Buru buru, buru buru...
The sound of a Den Den Mushi suddenly rang out, interrupting Sengoku's thoughts.
While directing the warship's soldiers to launch artillery strikes at the remaining members of the Whitebeard Pirates, Sengoku pulled the Den Den Mushi from his pocket.
As soon as the call connected, Fleet Admiral Kong's voice came through.
"Sengoku, how's the situation on your end?"
Sengoku surveyed the battlefield before him, then used his Observation Haki to scan the distant combat zone before replying.
"Fleet Admiral Kong, on my front, we've nearly captured all the remaining members of the Whitebeard Pirates. Sakazuki and Borsalino have also successfully pinned down Whitebeard. Once we wrap up here and Raleigh arrives, we can proceed with the plan to capture Whitebeard."
In his office at Marine Headquarters, Fleet Admiral Kong nodded with satisfaction.
These men were truly his capable right hands and the excellent backbone of the Marine, now able to join forces against a legendary pirate crew.
At this time, there was no concept of "Emperor" pirate crews on the seas; most crews were still classified as large, medium, or small.
A "legendary" pirate crew referred to one that included one or more individuals known as legendary great pirates.
However, recalling the intelligence he had just received, Kong spoke with some tension.
"Sengoku, I think you need to be cautious. I've just received intelligence that the great pirates in the New World are showing unusual movements. The Roger Pirates have already set sail for the waters near the G5 Branch. The other great pirates haven't moved out yet, but they are making preparations in secret. I hope this battle can conclude quickly. Even if we cannot capture Whitebeard, we must capture all other members of the Whitebeard Pirates, preferably dealing a heavy blow to Whitebeard himself."
Upon hearing Kong's intelligence, countless scenarios flashed through Sengoku's mind, his wise eyes gleaming with thought.
After a moment of contemplation, Sengoku said gravely, "Fleet Admiral Kong, if Roger arrives, capturing Whitebeard will become extremely difficult. But we will spare no effort to severely damage the Whitebeard Pirates!"
In the Marine Headquarters office, Kong involuntarily furrowed his brow.
The personnel he could deploy right now were somewhat limited.
Sengoku was currently the only Admiral in the Navy.
That unreliable Garp was who-knows-where in the Grand Line chasing after Roger.
If Roger managed to shake off Garp and head to the G5 Branch, Garp definitely wouldn't be able to match Roger's speed to reinforce the Navy.
As for Zephyr, who had just experienced his wife's death, he was currently dispirited and Kong couldn't think of any way to help him regain his fighting spirit.
"Never mind. Do your best to arrange this battle, Sengoku. Our top-tier combat power is insufficient. Additionally, you must ensure the safety of Sakazuki and Borsalino. They haven't fully realized their full potential yet."
Sengoku nodded gravely.
Anyone could see the importance of Sakazuki and Borsalino.
Though they were still Vice Admirals, they already possessed strength comparable to Admiral-level, and together they could even withstand attacks from the World's Strongest Man, Whitebeard.
For such important Navy figures, even if Kong hadn't mentioned it, Sengoku would have arranged protection for them.
After all, when Kong eventually stepped down, the Fleet Admiral position would undoubtedly go to Sengoku, and then the Admiral positions would naturally be filled by Sakazuki and Borsalino.
After ending the call with Kong, Sengoku thought for a moment and then dialed Raleigh's number.
....
Buru buru, buru buru...
Raleigh reached into his shirt and pulled out a Den Den Mushi.
Looking at the creature's appearance, Raleigh was curious why Sengoku would call him at this time.
"Hello, Admiral Sengoku. What's the matter?"
Hearing this, Sengoku laughed and scolded him, "Brat, if I'm not mistaken, you've already arrived at this location, haven't you?"
Sengoku's expression was full of confidence.
His understanding of Raleigh far exceeded others'.
In situations like this, Raleigh would definitely have arrived already.
And he would certainly find a quiet place not too far away to observe the battle from.
This would allow him to seize the initiative, whether for a rescue or an opportunity, just like Sengoku was currently doing.
However, while capturing members of the Whitebeard Pirates on the eastern side, Sengoku hadn't spotted Raleigh's ship, meaning Raleigh was most likely on the western side of the island.
Raleigh scratched his head and looked around at his alert Marine soldiers, his eyes revealing his confusion.
"Who? Admiral Sengoku, you can't falsely accuse me. I truly haven't arrived yet! If you don't believe me, I can have Enel speak with you via Den Den Mushi."
Though Raleigh claimed Enel could vouch for him, he kept the Den Den Mushi pressed tightly to his ear, afraid the sounds of battle would reach Sengoku's ears.
Sengoku cleared his throat softly and lowered his voice.
"Listen kid, I don't care how you used to be, but right now you must go in and help Sakazuki and Borsalino. We're running out of time. Many powerful pirates from the New World have already received the information, and among those already on the move are the Roger Pirates."
The Roger Pirates!
Just hearing that name made Raleigh wince.
Last time, when attacking the Golden Lion, they had fight the Roger Pirates when the crew was low on energy, and even in that condition, Raleigh had almost died.
So now, facing the Roger Pirates at full strength, saying he wasn't nervous would be a lie.
Besides, the current top fighters the Navy brought could barely handle one Whitebeard.
One Admiral and three elite Vice Admirals could still defeat the world's strongest man.
But against an elite crew like the Roger Pirates with dual legends, it would be extremely difficult.
'Are you kidding me? Why are the Roger Pirates joining this mess?'
"He must be sick," Raleigh muttered. "He doesn't have many days left himself, yet he has the spare time to care about another legendary pirate's survival."
After ending the Den Den Mushi call, Raleigh felt somewhat depressed.
The current situation made slacking off completely impossible.
They had to launch high-intensity attacks against Whitebeard before the Roger Pirates arrived.
Even if they couldn't kill or capture Whitebeard, they had to immediately weaken Whitebeard's condition to the point where even if the Roger Pirates came, they could only take Whitebeard away.
"I hope that bastard Roger arrives later."
Raleigh turned to his crew. "Messenger! Immediately notify the other Navy soldiers to maximize the power system. You go to the other side of the island and rendezvous with Admiral Sengoku. I'll go meet Whitebeard and see if he's really as strong as the legends say."
Hearing Raleigh planned to go alone, Enel suddenly became very interested, his eyes sparkling.
"Raleigh-sama, let's go together."
Raleigh looked at the excited Enel.
He originally wanted to refuse outright, but after thinking, he nodded.
With him there, Enel shouldn't get cut down by Whitebeard in one slash.
Getting beaten by a top-tier powerhouse early would help him recognize the gap between himself and others sooner.
"Alright. Just attack from long range later," Raleigh agreed.
After hearing this, Enel excitedly ran to the Ark Maxim and jumped aboard.
Raleigh followed Enel's actions and also jumped onto the ship.
....
At the Headquarters Fleet Admiral's office, Kong finally made a decision after thinking for a long time.
Faced with Whitebeard's assault this time, he intended to respond with the toughest stance possible to declare to the world that the Marines had made their choice.
After reaching this realization, Fleet Admiral Kong directly contacted Garp, ordering him to head to the waters near the G5 Branch to intercept the Roger Pirates.
Simultaneously, he had messengers relay the latest orders downward.
Before long...
Woo-woo-woo—!!!
Urgent alarm bells rang out at Navy Headquarters, instantly causing all Marine soldiers at Marineford to drop whatever they were doing.
Even those on leave among the Marine soldiers and officers quickly changed into their uniforms and headed to the assembly ground.
Other residents of Marineford returned to their homes, awaiting further orders from Headquarters.
At the Naval Academy, Gion and Tokikake, who had been teaching their juniors, froze upon hearing the alarm.
After dismissing the class, they hurried toward the Headquarters assembly ground.
Gion and Tokikake's situation was just a microcosm—countless Marine officers, upon hearing the alarm, converged on the assembly ground without hesitation.
At the Headquarters port, dozens of warships of varying sizes that were originally docked there were now being loaded with all sorts of supplies under the direction of Staff Officer Tsuru and her logistics personnel.
These included, but were not limited to, weapons, ammunition, medical supplies, and daily necessities.
Once a warship was fully loaded, its hatches were sealed immediately, awaiting the officers' embarkation.
....
On the Marine assembly ground, thousands of elite Marines swiftly formed orderly ranks, waiting for Fleet Admiral Kong to issue commands.
Tokikake and Gion stood side by side.
"Gion, what's happened this time? They've called in so many people," Tokikake wondered.
Gion scanned the area but shook her head upon seeing no sign of Tsuru, Garp, or Raleigh.
"I don't know. Tsuru-nee didn't mention anything to me."
Noticing her expression, Tokikake guessed she was looking for Raleigh, though he knew Raleigh wasn't at Marineford at the moment.
He thumped his chest and declared, "Don't worry, Gion. No matter what the mission, I'll stand in front of you and shoulder all the dangers myself."
Gion looked at Tokikake in surprise.
She hadn't expected him to say something so manly, and she was genuinely moved.
However, Gion didn't need Tokikake's protection right now.
Before she could respond, Kong stepped forward and addressed the troops.
"Soldiers, our G5 Branch is under a massive attack by the Whitebeard Pirates. Vice Admiral Sakazuki, the branch commander, has already engaged them. But according to intelligence, the Roger Pirates are also heading toward G5 waters, and others like Charlotte Linlin and Kaido of the Beasts are showing unusual movements as well."
"Justice needs you to march through the night! Justice needs you to break the pirates' bones completely! No matter how many legendary pirate crews appear, our mission remains the same: to take the head of the world's strongest man, Whitebeard Edward Newgate, and crown it as our victory trophy!"
"Set sail!!!"
Under Kong's command, thousands of elite Marine officers and soldiers boarded the fully supplied warships and set course for the waters of the G5 Branch.