Buzz, buzz—buzz!
Buzz—buzz—
The immense buzzing of the alarm echoed through the Marine base. The entire Grove 66 quickly became 'lively' as large numbers of Marine soldiers mobilized, all armed with guns, cannons, and fully equipped.
The Marine base on the Sabaody Archipelago housed three thousand elite Marines. To cooperate with the CP organization's operation, Rear Admiral Gobert, the base commander, directly deployed two thousand men, bringing various weapons such as mortars, rocket launchers, and Seastone net launchers.
According to the pre-prepared operational plan, the two thousand Marine soldiers were divided into two routes: one embarked by land, and the other by warship from the sea.
On the sea, two Third-Class Marine warships cut through the waves, swiftly sailing out of the Marine port on Grove 66. The "Justice" gull flags fluttered proudly in the wind.
Inside the captain's cabin of one of the warships, Cross and several Marine commissioned officers gathered around a round table, joined by Who's-Who and Jabra from CP9.
"Now, let's go over this mission again!" Cross said, his voice low and powerful, looking at the two CP9 agents.
Who's-Who, covering his slightly swollen face, exchanged a grim glance with Jabra before silently turning away.
"Ahem~ Alright, I'll explain!" Jabra lightly coughed, then somewhat lewdly stroked his pointy beard, slowly saying, "Twenty days ago, the World Government dispatched a warship to the Future Country Baldimore on Karakuri Island. Its purpose was to transport a batch of goods back to Mariejois, the Holy Land. For its return, the local Marine branch even sent two warships as escort, totaling one Second-Class and two Third-Class warships!"
"However, en route, the fleet was attacked by the Blood Pirates. All the goods were stolen, and the fleet was completely wiped out!"
"According to our investigation, the Blood Pirates were hired by the Big Mom Pirates, one of the emperors of the New World. Now, the Blood Pirates have appeared on Grove 7 of the Sabaody Archipelago. Their objective is to get their ship coated and then deliver the stolen goods to the New World, into the hands of the Big Mom Pirates."
At this point, Jabra paused for a moment, then hesitated slightly. "As for the detailed information about the goods, it's classified World Government information. You don't have the authority to know."
"I understand!" Cross nodded, his expression unchanged. The other Marine commissioned officers also had no objections.
Most of the CP organization's missions were clandestine or highly classified, and often the Marines had no right to know, unless they were Vice Admirals or even Admirals. So, he wasn't concerned.
Moreover, this mission was merely to retrieve the stolen goods; there was no need to know what the goods were. After all, sometimes, knowing too much wasn't a good thing.
Then, Cross looked at everyone present and said in a deep voice, "Our opponent this time is the Blood Pirates. They are a mercenary-type pirate crew that has operated back and forth between the first and second halves of the Grand Line for years, taking any mission as long as the price is right!"
"According to the Intelligence Division's investigation, the Blood Pirates number over five hundred, all of them ruthless and agile. Among them are three high-bounty pirates: Captain Blood Eater Dingman, a Paramecia-type Blood-Blood Fruit user, with a bounty of 260,000,000 Berries!"
"Executive Throat-Slasher Dinelli, bounty 115,000,000 Berries!"
"Executive Knox the Mole, a Paramecia-type Hole-Hole Fruit user, bounty 77,000,000 Berries!"
"Executive Lightning Leg Marley, a Longleg Tribe member, an expert in Leg-Style fighting, bounty 70,000,000 Berries!"
"These four are the core of the Blood Pirates!"
"..."
As Cross spoke, someone spread out the four wanted posters of the Blood Pirates on the table for everyone to see.
"Now, I will reiterate the operational plan!"
Cross's expression was stern as he looked around at everyone, stating solemnly, "This operation will be primarily led by the Marine Base on the Sabaody Archipelago, with two thousand personnel participating. The plan is to split into two routes!"
"The land route will be led by Rear Admiral Gobert with one thousand Marine soldiers, supported by CP organization agents on the Sabaody Archipelago. Their mission is to blockade target Grove 7, occupying all bridges for entry and exit, preventing anyone from entering or leaving Grove 7."
"The sea route is us: one thousand Marine soldiers and two Third-Class warships, commanded by me, the newly promoted Commander Amphitrite Cross, with the cooperation of two CP9 agents. Our mission is to destroy or capture the enemy pirate ship, cutting off the target's escape route!"
"It's 1:45 PM now. The operation will begin precisely at 2:00 PM. We have 15 minutes."
"Once both land and sea forces complete their initial objectives, we will commence the final annihilation battle, striving to resolve the Blood Pirates in one decisive engagement and reclaim the stolen goods."
At this point, Cross's voice grew louder, his words passionate. "Remember, this battle is not just a mission! It's also to avenge our comrades from the Future Country Baldimore branch! To avenge the innocent civilians who died at the hands of the Blood Pirates!"
"That's right, revenge!"
"...For our comrades! For the innocent civilians! Revenge!"
"Revenge! Revenge!"
"..."
Immediately, the commissioned officers in the captain's cabin became agitated, their faces flushed, crying out involuntarily.
Facing the Marines' impassioned fervor, Who's-Who and Jabra's expressions became subtle. They couldn't help but exchange glances before snorting and turning their heads away.
As members of CP9, cold-blooded assassins, it was impossible for them to be as emotionally stirred as the Marines, roaring for vengeance for fallen comrades. For they were destined to be agents walking in the darkness; emotions and thoughts of revenge could not exist within them.
Thud, thud, thud, thud... Thud, thud, thud, thud...
Thud, thud, thud, thud... Thud, thud, thud, thud...
Meanwhile, Rear Admiral Gobert led one thousand Marine soldiers on foot, marching across the numbered tree islands of the Sabaody Archipelago. The dense sound of their footsteps was clearly audible, instantly drawing the attention of countless people.
Between Grove 66 and Grove 7, there were dozens of numbered tree islands, a significant distance from the Marine base. This was one reason why Grove 7 had become a lawless zone; if anything happened, the Marines couldn't possibly arrive immediately.
However, the movement of over a thousand Marines marching through the streets and alleys was still very noticeable, leaving countless people puzzled and confused.
"Did something big happen?"
"Why are there so many Marines?"
"Are they going to war?"
"Could they be going to eradicate those lawless individuals in the lawless zone?"
"..."
Many civilians watched the long column of Marine soldiers and couldn't help but discuss among their familiar friends and relatives.
"Hurry up, don't fall behind!"
Rear Admiral Gobert stood by the roadside, loudly shouting at his marching subordinates, then pulled out a silver pocket watch from his coat and checked the time.
"1:45 PM... 15 minutes left, we'll make it!"
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