The entrance to the Grand Line.
Whiskey Peak Archipelago.
The current branch of the Black Tortoise Navy in the Grand Line.
Benedict made a declaration to the entire world from here.
First, Sengoku and Garp, along with the Navy, officially joined the Black Tortoise Navy and would be primarily responsible for the battles in the Grand Line with Kenshiro.
Fanma Yujiro, the Berserker Olaf, and Sima Yi would also be stationed in the Grand Line to oversee the eradication of pirates.
Second, Benedict formally declared war on the World Government.
The confrontation had reached this point, and neither side could back down.
Rather than that, it was better to fight to the death.
No one found Benedict's announcement to be improper.
In fact, it was considered a natural progression.
"Too fast."
"The speed of the Black Tortoise Navy's rise is astonishing."
"Our plans were rendered useless, and our efforts were continuously disrupted."
The Five Elders, including the scar-faced man, listened to Benedict's global announcement, their voices clearly laced with unease.
"Indeed, it is too fast."
"However, our game is not yet over."
"The Demon Legion led by Daks has already departed."
"Once Charlotte Linlin and Whitebeard Newgate are captured and those two demons are released, this Demon team will be sufficient to annihilate the Black Tortoise Navy."
The Five Elder with the samurai sword tapped it gently on the ground and said.
"According to reports from our embedded spies, Whitebeard and the Black Tortoise Navy seem to have a connection."
"Several operations have either avoided the Black Tortoise Navy or have been used to contain the Beast Pirates."
"Daks must be extremely cautious in his operations against the Whitebeard Pirates," said the curly-haired Five Elder, sipping his tea nonchalantly.
"A legion of eight hundred demons, even if all the top experts of the Black Tortoise Navy were to confront them, they would not be able to resist," scoffed the Five Elder who always wore a samurai sword.
"Although the demons are powerful, they are not invincible."
"The firepower possessed by the Black Tortoise Navy already surpasses that of this era significantly."
"If I didn't know the Black Tortoise Navy had no connection to that country, I would suspect they possessed the technological power of that former nation," the curly-haired Five Elder said solemnly.
"Large-scale technological power can also kill demons."
"You all know this in your hearts."
"Have you forgotten that memory after hundreds of years?"
"Besides technological strength, the Black Tortoise Navy is also not weak in terms of individual combat power."
"Benedict, Li Chungang, Saitama, Kenshiro, Ootengu Seifuu, Sakata Gintoki, Sima Yi, Sengoku and Garp who have now joined the Black Tortoise Navy, and Monkey D. Dragon of the Revolutionary Army – their powers are all capable of fighting, and even killing, demons."
"Their numbers are not great, but their strength is formidable."
"Combined with artillery bombardment, an entire demon legion would likely suffer more than half its casualties."
"After all, these manufactured demons cannot compare to the original demons."
The other Five Elder members fell silent.
...
While the outside world was abuzz with discussions about the great war.
Benedict, having received enormous rewards, had now redeemed an Devil Fruit Awakening Scroll.
Furthermore, after this major battle, Benedict had also collected three ordinary awakening potions.
"Yasuo, come here first," Benedict said, looking at Yasuo with a smile.
Yasuo's expression was quite excited upon hearing this.
It was no secret among the high command of the Black Tortoise Navy that Benedict possessed the power to enhance others' strength.
This time, besides him, Fanma Yujiro, the Berserker Olaf, Sima Yi, Yelu Siji, Enel, and Brook had also been called to stay by Benedict.
Fanma Yujiro and the others looked at Yasuo, their gazes filled with envy and anticipation.
"Drink this," Benedict handed an ordinary awakening potion to Yasuo with a smile.
"Thank you, Marshal," Yasuo said gratefully, then, with trembling excitement, drank the ordinary awakening potion.
A warm current flowed through his body, a surge of power erupted within him, continuously stimulating his body's cells.
Simultaneously, he experienced intense pain.
This was a process of cleansing and strengthening the body.
Benedict glanced at Yasuo and, seeing that he could endure it, then turned his attention to Fanma Yujiro, saying, "Fanma Yujiro."
Fanma Yujiro, with his usual proud demeanor, instantly appeared before Benedict and saluted crisply, "Marshal."
"Don't celebrate too early. While it can greatly enhance your potential, you still need to be able to unlock it," Benedict said, handing an ordinary awakening potion to him.
"Understood! I will definitely work hard!" Fanma Yujiro declared seriously.
"I hope you can endure it," Benedict said, then his gaze shifted to the side.
Sima Yi and Brook appeared much calmer.
They seemed to have no intention of competing for this ordinary awakening potion.
This left Yelu Siji and Enel.
"I have one more potion here."
As Benedict's voice fell, Yelu Siji and Enel immediately exchanged glances.
Both were determined to obtain it.
"However, this will not be the last one."
Even so, Yelu Siji and Enel were still resolute.
Benedict observed their reactions and said, "Enel."
"Marshal!" Enel excitedly dashed towards Benedict with lightning speed, shouting loudly.
Upon hearing Benedict call Enel's name, Yelu Siji felt a pang of regret.
Before becoming a Vice Admiral, he had been a pirate.
Ultimately, he couldn't compare to Enel, who possessed the Goro Goro no Mi and had greater potential.
"Your power lies in the development of the Goro Goro no Mi."
"Your potential is immense."
"You are still very young."
"This potion cannot be given to you, but I can help you awaken the power of your Devil Fruit and grant you even greater strength."
Benedict said, smiling at Enel.
Hearing Benedict's words, the excitement on Enel's face gradually faded.
Yelu Siji, on the other hand, gradually became excited from his disappointment.
"Not satisfied?" Benedict stared at Enel.
"No, no," Enel shivered and quickly replied.
Benedict smiled and said, "Without this potion, once your fruit ability awakens, the powerful combat strength you will possess will be terrifying."
"Even facing a demon, you will have the power to fight."
"As for whether you can kill a demon, that will depend on your own utilization of your fruit ability."
"Yes, Marshal," Enel responded earnestly.