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One Piece: Invincible Starting From The Fruit Of Words-Chapter 184 After The War, The Era Is Gone!
Chapter 184 - 184 After The War, The Era Is Gone!
Naval Headquarters, Marineford, Large Meeting Room.
The highest-ranking Marines gathered, with the exception of Admiral Aokiji and Fujitora, who were currently stationed at the G1 branch in the New World.
However, they still attended the meeting via the Impact Den Den Mushi (phone bug).
"Gentlemen, the Wanokuni War is over."
Marshal Sengoku stood before a large projection screen and spoke in a solemn voice.
"Kaido has perished in battle, the Beasts Pirates have collapsed, and Lucifer has emerged victorious."
"Now, Lucifer has subdued all the remnants of the Beasts Pirates, and the strength of the Nether Pirates has doubled once again."
A heavy silence fell over the meeting room. The Marine executives exchanged uneasy glances, none daring to speak. The atmosphere was tense.
Many of them had already anticipated this outcome.
The strength of Lucifer was well-known to the Naval Headquarters.
Even with Kaido alone, it was clear that Lucifer was more than a match. The Beasts Pirates' defeat had always seemed inevitable.
However, seeing Lucifer casually dismantle a Four Emperors pirate group still shocked many of the Marine leaders.
The Four Emperors were the most powerful pirate factions in the world, and even the Naval Headquarters would not dare to engage with them lightly.
To challenge a Four Emperor pirate crew would come at a steep cost, but now, the Ghost Pirates had easily toppled the Beasts Pirates without breaking a sweat.
The strength of the Nether Pirates was undeniable.
Even after the world conscription, which had greatly boosted the Navy's forces, the Marine executives were left uncertain. They could not be sure if they were strong enough to take on the Nether Pirates now.
Many of the high-ranking officers gazed at Lucifer's bounty poster on the projection screen, the weight of their thoughts evident in their expressions.
"Marshal Sengoku, what is the next step for the Marine?"
Vice Admiral Huoshaoshan stood up, his voice heavy with concern.
"The Nether Pirates have absorbed the Beasts Pirates, and their power has grown exponentially. If we do not act soon, we will face endless trouble."
"Well said. Lucifer's arrogance must be curbed."
"Even if Lucifer cannot be completely eradicated, we must destroy the vitality of the Nether Pirates and weaken Lucifer's strength."
"If we allow Lucifer to continue expanding unchecked, we will become too passive."
"We must take the initiative and find a way to break the stalemate!"
Many Marine executives chimed in, voicing their concerns.
Following the World Conscription, Naval Headquarters had seen a significant increase in strength, which bolstered their confidence.
Though they understood that fighting the Nether Pirates would lead to massive casualties, many of the officers were eager for battle.
None of them were blind—they could all see the clear danger posed by Lucifer.
If Lucifer continued to grow uncontrollably, the day would come when the Nether Pirates would be too powerful to stop. By then, it would be too late.
Sengoku spoke again: "I understand your concerns, but the time has not yet arrived." freёnovelkiss.com
"Reports from the New World indicate that talks between Redhead and Whitebeard have broken down."
"Redhead originally wanted to ally with Whitebeard to confront Lucifer, but Whitebeard refused."
"Why?"
Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel blurted out, his confusion mirrored by other Marine officers.
"Whitebeard shouldn't be so foolish. Can't he see the threat Lucifer poses?"
Lucifer was not just a threat to the Marines; he was a much greater threat to pirates.
The Marines' base of operations was in the first half of the Grand Line, while the Whitebeard Pirates operated in the New World.
The Marines knew Lucifer all too well, and they could clearly see his strategy unfolding.
Before targeting the Naval Headquarters or the Holy Land, Lucifer would undoubtedly sweep through the New World, expanding the Ghost Pirates' power to unprecedented levels.
Thus, Lucifer's next targets would either be Redhead or Whitebeard.
While the Marines scrambled to prepare, the situation for the Red-Haired Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates was far more urgent.
Lucifer's attack was imminent, but Whitebeard remained unmoved.
Many Marine officers found his inaction baffling.
"Could it be that Whitebeard believes he can defeat Lucifer on his own?"
A Marine Vice Admiral sneered in disdain.
After the Impel Down battle, the world now knows that Lucifer is the number one player in the world.
Whitebeard has been surpassed by the newcomers.
Just look at the powerful figures who died at the hands of Lucifer.
The Four Emperors Big Mom, Admiral Akainu, Marine hero Garp, and now, the Four Emperors Kaido.
All these long-established monsters have become Lucifer's stepping stones.
Lucifer's rise to power was paved with countless corpses.
To defeat him, one person is far from enough.
Only if the two remaining Four Emperors join forces, will there be a chance.
From the perspective of the Marine executives, if Redhead and Whitebeard join forces to fight the Nether Pirates, the Naval Headquarters will also join the war.
At that time, the three parties will work together to completely defeat the Nether Pirates.
In this way, both the Marine and the Four Emperors can finally eradicate the threat Lucifer poses, killing three birds with one stone.
Whitebeard has no reason to reject such a strategy.
"Whitebeard is that kind of man."
Sengoku sighed and said, "He won't ally with others."
"A hundred secrets will eventually have a sparse one!"
After hearing Sengoku's words, many Marine executives simultaneously realized why Whitebeard rejected the alliance.
"Is it because of pride?"
"Exactly, that's the reason."
Vice Admiral Crane propped her chin with both hands and spoke calmly.
"With Whitebeard's arrogance and status, he will never join forces with outsiders."
"Don't forget, no matter how strong Lucifer is, he is still just 24 years old. To Whitebeard, he's still just a kid."
"If Whitebeard joins forces with others to gang up on a young man, his pride and dignity will be shattered!"
"Hmph, stupid!"
"Yes, stupid!"
"Are pirates also moral?"
"They're a bunch of scum. Isn't it their style to use any means necessary?"
A group of Marine executives muttered lowly.
In their eyes, to eliminate Lucifer, any method could be justified.
What is a joint venture?
Even if it meant placing undercover agents, poisoning, or threatening the lives of loved ones.
As long as it can kill Lucifer, any dirty tactic is acceptable.
Now, a pirate talking about morality to another pirate is absurd.
Sometimes, One Piece can be so ridiculous.
When evil pirates are faced with a life-and-death crisis, they choose to fight with moral fairness.
On the other hand, the righteous Marines are willing to use any and all means.
Who is truly righteous, and who is truly evil?
No one can really say.
"Whitebeard refused to team up with Redhead, so we must change our strategy."
Sengoku looked around the room and said in a deep voice, "The original plan to take advantage of Lucifer's war with Redhead and Whitebeard is no longer feasible."
"I've decided that next time Lucifer and Whitebeard clash, I will lead the Marine forces."
"With Whitebeard sharing Lucifer's firepower, we can take the opportunity to eliminate the elite forces of the Ghost Pirates."
"Kill Lucifer if the chance arises."
"If not, completely defeat the main elite forces of the Nether Pirates."
"When Lucifer is left alone, he'll no longer pose a threat to the world!"
Compared to picking up the pieces after the battle, the Marine must act at the beginning of the conflict.
The latter approach will undoubtedly cause more damage than the former.
"Are you sure Lucifer's next target is Whitebeard?"
Marine Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel asked.
"Yes, there's no doubt."
Sengoku answered in a deep voice: "Now that Lucifer has defeated Kaido, he will inevitably claim the sea territory Kaido once ruled and integrate it with the seas controlled by all the nations."
"The next land that adjoins Kaido's territory is Whitebeard's."
"Whether it's for territorial expansion or to challenge Whitebeard, the former number one pirate in the world, Lucifer's next target will undoubtedly be Whitebeard!"
"Send my orders: The Marine forces are ready for battle, prepared to strike at any time."
"Yes!"
All the senior executives in the conference room stood up, saluted, and shouted in unison.
After the World Conscription, the strength of Naval Headquarters had increased severalfold.
Excluding the 50,000 troops stationed at the New World G1 branch, there were over 100,000 troops stationed at Naval Headquarters.
Not only that, but troops from each branch could provide support at any moment.
As long as Sengoku gives the order, Naval Headquarters could mobilize over 200,000 troops in the shortest time.
There would be a constant stream of reinforcements thereafter.
This is the new and improved Naval Headquarters, and it's why Sengoku and the other Marine executives feel confident enough to challenge Lucifer.
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