Even more shocking, in another direction, the Kid Pirates' steel battleship was rapidly approaching at full speed, the hum of the electromagnetic cannons charging clearly audible.
Sakazuki's face instantly darkened to the extreme: "A bunch of ants who don't know death..."
Shanks, however, suddenly smiled. He turned his head to look in the direction of the concert hall, where Uta's figure was faintly visible.
"It seems..." he murmured softly, "there are far more people who want to protect you than I imagined."
Just as the standoff between Shanks and Marineford reached its climax, a dazzling light suddenly erupted on the distant horizon.
The New Navy's silver fleet broke through the waves, their pristine white sails like soaring seagulls under the sunlight.
On the deck of the lead flagship, Zephyr's tall figure stood majestically, his right hand clenched in a fist raised high, the strong muscle lines on his arm sharply defined in the sunlight.
"Marineford!" Zephyr's roar, amplified by the Den Den Mushi, echoed across the entire sea, "Have you no shame?!"
He slammed his right fist heavily onto the ship's rail, and the solid wooden deck immediately cracked with spiderweb-like patterns. "Three Admirals ganging up on a little girl, is this the justice you proclaim?!"
The New Navy's fleet cut into the battlefield in a wedge formation, the deck of every warship filled with soldiers of resolute expression.
Their silver badges gleamed on their chests, forming a stark contrast with Marineford's fleet. Ain and Binz stood on either side of Zephyr, one with blue flames dancing at her fingertips, the other with vines coiling around him, ready to strike.
"Teacher Zephyr..." Sakazuki's face was as dark as water. "This is the World Government's highest directive. Please don't make things difficult for us... Otherwise, even if you are our mentor, obstructing justice will still lead to elimination!"
"Shut up! Sakazuki!" Zephyr directly interrupted Sakazuki. His right index finger pointed straight at the Marine flagship. "Is this how I taught you to bully the weak at the Marine Academy?!"
His voice trembled with anger. "Look at yourselves now, what's the difference between you and the Celestial Dragons' lackeys!"
These words were like a resounding slap, silencing the Marine fleet. Many new recruits lowered their heads, their weapons unconsciously drooping.
Zephyr turned to face Elegia, pressing his right fist to his chest: "Little girl Uta, don't be afraid! The light of the New Navy will illuminate every island in the sea! Today, we will never let anyone harm you!"
As he spoke, the New Navy fleet suddenly changed formation.
The searchlights of all warships simultaneously lit up, their blinding beams interweaving into a net of light over the gradually darkening sea, gently enveloping Elegia.
In the distance,
Several ships flying flags of "unknown pirate crews" lurked furtively at the edge of the battlefield.
They claimed to be merely "passing by," but in reality, their decks were loaded with cameras, both long-range and short-range, and their crew members were frantically filming with their phones.
"Look, my friends!" the Captain, wearing a reporter's hat, shouted into the live stream, "Admiral Zephyr is directly confronting the Three Admirals! This is absolutely the most explosive news event of the year!"
His camera shook violently, yet perfectly captured every moment of Zephyr scolding Sakazuki.
"Families, send those gifts!" The Captain's voice changed pitch with excitement. "If we get ten rockets, we'll get another five hundred meters closer!"
...
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