Chapter 86: Scheming and the Rocks Pirates Set Sail
For a place like the Red Line, three million Army soldiers are clearly not enough.
However, for many years, the Red Line has never been invaded, so the Army's structure hasn't been increased.
If they wanted to, the Army could rapidly expand their numbers to five million or even eight million at any time.
On the Red Line, countless people want to join the Army.
For those Residents born into Slave Status, they need to serve in the Army for ten years to become free individuals, thus escaping their Slave Status.
This is the opportunity the World Government gives them, a loophole opened up, like a ray of hope in Hell.
Otherwise, the Red Line would have erupted in turmoil long ago.
Even after abolishing Slave Status, facing the World Nobles on the Red Line is still no different from being a Slave, but they can gain more rights to survive.
Black understands this.
Although he doesn't agree with the World Government's methods, the Combat Power unleashed by such an Army is terrifying.
Years ago, the annihilation of hundreds of thousands of Army soldiers in the Kronos Kingdom didn't fundamentally cripple the Army as a whole.
In less than a month, the vacant positions were filled.
Only the Army General's death in battle was somewhat painful.
In terms of recruitment, the Marines can't even catch up to the Army no matter how hard they try.
With their vast numbers, they can deplete a large portion of the Rocks Pirates' forces.
Especially since the Army's Combat Power is not weak.
Although they don't have the Fleet Admiral position, they have three Army Generals, each a Top Tier Combatant comparable to Davis and Puyol.
Below them are sixteen Army Vice Admirals, corresponding to Marine Vice Admirals.
The Marines need support from the World Government and can only turn to the Army.
In fact, Fleet Admiral Black is also urging the World Government to send Powerhouses to support the Marines against the Rocks Pirates, the more the better.
Unfortunately, the World Government refused, citing the Army's need to protect the Red Line, fearing the Rocks Pirates would directly invade the Red Line.
Only when the World Government is given a real lesson will they take it seriously.
Black is also secretly scheming against the World Government.
The World Government's Foundation is the Heavenly Tribute and the Member Nations.
Abandoning the Member Nations in the Four Seas will directly cause the Member Nations to rebel against the World Government.
This will, in turn, affect the World Government's rule and the share of the Heavenly Tribute.
Black has contacted several friendly Member Nations.
According to the Intelligence secretly revealed, these Member Nations have already united, and this year's Heavenly Tribute has been reduced by 30% compared to last year.
If more incidents occur, or if they feel the threat of the Rocks Pirates and the incompetence of the World Government, the actual amount of Heavenly Tribute will be further reduced from the current level.
Only then will the World Government feel the pain and seriously support the Marines in dealing with the Rocks Pirates, while also sending powerful forces as support.
As Fleet Admiral Black's orders were issued, the atmosphere in the First Half of the Grand Line, the New World, and the Four Seas became tense.
One after another, Marine Warships sailed from Marine Headquarters, crossing the vast Great Sea, passing through Reverse Mountain, and splitting into four routes directly heading to the Four Seas.
In the First Half of the Grand Line, the eight Navy Fortresses outside of Marine Headquarters also dispatched Warships, beginning patrols in the Surrounding Seas.
The goal is to be able to send support in the shortest possible time after receiving news about the Rocks Pirates.
When that time truly comes, the eight Navy Fortresses and Marine Headquarters will all take action, sending Powerhouses to encircle and annihilate the Rocks Pirates' forces in this Sea Area.
This Sea Area, referred to as "Paradise" by New World Pirates, is the absolute home ground of the Marines.
It's easy to enter, but very difficult to leave.
Both Reverse Mountain and the Sea Area reached by passing through Fish-Man Island to get to "Paradise" are tightly monitored by the Marines.
To be honest, the Grand Line is a cage; the only way to leave is through the Calm Belt.
The pressure faced is no less than in the New World.
However, Rocks has confidence in the Strength of John and Wang Zhi.
As long as the World Government doesn't intervene, the Marines alone will find it difficult to stop John and Wang Zhi.
Currently, the Marines' only Top Tier Combatant in the First Half of the Grand Line is Fleet Admiral Black.
And the Marine Fleet Admiral generally doesn't leave Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Even if he takes action, it doesn't matter.
Marine Headquarters is always within the Rocks Pirates' surveillance range.
As soon as there is any movement, the Rocks Pirates will immediately transmit the message to John and Wang Zhi.
Rocks actually looks forward to Fleet Admiral Black taking action.
At that time, he will release "\"Golden Lion\" Shiki" and have him head straight to Marine Headquarters to launch a swift attack.
What could be more exciting, or more damaging to the Prestige of the Marines and the World Government, than conquering Marine Headquarters?
The World Government will not intervene; they haven't been pushed to that extent yet.
Without prior preparation, by the time they want to send support, it will be too late.
The World Government would even need the Marines to send Warships to pick them up.
The movements of the Marines cannot be concealed, and this is also the attitude the Marines are showing in response to the Rocks Pirates, whether it's to the Rocks Pirates, the World Government, or the Member Nations.
The Rocks Pirates don't care about this; they already have a complete action plan, which will be executed under the absolute rule of Rocks D.
Xebec.
Furthermore, the Marines' response, in their opinion, is quite poor.
The three Vice Admirals in the Four Seas are seen as mere decorations by some Powerhouses.
Even the First Half of the Grand Line is only so-so.
One must know that each Legion of the Rocks Pirates, besides the leading Powerhouse, also contains many Monsters.
Edward Newgate is in the same Legion as John.
Bill Russell, the "Ring King," is in the same crew as "\"Blade Edge\" Aiji".
He is a newcomer who rose in the Rocks Pirates five or six years ago.
He now has a Bounty of 400 million Beli, is an indispensable high-ranking cadre of the Rocks Pirates, and a Pirate with great potential.
Whether it's Bill Russell or Edward Newgate, they are just one example among many.
From the current situation, each Legion of the Rocks Pirates is unstoppable!
How will the Marines respond? What will be the effect? What will be the final outcome? To some extent, it will affect the world situation.
Sea Calendar 1471 is destined to be an extraordinary year.
The Rocks Pirates, who had been dormant for nearly ten years, once again declared war on the Marines, the World Government, and the entire World!
Similarly, the Marines, who had been at a disadvantage for more than ten years and were once almost driven out of the New World, have sounded the charge once again against the Rocks Pirates after a period of recovery!
Telling the World that Justice will never fade!
Whether it's the Rocks Pirates' attack or the Marines' counterattack, this is just the beginning.
The Rocks Pirates have moved.
One after another, Rocks Pirates Pirate Ships flying Pirate Flags sailed out to the Great Sea, splitting into five routes.
The flowing, powerful "ROCKS" looked fierce and domineering.
Especially the Rocks Pirates' Flagship, the super Warship over three hundred meters long, the "Godslayer: Raven," is large enough to accommodate a massive Legion of eight thousand people.
Even Giants don't look out of place on this super Warship.
Raven represents the meaning of destruction, and the name Godslayer directly targets the World Government and the World Nobles who call themselves the "Descendants of God."
From this, one can see the astonishing ambition of Rocks D.
Xebec.
(end of chapter)