Chapter 474: 474. Temptation
The war in New Marineford is not as tense as the one in the destroyed Marie Geoise. Not only do the pirates only want to prevent the Marines from leaving, the Marines themselves don't seem to be putting much effort into breaking through the pirates' blockage. It's like they don't really want to leave their base to help the Celestial Dragons.
Well, that's really the case, after all, as Aokiji and the high-ranking officials are more focused on the survival of their men. They are surrounded by so many powerful pirate crews, after all, and they were not ready for this, so they don't have many personnel like when they were about to execute Ace.
Even though the Marine is World Government's subordinate, which means they are Celestial Dragons' subordinates, it doesn't mean that they will just sacrifice their men willy-nilly. Besides, the Marine higher-ups are always thinking of being independent of the World Government, or to be precise the Celestial Dragons.
They don't want to keep being Celestial Dragons' pawns because those guys always made them break their rules and justice. Everything that the Marines hold would be ignored as long as the Celestial Dragons command them. They who should protect people would even slaughter a whole island if it's the World Nobles' command.
Deep in their hearts, the Marines actually hope that the Celestial Dragons would be annihilated. Well, maybe not everyone, but it surely is the case for people like Aokiji, Garp, and Sengoku. If the Clown Pirates could defeat the Celestial Dragons, then the Marines won't need to obey those trash with God-complex.
Though the real problem is if that truly happens, then they would need to make sure they won't be under the pirates' control. After all, if the pirates win this Great War, then it would mean that the pirates are the new ruler of this world replacing the World Government.
That's why Aokiji wants to save his men's energy so they could fight later to prevent that. The other high-ranking officials agree with his plan, so they don't fight seriously now. They have also called reinforcements from other bases to protect the Marines from being destroyed.
After all, even if the World Government collapses, the Marines still need to stand tall to keep the world order. Without the Marines, this world will be in chaos because there won't be anyone to keep the rule and order. These pirates won't bother to do that after winning this war, after all, so the Marine needs to survive.
Thankfully though, the Marine can see that the pirates aren't trying to destroy the Marine for now. So there is still a chance for the Marines to get through this. Though there's no way they would rely on the pirates' mercy, so they are preparing a counterattack to repel the pirates later after seeing the progress of the war.
Repelling the pirates would show that they are still strong and they can uphold their justice even without the World Government. Well, the pirates never planned to destroy the Marine anyway, so they shouldn't be that worried about this. But they would look weak if they survive because the pirates are retreating, which will make their image drop in the public's eyes, so they need to repel the pirates with their power.
Right now in New Marineford, battles are erupting in some places. There aren't that many battles because only the powerful Marines and Pirates are fighting. The cannon fodders are just watching from the back while giving support occasionally.
It happens on both the Marine and Pirate sides. The marine soldiers are surrounding their base building while pointing their guns at the pirates while the pirate crew members are staying on their ships with their weapons ready too.
Only the pirate leaders are invading the island to fight against the Marine's high-ranking officials. There are only battles of big shots here, so the war here is still earth-shattering despite not everyone fighting.
The pirates only want to block the Marines, that's why they keep surrounding the island with their ships' cannons ready. This way, they can attack any Marine that tries to escape and support their leaders who fight on the island.
Similar to the pirates, the Marines are protecting their base building. After all, there are many non-combatants inside as they couldn't evacuate those people, unlike in the war of Marineford last year. They also have more weapons here anyway, so they can just give support from the back.
Besides, they can't waste energy when most of the pirates are still not attacking. They will only move when the pirates launch a full-scale attack. None of them can fight against the pirates' bigshots anyway, so it's better for them to stay in the back and give support.
Sengoku is fighting Whitebeard now, but they clearly don't try to kill each other. Garp is different though as he is fighting Katakuri, Cracker, and Smoothie seriously. This old guy is actually having fun while fighting 3 of the former Big Mom Pirates' Sweet Commanders.
He fights them alone and doesn't show any sign of losing. Garp is a real beast that doesn't lose its fangs at his age. Even the 3 siblings are struggling and they are forced to fight seriously. Cracker's fake biscuit body has been destroyed too, so he finally shows his true self now.
Meanwhile, Ryokugyu is facing Ace, Jack, and Oven. Ace's flame and Oven's heat are effective against Ryokugyu's plant power, but this guy didn't become an Admiral because of luck. He manages to handle their power with sheer power while also suppressing Jack who can break his plants with brute force.
The other high-ranking Marine officials like Tsuru, Momousagi, and other Vice-Admirals are also fighting other high-ranking pirates like the Whitebeard commanders, Charlotte siblings, and Clown Pirates' subordinate Captains. Their battles are also very destructive, but they are still holding back.
Meanwhile, Aokiji who fights Alan and Marco is focusing on defense. He doesn't attack them actively and only blocks or dodges their attacks while looking around at the situations on the whole battlefield. As the highest in command, he needs to know the overall situation to make the best decision for his side.
He isn't focused on his battle, but he actually manages to stop Alan and Marco. He doesn't just hold his ground, but he puts up a decent fight against them. Alan and Marco are powerful opponents, so it shows just how strong Aokiji actually is if he is serious.
Anyway, the war in New Marineford is quite intense, but it only looks like a facade. The war on the sea between Revolutionary Army and the 2 Admirals is more serious than that. Kizaru and Fujitora are fighting seriously because they are facing some dangerous individuals.
They were tasked to assist Marie Geoise, but they know it was impossible now. Their opponents aren't just some unorganized pirates, but a group of people with the same goal who are very organized and disciplined. It surely is a lot more difficult fighting opponents that are well organized like the Revolutionary Army rather than individualist fighters like most pirates.
Just Dragon alone is a big threat to the 2 of them, but all Revolutionary Army leaders are here as well. Sabo, Ivankov, Morley, Karasu, Belo Betty, and Lindbergh along with some more powerful members like Koala, Inazuma, Hack, etc. Even Admirals like Kizaru and Fujitora will have a slim chance of winning against this group.
So both Kizaru and Fujitora are focusing on defense and only attacking when there are chances. Their initial advantage of being able to fly has also been nullified by Karasu's ability to create crows using his Soot Soot Fruit. The crows are used as footholds to assist his comrades fighting in the air, so they can fight Kizaru and Fujitora closely.
Just like the pirates that attacked New Marineford, the Revolutionary Army actually isn't trying to defeat the 2 Admirals. They are just focusing on stalling time and stopping the 2 Admirals from going to the fallen Marie Geoise. But they can only fight seriously as the 2 Admirals are really trying to defeat them.
Well, they have predicted this because no matter the reason, the Revolutionary Army has been branded as the World's worst enemy and Dragon is the World's worst criminal. Even Buggy who has the highest bounty isn't given that title because he didn't oppose the World Government directly and openly like Dragon.
"Why don't you just stop, Kizaru, Fujitora? This war is a chance for the Marines to be an independent organization that won't receive orders from Celestial Dragons. After we rebuilt the World Government, we will work together with Marine, but we won't order you as if you are our subordinates."
"Are you saying that Marine and World Government will stand on equal ground, Dragon?"
"Correct. The New World Government won't control the Marines and vice-versa. We will only help each other and give suggestions while standing side-by-side to manage the world order and law. The Marine will focus on upholding the law while the Government will focus on governmental affairs or you can say politics. We will separate our tasks clearly while still working together. Isn't that what you Marines want?"
"Well~, it certainly sounds nice. I won't need to listen to those guys' whims anymore. But Dragon, you need to remember, you are not the victor yet, and we are still members of the World Government. Besides, we can only follow orders from our superiors. Unless the Fleet Admiral himself gives the command, we will fight you to death. But even the Fleet Admiral can't decide on anything about this because there are more people above him. Also, you are still a criminal now, Dragon. So don't waste your breath. I won't listen to a criminal's word."
"Sigh, you sure are stubborn for someone who looks very easygoing. Though are you sure your reason isn't because you just want to defeat that Clown? I heard you never won against him and now you bear a strong grudge for him."
Kizaru looks pissed hearing what Dragon says. Well, it's true, after all. But Kizaru isn't someone who will let his personal problem affect his job. He is a professional, after all. But what Dragon says is still pissing him off because it hits his sore spot.
"That is my personal problem. As a professional and an Admiral, I shouldn't let it affect my job. We are tasked to assist Marie Geoise, so we will do it. Sigh, what you said was still irritating though. Seems like I really need to kill you no matter what. It's only right for an Admiral to defeat a criminal, after all."
"... I thought you are professional."
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