The command post was deathly quiet.
Akainu remained silent.
He stared at the black mechanical soldiers on the screen, watching them march forward in perfect formation, watching the blue light on their chests flash in the tunnel.
Those items are all creations of Hachinosu.
The World Government lost Vegapunk, and the Pacifista they had spent decades and countless resources to create were as fragile as paper in front of the mechanical army on Hachinosu.
" Kong." Akainu turned his head and looked at an old man standing in the corner.
Kong, formerly Fleet Admiral, is now the Commander-in-Chief of the World Government's armed forces, the last line of defense for eight hundred years of rule.
" Pacifista can't stop them."
The Kong spoke in a hoarse yet steady voice.
"That was clear from the beginning."
Their task is simply to buy time.
Kong walked to the command platform and pointed at the map.
"Since we can't stop it, let's play the second card."
The Marine Vice Admiral led 10,000 men and lined up at the exit of the passage, forming the first line of defense.
The goal is to stall them as much as possible, even if it's just for an extra hour.
Akainu frowned. " Vice Admiral leading 10,000 men? The enemy is a coalition of seven major powers. What can 10,000 men do?"
"That's enough to exhaust them."
Kong raised his head, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his cloudy eyes.
" Roy's officers are strong, but soldiers are soldiers after all."
How much physical exertion could ten thousand well-trained Marine Vice Admiral and elite troops possibly expend?
Can we make them even more tired?
That's the value.
Akainu was silent for a few seconds, then nodded.
"The second line of defense, Sabaody Archipelago itself."
Kong's finger moved to the location on the map representing the Sabaody Archipelago.
" Akainu, you take the Navy's top combat force and guard that place."
Garp, Aokiji, and elite Vice Admiral —all of them are going in.
Don't engage them head-on; instead, use the fortifications on the island to wear them down.
The terrain of Sabaody is complex and suitable for urban warfare.
"The third line of defense, above the Red Line."
Kong's fingers continued to move upwards.
"I personally led the main force of the Army, along with Kizaru and Fujitora, to guard that place and block the ascent route."
"If Roy wants to launch an aerial attack on Mary Geoise, he'll have to get past me first."
What about the exit of the passage?
Akainu asked,
"What if the Vice Admiral can't hold them off, and Roy's fleet just bursts out of the tunnel? What will we do then?"
"Therefore, the Vice Admiral must hold them off."
Kong's voice deepened.
"At least hold them off long enough for us to complete setting up our second and third lines of defense."
He glanced around at all the generals in the command post.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this battle concerns the very survival of the World Government."
If Mary Geoise falls, the eight-hundred-year-old dynasty will be completely finished.
There was no way out, no reinforcements, and no second chance.
"Go and prepare yourselves."
The people in the command post quickly dispersed and went to their respective posts.
Akainu stood still, staring at Kong.
What do you think our chances of winning are?
Kong did not give a direct answer.
He walked to the window, looking at the outline of the Sabaody Archipelago, the fortifications being hastily constructed, and the soldiers running around.
Who knows?!
He spoke slowly,
"For eight hundred years, we have faced countless enemies."
Rocks, Roger, Whitebeard... they've all fallen, but the World Government still exists.
He turned his head and looked at Akainu.
This time will be no exception.
Akainu didn't reply.
He clenched his fist, and lava seeped out from between his fingers, dripping onto the ground with a hissing sound.
He turned around and strode out of the command post.
····················
The sound of gunfire at the exit of the passage began at 2 p. m.
Kaido stood at the bow of the Beasts Pirates' flagship, while Hassaikai leaned on the deck, looking up at the blinding white light at the exit of the passage.
Two Pluton Battleship slowly emerged from his sides, their black hulls appearing exceptionally imposing against the white light.
"Arrive."
Kaido grinned, revealing a mouthful of fangs.
"Men, charge!"
Both Pluton Battleship fired simultaneously.
Seastone shells shot out from the cannon muzzle, trailing long plumes of flame, and struck the rock walls on either side of the passage exit with pinpoint accuracy.
Rocks crumbled, and rubble rained down, smashing the makeshift fortifications at the exit into pieces.
The first line of defense set up by the Marine Vice Admiral was just outside the exit.
Ten thousand elite naval soldiers formed a square formation, with shields in front, spears behind, Fire Pistol at the very back.
Dozens of Vice Admiral ran back and forth in front of the formation, shouting commands at the top of their lungs, trying to stabilize the formation.
The second salvo from the Pluton Battleship has arrived.
Seastone shells landed in the very center of the formation, creating a visible shockwave the moment they exploded.
Shieldbearers were sent flying in droves, the crisp sound of spears snapping mingling with the explosions, as blood mist and dust rose into the air together.
"Kill--!"
Kaido jumped off the flagship and activated his full beast form while still in mid-air.
A colossal blue dragon blocked the exit of the passage. With a flick of its tail, more than a dozen marines were sent flying, crashing into the mountainside and remaining motionless.
The dragon opened its mouth, and Bolo Breath wrapped in Lightning surged out, carving a scorched furrow tens of meters long in the formation.
The Beasts Pirates ' fleet followed closely behind.
One after another, the animal-headed warships sailed out of the passage, the animal-headed statues on their prows gleaming menacingly amidst the gunfire.
The All-Stars and the Flying Six jumped off the deck, and King spread his Pteranodon wings, his Flame Blade drawing several red arcs in the air.
Queen's Gatling gun fired wildly, bullets raining down on the naval formation.
Jack transformed into Mammoth Form. With a flick of his tusks, more than a dozen people were sent flying into the air.
The Vice Admiral tried desperately to stop them, but they couldn't.
A Vice Admiral was struck in the shoulder by Ember's flaming blade, his entire arm charred, and he screamed as he retreated to the rear.
Another Vice Admiral attempted to block Jack's elephant trunk sweep with his iron fist.
As a result, he and his horse were pulled into the mountainside, and the rubble buried him until only his head was sticking out.
"It's unstoppable! It's simply unstoppable!"
A Rear Admiral's voice trembled with tears, and his hand was shaking so badly he could barely hold the knife.
"No retreat! No one can betray justice!"
A Vice Admiral drew his sword and cut down two soldiers who were running away, but more people ran past him, ignoring his shouts.
The Navy's first line of defense collapsed in less than fifteen minutes under the Beasts Pirates ' fierce attack.
The flanks of the square collapsed first, then the front, and then the Fire Pistol at the rear.
Ten thousand people were crushed like a cookie by dozens of giant beasts and dozens of top-tier combatants.
Luffy's side is faster than Kaido's side.
The moment the Thousand Sunny burst out of the tunnel, Luffy had already jumped from the bow into the air.
With the Gear Fifth activated, white steam billowed from his body, and black and red Conqueror's Haki Inazuma darted around him like swarms of snakes.
He landed in the very center of the naval formation and slammed his fist into the ground.