Sakazuki was brought aboard the Dawn warship. Issho arranged for a ship's doctor to treat him. Though he had been submerged in the sea for quite some time, a powerhouse with Sakazuki's physical constitution would not die so quickly underwater.
Although he remained unconscious, his breathing gradually steadied. His life was no longer in danger.
Akainu's capture did not affect Kuzan's operations. Once the Marines from Akainu's division joined up with Aokiji, Marine Headquarters continued its campaign against several islands on the outskirts of Whole Cake Island according to the original plan.
Kuzan's methods were gentle. Although Marine Headquarters' advance slowed considerably, Whole Cake Island failed to organize any effective resistance during the campaign.
The pirate crews stationed on the outskirts were essentially the most peripheral subordinates of the Big Mom Pirates. Not only were they low in status, but their fighting strength was also weak.
The closer they got to Cake Island, however, the more pirates there were, and the stronger those pirates became.
That night, Kuzan did not press forward recklessly. After taking control of the six islands around Whole Cake Island according to the original plan, he ordered the troops to rest. At the same time, he dispatched patrol ships to inspect the waters surrounding their controlled territory.
After fighting through the night, even the Headquarters elites needed time to rest. Moreover, to be safe, Kuzan intended to rely on the six captured islands to withstand the Big Mom Pirates' coming counterattack while waiting for Kizaru to arrive with reinforcements.
Likely Wine Island.
The Headquarters Marines had completely taken control of several ports on the island and thoroughly blockaded the nearby waters. Other than Headquarters warships, no "civilian" vessel was permitted to put to sea.
Anyone who disobeyed the order would be sunk without question. The Marines'