The top-level fighters, Shiki and the others, could not settle their battles quickly, and the same held true for the clashes between the pirate officers and the Marines' mid-ranking flag officers.
Over the years, with Lind's "help," the Marines' mid-level fighting strength had also improved. Almost every year brought a sizable crop of Rear Admirals, Vice Admirals, and even fighters at the Elite Vice Admiral level.
Although a group of Marines had turned against them at God Valley, considerably thinning their mid-level ranks, their numbers were still far greater than in the original story at the same point in time.
The Marines had not carried out any major purge after the battle at God Valley. After all, none of them possessed an ability like mind reading.
Unless Kong and the others wanted to cripple the Marines completely, they would not launch a purge lightly. That was why, even after the God Valley Incident, the Marines could still easily keep the seas in check.
Although the Marines Sengoku had brought this time fell short in quality compared with Lind's main force, they had little trouble handling Golden Lion's allied fleet.
At the very least, while the top-level fighters on both sides battled, they could hold the pirates back and prevent a breakthrough on this front.
Just like that, the two sides fell into a stalemate.
In fact, after enduring the constant bloody battles of the Rocks era, most of the pirates and Marines were not fighting to kill. They simply kept their opponents occupied, waiting for the outcome of Shiki and the others' battles above.
There was no helping it. The bloody battles of the Rocks era had been far too brutal. The deaths of countless comrades had taught these men that staying alive came first on the battlefield.
Only a