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At this time.
Far away at the end of the first half of the New World, in uncharted seas.
Massive battleships stretched across the ocean.
They formed an imposing "Z" formation, their pitch-black hulls dominating the horizon.
Rows of intimidating naval cannons lined their decks, sending chills down one's spine.
Above deck, numerous Marine soldiers bustled about performing their duties, training with military precision.
The ships bore the cross-shaped symbol of the World Government, with eye-catching seagull emblems on their sails declaring to all that this was the fleet of Marine Headquarters, patrolling these waters with authority.
The lead battleship served as the flagship of Fleet Admiral "The Buddha" Sengoku.
Inside a conference room within the flagship.
Before them.
Multiple Den Den Mushi projectors activated simultaneously, their eyes open in unison.
The snails projected images of Marine Headquarters Commander-in-Chief Kong and Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral Tsuru, along with other Headquarters Vice Admirals including Akainu, Aokiji, Kizaru, and additional Admiral candidates participating in this expedition fleet.
Another Den Den Mushi was aimed at Fleet Admiral Sengoku himself, allowing all parties to conduct an unhindered meeting across the vast ocean.
"To counter Charlotte Linlin's unstoppable ability, we've connected all battleships with Sea Prism Stone-infused iron chains strong enough to resist cutting..."
"While this has its disadvantages, with 'Aokiji' present to freeze the sea, we can minimize potential risks!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru, stationed far away at the G-5 fortress, spoke gravely through the Den Den Mushi: "This way, unless his ability is powerful enough to transfer all warships simultaneously, it will be impossible to disrupt our Marine formation..."
"Wait... Are we saying we can't rule out the possibility that Charlotte Linlin can transfer all warships at once?"
Vice Admiral Doberman, one of the ten Vice Admirals assigned to this Grand Fleet, frowned as he raised his hand to ask, "What happens in the worst-case scenario?"
Hearing these words.
The Marine Admirals present in the Expeditionary Fleet.
All furrowed their brows, their expressions darkening with concern.
Although they knew this was the best countermeasure the Marines could currently devise, they remained uncertain about the true extent and limitations of Charlotte Linlin's abilities.
If their precautions proved insufficient, Marine casualties could exceed even their direst predictions.
"You raise a valid point, Vice Admiral Doberman..."
Commander-in-Chief Kong responded with a grave expression: "If the worst occurs and she can indeed transfer all warships simultaneously, we must be prepared for severe consequences!"
"Because, other than abandoning our campaign against the Big Mom Pirates, we have no alternative..."
Vice Admiral Tsuru added quietly: "But the Five Elders in the World Government would never approve such a withdrawal!"
"Moreover, we've made additional preparations for this possibility!"
"However, if Charlotte Linlin's capabilities exceed our expectations, casualties in this expedition fleet will certainly be greater than anticipated!"
"What they could never anticipate is that the Marines haven't deployed all their forces on the 'visible front.'"
The strategy of connecting all warships with iron cables in a zigzag formation was sound.
With Aokiji's Ice-Ice Fruit powers, even terrible storms or tsunamis could be neutralized by freezing the sea, minimizing potential losses and countering Big Mom's weather manipulation abilities.
In case Linlin used her Devil Fruit powers to suddenly shift ships several sea miles away to pick them off individually.
They believed that even if she could teleport all ships simultaneously, it wouldn't be easy.
With such substantial forces deployed, complete annihilation would be difficult, and they could persist until Marine Headquarters' strongest fighters arrived as reinforcements.
The real concern was their limited knowledge of Charlotte Linlin's abilities and weaknesses.
What if she transferred the warships directly to the ocean floor?
Or teleported them to a great height to come crashing down?
The consequences would be catastrophic.
"With such an enormous fleet connected by unbreakable iron cables spanning several miles..."
Fleet Admiral Sengoku adjusted his afro and admitted with grim resignation: "If she can transfer all warships at once, we must accept that possibility!"
"If this campaign fails to defeat the increasingly powerful Big Mom Pirates...
They will become as significant a threat to the World Government and Marine Headquarters as the Whitebeard Pirates—perhaps even greater!"
Thirty massive battleships linked by iron cables and arranged in a Z-formation created a battlefield spanning several miles.
Almost equivalent to a small chain of islands.
If Charlotte Linlin's power truly reached such heights, there would be little they could do.
Should the Marines fail in this high-profile campaign, neutralizing the Big Mom Pirates in the future would become exponentially more difficult.
Nevertheless, Sengoku believed in their contingency plans—even facing unexpected developments, they could still execute their strategy to eliminate the Big Mom pirate crew.
After all, they had assembled an unprecedented concentration of combat power, virtually emptying the first half of the Grand Line.
Their determination was absolute.
Unless the Big Mom Pirates abandoned their territory entirely, the Marines could not fail.
And even if Big Mom did surrender Totto Land waters.
Occupying that sea region would fulfill the Marines' strategic objectives.
Moreover, knowing Big Mom's temperament, she wouldn't abandon her territory so desperately.
"In this battle, the Marines cannot lose. Justice will prevail!"
"Successfully eliminating the Big Mom Pirates will provide our Marines with a foothold in Totto Land, reversing our declining influence in the New World since the Rocks era!"
"We will establish Marine dominance in the New World and bring order to those outlaws preparing to make their move!"