A fleet of enormous snails.
Vinsmoke Judge stood by the window, watching the fleet climb steadily upward, a faint smile on his face.
The Navy's blockade of the New World had done him a huge favor. By helping Hale Nock transport essential supplies, he had reaped the benefits.
Over the past year, he had gained considerable support and secretly taken control of several affiliated nations, all without anyone knowing.
He simply had yet to show his hand to the government, because he still wanted more land...
For over twenty years, his struggle to revive the Vinsmoke Family had made no progress whatsoever. Yet after less than a year of working with Hale Nock, he had secretly seized control of several countries without the government discovering it.
Judge felt increasingly certain that cooperating with one of the Four Emperors had been the right decision.
Reiju leaned against the doorway behind him, watching Judge dream of the future with an expressionless face. She could not summon any excitement.
With normal human emotions and a mature mind, Reiju had always felt that cooperating with pirates was hardly a wise choice.
The Navy was at the height of its power. Sooner or later, the pirates would be wiped out, and when that happened...
Bzz-bzz-bzz-
A piercing alarm suddenly rang out, putting the entire fleet on alert.
Everyone immediately assumed battle stations:
"Who's there?!"
But it was all futile...
Dense masses of vines burst out beside the enormous climbing snails. Some pierced straight through their bodies, while others surged into the cabins, splitting into countless branches that impaled the soldiers through their chests.
They all shared one trait: every living thing they pierced rapidly shriveled, drained of all moisture and energy...
Boom, boom, boom-
Explosions erupted everywhere. In mere seconds, nothing remained of the fleet