One Piece: From Picking Up Red Hair's Broken Arm

Chapter 368: The Expedition Begins!
Ten days passed in the blink of an eye.

Early morning, NEO Naval Headquarters.

Ain and Binz stood at the front of the line, with tens of thousands of spirited NEO naval soldiers behind them.

After a period of rest, their injuries have fully recovered. Now, they stand upright with solemn expressions, hands behind their backs.

"teacher!"

Ayn stepped forward, her voice resounding, "The entire NEO Navy is ready to depart. Please inspect us!"

"Ah."

Zefa looked at the energetic young people below the stage, grinned, but his eyes were slightly moist.

Just a few days ago, he thought he was going to lose these lovely students forever.

Yet we can still see them all full of energy and vitality.

very nice.

The only regret is probably the mechanical arm that had been with him for a while. It was forcibly ripped off during his fight with Akainu and then disappeared without a trace. He searched the entire battlefield but couldn't find it.

It probably rolled into the sea.

In short, it's harmless. The NEO Navy also has its own scientific forces, and Zephyr commissioned them to rebuild a more sophisticated robotic arm.

It's even more lethal, making it perfect for dealing with those swine in the sky.

"very good!"

Zefa took a deep breath, his piercing gaze sweeping over each young face, and said in a deep voice:

"As you all already know, the Fallen Ones have declared war on the World Government. As allies, the NEO Navy will fully respond and participate in this war to end eight hundred years of tyranny!"

"This time, we will no longer be the ones passively taking the beating, but will take the initiative and make those high and mighty Celestial Dragons pay the price for their crimes!"

“Pay the price!”

Ain and Binz shouted first, followed closely by the soldiers behind them, their shouts like a tidal wave:
"For justice! For freedom!"

"Follow Teacher Zephyr! Follow the Fallen One!"

Zephyr nodded in satisfaction and turned to point at the fleet anchored in the distance.

"Everyone board the ship!"

Zefa waved his hand and shouted sharply, "Set off immediately! After reuniting with the Fallen Ones, head towards the Red Line!"

……

Almost at the same time.

Island of Dawn.

This island, once used for tea parties, has now become the political center of the entire new world.

At this moment, the port is filled with warships, and the flags of the fallen heroes are flying everywhere.

All the cadres gathered in the central square.

At the very front were seven figures with exceptionally terrifying auras, all draped in black cloaks, lined up in a row before the high platform.

The one in the very center is the dashing female swordswoman with a high ponytail, the vice-captain, "Wind Erosion" Shimotsuki Kuina!

The first one on the left is a blind swordsman who remains silent with his eyes closed. He is the highest-ranking officer. "Starfall" smiles!
The second man from the left, a towering figure in a bear-eared hat, is the highest-ranking officer, "Thunderstrike" Bartholomew Kuma!

The third one from the left is a ferocious, burly fishman with menacing fangs, the highest-ranking officer, "The Rumbling" Jack!
The first one on the right, a cool guy who's three meters tall with his hands in his pockets, is the highest-ranking officer, "Aokiji" Kuzan!
The second one from the right is an eight-winged archangel clad in silver armor, the highest-ranking officer, "Holy Fallen" Angewomon!

The third one on the right, with his pineapple-headed, dead-fish-eyed appearance, is nonetheless a force to be reckoned with. He is the highest-ranking officer, "Phoenix" Marco!

Scattered around were many figures, some already famous, others who had only recently made a name for themselves.

Such as Nojiko, Smoker... and later, Shiryu of the Rain, Trafalgar Law, Zoro, Sanji and other executives.

And on the high platform in the center.

Amidst countless gazes and the fluttering of his cloak.

A handsome, black-haired young man stood atop the high platform, his gaze indifferent, his hands clasped behind his back.

As the first rays of sunlight rose above the horizon, Xia Nuo looked around at everyone and finally spoke slowly:
"Everyone."

Just two words were enough to instantly quiet the somewhat noisy square.

"Time flies. Looking back, when we set off from the East China Sea two years ago, we only had a small boat, a few people, and a dog."

Xia Nuo smiled, looked towards the East China Sea, and said leisurely:
"Back then, on the execution platform in Loguetown, after I killed Onigumo, I publicly declared that I would completely overthrow the old era and drag those self-proclaimed gods down from their lofty heights!"

"Besides my crew, I doubt anyone believes my wild words, let alone that we can shake the rule of the world government."

The cadres below the stage exchanged knowing smiles, while the earliest members who followed Xia Nuo were filled with emotion.

"But we did it."

Xia Nuo grinned, "From the East Blue to the Grand Line, from Paradise to the New World, we defeated one powerful enemy after another, shattered the World Government's encirclement and suppression efforts time and time again, and gradually grew into a powerful enemy that could look down on the Marine Headquarters and make the World Government tremble!"

His voice gradually rose:

"And now, the final battle is just around the corner!"

"No matter how high the walls of Mary Geoise are, they cannot stop the tide of time! The Celestial Dragons' rule, however long it may last, is about to end!"

"Roar!!!"

A deafening cheer erupted from the audience, the sound almost lifting the sky.

"Next, we will split into three groups."

Xia Nuo raised his hand to signal for silence, and solemnly said, "The first force, the main army, will follow me and attack Mary Geoise from the front!"

"The second route will be commanded by Kuzan, who will be responsible for dealing with the Navy Headquarters blocking the way and preventing any enemy reinforcements from reaching us!"

"The third route will be led by Marco. He will head to Paradise and coordinate with the various allied forces there, including the Revolutionary Army led by Dragon, to attack Marineford from the other side and block all gaps!"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over each face:
"This will be a war that goes down in history, and it may be the last and most dangerous war for many of you. Now I'll ask you one last time, does anyone want to quit?"

No one moved an inch.

On the contrary, everyone stood ramrod straight, their eyes burning with an even more intense fighting spirit.

"very good!"

Xia Nuo nodded with satisfaction. He suddenly drew his longsword from his back, its blade pointing straight to the sky, and shouted sharply:
"So--"

"Gentlemen, follow me on this expedition! We will conquer Mary Geoise and overthrow the World Government!!!"

"Break through Mary Geoise and overthrow the World Government!!!"

Even more intense than before, the shouts of tens of thousands of people converged and soared into the sky!

Countless seagulls were startled and scattered in all directions, even the clouds in the sky were shaken apart by this force.

Amidst this awe-inspiring sound.

At the port, hundreds of cannons fired into the sky at the same time, the deafening roar echoing through the clouds.
On deck, the sailors deftly coiled up the mooring lines and hoisted the sails;
The gunners inspected each heavy gun to ensure they were in optimal condition!
"Weigh anchor!"

"Sail!"

"Attack!"

Amidst the rising and falling commands, large warships sailed away from the port in an orderly fashion, leaving white trails on the azure sea.

Looking around, there were at least a hundred ships!
Banners blotted out the sky, a vast and mighty procession sailing towards the Red Earth Continent! ...

Naval Headquarters, Marinevando.

"Report! The Fallen Fleet has moved out in large numbers and left Dawn Island!"

"Urgent report! Multiple fleets of the Revolutionary Army have been spotted and are rapidly assembling towards the Sabaody Archipelago!"

"Breaking news! The NEO naval fleet is joining forces with the Fallen Ones. The enemy forces coming from the New World alone number over 100,000!"

Telegrams flew into the naval headquarters command room like snowflakes, and the staff officers frantically sorted through the intelligence, their foreheads covered in cold sweat.

Steel Bone sat behind the top desk, his face ashen, tapping the surface lightly with his fingers.

"Master Marshal!"

A staff officer, pale-faced, finished organizing the documents and reported:
"According to the latest intelligence, the main fleet personally led by Xia Nuo has been advancing at full speed since yesterday and is expected to arrive beneath the Red Line Continent by tomorrow dusk!"

"Will it be dusk by tomorrow...?"

Steel Bones muttered softly.

The pressure is immense.

Faced with such a large coalition force, even though the Navy Headquarters has been frantically drawing personnel from its various branches since last week.

However, their combat strength is still somewhat lacking.

"The number of naval forces deployed to defend the area below the Holy Land has reached 60,000 after continuous increases, while only 20,000 remain at headquarters."

Another staff officer swallowed hard and added:
"Under these circumstances, Mary Geoise has been urging us to send more troops and has demanded that Marshal and General Borsalino both be present."

"Understandable."

Steelbone said coldly, "In comparison, the Holy Land is naturally much more important. Send another 20,000 troops there. Borsalino, you will lead the team personally and set off immediately. I will follow shortly. Although it only takes half a day to get to Mary Geoise from here, we still need to allow some time. It's about time we set off."

"Yes."

Kizaru, who had been leaning back on the sofa, staring silently out the window, finally snapped out of his reverie and nodded.

Should another 20,000 be transferred?
The two staff officers were both taken aback, thinking that Steelbone Kong hadn't heard them clearly, and subconsciously reminded them: "Marshal, we only have two left..."

"I'm not deaf. What I mean is, I want them all transferred over there!"

Steelbone interrupted coldly, "Trying to have it both ways will only lead to losing both. The Holy Land cannot be lost, and we have no choice but to abandon Marineford!"

Time passes.

Today's navy is nothing like its peak days, when it was strong and well-equipped, capable of assembling hundreds of thousands of elite troops at any time.

He was also a former Marine, and ultimately still had some feelings for Marineford. If the Marines were still at their peak, if Akainu and Green Bull were still alive, and if Aokiji, Garp, and Zephyr hadn't left...

How could he possibly just hand it over to someone else so easily?
What a shame and humiliation.

But there was no other way; we were forced into this situation!
"Yes, Marshal, we'll go and inform them right away."

The two staff officers exchanged a glance and left with sorrowful expressions.

"It's not just the lower-ranking soldiers; even the mid- to high-ranking staff officers and generals are experiencing very low morale right now."

Kizaru stared out the window for a long while before slowly getting up and staring intently at Kong.
"Things have come to this... Marshal, do you think we will win?"

"It will win."

Steel Bone Kong answered without hesitation in a deep voice:
"In terms of military strength, we may indeed be at a disadvantage, but don't forget that the World Government has been able to stand for less than eight hundred years because it still has its last trump card!"

"That lord is temporarily unable to leave the Holy Land for some reason, but now the Fallen One has become extremely arrogant, actually wanting to take the initiative to attack the Holy Land, hmph..."

Kong suddenly stood up, walked to the window, looked towards the Red Line, and sneered:

"Perhaps the Navy will suffer heavy casualties in this battle, but that doesn't matter. As long as we can hold out until that person takes action and until that Shano is dealt with, the final victory will surely belong to the World Government and the Navy!"

Really?
Kizaru remained silent. He also longed to become as positive as Sora and to believe in that mysterious adult.

But, I don't know why.

Perhaps it was because she had fought that man too many times and knew him too well, or perhaps it was because she had witnessed that great man descend into his avatar last time, only to perish in the sea.

Deep down, Kizaru remained uneasy, harboring a lingering sense of foreboding...

That shouldn't be the case, right?

…………

Meanwhile, Holy Land Marie Gioia.

Inside the flower garden, Im stood quietly by the window, his deep gaze seemingly piercing through layers of mist, looking straight into the distance.

The three Five Elders knelt respectfully on the ground.

"Owner."

Mercury Worchli said in a low voice, "The Navy Headquarters has already mobilized all its forces to protect the Holy Land as ordered by us, but with their strength, I'm afraid they will ultimately be unable to withstand the attack of these rebels."

"It doesn't matter."

Im spoke indifferently, his voice devoid of gender, like an echo in a secluded valley:

"The navy is nothing but a expendable resource. I never expected them to be of any use. All I need are these mortals to buy me a little time, and that will be enough."

Delay for a moment?

The three quickly exchanged glances, all realizing what was going on.

"You mean... perhaps..." Saint Vochuli asked cautiously.

"good."

Im slowly turned around, his rippling eyes fixing on the three Elders below:

"Since Mu has summoned you all here, then your seclusion during this period has certainly not been in vain. The completion of the chessboard is progressing faster than Mu anticipated; Mu's 'world' should be finished by tomorrow night."

Really?
The three elders looked up in ecstasy.

"According to the intelligence report from the Navy, the Fallen Ones' fleet will likely arrive around dusk tomorrow, which is no more than two hours before nightfall..."

Jupiter Pitt spoke.

It only took two hours!

All the navy, plus the Five Elders, plus the newly developed weapons of war, and the rebuilt Knights of God...

enough!
Relying on the formidable natural barrier of the Red Earth Continent, holding off this rebel fleet for two hours is absolutely no problem!

"Step down, make arrangements, and don't let Mu down again."

"Yes, Master!"

The three elders left without daring to raise their heads.

Once the flower garden returned to silence, Im turned around and gazed quietly at the wanted poster of "Shanno" hanging on the wall, with a bounty of 7.3 billion Berries.

"By tomorrow night, Mu will be able to leave the Holy Land and possess unprecedented power. At that time, all those who resist will be completely wiped out."

Im spoke softly:
"You are indeed very strong, and since you dared to come here on your own initiative this time, you are probably even stronger than last time..."

"But, it doesn't matter."

"Mother, I will show you just how great the gap is between you and me. And who is the only god in this world?"

(End of this chapter)