The winds of the West Blue carried the scent of salt and freedom, stirring Gan Ning's brocade robe. He stood at the towering prow of the S.S. Tidal, its massive bow cleaving the deep-blue waves beneath his feet, an enormous fleet stretching for miles behind him. A forest of masts and sails blotted out the sky, and the crimson flags of Hua Country's navy snapped beneath the blue heavens above the azure sea. His gaze sharp as a hawk's, Gan Ning surveyed the faint outlines of islands on the horizon ahead-the Coral Island Chain, the first target of his campaign to pacify the seas.
"General, our scouts report more than thirty warships of various sizes at Pearl Harbor on the main coral island. They've deployed around the reefs, and the coastal forts are equipped with cannons." The deputy pointed at the nautical chart, his voice steady.
A wild smile curled Gan Ning's lips, and he jabbed a finger hard at the throat of the Coral Island Chain on the chart. "Pearl Harbor? A fine-sounding name. Relay my orders! The fast ships of the Flying Fish and Arrow Shark battalions will take the left and right wings, circle through the open sea, and cut off contact with the outlying islands! The main fleet will drive straight through the center!"
Like invisible radio waves, the orders spread swiftly through flag signals and Den Den Mushi. The enormous fleet instantly split into three. Two swift flotillas traced graceful arcs like nimble storm petrels and vanished into the distant sea mist.
Meanwhile, the flagship S.S. Tidal, personally commanded by Gan Ning, led the main fleet in an unstoppable charge straight toward Pearl Harbor's narrow entrance!
The defenders of Pearl Harbor were plainly shaken by the sudden appearance of the enormous fleet and its fearless