Because of what Grimm had done, the upper echelons of the World Government had once hoped to capture him alive so they could study his methods and develop powerful warriors who could enter this same state of frenzied strength. That was exactly why they had specified on his bounty poster that he was to be taken alive only.
But as time went on, they realised that capturing Grimm alive was simply an impossible task. In the end, they gave up on the idea and changed the order to state that he could be taken dead or alive.
Yet no one could have imagined that ten years later, the very creatures that Grimm had created would be the ones launching a direct assault on the seat of government power itself.
"So it is true… Grimm has joined forces with Shiki, hasn't he?"
The Elder who always carried a sword narrowed his eyes and spoke in a calm, steady tone. "Grimm is most likely among them as well. Send word to the Navy to dispatch reinforcements immediately. And at the same time, we will deploy our own forces too."
With that, the four other Elders began to carry out their orders. Beneath the lenses of his spectacles, a sharp, dangerous glint flashed in the sword-wielding Elder's eyes as he cast one final glance at the images being transmitted through the Den Den Mushi.
"The Great Eternal Pope… Grimm. You dare to launch a solo attack against the World Government? This time, we will finally find out whether you truly possess eternal life as you claim…"
Thousands of metres away, upon the vast expanse of the Red Line and behind the horde of rampaging monsters, Grimm had leaped onto the back of one of the giant ostriches infected with the Blood Plague. He gazed intently toward a towering white building that rose up from deep within the clouds.
"So that is Mary Geoise… it is even more beautiful than I had imagined. This place belongs rightfully to the Holy Light…"
Grimm lowered his head slightly. "I was right all along… the Holy Light is also the power of judgement and destruction… This world… it is in desperate need of purification…"
---
Marineford!
Sengoku's strategy was a masterstroke of logic and planning. By assigning the three Logia-type officers—all candidates for Admiral rank—to hold Kaido and his commanders back, he knew they could not necessarily win the battle outright, but they could certainly buy enough time and prevent the worst-case scenario from becoming reality.
That said, Sakazuki was certainly having a difficult time of it. He had been beaten so badly by Kaido that he seemed on the very brink of collapse, though the wounds covering his body were slowly but surely healing and closing up.
This was all thanks to Kaiji, another Admiral candidate who possessed incredible powers of healing and recovery.
As a result, the battle between Kaido and his commanders and the three future Admirals was currently deadlocked, with neither side able to gain the upper hand.
Meanwhile, all other naval forces were keeping a constant watch on the skies, searching for any sign of where Shiki might choose to land. The moment he or his forces dared to emerge from the cover of the clouds, the naval cannons positioned across the entire island were ready to open fire and blow them right out of the sky. Just try and show your faces, you arrogant brats…
And so, the situation settled into a tense stalemate. The fiercest fighting of all was taking place between Kaido's group and the three future Admirals.
Inside the command office of Marine Headquarters, a civilian official rushed in without even stopping to knock on the door. He was clutching a Den Den Mushi with a distinctive set of curved whiskers, and he spoke urgently to Kong, who was overseeing operations from the room. "M-My apologies, Fleet Admiral Sir… t-this is…"
"Hmm?"
When Kong saw the creature in the official's hands, his expression grew serious and alert. This particular Den Den Mushi with curved whiskers was the exclusive line of communication used only by the Five Elders.
It was normally kept locked away in his private quarters, because any message sent through this channel was classified as top-secret information and never meant to be shared openly.
"I apologise for the intrusion, Sir. But your secretary reported that this device has been ringing non-stop, so I rushed it straight to you as quickly as I could," the official explained nervously.
Normally, orders transmitted directly by the Five Elders followed strict formal procedures and protocols. The last time this special communication line had been activated was during the legendary battle between Roger and Shiki at Edd War, years ago.
Kong wasted no time and immediately activated the transmission. The voice of an elderly man came through clearly, and Kong recognised it instantly as belonging to the eldest and most senior of the Five Elders.
"Kong, assemble a naval force immediately and send them to support our forces. Grimm is attacking Mary Geoise."
Those were the only words spoken, before the line was cut off completely. The urgency and brevity of the message spoke volumes about just how critical the situation there had become.
After ending the transmission, Kong stepped out of the office with a look of utter shock and disbelief, raising his eyes toward the distant direction of Mary Geoise.
Although it was not far away in terms of distance, there was no way to see what was happening there with the naked eye, and even his Observation Haki could not penetrate that far to reveal the truth.
Standing beside him, his aide was left completely speechless, trembling with fear and astonishment.
They had heard Kaido mention earlier that Grimm intended to attack Mary Geoise, but no one had imagined the situation would be this serious or dangerous. Most had simply assumed it was nothing more than a diversionary tactic designed to distract the Navy and draw their attention away from Shiki's true plans.
And almost everyone had believed that Grimm was working alongside Shiki. Who could have guessed that he would dare to march on Mary Geoise all by himself? Did he truly believe he was invincible and beyond death?
"He said it is Grimm… not Grimm and Shiki… does that mean Shiki is still up there in the skies somewhere?"
Kong spoke to himself as he stared up into the dark, heavy clouds above. Even with Observation Haki, his ability was not particularly strong—he was far more skilled and experienced in the use of Armament Haki—and there was simply no way he could sense or locate anything that far away.
"Fleet Admiral Sir… what do we do now?"
"Is it not obvious? The Five Elders have issued their command. We have no choice but to gather our forces and send reinforcements to the World Government immediately!"
"But all our troops are currently on high alert and standing guard. Shiki is still hovering above us, watching and waiting for his chance. How can we withdraw our forces now, when we need them here the most?"
For a moment, chaos broke out among the officers standing around Kong. Some argued that they had a duty to obey the orders of the Five Elders and must send reinforcements to Mary Geoise without delay. Others pointed out that their own forces were already stretched thin, and they simply did not have enough manpower to spare for another front.
Kong remained silent for nearly fifteen seconds, his expression heavy and grave as he finally gave his decision. "Send orders to the troops stationed at the gates and borders of Mary Geoise. Select twenty thousand men and send them immediately to reinforce the defences there. Tsuru will lead this mission as supreme commander. All remaining forces are to fill the gaps and strengthen our defences here at once!"
The moment Kong spoke these words, everyone present understood exactly what he meant. He was withdrawing troops from areas that were considered less critical to the defence of Marineford and sending them to Mary Geoise instead.
"Sir… is this really the right decision?"
A Rear Admiral wearing glasses raised his hands in a gesture of concern. "If we thin out our defensive lines and withdraw our forces like this, Shiki will almost certainly spot the weakness in our position and strike while we are vulnerable!"
Kong pressed his lips together tightly, his expression hardening. "Do you think I am not fully aware of that risk?"
He paused for a moment before continuing. "But when Mary Geoise itself is under direct attack, how can we possibly stand by and do nothing?"
The last time the Navy had clashed with Grimm and Redfield was during the incident at Sabaody Archipelago. Although the battle had caused significant damage and destroyed property belonging to the Celestial Dragons, no lives had been lost among them.
And because Kong was serving as Fleet Admiral during a time when piracy was spreading across the seas with increasing ferocity, the World Government had only punished him in a formal, symbolic manner, and had not taken any serious action against him or his position.
But this time, the situation was completely different. If enemies were already at the very gates of the World Government and the Navy did nothing to stop them, Kong could say goodbye to his position as commander-in-chief of all naval forces.
Having issued this painful but necessary order, Kong strode quickly out of the headquarters building.
Things had already gone too far for him to continue directing operations from the safety of his office. He would have to join the fight himself.
BOOM…
From the centre of the plaza, the sound of massive explosions echoed across the island as the three Admiral candidates continued their fierce battle against Kaido and his commanders. Meanwhile, Chief of Staff Tsuru had just received Kong's orders, and her eyes narrowed sharply. "Such reckless, insolent pirates…"
Through the communication she had just received, Tsuru already knew of the orders from the Five Elders, and that Kong had appointed her to take command and lead the reinforcements to Mary Geoise.
"Senior Tsuru…"
Tsunade stood beside her, her brow furrowed in deep thought. This was the first time she had witnessed events of such immense scale, and she could not help but wonder: At a time like this, why is the World Government still holding back and keeping their true strength hidden from view?
She did not know the full extent of the power and resources the government had kept secret over the centuries, but she could make an educated guess. Having stood at the very peak of power and influence for more than eight hundred years, it was likely that the Navy's entire strength was nothing compared to the true might that the World Government possessed.
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