Preparing for a large-scale war was no easy task.
Even with the World Government's unprecedented support this time, giving the Marines virtually anything they asked for, they still weren't fully prepared after three days.
As the saying went, an army marched on its stomach. But before supplies came intelligence.
And on that front, the Marines faced an unprecedented challenge.
Where was the enemy's territory? How many troops did they have, and how strong were they? What weapons and equipment did they possess? What had they prepared for a Marine assault? And what unpredictable factors might come into play?
They needed answers in advance so they could prepare and avoid unnecessary casualties.
For this war, the Marines had mobilized 150,000 personnel, 10,000 Cipher Pol intelligence agents, and twenty-five warships. Their top combat forces included Fleet Admiral Sengoku; Garp and Zephyr, both Admiral-level fighters; Admiral candidates Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan; twenty-three Vice Admirals; and four CP0-level fighters dispatched by the World Government. They intended to wipe the Sky Pirate Crew off the face of the sea.
For this war, they didn't even have time to deal with the other pirates roaming the seas.
If this operation failed too, it would deal a devastating blow to both the Marines and the world order.
A grim, battle-ready atmosphere hung over Marine Headquarters and the G-1 Branch.
Marine Headquarters had wanted to wait a little longer, but news that the Thunder God Pirate Crew had defeated the Silver Axe Pirates in the New World made that impossible.
If they didn't strike now, while the enemy was weakened from its recent battle, the war would be even harder once the Thunder God Pirate Crew had absorbed the Silver Axe Pirates' territory and forces.
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Because there was a risk of intelligence leaks within the