In the days that followed, the sea appeared calm, but undercurrents surged beneath the surface.
Flags snapped in the wind as the New Navy's fleet slowly advanced across the sea. The decks of each warship were filled with fully armed soldiers, their eyes fixed on the distant horizon, their expressions solemn, a tense chord stretched tight in their hearts.
They knew that this apparent tranquility was merely a brief respite before the storm, and that the next moment might bring a battle like a raging wave.
The atmosphere inside the command center of the flagship "Dawn" was equally oppressive.
Jin An, Kuzan, Whitebeard, Marco, and others were gathered around a massive sea chart, carefully studying the upcoming route and areas where combat might occur.
"According to the intelligence, we will encounter the pirate coalition head-on around noon tomorrow."
Kuzan crossed his arms, his tone indifferent, but a deep contemplation flickered in his eyes.
"Their marching speed is faster than we estimated. It seems they are prepared to go all out."
Jin An nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over several marked points on the map, his finger gently tapping a narrow stretch of sea:
"This is their best ambush point."
Whitebeard narrowed his eyes upon hearing this, and chuckled in a low voice:
"Gurarara… If they really try to attack us here, they've truly picked the wrong place."
His voice was deep and confident, as if he had already seen through the enemy's trump card.
Marco nodded, pointing to the narrow sea area and saying:
"This area has reefs on both sides and complex currents. If they lie in ambush here, we can use the terrain to our advantage, using cannons and Haki to tear them apart in one fell swoop."
Jin An's lips curled into a cold smile:
"That's right. We will make them think they have the upper hand, and when they attack… it will be their burial ground."
Despite the finalized strategy, the soldiers on the fleet remained vigilant.
A tense pre-battle atmosphere enveloped the entire fleet. Soldiers adjusted their equipment on deck, technicians checked the cannons and warship engines; everything proceeded with tense efficiency.
Kuzan stood by the ship's railing, gazing at the tranquil sea, lost in thought:
"Since the establishment of the New Navy, we have fought too many battles, but this one may be the most crucial."
Hearing this, Jin An turned to look at him, his eyes deep and sharp:
"If we win, the pirate era will come to a complete end.
If we lose… all our previous efforts will be in vain."
Whitebeard snorted softly, slowly clenching his fist, his body radiating a monstrous fighting spirit:
"There is no 'if.' We will win."
The atmosphere on the ship remained tense. Although many soldiers didn't say anything, a trace of anxiety and unease was already revealed in their eyes.
War was imminent, and they faced the final, frantic counterattack of the pirate era, a group of madmen driven to desperation.
How would they fight?
Could they truly end this chaotic era?
Jin An closed his eyes, feeling the sea breeze on his face, and was acutely aware that this battle was not just about victory or defeat, but about the future of this world.
"Boom!"
A deafening cannon blast shattered the silence. Immediately afterward, the sea was torn apart by a violent impact, giant waves surged, and columns of water shot into the sky, drenching the decks of the New Navy fleet.
Following closely was a series of muffled thunder-like explosions, rising and falling. Cannon fire erupted around the fleet, but did not directly hit any warships, as if it were merely probing.
"Enemy attack!"
The New Navy soldiers quickly entered battle mode, drawing their swords and loading cannons. However, when they looked around, the sea was empty, and not even the shadow of an enemy ship could be seen.
"What's going on?
Where are the enemies?!"
"I can't see anything!"
Anxiety and confusion appeared on the soldiers' faces. They were used to engaging with real warships, but had never seen such a situation—the enemy's cannon fire was clearly visible, but the enemy's ships seemed to have completely disappeared from the sea.
Just as panic spread, a steady voice cut through the chaos:
"The enemy is approximately 1000 meters ahead. Prepare for the attack!"
As soon as the words were spoken, everyone's eyes immediately converged on the speaker, Kuzan, who stood at the edge of the flagship's deck, his gaze deep, his whole person as steady as a mountain.
Jin An narrowed his eyes slightly, his hand slowly falling on the hilt of his sword, and said lightly:
"An invisible fleet?
They've really come up with some new tricks."
The use of Observation Haki to capture the ghost fleet at sea
In the moment Kuzan spoke, the high-level Observation Haki users on the ship closed their eyes, emptied their minds of distractions, and immersed themselves in that invisible realm of perception.
The flow of the wind, the rhythm of the waves, the vibration of cannonballs tearing through the air… all became clues for them to track the enemy.
Soon, Whitebeard grinned, gripped his long blade, Haki permeated his body, and said in a low voice:
"Hahaha, interesting. It seems these guys have really gone all out."
Marco slightly spread his wings, his eyes as sharp as an eagle:
"An invisible fleet… it must be technology from the World Government. They're even bringing out things like this?"
Jin An did not speak, but used Observation Haki to sense ahead.
Indeed, on the sea, undetectable to the naked eye, a fleet was slowly advancing. Those ships had their forms hidden by some power, stealthily moving through the battlefield like ghosts.
However, no matter how well hidden, their killing intent could not be completely concealed.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Another round of fierce artillery fire fell, this time, the cannonballs accurately flew towards the New Navy fleet. In an instant, water splashed everywhere, and the decks of some warships were shaken violently. Navy soldiers desperately grabbed the railings to avoid being thrown into the sea.
"Damn it! How are the enemies doing this?"
"We can't continue to be passive. We must counterattack!"
The soldiers shouted one after another, and at this moment, Jin An slowly opened his eyes, a sharp light flashing in them.
He suddenly drew his sword, a cyan dragon shadow writhing on the blade, lightning coiling around the sword, reflecting his resolute expression.
"All gunners, listen to my command, bearing: 1000 meters directly ahead!
No need to see the enemy, follow my instructions,"
His voice was steady and powerful. When he uttered the last word, his eyes narrowed, and he suddenly roared,
"—Fire!"
"Boom——!!!"
Dozens of cannons roared simultaneously, and huge cannonballs tore through the sky, pouring down towards the enemy's hidden position!
On the sea, the next second, there was a violent explosion. An invisible warship was directly hit by a cannonball. After being hit, the originally invisible hull shook violently. The cloaking device seemed to be affected by the impact and began to twist in the air, revealing a blurry outline.
"I see it!"
A soldier shouted in surprise.
At the same time, Whitebeard laughed loudly, his fighting spirit high:
"Now that we've found them, there's no need to be polite!"
"Charge!"
Kuzan smiled coldly, and with a fierce wave of his right hand, countless streams of cold air spread from his palm. On the sea, a thin layer of frost quickly spread, extending towards the enemy's fleet.
The hit cloaked warships were trying to adjust course and retreat, but the next second, their hulls were suddenly frozen to the sea surface, unable to move!
Jin An smiled coldly, his figure turning into a cyan lightning bolt, and suddenly jumped into the air, his sword slashing down, a brilliant sword energy swept across the sky, fiercely slashing at another enemy warship about to reveal itself.
"—Thunder Dragon Sky Severance!"
At that moment, the sea wind rose sharply, and the sword energy cut through the sky, like a thunder dragon tearing through the darkness, directly hitting the target!
"Boom——!"
The enemy warship split open in response, and a violent explosion lit up the night sky, illuminating the entire battlefield!
The tide of battle was rapidly tilting towards the New Navy.
The hidden ghost fleet gradually revealed its defeat under the powerful Observation Haki and precise counterattacks.
Jin An stood on the warship, his eyes cold, and gently uttered a sentence: "Want to use these little tricks to turn the tide on the battlefield? You… are too naive."
The New Navy's hunt officially began!
...
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