"Phew—"
Fleet Admiral Sengoku let out a deep breath, calming himself before continuing, "Given the escalating crisis at sea, the Marines must launch the strongest possible counteroffensive. Our mission: to sweep the seas of pirates."
"Just like farmland needs regular weeding to grow healthy crops, the ocean must also be purged of pests. That's why I'm calling this initiative... Operation Weedkiller."
As his words echoed through the meeting room, the assembled Marine officers exchanged glances. Most of them gave firm nods of agreement, understanding the intent behind the name.
"Fleet Admiral, I believe this plan is absolutely necessary," said Vice Admiral Momonga, the punk-haired officer speaking with conviction. He had captured thousands of pirates in his career, killed even more. Though most weren't particularly strong, they were as irritating and numerous as locusts.
"Agreed," muttered Strawberry in his usual emotionless tone. Having fought in two major battles in the New World—one ending in defeat, the other in stalemate—he had little patience left for these locust-like pirates.
"Fleet Admiral, I request permission to return to the New World," said Doberman, his hand brushing the X-shaped scar across his face, voice simmering with vengeance. "I want to avenge the disaster at Closa Island from last year."
The Battle of Closa Island had erupted in the New World a year prior.
At the time, the island had been under Marine control, hosting a regional fortress. The enemy? Three pirate crews under the banner of one of the Four Emperors—Kaido of the Beasts. The Marines suffered a catastrophic defeat. Two Vice Admirals died in action, including the fortress commander. Doberman, the only surviving Vice Admiral, escaped with grave injuries. Five Rear Admirals perished, thirty-one officers of various ranks fell, and more than twenty thousand soldiers were killed. Nearly thirty warships were sunk. Fewer than five thousand Marines made it off the island alive. It was one of the worst defeats the Marines had suffered in the New World.
...
One by one, over a dozen Vice Admirals voiced their support for the plan. Even those who remained silent nodded in agreement.
"In that case, we're in consensus. Tsuru."
Sengoku turned to the slender figure beside him—Vice Admiral Tsuru, Chief of Staff.
"Ahem. Now that we're all agreed, I'll begin the task allocation."
Tsuru cleared her throat softly, picked up a file, and walked to the large world map mounted behind Sengoku.
The map spanned the entire globe. Blue dots marked Marine strongholds, while red dots indicated pirate-controlled territories or high-activity zones.
"Operation Weedkiller will be divided into three operational zones. Zone One: the Four Blues—East Blue, West Blue, North Blue, and South Blue. For each sea, we'll dispatch four Rear Admirals, four Class-II warships, and eight Class-III warships. That means over 7,000 elite Marine HQ soldiers per region, coordinating with local divisions for joint sweep operations."
She tapped the four blues on the map with a pointer, then moved toward the first half of the Grand Line.
"Zone Two: the first half of the Grand Line. This area falls under our jurisdiction, thanks to the seven routes that lead to the Sabaody Archipelago. Each route will be patrolled by a Vice Admiral, one Class-I warship, and two Class-II warships. Local bases and fortresses will provide support. Additionally, several of the Warlords of the Sea are stationed in this region—they will assist in eliminating any pirates encroaching on their territories."
"Ooh~ going all out, huh?" Borsalino puckered his lips, eyes wide with mock surprise.
"Sending so many Vice Admirals all at once… looks like we've got work to do too. What a drag," Kuzan mumbled, scratching his head, finally appearing fully awake. "Guess nap time's over."
Though the Admirals had reviewed this plan in advance, they hadn't participated in its formulation. Details of troop deployment were still news to them.
Zephyr shot them a glare. "Silence. Borsalino, Kuzan—pay attention."
"Geez, strict as always, Sensei~" Borsalino muttered with a smirk, pretending to cower.
Vice Admiral Tsuru ignored them and pointed to the New World.
"As for Zone Three—the New World—Vice Admiral Garp, Admiral Akainu, and Admiral Aokiji will lead the charge. Accompanying them: ten Vice Admirals from HQ, three custom-built warships, ten Class-I warships, thirty Class-II warships, and one hundred Class-III warships. A full-scale expeditionary fleet. The Warlords stationed in the New World will also provide support."
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku and Instructor Zephyr will remain to oversee HQ. Admiral Kizaru will serve as rapid-response support, ready to reinforce any battlefield at a moment's notice."
"What a hassle," Borsalino leaned back in his chair, sighing in resignation.
Hiss—
A collective gasp swept through the room. A force stronger than most Admirals, joined by two Admiral-class monsters, ten Vice Admirals, and nearly 100,000 Marines… And that's not counting the tens of thousands already stationed in the New World, eight more Vice Admirals, and the Warlords of the Sea.
This was war. A full-scale offensive.
How long had it been since the Navy mobilized at this scale?
"Our goal," said Sengoku, his tone grim, "is to reclaim strategic control over the New World—and, at the very least, crush the rampant arrogance of the pirates."
"Any soldier who disobeys orders—will be executed. Anyone who retreats without permission—executed. Those who hesitate in the face of battle—executed. Spread rumors—executed. Fail to eliminate the enemy—executed."
Akainu finally raised his head, eyes burning with ruthless resolve. Each declaration landed like a hammer blow.
"Sir! Disobey orders—executed! Unauthorized retreat—executed! Cowardice in battle—executed! Spreading rumors—executed! Failure in combat—executed! Victory to the Marines!"
In an instant, every officer in the room stood and shouted in unison, their voices shaking the walls.
"Victory to the Marines!" echoed the sentries in the corridor outside.
"Victory to the Marines!" came the cry from soldiers stationed in the HQ fortress.
"Victory to the Marines!" roared the troops across Marineford itself.
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Note:
A Class-I warships was the standard for a Buster Call—a Vice Admiral's flagship, over 120 meters long and capable of carrying a full crew of a thousand.
Class-II warships were assigned to Rear Admirals, measuring over 100 meters and holding up to 800 personnel.
Class-III warships, typically under the command of Captains, ran about 80 meters in length with a standard crew of 400.
Class-IV warships served regular commissioned officers, exceeding 50 meters and accommodating 200 crew.
The lowest tier, also classified as Class-V but often deployed by junior officers, measured around 35 meters and carried a complement of 100.
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