"Just now, the headquarters issued an order for us to crusade against all pirates in our sight. As we all know, with the rise of the Four Emperors, pirates in the New World are growing more and more rampant. Our mission now is to suppress their arrogance and remind them of the power of the Navy!"
Claire stood proudly at the harbor, her voice powerful and full of determination. She exuded a commanding presence, inspiring the soldiers around her.
In every sense, Claire was the perfect lieutenant in Satoru's mind. She was capable, disciplined, and had a clear vision of what needed to be done. While others might have needed to practice or strategize, Claire needed no such preparation. Her confidence and leadership abilities were already well-established.
The naval officers around her stood at attention, their eyes gleaming with excitement. They had all seen the news about the Four Emperors, and the call to action stirred their blood. They knew the battle was imminent, but they hadn't expected it to arrive so quickly. The Navy Headquarters had acted fast, realizing the gravity of the situation brought on by the Four Emperors.
Satoru, ever the strategic mind, gave the next order. "Claire, you lead half of the 27 Navy to secure the base. The rest of us will patrol the surrounding waters. We'll show these pirates that they made a grave mistake by setting their sights on us."
"Understood, sir," Claire replied with a nod, already stepping into her role.
The chosen crew members were eager, their hearts burning with the desire to fight. These were the elite of the elite—soldiers who had mastered the basics of the Navy Six and were now ready to take on more advanced techniques. Their enhanced physiques, thanks to their mastery of Armament Haki, made them prime candidates for training in the Navy Six, and they were all improving rapidly under Satoru's mentorship.
Satoru had a vision. He didn't just want these officers to be capable; he wanted them to be the best. He dreamed of the G8 base becoming more powerful than even the Navy Headquarters, a fortress of strength where every officer could perform all six of the Navy's legendary techniques. To Satoru, the success of the G8 base was a personal achievement—a testament to his leadership and vision.
With everything prepared, Satoru stepped onto the warship. The expedition had officially begun.
Meanwhile, the other naval branches in the New World began their operations. Sengoku, in his usual stern manner, had given the same orders to commanders across the seas. Pirates were becoming an ever-growing menace, and it was time for the Navy to step up and take control of the situation.
On the way to their patrol zone, one of the officers voiced a concern. "Sir, we're positioned right between the territories of the Hundred Beast Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates. Isn't it risky to sail through these waters so openly?"
Satoru smiled calmly. "What we need is danger. We can't stay hidden forever and expect to achieve anything. Sometimes, we have to walk right into the heart of the storm to make a difference."
"Understood, sir."
As the fleet sailed forward, the crew's tension was palpable. They knew the waters of the New World were teeming with pirates. It wasn't a question of *if* they'd encounter one—it was simply a matter of *when*.
Just half a day into their journey, their lookout spotted something on the horizon. "Sir! A pirate ship is coming into view, and the flag belongs to the Big Mom Pirates!"
The ship's crew immediately went on high alert, their muscles tightening as they prepared for a potential battle. The Four Emperors were a new and frightening force in the world, and their pirates were as dangerous as ever.
Satoru didn't hesitate. "Bring the ship closer. We'll deal with them first."
"Aye, sir!"
The pirate ship, having noticed the approach of the warship, turned to head straight toward them. The crew aboard the Big Mom Pirate ship laughed in cocky arrogance.
"Hahaha! The Navy thinks they can take us down? Let's show them what happens when they dare enter our waters! All hands, prepare to fight—let's use the blood of these Navy dogs to celebrate our rise to power!"
Their captain's laughter echoed across the sea as his crew cheered in excitement. For them, the rise of the Four Emperors had ignited a wild enthusiasm. The name might still be fresh, but the power and promise it represented were enough to embolden even the weakest pirate.
Claire, standing beside Satoru, scowled. "A group of fools who don't know when to quit. They're eager to die."
Kulom, the third-in-command at G8, stood ready, her sword glinting in the sunlight. She was a master swordswoman, her skills honed through countless battles with pirates. While some might see her as an unassuming woman, her power spoke for itself. She was on the verge of achieving the rank of Great Swordsman, though there was still a gap between her and the legends of the sword.
"Fire the cannons! Sink that ship!" Kulom ordered, drawing her sword and preparing for close combat.
The cannons roared, and within moments, a dozen shells flew toward the pirate ship. However, to their surprise, the enemy ship's crew expertly deflected the incoming fire, with only a few shots missing their target and falling into the ocean.
"Damn it, they're good!" Kulom cursed under her breath. "We're wasting ammunition at this rate."
Satoru, observing the situation, nodded. "It's clear their ship has a strong crew. The cannons won't be enough. We'll board them and take the fight directly to them."
With that, the warship drew even closer to the pirate vessel, and the time for strategy and finesse had come. Satoru and his elite crew prepared for battle. As the tension built to a fever pitch, it was clear that this confrontation would be just the beginning of the chaos to come.