The appearance of the modified human forces, coupled with the actions of the World Government's intelligence organization, caught the Xuanwu Navy off guard with lightning speed.
This was something no one had anticipated.
Even more unexpected was the sheer number of modified human forces.
Furthermore, these modified humans possessed considerable individual strength and were fearless, obeying orders absolutely. Even when shot or with limbs severed, they would continue to attack with their weapons.
Their arms and legs were modified into swords or energy guns, encased in protective armor.
This greatly enhanced their destructive power and durability.
They even possessed low-altitude flight capabilities.
Such a force inflicted varying degrees of damage on the Xuanwu Navy's military strength deployed across the West, South, and North Seas.
Even Vice Admiral Sauro was caught in the fray.
In the North Sea, if Yelutsuki hadn't awakened his Devil Fruit ability with Benedict's help, significantly increasing his strength, and managed to escort the fleet away with only minor injuries, he too might have been lost.
However, compared to these losses, some placed greater importance on the individual strength of the Xuanwu Navy soldiers.
As the personal power of each Xuanwu Navy soldier grew, the overall strength of the entire unit was further amplified.
Each soldier wielded Armament Haki, possessing the strength to fight five or six modified humans simultaneously.
Unfortunately, facing the overwhelming numbers of modified humans, the special forces on various islands were ultimately outnumbered and defeated.
The World Government's actions and counterattacks stirred immense commotion across the seas.
No one had ever imagined that the World Government possessed such a powerful hidden military force.
Had it not been for the Xuanwu Navy's relentless advance, this force would likely have remained concealed.
"Based on intelligence from the North, South, and West Seas, the estimated number of modified human forces deployed by the World Government is around thirty thousand."
"However, given the World Government's usual practices, a conservative estimate would place the number at another thirty thousand."
Charlotte Katakuri, holding a piece of intelligence, finished reporting on the World Government's surprise attack on the Xuanwu Navy and stated solemnly,
"Brother Katakuri, can we find out which World Government research institution developed them?" Charlotte Oven inquired.
"Either acquire this force or destroy it."
"Otherwise, if the World Government is allowed to mass-produce modified humans, it will pose a great threat not only to the Xuanwu Navy but also to us."
"If our top executives are tied down by the World Government and the Navy's high command, it would be a massacre for those below."
Charlotte Katakuri looked at Charlotte Oven and shook his head, "Beyond the publicly known research institutions of the World Government, many are hidden in the shadows."
"These modified humans were not among the targets we were tracking."
"Rather than combating these modified humans, suppressing the Xuanwu Navy is of greater importance."
Charlotte Perospero, upon hearing this, chuckled, "The confrontation between the Xuanwu Navy and the World Government is more interesting than our opposition to either of them."
"My proposal is to stand by and watch, while remaining vigilant."
"On this matter, we need to unite enough forces so that when the attention of either side turns towards us, we can swiftly counterattack."
"After all, if the current Xuanwu Navy, and the World Government revealing its fangs, were to fully attack us, it would be extremely dangerous."
"Of course, if they begin fighting, we wouldn't hesitate to catch them off guard if the opportunity arises."
The ministers fell silent upon hearing Charlotte Perospero's words.
His proposal essentially advocated for neutrality while maintaining constant vigilance and readiness for battle.
It was a relatively conservative and prudent suggestion.
However, they only had the right to discuss, not to make decisions.
Therefore, everyone was waiting for Charlotte Linlin to speak.
Charlotte Linlin, who had been eating cake, finished the piece in her hand and said, "The Xuanwu Navy intends to unify the Four Seas, and then enter the New World to contend with us and the World Government."
"But the World Government has not given the Xuanwu Navy that opportunity."
"In fact, they wish to seize control of the Four Seas."
"So, we either act, or we don't."
"If we act, we must prevent the Xuanwu Navy from entering the New World; we strike them on sight."
"If we don't act, we wait for the Xuanwu Navy to fight the World Government and Navy Headquarters."
"However, when that day comes, the World Government will absolutely not allow us to stand idly by."
Upon hearing Charlotte Linlin's words, the ministers quickly understood what needed to be done.
The Xuanwu Navy would inevitably break into the New World.
The World Government would undoubtedly try to stop them, leading to inevitable conflict.
At this juncture, the World Government would also have to guard against their sneak attacks.
Instead of that, it would be better to eliminate the Xuanwu Navy before they entered the New World.
If this were before, Charlotte Perospero and the other ministers would have dismissed it as a joke.
However, with the high-end power displayed by the World Government and the modified human forces, they were compelled to be wary.
Furthermore, among the Navy's high command in Marineford were Admiral-level powerhouses like Kong, Zephyr, Garp, and Sengoku, as well as Kuzan, who was one of the Vice Admirals, and the newly promoted Admirals not long ago.
If these forces were to gather, it would be too dangerous.
"Find the secret laboratory that developed the modified humans and destroy it," Charlotte Linlin made her decision.
"This matter cannot be undertaken by us alone. Contact Kaido and have him participate as well."
Charlotte Oven hesitated, "Mother, should we contact Whitebeard?"
"Although we won't truly form an alliance with Whitebeard, his participation would undoubtedly put greater pressure on the World Government and the Navy."
Charlotte Linlin remained silent for a moment, then looked at Charlotte Katakuri and said, "Katakuri, you go and contact him."
"Yes, Mother!" Katakuri, while believing it unlikely, would still carry out the task.
After all, Oven's suggestion was quite sound given the current situation.
While the Big Mom Pirates discussed the modified human incident, various other factions also analyzed the situation, weighing their own benefits and drawbacks to make judgments or choices.
Xuanwu Navy Base.
Benedict was greatly surprised by the appearance of the modified humans.
Could current technology already develop modified humans?
Moreover, modified humans wearing armor – it was cool, yet chillingly criminal.
One could only imagine how many people were sacrificed and how many horrific experiments were conducted to create such a modified human force.
"Find the experimental base. I want to expose their wicked deeds to the world."
Benedict contacted Jing Ke and Dao Zhi, instructing them to enter the New World, and stated solemnly.
A counterattack against the World Government was imperative.
Similarly, the heinous experiments must be exposed.
And the experimental bases of this nature should be destroyed one by one.