"Boom!"
"Bastard!"
"Why isn't he gone forever? Why does he keep showing himself to the world?"
"Golden Lion Shiki, I'm going to destroy you."
Sengoku was beyond furious.
The table instantly disintegrated.
Aokiji, Garp, and the others saw this and were accustomed to it.
Even the "wise general" Sengoku, who could endure like a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, had run out of patience with the continuous bad news.
As the designated next Fleet Admiral, he was already managing and involved in many affairs.
Not to mention, Momonga was a subordinate and comrade he highly regarded.
And the East Blue had been a region he had been primarily responsible for recently.
The importance of the East Blue to Marine Headquarters was now no less than that of the Grand Line.
With one slip, Marine Headquarters would be completely forced to withdraw from the East Blue.
And now.
The damn Golden Lion Shiki had directly caused a massive island to destroy the East Blue Marine Base.
With the combat power of the East Blue, it was utterly incapable of withstanding such immense destructive force.
Therefore, Momonga was severely injured, and the East Blue Marines suffered heavy casualties.
What was most frustrating and infuriating was that the Golden Lion had broadcasted the entire event and used it to announce his return.
The price was the complete destruction of the East Blue Marine Base.
Now, the Golden Lion had further declared to the world that tomorrow he would completely destroy the Xuanwu Navy.
For a time, the entire world was greatly astonished.
However, for certain people and certain forces, this was also intensely anticipated.
No one could question the strength of the Flying Pirates or the strength of Golden Lion Shiki.
The destruction of the East Blue Marine Base was one of their deterrent tactics.
"The destruction of the East Blue Marine Base is an irreversible fact. I express great regret and sorrow for the fallen warriors."
"But this is our destiny."
"Facing pirates, without fear, fighting to the death without regard for one's own life, and falling in the end is also glorious."
Kong's gaze shifted from Sengoku, whose patience was worn thin, and he said calmly.
Kong's words caused everyone present to change their grave gazes to one of slight regret and sorrow.
And Kong's subsequent words made them ponder and anticipate.
"Sengoku, we cannot forget the importance of strategy because of the death of our soldiers."
"The power of the Xuanwu Navy is indeed surprising."
"But now, the Golden Lion Pirates, a legendary pirate crew no less formidable than the Roger Pirates, is about to launch a full-scale attack on the Xuanwu Navy."
"This may not be an opportunity for us."
Kong rested his left hand on the chair, propped under his chin, and spoke word by word, while his right index finger tapped gently on the chair.
His calm and somewhat cold expression caused a ripple within Aokiji's heart.
Borsalino's lips curled up slightly, appearing relaxed and with a hint of mockery. Despite looking somewhat comical, that underlying sentiment was clearly visible.
As for Akainu Sakazuki, he strongly agreed with Kong's words.
From a strategic perspective, if losing a base could eliminate an opponent who threatened their ruling position, such a price was entirely bearable.
"But, within a day, it's not enough for our military forces to arrive," Sengoku said calmly after thinking about the forces that could be mobilized in the East Blue.
Kong pondered for a moment and said, "When two clams fight, the fisherman benefits."
"We don't need to dispatch too many powerful experts. Dense artillery fire is enough to be fatal."
Upon hearing this, Sengoku nodded heavily.
Karp, Aokiji, and the others present remained silent.
If they had any thoughts, they wouldn't be able to voice them to stop it.
This wasn't just the idea of Marine Headquarters, but also the idea of the World Government.
No one wanted to erase the Xuanwu Navy from this world more than the World Government.
Only one watchdog was needed.
Too many, and they feared a backlash.
Wano Country.
Kaido, who was somewhat drunk, also became enraged upon hearing the Golden Lion's words.
"Bastard, I'm going to smash you."
"Roar!"
A roar echoed from the cave.
King, standing nearby, his expression changed. He wanted to persuade something, but immediately his expression shifted, and he dodged to the side.
Then, with a whooshing sound, Kaido, transformed into a blue dragon, flew out drunkenly.
King thought about where Kaido was going and quickly said, "Governor, it's too far, you won't make it."
"Let's just watch the show. The Xuanwu Navy is a hard nut to crack. If the Golden Lion wants to make an example of the Xuanwu Navy to solidify his position as the overlord of the East Blue."
"I guarantee that the Golden Lion will crack his teeth and suffer heavy losses."
Despite King's dissuasion, Kaido paid no attention. Drunkenly, he flew towards the distance, occasionally spitting out fiery breath, sometimes triggering lightning, and stirring up wind and rain.
Whitebeard Pirates.
"Old man, should we get involved?"
"If the Golden Lion makes a move this time, the Xuanwu Navy is likely to be in big trouble." Jozu, the Diamond-Diamond Fruit user, asked Whitebeard after seeing the Golden Lion's boastful declaration.
"Jozu, you want us to help the Marines? Don't joke, we are pirates," Marco couldn't help but tease with a laugh upon hearing Jozu's words.
"It's just too boring, and the Golden Lion is one of the few 'friends' Old man has." Jozu explained casually, "It would be nice to say hello and chat about trivial matters."
"At least, the Golden Lion would also want to receive a reply from Old man."
Marco and the other captains smiled with ill intent upon hearing this.
A reply?
There was no need to even think about it; they would not join forces with the Golden Lion.
What they called saying hello was merely to put pressure on the Golden Lion.
Just a few days ago, Golden Lion Shiki had actually sent someone with a sonic shell and left a message.
"Whitebeard, let's join forces and conquer the world."
This one sentence made his intentions very clear.
Therefore, they were not surprised at all by the Golden Lion attacking the East Blue Marine Base and now boasting that he would destroy the Xuanwu Navy.
"No need."
Whitebeard said calmly, "Although we haven't had any interactions with the Xuanwu Navy yet, judging by their current actions and displayed strength."
"The Xuanwu Navy won't be taken down so easily."
"If that old guy doesn't want to gamble away his entire fortune, he'll know when to stop."
Hearing Whitebeard's words, Marco and the others were slightly stunned. After serious consideration, it was indeed possible.
Many of them had been adopted and raised by Whitebeard since childhood. They had followed him and had no small dealings with the Golden Lion, even fighting against the Flying Pirates.
If the Golden Lion were truly forced to risk his entire fortune, he might indeed give up the fierce fight and retreat.
As everyone discussed and focused their attention on the appearance of Golden Lion Shiki and his boastful declaration to destroy the Xuanwu Navy, the Xuanwu Navy at this very moment was fully armed and prepared for battle.