Army and the Red Line

Most important was what Black's decision to send personnel meant.

He had effectively given up on the Affiliated Nations in the Four Seas that the Rocks Pirates might invade, shifting his focus to clearing out pirates instead.

The sheer size of the Four Seas made it difficult for the Marines to send reinforcements.

Even the first half of the Grand Line needed eight Marine Vice Admirals to guard it. Each of the Four Seas was several times larger.

Marine Headquarters could not spare any more forces, either. As the situation changed, the New World might need reinforcements at any moment.

In just one month, all three Marine Vice Admirals at the Battle of Kent Island had been killed.

After the Battle of Flame Island, "Lion Ghost" Shiki had slain another Vice Admiral. The Marines had now lost four Marine Vice Admirals.

If they truly meant to protect the Affiliated Nations of the Four Seas, they would need to recall at least the four Admiral Candidates.

An ordinary Marine Vice Admiral might well be no match for an officer sent by the Rocks Pirates.

Unprecedented pressure weighed on Fleet Admiral Black. Outsiders did not know that his hair had turned completely white; he only dyed it black now.

The Marines' overall strength was not weak compared with the past.

Their three Marine Admirals could each face one of the Rocks Pirates' core members.

Their four Admiral Candidates, whose strength approached that of Top Combatants, could also hold their own against the Rocks Pirates' core officers for a time.

Add "Purple Lion" Messi and "White Mouse" Ronaldo, two Marine Vice Admirals whose strength exceeded their rank, and the Marines had counterparts for senior officers like Shiki and Newgate.

Yet in sheer numbers of powerful fighters, the Marines were at a severe disadvantage.