The entire world awaited the World Government's response. The World Economy News Paper immediately published the World Government's declaration. In this declaration, the World Government denounced the rampant pirates in the New World. They proclaimed that they would never compromise with evil pirates!
The Marines had already organized a grand fleet and were about to set sail for the New World to subjugate those frenzied pirates. This expedition was not only to protect the peace of the New World but also to avenge the innocent Marine officers and soldiers who had died! At the end of the article, the World Government reassured the citizens of all affiliated nations, stating that if they could eliminate the Rocks Pirates once, they could do it a second time!
However, reassurance was impossible. Just a few hours after the news that all Marine bases in the New World had been destroyed by pirates spread worldwide, some government-affiliated nations were already under pirate attack.
In Prodence.
"King's Punch!!" The burly king, his muscles bulging and radiating intense heat, threw a powerful punch. The violent shockwave instantly transformed into a giant, all-consuming wave, directly pulverizing the pirate ship on the sea ahead.
"Phew—" Gazing at the turbulent sea, the aging king slowly let out a breath. "Damn pirates! Do you think this country relies solely on Marine protection!" However, even as he said this, the next moment he spoke with great distress, "Damn it! I alone am not enough!"
"Marines, hurry up and come!!"
A short distance from this country, in Dressrosa.
"Hahahaha! Charge into the palace! Seize all the treasures!"
"Wah! I like the women in this country, grab a few more!"
The pirates had already stormed into the city; screams and wails echoed everywhere.
"This is as far as you go, pirates!" It was at this moment that King Riku, the king who loved gladiatorial combat, led the Royal Army to suppress the pirates. As a king, his strength was quite formidable.
However, even with his strength and the numerical advantage of his army, they only fought the pirates to a standstill. Although it was only the first half of the New World, the pirates who could make it this far were no ordinary individuals.
But just then, from the rear of the pirates, a figure burst in.
"Die! Pirates!" It was a young boy, appearing to be only fourteen or fifteen years old, but he was agile and exceptionally strong. No pirate could block his advance; he instantly cut a bloody path through them.
King Riku's eyes lit up, and he raised his arm, shouting, "Seize this opportunity! Defeat them!"
So, soon, the pirates were swept away.
Sitting somewhat breathlessly by the roadside, King Riku looked at the blood-soaked boy beside him, who was also leaning on his sword and panting.
"Boy, what's your name!"
"Cyrus!"
"Cyrus, is it? Would you like to join my Royal Army?" King Riku said, "The Marine's power probably won't recover anytime soon. This country desperately needs strength now!"
Meanwhile, the Marines, who were eagerly anticipated by numerous affiliated nations, were still circling at sea. Inside a luxurious room on the massive, exaggerated warship at the center of the grand fleet.
"Saint Mars, still no news from CP?" Sengoku, standing tall, spoke with a hint of urgency in his voice. In front of him, one of the Gorosei, seated on a lavish sofa and slowly sipping a cup of black tea, gently shook his head.
"All intelligence systems under the Government have been activated, yet we still can't find their trace."
Kaido couldn't be found in Wano Country.
Charlotte Linlin couldn't be found in Whole Cake Island.
Wang Zhi couldn't be found in Hachinosu.
The attempt to send Stussy to gather intelligence also failed.
For her, an uninvited guest, neither Roa nor Charlotte Linlin kept their whereabouts strictly secret.
It was almost as if they were being bullied.
"Perhaps we are facing the worst possible situation." Mars put down his teacup, his expression and tone astonishingly solemn. "Sengoku, perhaps from the very beginning, they never intended to confront us directly."
"If that's the case, then we're in big trouble!" Sengoku's forehead broke out in a cold sweat.
Every day they delayed, the Government and Marine's prestige weakened, and the chaos in the New World increased. The pirates had every reason to drag this out, but the Marines and the Government couldn't. The Government's focus couldn't always be on the New World, and the Marines couldn't keep all their top combat forces on standby indefinitely. The New World was only a part of the areas they were responsible for. In fact, it was a small part, as the New World was already a pirate paradise.
"We can't keep dragging this out," the Gorosei lightly tapped the table with his knuckles, making a slight crisp sound. "We need to find a way to figure out their whereabouts."
"But Saint Mars, where do we start?" Sengoku was troubled. Find? How to find them? The New World was so vast; if those scoundrels just hid on some deserted island, the Marines would have to search for an eternity. Moreover, Shiki's ability could even make islands fly!
"Aren't Whole Cake Island, Wano Country, and Hachinosu still on the sea?" The Gorosei said calmly, "Have people thoroughly investigate them; perhaps there will be a discovery."
"But Saint Mars!" Sengoku's face instantly changed. "Roa made it very clear in his declaration that if we make a move on those places, their retaliation will follow immediately!"
"So, we're just sending people to investigate." Mars said indifferently. "If it still results in losses, then it can only be said to be a necessary sacrifice."
"..." Sengoku was speechless.
"Also, dispatch some forces to the various affiliated nations in the New World," Mars continued. "Marijoa's phones are about to explode; let's reassure them first."
"Yes." Sengoku nodded. At this point, there was nothing else they could do. No matter how strong the forces they had gathered this time, it would be useless if the enemy didn't engage.
Meanwhile, the pirates, simultaneously being targeted by both the Government and the Marines, had already gathered once again. In a certain sky above the New World, a massive island floated. On the island, within a dense forest, lay gigantic snails, while on the seawater that had also risen to surround the island's edge, colossal ships floated.
In the palace at the center of the island.
"Hahahaha! You should have seen it! The expression on that base commander's face when I split the base building in half with an axe! Crying and screaming, it was incredibly amusing!" Silver Axe held a bottle of wine, his eyes already showing a hint of drunkenness. "Too bad, they only assigned one base to me!"
"It's really been a long time since I felt this exhilarated!" Wang Zhi also laughed and nodded. "Just the act of destruction itself is captivating enough!" Violence and destruction were inherent instincts etched into human bones.
"The Marine's grand fleet has already entered the New World," the well-informed Charlotte Linlin said while busily stuffing cake into her mouth. "Sengoku, Garp, Zephyr, Tsuru, and two rising stars from the past year—all combat forces have been deployed, except for Fleet Admiral Kong, who is stationed at headquarters!"
"With this lineup," Captain John put down his wine glass and burped, "it seems we might not be able to avoid a fight."
"That part wasn't included in the agreement," Laffitte said calmly. "If it comes to a direct war with the Marines, then I'm out."
"Stick to the plan," Roa said leisurely. "There's no need to cause extra trouble. Does anyone want to die in this war and have their rightfully earned territory inherited by the rest of us?"
Everyone instantly fell silent. Profit was always the primary consideration when people gathered. Who would be willing to sacrifice their life for others?
"Furthermore," Roa paused, then, being even better informed, added a piece of news, "one of the Gorosei has also descended to the mortal realm and set sail with the Marines."
Everyone's expressions instantly grew more serious.
"One of the Gorosei?" Charlotte Linlin sneered. "Though it's just one person, he can summon the other Gorosei in the blink of an eye!"
"Perhaps even the Holy Knights," Wang Zhi added.
Perhaps even Imu, Roa added in his mind.
"In that case, a direct confrontation means an all-out war." Captain John shook his head repeatedly. "Let's not do anything foolish." That teleportation ability was simply too much of a cheat.
"But Roa," Charlotte Linlin looked at Roa with some surprise. "Your information is quite well-informed, isn't it? Even I didn't know one of the Gorosei had personally mobilized!" His strength and influence have been rapidly advancing, and now even his intelligence gathering capabilities surpass hers!
"I just have a few more friends," Roa said with a smile. "Who on the seas doesn't know that I, Roa, am very popular?"
Very popular? Everyone burst into laughter. Who on the seas didn't know what kind of universally hated lunatic Calamity Roa was? If it weren't for the fact that the potential gains from this operation satisfied everyone, who would bother with him?
Roa didn't mind this, merely saying leisurely, "The Government and Marines probably already realized our strategy. They're probably frantically searching for our whereabouts right now."
"But no matter how they search, they won't find anything!" Shiki grinned. "If they've got the guts, let them find their way up to this sky!"
"However, we can't just keep waiting," Roa said. "We need to continuously pressure the World Government. We need to make them understand—"
"Gurararara!" Kaido laughed loudly. "What are you scheming now, you brat?"
"We need someone to help us pressure the World Government," Roa said. "Didn't the declaration say so? As long as the World Government dares to make a move on Whole Cake Island, Hachinosu, or Wano Country, then we'll choose an affiliated nation for retaliation."
"Next, let's begin the retaliation."
"Huh?" Silver Axe was stunned. "Wait, the Marines haven't made a move on Whole Cake Island, Hachinosu, or Wano Country yet, have they? So what retaliation are you talking about?"
Roa patiently looked at his somewhat simple-minded senior, explaining, "We know they didn't make a move, and they know they didn't make a move. But if we say they did, then of course they did."
"Gahahahaha!" Shiki immediately burst out laughing. "Only those who have been framed truly know how wronged you are! But for the World Government, this is just perfect!"
"Mamamama! You've really grown into a mischievous bad boy, Roa!" Charlotte Linlin also smiled broadly.
"I'm also doing this to end this turmoil as quickly as possible," Roa said with a touch of emotion. "This is a necessary sacrifice."
"Then, which country in this sea area is the lucky one?" Wang Zhi asked with a hint of anticipation.
"What are you saying, Uncle Wang Zhi? This sea area is already ours. How can we destroy our own property?" Roa said with a serious face. "Let's go to the North Blue. There are more affiliated nations there."
"Oh! Mama mama! I understand what you mean now, brat, by having someone help us pressure the Government!" Charlotte Linlin's eyes lit up. "By forcing these nations, who could have originally stayed out of it, to get involved, they will naturally push the World Government to quickly end this farce, to avoid being attacked themselves!"
"Ultimately, the New World is too far for them! They don't care about the outcome of this sea area!"
"But we also need to maintain a balance," Roa continued. "If we go too far, we might provoke a collective enmity. Threaten, but not excessively threaten. Make them fear, but not despair. That level should be about right."
"In that case," Captain John said with a smile, "perhaps we can have a good talk with the unfortunate king of that unfortunate country. He should be very willing to help us."
So, a few days later, in the royal palace of a certain World Government affiliated nation in the North Blue. Roa sat on a throne adorned with various luxurious jewels, his legs crossed, looking down at the pale, crown-wearing man below, who was trembling like a sieve.
"So, Your Majesty, you know what to do next, don't you?"
"Yes, yes! Lord Roa!" The man who had been strutting arrogantly in the palace ten minutes ago was now as humble as a stray dog. He nodded frantically. "I will immediately contact the kings I'm friendly with and publish articles in the newspapers urging the Government to stop its foolish actions!"
"Then I will lobby the other kings of the North Blue, making them understand the consequences of opposing you, Lord Roa, and strive to get them to join me in pressuring the Government to abandon the New World!"
"Very good." Roa nodded in satisfaction.
Thus, another explosive piece of news spread throughout the world. The pirates seeking to rule the New World all appeared in the North Blue. They attacked an innocent World Government affiliated nation, destroying half of its royal capital. Then these madmen published an article in the newspaper, claiming it was retaliation for the World Government's actions against Whole Cake Island. This was just a warning; next time, they would be serious.
Afterward, in the North Blue local newspaper, the king who had miraculously survived the pirate attack, along with several other kings, strongly condemned the pirates' actions. Then, they urged the World Government to quickly end this farce and prevent innocent nations from being drawn into danger. This article resonated with almost all affiliated nations across the seas.
And this was just the superficial. Behind the scenes...
New World, Marine Grand Fleet, Gorosei's room.
"Damn scoundrels!" Mars, usually so composed, now had his beard trembling with rage. "They're using the affiliated nations to pressure the Government!"
"Since yesterday, numerous affiliated nations have called Marijoa, arguing that a mere New World isn't worth putting all affiliated nations at great risk! Many kings advocate simply abandoning the New World and waiting for an opportunity to deliver a fatal blow to those scoundrels."
The most infuriating part was that the people sent to Whole Cake Island, Hachinosu, and Wano Country hadn't even arrived yet! In front of him, Sengoku and Vice Admiral Tsuru had grave expressions.
The situation was already very bad. The enemy continuously avoided battle, and had even gone to the North Blue; they couldn't be caught. Then, they were applying pressure to the Government through various means.
"Saint Mars, then what should we do next?" They were practically being led by the nose by the enemy, completely helpless. It was a complete stalemate!