Chapter 279

"Stay calm."

As one of the commanding officers responsible for the Red Sea's triple defense line, Cha Tun looked at him and said: "She won't be able to launch that attack again anytime soon. While the Beasts Pirates and Revolutionary Army are surrounded by us, we should prioritize eliminating their troops…"

He hadn't finished speaking.

A navy officer panicked and shouted: "Bad news! We've been ambushed from behind!"

"What?!"

"It's the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates, led by Diamond Jozu!"

242, World-Class War, Full-Scale Clash! (Combined)

The rising current flows through the Grand Line, passes through the Red Line, and enters the mouth of the New World.

Not far from the mouth.

Is the Marine Base G-1 of the New World, now the new headquarters of the Marines after Marineford.

At this moment.

A large number of elite Marines and government forces are stationed here; warships and escort vessels guard the steel fortress beyond the semicircular wall.

Cannons are mounted atop the fortress; serious Marine officers and commanders direct nervous sailors in final preparations on the fortress walls.

"Hurry up!"

"We are the last line of defense—no pirates shall breach the Red Line!"

"Load every cannon! Inspect them thoroughly!"

"Yes, yes!"

Momonga, clad in the Justice coat, stood atop the fortress, her expression grim as she stared at the distant sea, where battle raged and the sky glowed crimson.

"Why are you here?"

Momonga suddenly spoke.

Green Bull appeared beside her, hands in his pockets: "The Admiral seems uneasy about this front—he sent me to assist."

He gazed toward the front: "The situation does look bad."

"The assault is fiercer than expected,"

Momonga said calmly: "But still within anticipation."

At that moment,

A commodore took the Den Den Mushi, turned to the two, and urgently reported: "Message from Vice Admiral Cha Tun—Diamond Jozu, leading the Whitebeard remnants, has appeared behind us! In coordination with the Beasts Pirates and Revolutionary Army, they've launched a joint counterattack against our encirclement!"

"Our forces are outmatched and are retreating step by step—the enemy is nearly breaking through the second defense line."

Momonga nodded, calmly: "Understood."

Green Bull looked at Momonga: "What are you planning to do?"

After a few seconds of thought, Momonga spoke to the commodore holding the Den Den Mushi, who handled front-line communications: "Tell Cha Tun and his men to break off engagement, abandon the second defense line, and retreat here. We'll counterattack at the mouth."

"Yes!"

"Send word to the command center about this situation—have them prepare reinforcements as needed."

"Understood!"

After the navy commodore left,

Green Bull looked at Momonga in surprise: "You're just giving up the first and second defense lines?"

"We never expected the first or second lines to hold—they were only meant to draw out their forces," Momonga said coldly, gazing ahead: "This is the true battlefield."

…………

Within the World Government.

People came and went; figures hurried past, their expressions tense and heavy.

In the Command Center.

"The Beasts Pirates, the Revolutionary Army, and the Whitebeard remnants have all appeared—massing their main forces for a frontal assault…"

Sengoku, informed of the frontline situation, interlocked his fingers, his expression thoughtful.

"The ones who've shown themselves so far are Jack, Kuma, the four commanders of the Revolutionary Army, and Diamond Jozu… the truly dangerous ones have yet to reveal themselves."

The CP0 chief said gravely: "Those are our real enemies."

"We must force them out of hiding—otherwise, the enemy is in the dark while we are exposed, and that works against us."

Admiral Tsuru said.

Sengoku looked at her: "Little He, what's your idea? Speak."

"Send CP units and the Science Division to reinforce Momonga. The Science Division holds terrain advantage at the mouth and can play a major role—if we can intercept and destroy as many of their main forces as possible beyond the mouth, those hidden enemies lurking in the shadows will have no choice but to appear on the frontline."

Admiral Tsuru's eyes gleamed with wisdom and calm:

"Concentrating the main battlefield far from Mary Geoise, at the Marine Headquarters, also benefits us."

Hearing Admiral Tsuru's words,

Sengoku thought for a moment, then nodded: "Do it. Deploy the Science Division, escorted by the Intelligence Division."

He looked at the CP0 chief and Koby beside him: "Agreed?"

"Agreed."

……

After the order was issued,

The World Government's CP intelligence unit escorted the Science Division led by Shōtōmaru, traveling from Mary Geoise toward the mouth of the Red Line.

Beneath the Red Line at this moment,

Momonga and Green Bull, leading the third defense line's Marines and the retreating fleet under Cha Tun and others, gathered at the mouth, ready for battle.

Over a hundred ships of the Beasts Pirates, the Revolutionary Army, and the Whitebeard remnants lined up on the sea, emerging from the horizon and slowly, steadily advancing toward the Marine base, as the Marine soldiers watched with anxious, trembling hearts.

The atmosphere over the entire sea was oppressive and heavy.

As the Beasts Pirates drew within cannon range.

Momonga narrowed her clear eyes.

"Fire!"

Cannons from the Navy base ramparts and warships fired in unison!

Cannonballs rained down toward them!

The Beasts Pirates, the Revolutionary Army, and the Whitebeard Pirates also opened fire immediately.

In an instant, the roar of artillery blanketed the entire sea.

Cannon fire boomed, flames shot into the sky.

The seawater exploded.

Explosions rocked the ocean continuously; ships and warships swayed violently in the blast winds.

Those with long-range sniping or long-range Devil Fruit abilities on both sides also began attacking each other.

In an instant, the entire sea roared endlessly, cannon fire falling like rain!

"One-Sword Style: Slicing Caress."

Momonga drew her sword and executed Slicing Caress.

A sharp sword qi, befitting a great swordsman, slashed toward the Beasts Pirates.

But in midair, it was blocked by Jack's armored arms, hardened with Busoshoku.

"Quin, throw me over."

Pegguywan, one of the Six Supernovas, shouted at Quin with a wild expression.

"You're sure? You might die."

"It's fine!"

"Understood."

Quin grabbed his collar and hurled him toward the Navy fleet with superhuman arm strength.

In midair, Pegguywan transformed into a massive Spineback Dragon, and crashed heavily onto a Navy warship outside the base rampart, drawing horrified stares from countless sailors.

"Roar!!"

In Spineback Dragon form, he let out a deafening roar, swept his tail across the warship, and began a furious, brutal rampage; his bloodshot eyes swept over the crew, sending many sailors trembling with fear.

Just as he raised a foot to crush several Navy soldiers.

A slash struck from the air, knocking him back several steps.

Vice Admiral Hiruzen, cloaked in his Justice coat, held a longsword and stared coldly at him: "I can't let you run rampant."