"Qinglan, Iron Sand, leave five hundred-strong squads behind as planned to help the Whitebeard Pirates hold Reverse Mountain." Yufeng's voice was quiet but perfectly clear. "Everyone else, assemble with your gear. We leave in the time it takes an incense stick to burn. Destination: the North Blue."
Qinglan and Iron Sand answered in unison.
Five hundred-strong squads broke away from the Nightingale Guard's formation. Carrying sealing formula scrolls, Sensory Barrier equipment, communication Den Den Mushi, and supplies, they swiftly established defenses on both sides of the pier.
The remaining Nightingale Guard members tightened their formation, checked their ninja tool pouches and chakra reserves, and prepared for the long-distance assault.
Marco walked over to Whitebeard, glanced at the Nightingale Guard assembling nearby, and asked quietly, "Pops, does the intelligence department have a detailed report on the situation in the North Blue?"
"They do." Whitebeard pulled a folded nautical chart from inside his coat, unfolded it, and spread it over the pier's railing.
Red markings on the chart showed the distribution of the North Blue's warlords, the locations of the Marine Branches, and the heart of Vinsmoke activity.
His finger landed slightly north of the chart's center, where a large red circle had been drawn.
"The strongest Marine Branch in the North Blue is in the Lubni Kingdom. There's a subsidiary base there directly under Marine Headquarters, with over five thousand troops and twelve main warships. The branch commander's a rear admiral called 'Iron Wall.' What was his name again..." Whitebeard scratched the back of his head.
"Iron Wall Montague," Yufeng supplied as he approached. "A Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral and a Zoan Turtle-Turtle Fruit user. His defenses are extremely strong. Supposedly, he once withstood a warship's direct bombardment. He's the strongest defensive fighter among the North Blue's Marine Branches."
Whitebeard snorted.