we two old guys might have to fight to the death!"
Our enemies are still around. Whitebeard is waiting for you, he's been waiting for you for far too long!
Surely we can't wait until he dies, preventing him from ever having your ultimate showdown?
"In that case, let's put all the regrets of our past lives into the next battle!"
"Hahahaha, of course!!!"
Hearing Sengoku's voice, Garp suddenly stood up and abruptly ripped off his hat.
"Back then, you were always chasing after Whitebeard Pirates, while I was chasing after that damned Roger."
As a result, I didn't get to fight Whitebeard much, haha!
In that old guy's eyes, I'm probably just a lazy bum who relies on past achievements to coast along in the navy, right?
"It's time for this old man to show his face!"
At this point, Garp excitedly raised his fists and slammed them together.
Boom!!!
A violent gust of wind pressure suddenly emanated from Garp's clashing fists, causing the coats of all the officers present to flutter loudly.
Kuzan, standing to the side, swallowed hard. Anyone who dared to look down on Garp, this old man, would surely meet a terrible end.
A year ago, because Gion took Gawain away, Garp also used that move of Sea Fall to give himself a good beating.
My head is swollen from being hit!!!
Standing to the side, listening to Garp's declaration full of fighting spirit, and feeling the heart-palpitating power of Garp's fist.
Sakazuki nodded in admiration.
Sure enough, although the senior members of the Navy were somewhat lazy, they never failed to live up to their title of hero!
At the same time, after receiving Garp's response, Sengoku raised his hand and slammed it heavily into the air.
"Very good, seeing how excited you are, old man, this battle is going to be quite something!"
Everyone, listen up! Summon all branch officers on the Grand Line and have them all assemble at the Dark Bird Outpost on the other side of the Red Line within three days!
With Gawain's subordinates constantly suppressing Reverse Mountain and the interior of the Grand Line, the branch officers of the Grand Line have long been complaining about the decrease in their workload!
Since we don't want to be idle, let's all gather at the highest peak of the new era!
The time has come for us to burn our blood and fire for this world!
Borsalino, Kuzan, and Sakazuki!
Once the war begins, I will not allow you to relax in the slightest!
This is not a conventional war; there are no unspoken rules of one-on-one combat like in the past!
If the Dark Bird hadn't taken over Whitebeard's duties, then Whitebeard and Garp would have been the ones to deal with him!
If it's not our turn to fight Whitebeard, then Garp and Garp will suppress an Emperor-level pirate crew immediately!
The three of you need to work together to suppress the second Yonko-level pirate crew as quickly as possible!
Over the years, pirates have been like a breeding ground for venomous insects, producing far too many mid-to-high-level combatants!
If we cannot suppress their highest level of power as quickly as possible, we, who are being dragged into this stalemate, will suffer unbearable losses in terms of the middle and lower levels of power!
Therefore, we not only need to win, but we need to win quickly!
Our future will be determined by this battle.
But our future requires continued investment of effort to maintain and manage!
Therefore, Sakazuki, suppress the enemy's strongmen as soon as possible and preserve as much of our fighting force as possible!
Did you hear that?!
"Yes, sir!"
Sakazuki nodded firmly. Although he wished he could sacrifice all the Marines to annihilate the pirates, he also knew that regardless of whether they won or lost this battle, the Marines would need more manpower to complete their plans and deployments for the future.
Meanwhile, just as the navy had already prepared for war.
Gawain and Mihawk, after the Sea Train stopped, entered the world-renowned Impel Down and Impel Down!