#177 - Chapter 177 Mount Levers
The Grand Line begins at its starting point – the towering Reverse Mountain.
Seven magnetic pathways, like choices of destiny, stretch out from the summit, dividing the first half of the sea into seven routes.
These seven routes are like threads of fate, each representing a different adventure and unknown.
When first entering this legendary sea, navigators can choose any route.
However, once the decision is made, they are destined to advance along that route, island by island, until at a certain point, all the routes converge into one.
This route, where all paths converge, leads to the Grand Line's final destination – Laugh Tale, the legendary island.
On this very day.
At the waterway exit of Reverse Mountain, countless pirate ships surged on the restless sea, each ship loaded with ambitious pirates.
However, among these ships, there were even more shattered wrecks from this dangerous sea.
Countless pirates, once full of ambition, were now ghosts of the deep, their shipwrecks silently recounting the perils of this route.
Amidst such a tragic scene, more pirate ships recklessly continued forward.
The waterway exit of Reverse Mountain was like an endless trial, attracting souls yearning for adventure and wealth.
Knowing the dangers ahead, they could not suppress their longing and desire for the Grand Line.
After experiencing a narrow escape and struggling through the treacherous waterways of Reverse Mountain.
The pirates finally breathed a sigh of relief, and cheers began to ring out on the decks.
They celebrated their initial victory in this arduous journey, excitedly drinking strong liquor, as if they had already seen the future glory and endless treasures.
However, amidst this joy and ease, a deafening cannon blast shattered all beautiful dreams.
"Boom—!"
The massive explosion echoed in the air, and the pirate ship was immediately engulfed in flames and smoke.
Panicked pirates hurriedly looked up, seeing flashes of cannon fire mercilessly pouncing on them.
"It's the Navy!"
A pirate who had just been cheering screamed in terror, his eyes bloodshot.
"There's a Navy ambush!"
The ship shook violently, cannon fire tore through the masts and bulwarks, and the pirate ship rapidly sank amidst a painful wail.
The cheers on the deck instantly turned into screams of terror and despair, as the pirates desperately tried to escape this hellish battlefield.
"Quick! Abandon ship!"
A pirate leader shouted, his voice hoarse from the smoke.
However, no sooner had he spoken than a cannonball struck beside him, the massive explosion engulfing him in flames, along with his screams, drowning in the waves.
Cannon fire relentlessly covered the entire sea, the pirates like fish trapped in a net, helplessly facing this devastating disaster.
Each cannon strike was like a death knell, mercilessly sending lives to the bottom of the sea.
On both sides of the waterway, naval gun emplacements had been secretly set up, efficiently carrying out the annihilation operation.
The unprepared pirates were powerless to resist this dense bombardment, their ships quickly disintegrating, sinking in flames and waves.
On the distant horizon, more warships emerged.
Like steel monsters, they emerged from the silent depths, displaying the Navy's ruthlessness and power.
The cannon fire continued, smoke and dust filled the air, and the Navy had completely blocked this sea, cutting off all hope of escape for the pirates.
Captain Jack stood on the tilting deck, his face flushed by the firelight.
He gripped the sword in his hand tightly, his heart burning with unwillingness and anger.
"These cowardly Navy…!"
He gritted his teeth.
"No! We can't end like this!"
However, the cruel reality left him and his crew no time.
Cannonballs fell one after another, the ship shook violently in the explosions, finally emitting a huge groan, the entire hull was torn apart, and all the cheers and screams were silenced in the merciless sea.
The surface of the sea floated with destroyed debris and many lifeless bodies, a scene of devastation.
This cruel scene instantly turned the pirates' dreams and hopes into nothing.
"Continue forward, clear all hostile targets. This will be our battle to purge the sea."
On the deck of the Navy flagship, Sakazuki gazed at the distant sea, puffing on a cigar, the curling smoke quietly dispersing before his stern face.
His eyes were fixed on the distant bursts of cannon fire and flames.
"That's the 9th pirate ship today, right?"
Sakazuki's voice was low and cold, he slowly exhaled a thick cloud of smoke, with no trace of pity in his tone.
Standing next to him, Jin An nodded slightly, his gaze also cast towards the battlefield.
"Yes, today's efficiency is not bad."
Jin An and the others had been stationed here for some time, and today's harvest was a relatively large one.
The corners of Sakazuki's mouth twitched slightly, as if he wanted to smile.
"It's never been this efficient before."
Jin An raised his head, looking at the sunlight shining through the clouds, his thoughts seeming to be drawn to a more distant place.
A trace of emotion showed on his face.
"Since Roger started that era, this sea has never been peaceful."
He said slowly.
"This method of waiting for the rabbit to stumble into the trap is only effective during this period."
Sakazuki's expression turned as hard as iron, his eyes flashing with cold light.
"No matter how crazy they are, they can't escape our sanctions."
He said, his tone as cold and hard as the icebergs in the sea.
"But you also know, this is only temporary."
Jin An continued.
"The pirates won't always rush in like this. As time goes on, the number of pirates passing through here will gradually decrease. This efficient ambush tactic cannot be effective in the long run."
The surrounding naval soldiers were busy and orderly, operating the warships, replenishing ammunition, and preparing to meet the next possible attack.
Everyone's face was solemn and determined, they knew the meaning of this war.
Sakazuki exhaled the last puff of smoke, threw the almost burnt-out cigar into the sea, and turned to face Jin An.
"The challenges of the future will not be lessened by this, we must be prepared at all times."
His voice was low and powerful, with unshakable determination.
Jin An looked at this iron-blooded commander in front of him, as if he saw the shadow of countless future battles.
He nodded.
"The order of the Grand Line will eventually be restored."
"For justice, we fear nothing."
Sakazuki's eyes burned with an unquenchable flame.
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