The more Marines gathered at Marineford, the more depleted the branches across the Four Blues and the Grand Line became.
Orders to plunder spread from the New World into Marine-controlled waters.
"The Marine G7 Branch has pulled out two thousand soldiers!"
"How many guards are left at the ammunition depot there?"
"Fewer than four hundred!"
"Gather eight ships. We attack tonight!"
"The Vice Admiral at the Marine G12 Branch has returned to Headquarters!"
"Only one captain is left on the island!"
"Seize the shipyard and all the supplies!"
"Whitebeard's territories are empty too!"
"Don't touch Whitebeard's flag yet!"
"Once Newgate enters Marineford, we'll divide up his islands!"
More Den Den Mushi rang one after another.
"The Black Shark Pirates are willing to send twelve ships!"
"What are their terms?"
"They want half the treasury on Marineford's west side!"
"Make them charge the coastal guns first!"
"Captain Red Python demands a share of Rocks's legacy!"
"Agree to it!"
"One-Eyed Bellu is coming with two thousand men!"
"Give him three crates of gunpowder and put him in the vanguard!"
Lies and bounties spread across the seas at the same time.
Some declared that Teach held Rocks's treasure.
Some claimed that the World Government would send Rocks's possessions to the Execution Platform to be destroyed.
Others spread word that beneath Marine Headquarters lay the gold the Celestial Dragons had amassed over three hundred years.
Every rumor was riddled with holes.
Yet the pirates, freed from restraint, refused to stop.
All they needed was an excuse to draw their blades and board their ships.
On the outskirts of Hachinosu, dozens of ships crowded into the harbor.
Hulls collided as pirates fought over berths on the gangplanks.
"Get out of the way!"
"This is Lord Ochoku's old dock!"
"You small fry dare dock here?"
"Ochoku