Chapter 161

"Admiral Aokiji, there's no need to worry—I will protect my own safety."

Lu En slightly narrowed his eyes and nodded.

"Fine, do as you wish."

Faced with this, Aokiji could only wave his hand helplessly, utterly powerless against Lu En.

Lu En's status was right there—he, an Admiral of the Marine Headquarters, dared not issue a forced order.

Seeing Lu En and Aokiji converse so casually…

Beside him, Miz's gaze flickered, his eyes filled with astonished scrutiny of Lu En.

To converse so casually with an Admiral of the Marine Headquarters…

This kid seems to have serious connections!

He probably has heavenly-level backing!

"Will he also join this operation to surround the Demon Man Pirate Crew?"

"Can it really work?"

"Admiral Aokiji, isn't this too risky?"

"Will this brat really not meet with misfortune during the operation against the Demon Man Pirate Crew?"

Miz pondered silently inside, his mind brimming with confusion.

But he naturally dared not voice these words in front of Aokiji.

"Alright, go quickly assemble all the Marines here."

"In half an hour, everyone departs with me!"

Aokiji turned to Miz and gave the order again.

"Understood."

Miz nodded, turned sharply, and left without delay.

After leaving,

following Aokiji's instructions…

He immediately gathered all the Marines of the branch.

He assembled every single Marine stationed at the branch.

And,

he ordered the distribution of high-quality firearms, ensuring every Marine was fully equipped and ready.

In no time at all,

a full twelve hundred elite Marines were assembled.

Thus,

a fierce battle was about to erupt!

Marine Branch.

At the gate,

twelve hundred elite Marines stood assembled.

Each wore Marine uniform, armed with rifles and weapons.

Formed in neat ranks,

their aura surged like a tidal wave.

Led by Colonel Miz of the Marine Branch, the twelve hundred Marines were ready for battle.

Ahead,

Lu En stood beside Aokiji, calmly observing the Marines before him.

Perhaps due to the pressure from the Demon Man Pirate Crew over these past days, these Marines had trained relentlessly without slack.

Therefore,

Lu En's first impression of these Marines was very positive.

These were elite Marines!

Not a bunch of good-for-nothings.

Even though they numbered only twelve hundred, their elite quality gave them the strength to stand against a pirate crew of two thousand.

Of course,

to confront the Demon Man Pirate Crew's three thousand-plus members, these Marines were vastly outnumbered and outmatched in strength.

After all,

the Demon Man Pirate Crew contained many ruthless, vicious pirates—each a monstrous villain…

In comparison,

the Marines before him still appeared somewhat green.

But to seal off the street where the Demon Man Pirate Crew was stationed and intercept any fleeing stragglers? That was no problem.

"Admiral Aokiji, all twelve hundred Marines are assembled!"

"Ready for your orders!"

Miz stood at rigid attention, gazing at Aokiji with reverent eyes.

"All troops, listen!"

"Follow me to surround the Demon Man Pirate Crew!"

"Implement total blockade of the street where the Demon Man Pirate Crew is stationed!"

"Do not let a single fugitive escape."

"Listen up. In this battle, you only need to deal with the pirates fleeing in panic. Leave the rest to me."

Aokiji stood tall, brimming with heroic spirit.

"Are you all deaf?"

Seeing the Yuhai Army soldiers stammering, Mitz flew into a rage, his face contorted with fury as he berated them, "Didn't you hear Vice Admiral Aokiji's words? Let me tell you — the man before you is a Vice Admiral from Marine Headquarters!"

"A Logia-type Devil Fruit user! One of the top combat forces of our Marines!"

"The mere Demon-Person Pirate Crew is nothing but a swarm of ants before Vice Admiral Aokiji."

His words fell.

The twelve hundred Marines instantly grasped the meaning, their eyes filled with awe and reverence as they looked toward Aokiji, the unease in their hearts completely dissolved.

A Headquarters Vice Admiral personally taking the field…

Naturally, they had no need to worry,

That this operation to encircle and annihilate the Demon-Person Pirate Crew would end in failure.

"Move out!"

Aokiji said no more, giving the order at once.

With a turn,

He strode forward toward the southeast.

Watching Aokiji's departing back, Lu En followed with eager steps.

Then,

Led by Mitz, the twelve hundred Marine elites formed up in small squads, fully prepared, and grandly followed in Aokiji's footsteps toward the Demon-Person Pirate Crew's stronghold.

And when they saw that young figure following in Vice Admiral Aokiji's footsteps, the thousand-plus Marine elites behind them immediately burst into animated discussion.

"Why would Vice Admiral Aokiji bring a little brat along on this encirclement operation?"

"We're going up against the Demon-Person Pirate Crew!"

"Every single member of the Demon-Person Pirate Crew is a vicious thug! Not a few are extremely powerful great pirates, their hands stained with blood and lives."

"Against such a vicious and terrifying band of thugs, Vice Admiral Aokiji actually brought along a child who looks barely four years old? Isn't this Hu Nao?"

"No matter how strong Vice Admiral Aokiji is, he shouldn't be so careless when dealing with the Demon-Person Pirate Crew, right?"

"What if that little brat gets captured by the Demon-Person Pirate Crew and used to threaten us Marines? Wouldn't we be at a disadvantage then?"

"……"

Voices rose on every side.