Inside the Fleet Admiral's Office.
Sakazuki studied the enormous strategic sand table on his desk.
He casually picked up the flags representing the Marines beside him and tossed them...
Rustle, rustle-
With two soft sounds, the two little flags landed precisely on target.
Each planted itself in the center of an island on opposite sides of the sand table...
A short while later...
Smir Harbor, New World.
It was one of the islands under Hale Nock's control closest to Marine territory.
Although they had already made preparations, they had not expected the Marines to move so decisively.
Dozens of warships, spaced some distance apart, bombarded Smir Harbor.
The force already rivaled a Buster Call, but it remained relatively restrained, currently striking only the areas marked as pirate bases on the island.
Yamakaji, one of the vice admirals overseeing the operation, stood aboard the central warship and took a puff of his cigar.
"This is much faster than I imagined."
"We only just entered the New World, and we're already fighting."
They had all received Fleet Admiral Sakazuki's orders not long ago and immediately set out with their forces.
There had been no detailed instructions, only an order to capture Smir Harbor. The sole restriction was to keep casualties below a specified rate... the purpose was obvious: training...
Vice Admiral Stainless smiled beside him.
"This is exactly what we need."
"We could wipe out the pirates within our generation."
"What an honor that would be."
"If I didn't have to command, I'd charge out there right now..."
As he spoke, he gripped the sword at his waist, his blood beginning to boil.
Yamakaji smiled too. He had a point...
Meanwhile.
After their initial panic, the pirates stationed at Smir Harbor had responded.
They organized a disciplined counterattack. As members of