Sabo approached, his face also filled with grief.
"She's already asleep."
He was referring to Bonney. After returning late that night and witnessing such a scene, she had fainted from crying multiple times. It was only when Dragon called that Sabo brought her here to rendezvous.
Having confirmed the news, she had completely broken down.
His own grief stemmed from the loss of his comrades... Hakoo... Koala...
In a single night...
Dragon sighed softly.
"Now is not the time for grief."
"We don't know when the government will make its next move."
"We must fight for the living to have a future."
"Prepare for battle."
"The order for the general offensive has been issued."
"The battle has only just begun..."
Marineford, New World. August 17th, 1518.
The new world war, which had shocked the world the previous day, had only just begun.
And today, the Revolutionary Army, spread across the Four Seas, would receive the order for a general offensive from the Commander-in-Chief, Dragon. They would declare war on the World Government, with simultaneous advances from all Four Seas.
Pirates, Marines, the Government, and the Revolutionary Army—the battles waged by these four factions engulfed the entire world.
The world, plunged into war, left people in despair.
Uncertain of where the future lay.
--------
New Marineford, New World.
In the Fleet Admiral's office.
Sakazuki was reorganizing the battle sandbox based on the latest intelligence.
*Buzz—Hum—Buzz—Hum—*
A piercing alarm echoed throughout the island.
*Swish—*
Karol suddenly appeared in the room. "The Revolutionary Army has just declared war on the World Government, Fleet Admiral."
Sakazuki chuckled, looking at the army flags placed on the sandbox. "It has finally begun."
"The greatest hegemony war in world history..."
"The Marines and the Government..."
"Who will have the last laugh..."
As for the pirates and the Revolutionary Army, they were not even within Sakazuki's calculations.
Karol also smiled. "Indeed..."
"We'll see who ends the battle first..."
Whichever side finished first would gain the initiative.
Sakazuki gazed at the sandbox and said softly. "Have Dr. Vegapunk contact Dragon."
"The Four Seas should be fine, but the Grand Line might be another matter..."
"See if there's anything they need support with, and help them as much as possible."
"I'm eagerly anticipating the day they storm Mary Geoise..."
Karol smiled. "Yes."
Every time Fleet Admiral Sakazuki showed that expression...
It never boded well.
----------
Fruit Island, New World.
An island under the command of Charlotte Linlin in the New World.
It was located at the central position of the third defensive chain, currently blocking the advance of the Navy's 61st, 63rd, 67th, and 68th fleets.
The island was defended by Charlotte Linlin's eldest daughter, who bore the closest resemblance to Charlotte Linlin in the entire family, though her strength and talent were not as monstrous.
The Navy had been launching relentless attacks since receiving the order, and for a day and a night, both sides had suffered heavy casualties.
The setting sun cast a bloody hue across the land.
The sea itself was stained red with blood.
The Navy's fleet remained anchored on the sea not far from the port.
The soldiers' guns were not lowered, and the cannons on the warships were aimed at the coast.
On the coast.
Behind countless fortifications, densely packed pirates were hidden, ready to attack at any moment.
The beach was also stained red with blood.
Countless bodies of Marines and pirates lay intertwined here...
A day and a night of assault had been a grueling test for both sides. Most soldiers were ordinary individuals, unable to sustain such high-intensity combat.
The pirates, too, were on the verge of collapse, as many were also ordinary people without an abundance of exceptionally talented individuals.
The commanding officers on both sides had tacitly agreed to a temporary ceasefire to prepare for the next assault.
However, neither side retreated, instead remaining close, staring intently at the opposing force.
On the flagship of the 61st Fleet.
Vice Admiral Hubert, the commanding officer, had a long sword embedded in his abdomen, piercing through him. He leaned against the wall, drenched in sweat and pale from the pain.
"Hoo—"
"Hoo—"
"I... I just wanted to say..."
"Can... can you still research it..."
Several military doctors were also sweating profusely, having deliberated for a long time without a solution.
"It's no good, Vice Admiral Hubert."
"This long sword is too close to your kidneys."
"With the current conditions on the warship."
"Surgery is impossible."
"We can only transport you back to a rear base for..."
Hubert abruptly sat up, gasping in pain.
"Hoo—"
"Hoo—"
"Hoo—"
He placed his hand on the hilt of the sword. The military doctors' eyes widened.
"No!!!"
*Splash—*
The long sword was yanked out of his body, and blood began to flow profusely.
Hubert let out a maniacal laugh.
"Hahahahahaha..."
"So exhilarating..."
"Exhilarating!!!"
The military doctors looked panicked.
"Vice Admiral Hubert, you...!!!"
Before they could finish, Hubert interrupted them with a wave of his hand. With his other hand, he took out a medicine bottle from his chest.
Inside was a blue pill, a special berserk drug developed by the Navy's research division.
Taking it would extract energy and lifespan from the body for repair and bursts of power, but this extraction was endless...
Until death.
It was a compressed and enhanced version of the nutrient solution used to torment Doflamingo.
Ignoring the stunned military doctors, Hubert opened the bottle, swallowed the pill, and said:
"When I was seven years old..."
"Fleet Admiral Sakazuki saved me..."
"Standing on the ruins of my village, I swore to kill all pirates in the world..."
"In the blink of an eye..."
"Thirty-three years have passed..."
His wounds healed rapidly, and his aura began to recover, but this was merely a final surge of energy.
Hubert smiled faintly, his life flashing before his eyes, from birth, constantly flickering...
Until the age of seven. His smile slowly turned cold.
He withdrew his gaze, grabbed the sword he had pulled out, and stood up.
"The oath made then is almost fulfilled..."
"To have me go back at a time like this..."
"I cannot do it..."
His aura had reached its peak and was still climbing. He walked outward.
"It's been a day and a night, and this island hasn't been taken."
"This is a disgrace..."
"I am ashamed to face Fleet Admiral Sakazuki..."
Outside the cabin door.
Everyone heard Hubert's roar.
"Everyone! Prepare to attack!!!!"
Then, Hubert walked to the bottom of the cabin and placed his hand on a cylindrical object.
The cylinder slowly parted, and a mechanical voice sounded.
"Thank you for your sacrifice for Justice..."
--------
Evening of August 17th, 1518.
The Navy's assault had lasted for a day and a night.
Fruit Island, the core island of the third defensive chain in front of Cake Island, finally fell with a towering mushroom cloud. Vice Admiral Hubert, one of the four fleet commanders of the Navy, perished.