Bad news never comes alone.
Just as the two major operation plans, " Deep Dive " and " Nail," had been deployed and the troops were still making intensive preparations, several urgent battle reports were sent back to headquarters almost simultaneously!
"Report! Bibo Island in the South China Sea has lost contact! Last signal indicated it was attacked by a large number of flying monsters!"
"A forward outpost on the North Blue ice sheet has been destroyed! A large-scale expansion of purplish-black fungal carpet has been observed on the ground!"
"A small spatial rift has appeared near the Spice Islands in the West Blue! Although it was suppressed in time, a small number of monsters still managed to enter!"
The invaders' expansion was not limited to just one corner of the East Blue! They seemed to have adapted to the rules of this world and began to infiltrate other sea areas! Although their scale was far less terrifying than the main rift in the East Blue, this undoubtedly meant an infinitely extended battle line and a multiplied defensive pressure!
"Are they learning... or are they executing some strategy we don't know about?" Sabo looked at the suddenly intricate global map, his face grim. Around the huge red threat zone that was originally concentrated in the east, new, smaller red dots began to appear sporadically, like drops of ink slowly spreading on paper.
"We must immediately send reinforcements!" Long ordered without hesitation. "Dispatch a rapid reaction fleet from the South Blue, the North Blue, and the West Blue, each led by Headquarters Vice Admiral admiral, equipped with the latest equipment. We must stop the cracks from widening and the creep from spreading! Prioritize the evacuation of civilians!"
The already stretched forces were further dispersed. The main force of the Blood-Red Defense Line had no choice but to remain pinned down in the East Blue, dealing with the greatest threat, and unable to attend to anything else. A deep sense of powerlessness enveloped the command post.
"We can't wait any longer!" Allen stood up. "Operation ' Deep Dive ' must be brought forward! We must figure out their core mechanisms as soon as possible, or we'll be worn down and killed!"
The infiltration operation, which was originally planned to require more time to prepare, was forced to be launched ahead of schedule.
Hours later, at a secluded harbor behind the Loguetown.
A highly skilled squad has assembled. The members include: Karasu, the former Army Commander of the Revolutionary Army's Eastern Army, a master of stealth and traps (ability: controlling flocks of crows for reconnaissance and disruption); a Sky Island scout skilled in energy perception and camouflage (carrying various shell-based equipment); and two Fish-Man Karate experts (responsible for underwater infiltration and emergency assaults). Allen will personally escort them to the edge of the contaminated zone.
The atmosphere was heavy. Everyone knew that this mission was extremely dangerous, with a slim chance of survival.
"Remember your mission: infiltrate, observe, record, and return. Never engage in combat unless absolutely necessary." Allen gave his final instructions. "I will wait for you at the designated coordinates for three days. If you haven't returned after three days..." He didn't finish his sentence.
The team members nodded silently, their eyes resolute.
Without uttering any grand pronouncements, Allen waved his hand, opening a distorted spatial portal. The team swiftly slipped inside and vanished.
After seeing off the " Deep Dive " team, Allen did not return to command post but went directly to the front line. He needed to stay there to prepare for their possible return and to guard against any monster activity that might be triggered by the infiltration operation.
At the same time, Operation Nail was forced to begin ahead of schedule.
Ace and Luffy each led an elite squad, heading towards two relatively isolated outer island nests. Their mission was not to launch a full-scale assault, but rather to conduct probing attacks, draw fire, create chaos, and create opportunities for a potential " Deep Dive " squad, while also testing the nests' defensive strength.
The battle erupted instantly!
On the island where Ace was located, the monster's lair was like a giant, pulsating, purplish-black heart, constantly spewing out new monsters. Ace's Flame of World Purification cleared away wave after wave of low-level monsters, but soon dark purple, and even a single purple flying monster rushed out from the depths of the lair and entangled him tightly. The battle was extremely fierce, with platinum flames and purplish-black energy constantly colliding and exploding.
Luffy went even further, using his Gear Fourth Boundman form to crash directly into the center of the lair, causing massive chaos. Countless monsters swarmed in, including two purple ones! Luffy, relying on the mobility of his Gum-Gum Fruit and his Conqueror's Haki, attacked from both sides, causing the earth to shake, but he was also surrounded.
Sabo, in command post, was coordinating the two teams via Den Den Mushi, ordering them to fight and retreat, and to withdraw immediately once they had collected enough data.
The gears of war were turned upside down by the renewed expansion of the invaders. Every decision carried enormous risk, and every action could have unpredictable consequences.
Will the " Deep Dive " team succeed? Will Ace and Luffy be able to retreat safely? How should they deal with the newly appeared rift? Under the heavy shadows, hope flickers like a candle in the wind.