After facing off for a day, a fierce pre-battle meeting was held in the flagship's conference room, where Vice Admiral Zephyr was stationed.
"Vice Admiral Sengoku, Vice Admiral Garp, and Rear Admiral Tsuru are urging us to hurry to the battlefield!"
"If we lack the elite forces of G1, our operational plan may fail!"
"We can't continue like this. It's obvious that the enemy wants to keep us here!"
"But how do we break through!? If the enemy were just ordinary pirates, even if their numbers were comparable to ours, we could make a stand. But those guys on the other side are no small fry; they're Whitebeard and Nicholas!"
"But, do we just stay here and wait to be overwhelmed!?"
"..."
It can be said that each Den Den Mushi carried a heated debate among the top officers of the naval behemoths.
"That's enough!"
With Zephyr's voice, Den Den Mushi fell silent.
"Adjutant, contact Vice Admiral Sengoku and Rear Admiral Tsuru."
After Zephyr spoke, his adjutant immediately brought over Den Den Mushi.
RingRingRing...
As the Den Den Mushi rang, the faces of the Den Den Mushi with different characteristics on the table showed a hint of nervousness because the next call would determine the fate of many.
"I'm Sengoku, Vice Admiral Zephyr; how much longer until you reach the designated area? We've already made contact with the main forces of Shiki's Flying Pirates and Charlotte Linlin's Big Mom Pirates. Additionally, unexpectedly powerful enemies have appeared on another battlefield. Right now, only you can support Vice Admiral Garp. You will decide the course of this war, so please, we're counting on you!"
Upon hearing Sengoku's words, Zephyr fell silent for a moment before replying, "Rest assured, we will definitely arrive at the designated area at the scheduled time!"
With that, Zephyr ended the call.
"Did everyone hear that?"
Zephyr looked at the Den Den Mushi on the table and spoke.
"North Sea 2nd Branch, ready for battle!"
"West Sea 7th Branch, prepared for battle!"
"West Sea 1st Combined Fleet, ready for battle!"
"You guys, save your energy to support Vice Admiral Garp and the others. We, the East Sea Fleet, will hold off the enemy!"
..."
At that moment, there was no fear in anyone, even though they knew what they were up against.
The great pirates were Whitebeard Edward Newgate and Grand Pirate Albert Nicholas.
"Alright, enough arguing! The East Sea Fleet will cover the other fleets' retreat. Once the main forces have successfully withdrawn, you all can escape!"
Zephyr, too, put an end to the debate with a decisive statement, outlining the battle plan. Compared to the Western, Northern, and elite forces rushing from the first half of the Grand Line, the fighting power of the East Sea was undoubtedly weaker, so sacrificing the East Sea Fleet to ensure the smooth departure of the other main fleets was a pragmatic move.
"Understood, leave it to us!"
Upon hearing Zephyr's orders, the naval officers from the East Sea Fleet affirmed their readiness.
"BOOM!"
The previously calm sea began to sway slightly, accompanied by deafening, thunderous sounds. As the atmosphere darkened due to the thickening clouds, scattered ship fragments and countless naval personnel floated on the sea surface.
As the two sides closed in, a fierce battle ensued, with gunshots, clashes of swords, and cries of combatants filling the air.
On the G5's deck, a pirate plunged his blade into the body of a marine. The marine, with blood spraying from his mouth, grabbed the pirate's hand tightly, preventing him from withdrawing the blade from his body. Then, with a defiant look, he locked eyes with the pirate, holding him in place as another marine thrust a blade into the pirate's heart.
Witnessing the scene, Whitebeard and Nicholas refrained from intervening. The battle between the East Sea Fleet and the ruthless G5 marines had begun.