Unlike the dozens of Flying Fish "carrier-based aircraft" aboard the Sunny back then, this time Dibaru, air force commander under the Brat Pirates, deployed a full three hundred Flying Fish "bombers" in a single sortie. Once they had circled into formation, they headed straight for the Beast Pirates' fleet on the distant horizon.
Given more time to train, Dibaru could have raised even more Flying Fish. But half a month had been far too short, and these three hundred Flying Fish and their riders were all he could deploy for now.
"Hey?"
"Boss Dibaru!"
"How are we fighting this time?"
After the Flying Fish bomber formation had flown some distance, the voice of a former Flying Fish Knight came through the small Transponder Snail perched on Dibaru's shoulder.
Thanks to Gild Tesoro's generosity, the Flying Fish commanders, Dibaru included, now each had a Transponder Snail. That ensured the air force could communicate, issue orders, and coordinate between squads without interference while carrying out missions in the sky.
"..."
Dibaru didn't answer. He only stared at the ships' sails drawing closer in the distance, frowning as he thought.
He had of course studied the Beast Pirates' intelligence beforehand. Never mind anything else; they had plenty of people who could fly or attack aerial targets. Their mission this time would be no easy task, even if he had already guessed that their sortie was simply a test of the enemy by their commander, Siwara.
"All Flying Fish squad leaders, listen up!"
"The enemy leader is extremely strong and can fly, so I'm ordering everyone to bomb them from high altitude. Do not make close-range dives!"
"I repeat!"
"Bomb them from high altitude. Do not dive!"
"Also!"
"Each squad leader, take your recruits and pick the nearest target. Once you've dropped your bombs,