East Sea Naval Branch Base.
"Report, the warship... the Genbu Navy has arrived."
A soldier rushed into Momonga's office. At the same time, an alarm sounded throughout the base.
In an instant, all soldiers in the naval base quickly formed ranks, ready for battle.
It had to be said that Momonga's capabilities were indeed commendable.
Temporarily transferred to the East Sea to suppress the pirates who kept appearing at sea, Momonga had fulfilled his duties.
Had it not been for the appearance of the Genbu Navy, he would have been transferred back to Naval Headquarters, or to the New World, or even to the Grand Line.
While reviewing documents, Momonga heard the soldier's words and the blaring alarm. His expression darkened. He grabbed his naval coat and strode out.
Arriving on the watchtower, Momonga looked at the ten approaching Genbu warships, his face grim.
Bastille, holding his Shark Slicer, walked up quickly and stared at the Genbu Navy, saying sternly, "Is this a cornered dog leaping for a wall?"
Momonga didn't answer Bastille. He peered through his binoculars at Benedict on the Genbu, and at Kenjirō, Sakata Gintoki, and Yelyusky beside him, his expression grave.
Not to mention the Genbu Navy soldiers on the ten warships who were proficient in the Six Powers, could Benedict and the other three be resisted by the strong individuals in their base?
Bastille also took the binoculars and saw Benedict and the others on the Genbu. The hand holding the Shark Slicer trembled slightly, and the Shark Slicer almost slipped from his grasp.
"Are they planning to annihilate us and completely dominate the East Sea?" Bastille asked, his face pale.
Momonga glanced at his old comrade Bastille and said solemnly, "Perhaps we can talk."
They couldn't win in a fight, but if they had to fight, they wouldn't flinch.
Losing would be embarrassing, but fleeing without a fight, surrendering without a fight, would be utterly disgraceful.
Above the clouds.
Morgans had a Den Den Mushi attached to his head, recording the scene of the two armies confronting each other. He took out a pen and notepad and was quickly writing.
He not only wanted to record it but also to exaggerate it in the upcoming newspaper.
An explosive enough news story, with plenty of appeal.
"Fight, fight with all your might!"
"Let this sea become more exciting!"
"The dignity of the World Government and the Navy is being trampled underfoot by pirates. More and more pirates are flooding the seas, and they will bring fear and darkness to this world."
"Hahaha!"
...
Momonga couldn't quite understand Benedict's intentions. Coming with the strength of ten warships and live broadcasting the event, what was he trying to convey?
Was he trying to announce to the whole world that their Genbu Navy was more powerful than the Navy?
Momonga was perplexed. On some islands, through large screens that had been set up, everyone watching the scene unfolding before them was also filled with confusion.
"Are these pirates?"
"No, this is the recently established, and highly publicized Genbu Navy, which has successively slaughtered the villagers of several islands."
"What Genbu Navy, they are clearly a group of ferocious pirates."
"This place is a naval branch base. Is the Genbu Navy bringing people here to surrender themselves?"
"Hey, surrender yourself, are you out of your mind? This is clearly a preparation to go to war with the Navy."
"If the Genbu Navy possesses such strength, I'm afraid this naval base will be destroyed."
...
On different islands, different people had different answers.
Some believed in the justice of the Genbu Navy, but more people completely regarded the Genbu Navy as pirates, vicious pirates.
...
Arriving at the naval gates, Momonga looked down at Benedict on the warship, his expression vigilant and his voice stern, "Benedict, what is the meaning of this? Are you trying to start a war?"
"Start a war?" Benedict's figure flickered in the air, and in an instant, he appeared beside Momonga, speaking with disdain.
Benedict's rapid appearance at his side made Momonga tense, and also created a significant distance. He gripped the hilt of his sword, ready for battle.
"It is not us who are trying to start a war, but you."
"My purpose in coming here this time is only one: for you to hand over the culprits who planned and slaughtered the villagers of Liulu Island."
Benedict turned, staring at Momonga, and said coldly.
Whoosh!
The Genbu Navy was asking the East Sea Navy for the murderers of the Liulu Island villagers?
This Marshal of the Genbu Navy was truly laughable. His own people had slaughtered those villagers, and yet they were framing the East Sea Navy like this.
For a moment, countless civilians who held no goodwill towards the Genbu Navy began to curse them.
Shameless!
In their current mindset, the Genbu Navy was a group of pirates.
The existence of the East Sea Navy was justice, and it was their ingrained belief.
Perhaps before, they might have been curious about the existence of the Genbu Navy, and even thought they were just because of their actions.
However, the World Government would not allow the Genbu Navy to develop and threaten its position. Therefore, the rumors that were secretly circulating were the best means of defamation and slander.
As a Vice Admiral, Momonga heard Benedict's words and, remembering the live broadcast, realized the seriousness of the situation.
If he didn't refute this huge mess, wouldn't the reputation of the East Sea Navy be ruined?
And wouldn't he also be disgraced?
"Nonsense! In the face of absolute evidence, you, who have committed monstrous crimes, are still unrepentant and slandering us, the East Sea Navy like this. Do you really think we are easy to bully?"
"Hmph! No matter how strong you are, for the sake of justice today, we will fight to the death and kill you."
Although his counterattack was somewhat weak, Momonga's intention was very clear.
Momonga deliberately roared, which allowed everyone to hear and understand his meaning.
In fact, Momonga also suspected that there might have been some misunderstanding.
After all, from his personal observation of the Genbu Navy's previous actions, they were truly embodying the word 'justice', and in some actions, they had gained the favor of the people.
But now...
So, were there certain people behind this?
Benedict glanced at Momonga, then his gaze swept over the East Sea Navy, who were in battle formation. He smiled faintly, "Vice Admiral Momonga, I believe in your character and your methods, and I believe in your subordinates not doing such things."
"However, some people will not care about your life or death, nor will they care about the lives of ordinary civilians."
"As long as they can achieve their goals, they will stop at nothing, even slaughtering thousands of people on an entire island."
Momonga felt a knot in his heart and thought, "This is not good."
He understood that Benedict was targeting those guys from CP9.
But he didn't know where these guys were hiding, so he couldn't hand them over. Even if they were present, he wouldn't be able to hand them over, nor could he admit it.
"Framed!"
"If you are using this opportunity to start a war, then we can only fight to the death."
Drawing his sword, Momonga quickly entered a combat stance.
"A wise man knows when to submit. Vice Admiral Momonga, I hope you will seriously consider handing over the culprits."
"This is the best way to avoid a conflict."
"But if you insist on being stubborn and insisting on protecting those culprits, then don't blame us for being impolite."
Seeing Momonga's obstinacy, Benedict sneered.
"Without sufficient evidence, I wouldn't have come here."
"But since I'm here, I must get the result I want."
"I'll give you one minute to consider: hand over the culprits, or fight to the death?"