Chapter 539: Livestreaming the Campaign Against BIG MOM
Before long, the Marines formulated their battle plan after deciding to attack the Big Mom Pirates.
The plan was simple and straightforward: dispatch a large Marine force to directly assault the Big Mom Pirates’ headquarters, Totto Land. Just charge in and fight.
Of course, since it was an actual battle plan, there was still some strategy involved. The main focus was not how to attack the Big Mom Pirates, but how to prevent the Red Hair Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates from interfering.
Although alliances between the Four Emperors were rare and they seldom helped one another, the Marines still believed there was a high possibility that the other Emperors would intervene.
While the world of pirates did not have the saying "when the lips are gone, the teeth grow cold," the principle was similar enough. With Kaido and Charlotte Linlin being targeted one after another, would the remaining Emperors really be spared?
Combined with the strength Nagasawa had displayed, the Marine Headquarters actually devoted most of its forces to preparing for interference from the other Four Emperors’ crews.
Naturally, they did not let Nagasawa lead only his small group to challenge another Emperor this time.
This time, Nagasawa departed with ten warships, accompanied by powerful Marine Vice Admirals such as Onigumo and Momonga.
Nagasawa also brought along Smoker and Aramaki, who had recently joined his command.
Originally, Aramaki should have become an Admiral through the World Military Draft. He was the future Admiral Ryokugyu in the original story. However, because Nagasawa had also joined the Marines, Aramaki was squeezed out and only became a Vice Admiral.
At first, Aramaki was unconvinced. He believed he was no weaker than Nagasawa or Fujitora. But Nagasawa’s latest achievement completely silenced him. Aramaki did not think he could defeat the Beasts Pirates alone.
Therefore, he gladly accepted Headquarters’ reassignment and became Nagasawa’s subordinate. After all, Nagasawa was stronger than him.
Nagasawa did not care whether Aramaki accepted it or not. The main reason he transferred Aramaki over was to harvest his Devil Fruit. He had no intention of developing Aramaki into a Revolutionary.
After spending only a short time with him, Nagasawa realized Aramaki was much like Sakazuki. They were both devoted to upholding the World Government’s justice and were among the least likely people to join the Revolutionary Army.
To them, the citizens of non-member nations were not truly citizens, and even the citizens of member nations could be sacrificed when necessary.
Such beliefs were fundamentally incompatible with the Revolutionary Army’s ideology. Therefore, Nagasawa only wanted Aramaki’s Devil Fruit. Aramaki possessed the Logia Woods-Woods Fruit, an extremely powerful Devil Fruit. Nagasawa had witnessed Aramaki fight during the World Military Draft.
If Yamato ate this fruit, perhaps she would even have a chance to awaken a Great Buddha form.
After the Marines finalized their strategy, accompanied by overwhelming publicity, Nagasawa led the fleet toward Totto Land.
Last time, Nagasawa had secretly acted with only his own people, and the Marines had not publicized anything. This time was completely different. After making thorough preparations, the Marines launched an overwhelming publicity campaign, eager for the whole world to know about it.
The Marines’ actions caused a massive uproar across the world and shocked countless people.
It was not that everyone believed Kaido’s death was fake news or that the Marines lacked the strength to challenge a Four Emperor.
Rather, the Marines had just finished campaigning against Kaido. Shouldn’t they be recuperating? Why were they launching another attack against a different Four Emperor so soon? Were they really not planning to rest?
The Marines’ actions left many people utterly confused and made them feel the Marines’ behavior was extremely strange.
Even more outrageous, the Marines announced that, just like the Summit War, they would broadcast the campaign against the Big Mom Pirates live to the entire world.
Some believed the Marines had become overconfident and were eager to prove themselves to the world, hoping to wash away the humiliation of the Summit War through this livestreamed campaign.
Others believed that either the World Government or the Marines had obtained some secret weapon capable of changing the balance of the world, which gave them the confidence to continuously attack the Four Emperors.
Regardless, the Marines’ actions drew the attention of the entire world. Even the Five Elders were closely watching the outcome of this battle.
Although the Five Elders always sought to maintain the balance between pirates and the Marines, they would naturally be delighted if the pirates could be wiped out.
They maintained the delicate balance because they wanted world stability. If the pirates fell into a desperate position, they might erupt in one final frenzy.
That final frenzy would create enormous chaos, disrupting the world’s order and giving the Revolutionary Army an opportunity to exploit the situation, something the Five Elders absolutely did not want to see.
However, if the Marines could once again eliminate another Four Emperor despite such enormous pressure, it would prove that the Marines possessed absolute suppressive strength, leaving no need to worry about pirates throwing the world into chaos.
Regardless of what those at the top thought, many civilians living in the New World were delighted. If Big Mom disappeared, they would no longer have to fear her sudden rampages or worry about failing to provide enough desserts as tribute and suffering attacks from the Big Mom Pirates.
In the waters of the New World, ten warships sailed side by side as they openly entered the seas surrounding Totto Land.
Some pirates stationed nearby by the Big Mom Pirates discovered the approaching fleet and hurriedly reported it.
"The Marines have really come! There are ten warships!"
Charlotte Perospero, on the other end of the Den Den Mushi, nodded before quickly reporting the intelligence to Big Mom.
"They actually dare declare war on me! Are they trying to throw the entire world into chaos?" Charlotte Linlin let out a furious roar, feeling that she had been underestimated.
When they attacked Kaido, they acted cautiously and concealed every bit of information. But when attacking her, they openly announced it to the world and even planned to livestream it. Did they really think Big Mom was easier to deal with?
The Marines’ actions greatly displeased Charlotte Linlin, making her feel that she had been looked down upon.
Looking at the furious Big Mom, Perospero sighed inwardly. He had never agreed with confronting the Marines head-on.
In his opinion, the Marines had always been the strongest force on the seas, even after losing the Summit War.
If the Red Hair Pirates had not arrived in time, the Whitebeard Pirates would never have escaped so easily.
The Whitebeard Pirates only held the advantage among the highest-level fighters because Whitebeard himself was overwhelmingly powerful. The Marines still possessed a huge advantage among the lower and middle ranks.
Even among the top fighters, Whitebeard only gained the upper hand because several powerful Marines never truly entered the battle. Thus, Perospero remained pessimistic about whether his family could withstand the Marines head-on.
But he had no choice. Big Mom refused to abandon Totto Land and retreat.
Totto Land was the nation Charlotte Linlin had spent countless years building. Naturally, she would never abandon it simply because the Marines announced an attack.
Since childhood, Charlotte Linlin had dreamed of creating a nation where every race and every kind of being could live together equally.
Within that nation, everyone, regardless of race, would become "family," all growing to the same size as her so they could sit around the same table as equals.
After so many years of effort, only three races were still absent from Totto Land. Big Mom continued working toward that goal. Since the Giant race refused to reconcile with her, she would simply have people develop medicine that enlarged humans and artificially create Giants.
Although he failed to persuade Big Mom to retreat, Perospero still did everything he could. He sent messages to Red Hair and Whitebeard to inform them of the dangerous situation, hoping they would join forces against the Marines, while also preparing escape routes in case of defeat.
Perospero was not overly pessimistic. He firmly believed only his mother, Big Mom, could become Pirate King. Even if Totto Land were lost, it would not matter. As long as Big Mom remained alive, they would eventually make a comeback.
...
The ten warships advanced majestically into the waters surrounding Totto Land and began making preparations.
Standing on the deck, Nagasawa listened as Tina, beside him, said, "We’ve just received the latest intelligence. Neither the Whitebeard Pirates nor the Red Hair Pirates have made any moves. But remaining this quiet at a time like this feels even more suspicious."
"If possible, Admiral Nagasawa, you should end the battle as quickly as possible. If another Four Emperor comes to reinforce them, our strength may not be enough to hold off another Emperor’s crew."
Besides Nagasawa, Fujitora had also been dispatched.
However, Fujitora’s mission was not to attack but to guard against interference from the other Four Emperors.
Sakazuki kept the rest of the forces at Marine Headquarters. After sending out two current Admirals along with numerous powerful Vice Admirals, Headquarters was at its weakest. Sakazuki had no intention of attacking pirates only to have Marine Headquarters attacked in return.
"The Red Hair Pirates, I can’t say for sure. But the Whitebeard Pirates definitely won’t come," Nagasawa said.
"Why?" Tina asked in confusion.
Nagasawa merely smiled without answering.
Naturally, it was because he had already contacted the Whitebeard Pirates and explained part of the Revolutionary Army’s plan.
While Nagasawa led the Marine forces to attack a Four Emperor, the Revolutionary Army had not remained idle.
Together with Dragon, he had planned something major. They could not let the Marines steal all the spotlight. It was time for the world to witness the true strength of the Revolutionary Army.
This time, the Revolutionary Army would activate its revolutionary forces scattered throughout the world and liberate ten nations in one decisive campaign.
Incidentally, Aokiji had now joined the Revolutionary Army as well and would participate in this great revolution.
With Nagasawa’s advance warning, the Whitebeard Pirates naturally had no reason to come interfere.
As for Shanks, Nagasawa truly had no idea.
Shanks remained a man surrounded by mysteries, and Nagasawa could not predict whether he would come or not.
"I’m just guessing," Nagasawa replied with a smile.
Tina rolled her beautiful eyes at him before ignoring him and turning her attention to the Den Den Mushi in her hands, which would soon be used for the livestream.
Later, Tina would be responsible for commentating and reporting on the battle.
As they approached the islands of Totto Land, Tina activated the broadcasting Den Den Mushi, and live images began appearing all over the world.
She first listed the countless crimes committed by the Big Mom Pirates, explaining how they had slaughtered countless people and oppressed numerous nations.
Then the camera focused on Nagasawa as Tina introduced him as the new Marine hero who had slain Kaido and the supreme commander of this campaign against the pirates.
At that very moment, countless cannonballs and various attacks flew toward the fleet from the nearest island.
"Reduce All Creation to Ashes, Ryujin Jakka!"
Nagasawa drew Ryujin Jakka from his waist. Instantly, a towering wall of flames rose into the sky, reducing every incoming attack to black ash and protecting all the warships.
People watching the livestream gasped in amazement.
As expected of the man who had defeated a Four Emperor. The moment he made his move, it was a spectacular display, imposing beyond words.
The Vice Admirals aboard the warships, who had originally been preparing to intercept the attacks themselves, all lowered their guard and watched Nagasawa’s attack with curiosity.
Ironically, the Marines themselves knew very little about Nagasawa.
Whenever Nagasawa fought, there were rarely any Marines present, usually only Tina. And Tina was certainly not one to spread stories.
So everyone only knew that Nagasawa was powerful, but few truly understood how powerful he was.
Back at Marine Headquarters, Sakazuki was also watching the broadcast. Seeing Nagasawa unleash an overwhelming sea of flames with a single sword slash and incinerate every attack, he fell into thought.
"Those flames look incredibly powerful," Ace commented as he watched the livestream.
A strange thought suddenly crossed Ace’s mind.
The Flame-Flame Fruit didn’t seem all that impressive anymore.
Too many people in the New World could use fire.
Kaido’s Mythical Zoan could breathe scorching flames.
Big Mom had Prometheus.
King could manipulate flames.
Even swordsmen could slash out blazing fire.
The worst part was that all of their flames were incredibly powerful, which left Ace speechless.
After Nagasawa blocked the attacks, a large number of pirate ships waiting near the islands immediately set sail.
"Charlotte Katakuri, one of the Three Sweet Commanders of the Big Mom Pirates and one of their core members..."
"Charlotte Cracker, one of the Three Sweet Commanders..."
"Charlotte Perospero, Big Mom’s eldest son..."
Tina discovered that every one of those pirate ships carried key figures of the Big Mom Pirates, ministers governing the various islands of Totto Land.
"It seems the Big Mom Pirates have no intention of allowing us to enter their territory. They want to decide the battle at sea," one experienced Marine Vice Admiral observed after recognizing the core members of the Big Mom Pirates.
Big Mom’s response was exactly what the Marines had anticipated.
Kaido had allowed Nagasawa onto Onigashima because Nagasawa had arrived with only a single warship and was the only Admiral present, making Kaido underestimate him.
Now that a massive Marine fleet had arrived, no matter how arrogant Big Mom was, she would never abandon such an advantageous position by allowing the Marines to land on the islands.
"Marines, are you prepared to face my wrath?"
Suddenly, a cloud floated out from the island, carrying a gigantic woman.
It was Charlotte Linlin herself, personally entering the battlefield.
Standing atop Zeus, Charlotte Linlin floated above the sea, sweeping her savage gaze across the Marines while releasing her overwhelming Conqueror’s Haki without restraint.
Several weaker Marines immediately showed expressions of pain.
Tina spoke into the broadcasting Den Den Mushi with a solemn expression.
"This is the captain of the Big Mom Pirates, the Pirate Emperor Charlotte Linlin, who has oppressed countless nations and civilians... and she is the primary target of today’s campaign!"
