Chapter 45: We’re Not Taking the Blame for Whitebeard

"Dehehehehehe! Damn those Whitebeard Pirates! They left and still managed to screw us over!"

"The Marines are getting closer! We need to make a decision now!"

"Doffy, let’s leave immediately. Picking a fight with the Marines right now isn’t a wise choice."

Doflamingo remained silent for a moment, his expression dark.

He understood the situation perfectly.

This was the first time he had ever been dragged into trouble because of someone else’s actions.

And the culprit was the Whitebeard Pirates.

After carefully observing the surrounding fleet, his face grew even uglier.

"The Marines are serious this time."

"Judging by the number of warships, this is practically the scale of a Buster Call."

The Marine force surrounding Jaya was massive.

It was obvious they intended to completely wipe out every pirate in the area.

"We’re not taking the blame for Whitebeard."

Doflamingo made his decision.

"Retreat!"

"Break through from the rear!"

Fighting the Marines here simply wasn’t worth it.

The only option was to find a weak point in the encirclement and escape immediately.

Not long after the Donquixote Family withdrew—

The Marines opened fire.

Dark cannonballs rained from the sky like falling meteors, trailing smoke behind them as they plunged into Jaya’s forests.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Deafening explosions echoed across the island.

The tranquility of Jaya vanished instantly.

The pirates searching for clues throughout the jungle were completely caught off guard.

Many were struck directly by cannon fire.

They died before they could even react.

Blood mixed with dirt and shattered vegetation.

The survivors were horrified.

Few had ever witnessed such overwhelming and precise bombardment.

Panic spread rapidly.

Some pirates ran aimlessly in circles.

Others desperately searched for cover.

When they finally managed to reach the shoreline—

What awaited them was even worse.

The coast was lined with countless Marine warships.

Rows upon rows of Marines stood ready for battle.

The sight was enough to make even hardened pirates despair.

At that moment, survival became their only goal.

"Damn it! Where did all these Marines come from?!"

"One, two, three, four, five... ten... I can’t even count them all!"

"Damn it! It’s a Buster Call!"

"The Marines launched a Buster Call on Jaya!"

"Run!"

"It’s total annihilation!"

"We’re finished!"

The pirates descended into complete chaos.

Everyone rushed toward the harbor.

Every pirate desperately tried to reach a ship.

Any ship.

Anything that could carry them away from this nightmare.

Then—

Another round of explosions erupted.

The cannon fire wasn’t aimed at them.

It was aimed at their ships.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

One pirate vessel after another exploded.

Wooden hulls shattered into splinters.

Masts collapsed.

Ships sank before their crews could even board them.

Some pirates immediately turned and fled deeper into the jungle.

Others became even more desperate.

Seeing their own ships destroyed, they rushed toward vessels that were still intact.

Soon, pirates began fighting each other for escape routes.

The entire island had become a living hell.

People slaughtered one another for survival.

Others ran blindly through the burning forests.

Fear and despair filled the air.

Aboard a Marine warship...

Vice Admiral Momonga stood on the command deck.

The fires consuming Jaya were visible even from this distance.

Heat waves seemed to ripple across the sea itself.

"Prepare the second barrage."

Momonga’s voice was firm and commanding.

"Target the pirate ships along the shoreline."

"Destroy every last one."

"We’ll teach these pirates the price of challenging Marine authority."

"At once, Vice Admiral!"

The Marines moved with practiced efficiency.

Cannons were adjusted.

Ammunition was loaded.

Orders spread rapidly throughout the fleet.

Soon—

BOOM!

A second wave of bombardment thundered across the ocean.

More pirate ships were obliterated.

Towering columns of seawater erupted into the sky.

The coastline became a sea of flames.

But Momonga wasn’t satisfied.

"Prepare the third barrage!"

"Blanket the entire island!"

"Maintain maximum bombardment!"

"Do not give the enemy a single chance to recover!"

This time, even more cannons joined the attack.

The entire island disappeared beneath fire and smoke.

Every shell left behind massive craters.

Buildings and camps were reduced to rubble.

The smell of burning filled the air.

Even the sky seemed stained red.

At that moment, a Marine Rear Admiral standing nearby hesitated before speaking.

"Vice Admiral Momonga... should we consider evacuating any civilians on the island first?"

Momonga snorted coldly.

"Hmph."

"There are no civilians left."

"Months ago, the Whitebeard Pirates occupied this island and cleared out everything."

"So stop worrying about that."

His eyes were ice-cold.

"Continue firing."

"Especially the pirates."

"If even one escapes, I’ll hold you personally responsible."

"Yes, Vice Admiral!"

The Rear Admiral immediately straightened.

The surrounding Marines responded in unison.

"YES, SIR!"

Their morale soared.

Everyone redoubled their efforts.

Cannons fired continuously.

It felt as though they intended to pour every ounce of hatred they held toward pirates into this battle.

Because everyone aboard knew one thing.

This operation had the support of the highest levels of Marine Headquarters.

An Admiral was currently resting aboard one of the warships.

That fact alone filled them with confidence.

The Marines were finally taking direct action against a Yonko’s sphere of influence.

And to them—

That was something worth celebrating.

As far as they were concerned—

Every pirate on the island deserved to die.

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