On the open sea off Elbaf, the morning sun shone upon a fleet arrayed for battle. Massive warships lined up in formation, each like a silent behemoth, awaiting the order to charge into the fray.
Inside the war room of a ship, Jin stood before a massive map, his fingertip tracing the route marked between Mary Geoise and Elbaf, his eyes revealing calm calculation and unwavering determination.
“Dividing our forces into two is indeed a risk, but without doing so, we cannot contain the World Government's main fleet.”
Jin's voice was low, yet it carried a power that put people at ease.
His gaze swept over everyone, lingering especially on Whitebeard and Loki,
“The Elbaf defense line is the foundation of our operation; we must ensure those who remain hold it.”
Whitebeard, upon hearing this, laughed heartily:
“Gurarara, rest assured, boy! Leaving the front lines of Elbaf to our men is not a problem.”
His thick palm slammed onto the table, as if establishing an insurmountable defense line for the land.
Loki nodded, still showing some tension, but even more so a sense of pride and responsibility as a prince of the Giant race:
“We giants have never feared any enemy; Elbaf will not fall!”
Jin nodded slightly, turning his gaze to the vast sea chart, his tone gaining a hint of chill:
“And I will lead our forces to meet their fleet—the sea will become their graveyard.”
Toki stood to the side, her brow slightly furrowed:
“However, such an operation is extremely risky.
The World Government's main fleet is not only vast in number, but also possesses the Seraphim and the new Gorosei.
You must ensure you are not entangled, otherwise, if contact is lost between the two fronts, our plan will be in jeopardy.”
“There are many ways to solve this.”
Jin's lips curled slightly, his calmness revealing confidence,
“As long as one side is in danger, I can instantly appear on the battlefield.
The World Government's forces do not have such flexibility.”
Toki was silent for a moment, her gaze carrying a hint of complex emotion:
“I believe in you.”
The others present also nodded in agreement.
Whitebeard stroked his beard, his tone laced with amusement:
“Boy, you’re getting more and more skilled with your tactics. It seems we can gain a few more chances of victory on the battlefield this time.”
Jin smiled, turning to look at the sunlight in the sky:
“This ocean is our battlefield, and our battle will become a legend.”
Just then, sunlight pierced through the dimness, shining directly on the bounty posters placed on the table.
Jin casually picked one up, a meaningful smile appearing as he unfolded it—it was the latest bounty poster.
His bounty had soared to billion Berries, the large red letters proclaiming him “The World's Worst Man.”
“ billion, quite a good number.”
He placed the newspaper on the table, lifting his eyelids to look at everyone,
“We have completely broken ties with the World Government; there will be no holding back in the battles to come.”
On the table, besides Jin's bounty poster, were also the bounties of Whitebeard, Loki, Toki, and other companions, each enough to shock the entire world.
Toki glanced at them, and couldn't help but softly scoff:
“What extravagance, the World Government is determined to eliminate us.”
Jin retracted his gaze, his fingers gently tapping the table:
“Then let them try.
However, don't wait for them to set foot on Elbaf—we will sever their arms on the sea.”
......
A few days later.
The sea was vast and magnificent.
The atmosphere on the ship's deck instantly tensed as everyone dropped what they were doing and quickly entered battle-ready mode.
Jin stood at the highest point of the ship, the sea breeze whipping his cloak, his gaze as sharp as an eagle.
Following the direction indicated by the lookout, he gazed into the distance, where a scattering of black dots vaguely appeared on the horizon. These dots appeared and disappeared between the waves, gradually revealing the silhouettes of warships as the distance closed.
“They're here.”
He said in a low voice, his tone calm yet containing an undeniable sense of pressure.
“Everyone, pay attention!”
Jin turned to face the crew behind him, his voice like a resounding bell spreading throughout the ship,
“This is our first trial! Defeat them, and we can open the path to victory!”
The crew responded in unison, their voices filled with determination and battle intent:
“Yes!”
Loki leaned against a railing to the side, his gaze sweeping over the figures on the other ships not far away.
“Aren't these guys a little too excited?”
He raised an eyebrow, his tone light, yet he had already taken down his giant axe.
“Excitement is always better than fear.”
Whitebeard carried his long blade, grinning,
“Gurarara! Let them warm up a bit, so they won't be soft later!”
In the captain's conference room, the core members of the battle command also quickly gathered.
Toki held a map, her brow slightly furrowed,
“Judging from the numbers, this should only be the vanguard, but we cannot be careless.
These warships may be hiding the secret weapons of the new Gorosei.”
“It doesn't matter.”
Jin strode into the conference room, glancing at everyone,
“No matter what they bring, they won't have a chance to take it back.”
His words were firm and resolute, like a hammer blow that shocked everyone's hearts.
Toki revealed a complex smile,
“Since you're so confident, then you'll lead the way.”
“Naturally.”
Jin nodded without hesitation, his battle intent growing even more intense.
The atmosphere on the deck outside had reached a boiling point, the sea breeze carrying the warriors' roars, the weapons reflecting dazzling sunlight.
Whitebeard stood up from the center of the deck, raising his long blade towards the distant warships,
“The rules of the sea are like this—either be defeated, or walk off the battlefield alive! Brothers, this sea belongs to us!”
He was answered by a deafening roar, as everyone prepared to face the first battle.
At the same time, the silhouettes of the warships became clearer and clearer, the muzzles gleaming coldly in the sunlight.
“All warships, prepare to engage!”
At Jin's command, the muzzles of each warship adjusted their direction, aiming at the warships about to enter range.
A more urgent voice came from the lookout post,
“The number of enemy warships has exceeded fifty, and is still increasing!”
Toki came to Jin's side, her voice low,
“The enemy is coming sooner than expected, and the number is greater than the intelligence reported; should we change our plan?”
“No need.”
Jin remained as calm as a mountain, his hand on the hilt of his sword, tilting his head slightly to look at her, a confident smile appearing on his lips,
“No matter how many come, the result will be the same.
Tell everyone, in this battle, we win with speed!”
His sword slowly unsheathed, a cold light reflecting on everyone's faces, as if igniting the flame hidden in their hearts.
The crew erupted in an even louder battle cry, as all the ships quickly adjusted their formation, forming a sharp, aggressive array, pointing directly at the vast warship fleet.
The sea breeze grew fiercer, as if blowing the horn for the impending bloody battle.
At this moment, the entire sea held its breath, waiting for the flames of war to ignite.
