But to say they were afraid of Luna? Heh, how could that be possible?
The Yonko are all untamed and supremely confident in their strength; otherwise, how could they all possess their own Conqueror's Haki, and how could they dominate a territory in the New World?
They are all veteran Yonko, including Shanks, who has been one for almost ten years. If Luna truly brought her Pink Hat Pirates into the New World, they wouldn't mind having a confrontation.
Whitebeard, Kaido, and Big Mom essentially shared this thought. However, at the same time, after reading the newspaper, they all had an indescribable feeling, a sense of familiarity, though they couldn't quite recall what it was immediately.
Shanks was different. He was much younger compared to the other three Yonko and had not experienced that era at all. But simultaneously, even Shanks frowned.
He was dedicated to stabilizing peace in the sea and maintaining the current situation, but he realized that Luna's actions were like a sharp long saber, cutting an opening in the peaceful situation that had been maintained for so many years.
This was not what he wanted to see. Of course, all the Yonko, including him, also knew one more thing.
That was, in a few days, the Marines and the Pink Hat Pirates would clash again.
They were also somewhat anticipating what the outcome of this battle would be... Dressrosa Kingdom.
"Fufufufufu, what a group of crazy women. As expected, they cannot be treated merely as a bunch of young girls and rookies."
Doflamingo, sitting in the main seat of the palace, laughed, his eyes behind his sunglasses filled with malice and playfulness.
But at the same time, deep down, he felt a heightened sense of caution and fear.
Because, just as he said, the Pink Hat Pirates absolutely could not be underestimated. At least now, Doflamingo had mentally labeled them as untouchable.
To be honest, he had originally taken the initiative to seek them out, making a trip to Jaya Island after leaving Marineford. The first reason was naturally because he knew the Pink Hat Pirates were active in that area, and the second was to discipline a few disobedient dogs under his command.
But he ultimately missed them. It is likely that even Doflamingo himself was unaware of the existence of Skypiea.
After all, those who truly knew about it were extremely few; even the Marines and the World Government had next to no understanding of Skypiea.
The reason he wanted to find them was that he believed Shiro of the Pink Hat Pirates possessed super research capabilities and technological weapon development skills.
As a weapons dealer, he really did not want to miss this business opportunity, but after missing them, he could only reluctantly choose to return.
Back to the New World.
"Fufufu, the Marines might be serious this time. I truly anticipate the result."
Doflamingo laughed wildly. Like the Yonko, he was also highly anticipating this battle, especially wanting to see Shiro's performance and how powerful the equipment and weapons she was wearing in the photo actually were.
As for how he could see this, it was naturally because, as a fellow Underground Emperor, he had some connection with Morgans.
He had asked that guy, and that guy actually planned to conduct a live broadcast report three days later. Didn't that prove that the entire sea would be able to watch the battle between the Pink Hat Pirates and the Marines?
Therefore, he was naturally very much looking forward to it.
At this time, the other Warlord of the Sea, aside from the already expelled Crocodile, even the previously uninterested Kuma and Jinbe, had become intrigued by this.
This was all due to the influence brought by the Pink Hat Pirates' current increase in strength and great fame, forcing them to pay attention.
Moriah's territory was near Water Seven, and the Straw Hat Pirates heading there next was the best proof of that.
This dead fatty was now somewhat looking forward to it, believing the Pink Hat Pirates' next stop would be here. He was very confident in himself, as it was his territory after all.
Of course, in his eyes, the premise was that they could first pass the Marine hurdle. He needed the bodies and shadows of strong individuals to create zombies.
The Pirate Empress Boa Hancock was already paying high attention to the Pink Hat Pirates, and coupled with her dislike for the Marines, she was extremely concerned about what would happen next and the outcome of the battle three days later.
Finally, there was Mihawk. If Doflamingo was anticipating Shiro, then Mihawk was anticipating Kuina's performance.
He already had some anticipation for the young man he met in the East Blue, but now there was another female swordsman, and one with even stronger swordsmanship. Mihawk was highly anticipating her performance and the result of the battle three days later, wondering if she could excite him enough to pay a personal visit and challenge her to a duel.
Meanwhile, Blackbeard, who also saw the newspaper, breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness he hadn't clashed with the Pink Hat Pirates back on Jaya Island, or he would certainly have faced disaster, if not death, then at least losing a layer of skin.
Others across the sea also had varying reactions, but without a doubt, they were all rendered speechless by the astonishing military achievements produced by the Pink Hat Pirates, completely engulfed in shock... Marineford.
At this moment, Sengoku, sitting at his desk, held the newspaper, veins throbbing on his face and hands, constantly suppressing his rage.
Finally, he couldn't help but curse.
"That bastard, Morgans!"
Sengoku's tone was filled with both fury and sorrow, because he clearly knew that with these events being reported, the Marines' influence and deterrent power across the sea had genuinely dropped significantly, like half the water in a pot suddenly boiling away.
Many citizens across the sea would lose all faith in them, while conversely, pirates and villains would become even more rampant and reckless.
"Those hateful brats," Akainu, sitting nearby, said, grinding his teeth fiercely. Justice had been trampled, and he absolutely could not tolerate such wickedness.
Of course, since he wouldn't be facing Luna, he didn't believe he couldn't defeat the other girls.
"It is indeed a bit excessive. I also hope my abilities will be effective against her then," said the somewhat lecherous-looking Kizaru, sitting beside him, filing his nails while speaking with some seriousness.
With the Marines suffering such massive losses, even he had to become rigorous and serious.
Suddenly, the door opened, and Garp and Tsuru walked in.
"How are the preparations?" Sengoku asked with anticipation, hoping to hear some good news.
"The 2 billion Berries are ready, and the government side has handed over the completely insane Spandine to us. The people and items they demanded are all prepared."
"Bogard is ready, but Sengoku, let me be frank: those girls inflict too much damage on ordinary Marines. This time, I only brought 500 elite Marine Soldiers, including two students I took under my wing."
Tsuru and Garp spoke one after the other. Hearing their words, Sengoku frowned slightly but agreed. Indeed, facing the elite-focused Pink Hat Pirates, and considering the battle location was not their home turf, the Marines were going all out this time, but only in terms of high-end combat power. It was better to bring as few Marine Soldiers as possible, as their effectiveness was truly limited.
"That will suffice. With Garp leading the team, plus the rescued Kuzan and five Vice Admirals—one Yonko Level combatant and four Admiral Level combatants—we might not only be able to fight but even secure a small victory."
Sengoku sighed in relief, adding that Marine Soldiers could still use long-range artillery attacks, and coupled with the five Vice Admirals, that was another advantage.
Seeing his expression, although she didn't want to interrupt, Tsuru still spoke up.
"Sengoku, have you considered one issue? If Luna and the others withhold food and medical treatment from Kuzan and the others these few days, those six men will be completely unable to exert effective combat power when we retrieve them."
Hearing this, Sengoku, Garp, and the two Admirals, Akainu and Kizaru, were startled. That's right, they almost forgot that step.
"If that's the case, even if we rescue Kuzan and the others, they will need time to regain their strength and recover from their injuries. Who knows what might happen then."
Tsuru sighed, clearly not feeling very optimistic about this battle. She and Sengoku couldn't go because they had to remain at Marineford; at least two Admiral Level combatants needed to stay behind.
Sengoku was a Yonko Level combatant, and she was considered a quasi-Admiral Level combatant—that was just enough.
"We'll see what happens then," Sengoku said, taking a deep breath.
The Marines, subtly, despite the battle being three days away, had already significantly lowered their enthusiasm for victory.
Meanwhile, the Revolutionary Army also received the related reports. Dragon was also somewhat surprised. If the Revolutionary Army weren't currently facing a critical period, he would want to make a trip to Water Seven to meet the Pink Hat Pirates properly...
At this moment, on the Pink Hat Pirates' pirate ship, in a room that had been cleared out, Kuzan and the five Vice Admirals finally woke up in a daze.
But when they saw themselves locked inside a cage, with Sea Stone handcuffs on their wrists, they instantly sobered up completely.
The pain in their bodies and the hunger caused by their growling stomachs made them extremely uncomfortable, stripping them of the ability to escape. They knew very well that in their current state—let alone the Sea Stone handcuffs—they couldn't even break free from ordinary iron shackles.
The six men immediately became disheartened.
"How did you all lose?" Kuzan asked, looking at the five Vice Admirals beside him.
"Mr. Kuzan, it was like this." Onigumo, Momonga, and the others recounted the events in detail. The five of them explained together, as they had acted separately this time, dealing with different situations, so naturally, they had to explain collectively.
Kuzan was also incredibly shocked after listening, and simultaneously very worried, because the Marines had still vastly underestimated the Pink Hat Pirates' overall combat strength and the power of each individual member.
"Mr. Kuzan, what about you? How were you defeated?"
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