Lightning, dense and numerous, coursed through the thunderclouds, connecting to Garp's body.
Though the damage dealt by these lightning strikes was limited against Garp's thick Armament Haki, they formed a colossal net of thunder, ensnaring him in mid-air.
Charlotte was slammed into the ground, creating a massive crater.
Without a pause, she rose again, gripping Napoleon with both hands, pulling it back to her right side. Her Conqueror's Haki and abilities poured ceaselessly into the tip of Napoleon's blade:
"Narugami Cannon!!!"
She swung it towards the lightning net in the sky, aimed at Garp.
The compressed energy beam shot towards Garp. In the sky, Garp's eyes widened, his aura surged, and he raised his right fist, smashing towards the laser.
*Crackle—*
The iron fist and the laser collided, stalemated in mid-air.
Garp's gaze sharpened, his right arm swelling once more...
*BOOM!!!*
The invisible Armament Haki crushed the laser beam and surged towards Charlotte Linlin. Garp, seemingly having overextended, lost some balance in the air.
The compressed fist energy shot forward. Charlotte Linlin blocked it with her left hand, covered in Armament Haki, and flung it away. Her right hand, Napoleon, flashed with lightning as she slashed towards Garp:
"Ikkoku!!!"
*BOOM—!!!!*
----------
New World, Hobro Island.
This island, the current front line for the Marines against Hail-Noc's forces, had completely vanished.
The sea was divided into two extremes.
One half boiled, the other froze.
One side emitted steam capable of dehydrating a person, the other sent forth a chill that seeped into the bones and froze the soul.
Not a soul could be seen on the vast ocean, yet the steam and the chill continued to spread far into the distance.
Somewhere, an unseen battle raged...
----------
New World, New Marineford.
Evening.
Six hours had passed since Uta's execution.
The entire headquarters was a hive of activity.
The Four Emperors had attacked in a seemingly coordinated fashion, but the Marines were prepared. In the end, both sides suffered losses, though the pirates' were greater.
Before the execution stage, Carol, having just emerged from the intelligence department, remembered the Devil Fruit Recycler.
There had been too many people during the day, so he hadn't acted. Finding a secluded corner, he vanished with a flash.
The next second.
He appeared inside the execution stage.
Unlike the original Marineford's execution stage,
the temporarily constructed one had a hollow base, invisible from the outside. The spikes on the platform were connected to the Devil Fruit Recycler, extending all the way here.
Seeing the fruit that had appeared, Carol breathed a sigh of relief.
He recalled Sakazuki lifting Uta earlier that day, and Carol's heart had skipped a beat... if contact was lost, it couldn't be recycled...
Fortunately, the spikes had barbs, snagging some flesh...
He reached out and took the Devil Fruit Recycler.
*Shuush—*
He vanished instantly.
-------
New Marineford, inside the fortress.
Everywhere he looked, figures hurried by, and lights blazed in the various conference rooms.
Intelligence from the New World war poured in, covering all aspects, with every department fully engaged in preparations.
Carol moved through the busy crowds, ascending floor by floor to the Fleet Admiral's office.
Even the office had messengers waiting, constantly relaying Sakazuki's orders.
Seeing Carol enter, Sakazuki waved to the messengers, signaling them to leave. Once they had departed, he looked at Carol:
"How is it."
Carol spoke:
"The Four Emperors have mobilized collectively. While we had some preparations,
some bases were still inevitably heavily damaged. Overall, we still hold the advantage.
Regarding Red-Haired Shanks:
Barrett and Enel are locked in combat with the Red-Haired Pirates, with no sign of stopping. The soldiers dare not approach.
The first line of defense under Shanks, Sbobbie Island, has been captured, and the pirate crews stationed there have been annihilated.
Currently, Sout is leading the Sky Fleet, advancing deeper into the Red-Haired Pirates' territory.
Regarding Kaido of the Beasts:
This is where our forces have suffered the greatest losses. Kaido bypassed the defenses of Borsalino and Admiral Fujitora and struck directly into our heartland.
The 37th, 38th, and 43rd fleets encountered along the way have all had their personnel annihilated.
Elen Port has sunk, and the 27th to 35th fleets stationed there have suffered one-third casualties. Kaido is currently fighting Admiral Borsalino and Admiral Fujitora, and the battle continues.
Regarding the Big Mom Pirates:
Vice Admiral Garp and Admiral Aramaki are attacking Whole Cake Island. Specific battle reports have not yet arrived.
The forces we have gathered are launching a fierce assault on the third defense line outside Whole Cake Island. The specific situation of the battle has not yet been reported.
Regarding the Steam Pirates:
According to intelligence, a large fleet under Hail-Noc has gathered and is heading towards Hobro Island.
Admiral Kuzan and Hail-Noc are in a fierce battle on Hobro Island; the island has already sunk, and their specific combat locations are unknown.
The sea is generally divided into boiling hot water on one side and sprawling icebergs on the other.
No new information has been received for the time being.
Sakazuki nodded slightly:
"The reaction is more intense than expected."
He walked to the sand table and removed the Red-Haired Pirates' flag from Sbobbie Island, planting a Marine flag.
Carol gave a wry smile:
"You have no idea how ruthless you've been..."
Sakazuki chuckled:
"Ruthless?"
"Not enough..."
His tone shifted:
"What about the Revolutionary Army's movements."
Carol shook his head:
"None. Currently, the undercover agents we have placed within the Revolutionary Army in the Four Seas have not taken any action.
They are carrying out their regular work and training.
Sakazuki's eyes narrowed:
"Keep a close watch on the Revolutionary Army.
With the New World in such a state of entanglement,
this is such a good opportunity...
If I were Dragon, I would definitely act..."
Carol nodded:
"Yes."
--------
East Blue, Foosha Village.
The peaceful village, with its wisps of cooking smoke, was filled with Makino's panicked cries:
"It's no good! Village Chief!!!"
"Luffy!"
"Luffy, he!"
"He's sailed out!!!"
The village chief, sitting by his doorstep, was startled and suddenly stood up:
"What!!!"
Far out at sea, a great distance from Foosha Village.
A small wooden boat was being propelled forward by someone...
"Uta isn't your daughter..."
"Why..."
"Shanks!!!"
For various reasons, the straw-hatted boy had set sail more than a year earlier than in the original story...
--------
Holy Land, Marie Geoise.
Outside the grand palace, all personnel had been dispersed.
The Five Elders gathered here, looking at the latest battle reports from the New World.
The burly Five Elder frowned deeply:
"That Sakazuki fellow is getting more and more audacious..."
It was clear that even they had been deceived. Knowing nothing of Shanks' daughter, she had likely been under Marine control for a long time...
Now the New World was in chaos, and it would not be peaceful for a long time to come.
The sword-wielding Five Elder pressed his temples:
"We cannot intervene in the New World war.
We will discuss countermeasures after it concludes.
Victory for the Marines was certain, but the question was how much fighting strength would remain after the victory...
"What about the Revolutionary Army."
"Surely those guys wouldn't let such an opportunity pass, especially since the affiliated nations in the Four Seas are completely incapable of fighting."
The tall and thin Five Elder held a piece of intelligence and said:
"The Revolutionary Army's headquarters has been narrowed down to eight locations.
It's time for Im-sama to take action."