#232 - The war begins! There is something wrong with these three generals
Chapter 232: The War Begins! These Three Admirals Are Acting Strange…
“Our Marine Headquarters has three admirals. You should know that, right?”
Fleet Admiral Sengoku looked at Zhao Zheng with a grave expression: “You’ve met Sakazuki and Borsalino. There’s also one more admiral…”
Zhao Zheng: “Marshal, are you talking about Admiral Aokiji?”
“That’s right!”
Sengoku nodded, revealing the truth: “Kuzan, that guy, has gone missing!”
“Missing?”
This news was truly shocking to Zhao Zheng.
On the eve of war, for a Marine admiral to go missing, the impact is too severe.
No wonder Sengoku’s face looked so grim.
Moreover, Admiral Aokiji is no ordinary person; he is also a top powerhouse of the Marine Headquarters!
If this news were to spread, it would definitely shake the morale of the troops.
“How could he go missing?” Zhao Zheng asked.
“I don’t know!” Fleet Admiral Sengoku shook his head, somewhat exasperated, and said, “According to the plan, he should have arrived at the headquarters at noon, but he hasn’t shown up until now, and we can’t contact him through the Den Den Mushi…”
Zhao Zheng frowned.
With Aokiji’s powerful strength, there are very few who could pose a threat to him.
Therefore, Zhao Zheng’s first thought was, could this guy have defected?
That’s also impossible!
The current Aokiji still has thoughts about the position of fleet admiral! There’s no reason for him to defect.
In the original Marineford War, Aokiji was quite diligent.
If we’re really talking about defection, among the three admirals, Kizaru is the most likely…
Since it’s impossible for him to defect, then Aokiji hasn’t returned until now, so he must have been affected by something.
Zhao Zheng guessed that it was likely the work of the Transcenders.
Perhaps, the Transcenders who joined the Whitebeard Pirates learned some information in advance and used experts to trap Admiral Aokiji…
In the original storyline, Whitebeard launched a seaquake, triggering a tsunami, and it was all thanks to Aokiji’s powerful freezing ability that the tsunami was frozen.
Otherwise, a wave of tsunami would have killed or injured most of the Marines.
Now that Aokiji is gone…
Thinking of this, Zhao Zheng was somewhat amazed.
Sure enough, no one should be underestimated!
“Marshal, why did you call me here?”
“Lieutenant Commander Zhao Zheng, you should be clear about how important tomorrow’s war is, right? The Marine Headquarters absolutely cannot lose this battle!”
Garp is more suitable than Zhao Zheng, and Garp’s strength is also very strong.
It’s just that Sengoku doesn’t dare to let Garp go.
Because the person to be executed this time is Fire Fist Ace! Garp’s adopted grandson…
Zhao Zheng was not surprised by Fleet Admiral Sengoku’s decision.
From the moment he heard about Aokiji’s disappearance, he had already guessed the purpose of Sengoku’s sudden call.
Now he belongs to the Marine Headquarters camp, so of course he would not object to Sengoku’s arrangement.
“Understood!” Zhao Zheng said in a deep voice: “Please rest assured, Marshal, I will not let you down!”
Fleet Admiral Sengoku nodded and said, “You can go prepare now!”
Zhao Zheng saluted, then turned and left the Marshal’s office.
…
A moment later.
He returned to his residence and met his three little partners.
“Brother Zhao, Fleet Admiral Sengoku suddenly called you, what’s the matter?” Wang Fei asked curiously.
Zhao Zheng did not hide anything and told them about Admiral Aokiji’s disappearance.
Everyone was very surprised.
“How is this possible?” Wang Fei exclaimed, “According to the information given by the teacher, this didn’t happen at all!”
Zhao Zheng then said, “So I suspect that Admiral Aokiji’s disappearance is very likely the work of Transcenders from the enemy camp.”
His words aroused everyone’s approval.
At this time.
Song Haitang’s heart stirred, and she suddenly said, “Wang Fei, Chen Kai, last night in the recruits’ dormitory, and in the square before, did you notice that the number of Transcenders joining the Marine camp this time is a bit abnormal? Moreover, there are very few foreigners?”
The two of them were stunned for a moment.
Wang Fei had a carefree personality and said, “Is there such a thing? I didn’t pay much attention…”
Chen Kai was much more careful and immediately said, “Sister Haitang, you reminded me. I always felt something was wrong before. It turns out that’s where the problem lies… The number of people joining the Marine camp this time is indeed too small.”
Zhao Zheng also frowned.
According to what the teacher said, in the past, in this Spirit Realm, the number of Transcenders joining the Marine camp was always more than the Pirate camp!
After all, the Marines have a better chance of winning this war!
It’s easier to gain military merit by fighting a favorable battle than fighting an uphill battle.
The fact that so few people joined the Marine camp this year is obviously not right.
“I have a guess!” Song Haitang said, “Perhaps this Spirit Realm, from the very beginning, was a trap, a trap aimed at me!”
Everyone looked at Song Haitang.
Wang Fei asked in confusion, “Sister Haitang, what do you mean? I don’t understand.”
Song Haitang then said, “So far, I have discovered three strange things about this Spirit Realm.”
“In the past, no one cared about the fifteenth level of the Spirit Realm. This time it was our turn, but the higher-ups intervened and asked our domestic compatriots to join the Marine camp… Although the reason is to avoid compatriots killing each other, it’s still a bit far-fetched. If they really want to avoid compatriots killing each other, why don’t other Spirit Realms have this suggestion?”
“The teacher said privately that the real purpose of the higher-ups doing this is to protect me, but I still feel it’s not normal.”
“If they really want to protect me, they can just send some stronger Transcenders. More people will only lead to chaos…”
“That’s the first point.”
“The second point is the number of people in both camps.”
“The number of Transcenders joining the Marine camp this year is really too small, and most of them are our compatriots… This does not match the normal situation in previous years.”
“In addition, before entering the Spirit Realm, there was a lot of noise abroad. It seems that there will definitely be many Transcenders targeting me this time. Since they are not in the Marine camp, they must have run to the Whitebeard Pirates!”
“To be able to achieve such consistency, someone must be colluding.”
“Third, Admiral Aokiji’s disappearance further confirms my guess.”
“The teacher said that the three admirals are the highest combat power of the Marine Headquarters, and each one is very important. Losing one before the war will have a huge impact! It may even shake the morale of the Marine Headquarters!”
“In addition, Admiral Aokiji’s Ice-Ice Fruit ability is crucial. It is the best ability to stop Whitebeard’s seaquake…”
“No matter which Transcender team affected Admiral Aokiji, the price they paid must not be small.”
“In the past, in the fifteenth level of the Spirit Realm, there has never been a case of an admiral disappearing before the war. This time it can happen…”
“If coincidences happen too often, they are no longer coincidences.”
…
It must be said that the girl is indeed smart, careful and perceptive.
After listening to Song Haitang’s analysis.
Apart from Wang Fei, who was still a bit confused, Zhao Zheng and Chen Kai were both shocked.
Chen Kai said with a solemn expression, "So, there's a mole at the top? Is getting us all to join the Navy a trap?"
Song Haitang thought for a moment and said, "This is just my analysis and guess, but if other abnormal situations continue to occur in the enemy's camp, which are unfavorable to the Navy, then my guess should be the truth."
Everyone's faces looked grim.
Especially Zhao Zheng, who was radiating killing intent!
Seeing this, Song Haitang smiled again and said, "Even if my guess is correct, their conspiracy is destined to fail!"
Chen Kai was the first to react, nodding repeatedly: "That's right! They calculated everything, but they didn't expect that we have Brother Zhao! In the face of Brother Zhao's absolute power, all conspiracies and tricks are destined to fail."
Wang Fei also understood and laughed loudly: "When the war starts tomorrow, won't they be collectively dumbfounded when they don't see Sister Haitang? Hehe!"
Chen Kai added, "Actually, the disappearance of Admiral Aokiji may not be a bad thing for us. See, Brother Zhao has taken his place, making him even more important! If Brother Zhao ultimately turns the tide and defeats the Whitebeard Pirates, then when the mission ends and contributions are calculated, Brother Zhao will definitely be in a league of his own."
As soon as he said this, Wang Fei's eyes lit up instantly.
… …
After chatting for a while, the sky quickly darkened.
Song Haitang, Wang Fei, and Chen Kai stayed at Zhao Zheng's place for dinner before Zhao Zheng sent them away.
Zhao Zheng did not use a warship to send them.
Firstly, warships are too slow.
Secondly, it's very troublesome to use warships to leave the island so late, and it might cause Marshal Sengoku to misunderstand, thinking that Zhao Zheng is also running away, which would be bad… …
Anyway, Zhao Zheng can fly, so taking three people away is easy.
He sent the three to a relatively distant city and had them stay in a hotel.
Then, Zhao Zheng took out his glasses that could change his appearance and gave them to Song Haitang.
"Haitang, take this with you, just to be safe."
Song Haitang knew the function of these glasses and accepted them without hesitation, only reminding him: "Be careful tomorrow."
She did not let Zhao Zheng wear these glasses to participate in the war.
Because doing so would not only fail to conceal Zhao Zheng's true identity but also expose Chen Ye's alias as Zhao Zheng himself.
After all, Zhao Zheng might use the Tremor-Tremor Fruit ability tomorrow.
At that time, even a fool would know that Zhao Zheng is Chen Ye!
Because on Blue Star, the only possessor of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit ability is Zhao Zheng.
"Don't worry, with my strength, there shouldn't be anyone in this Spirit Realm world who can kill me!" Zhao Zheng smiled confidently.
He indeed had the confidence.
Even the legendary Imu may not be able to kill him now.
… …
After saying goodbye to the three.
Zhao Zheng quickly returned to the Marine Headquarters.
He also specifically inquired whether Admiral Aokiji had returned.
The result was no!
Not returning so late meant that something must have happened.
It was said that Marshal Sengoku was so angry that he smashed the table… …
Zhao Zheng frowned slightly, recalling Song Haitang's analysis.
According to Song Haitang's idea, the other party must have a backup plan… …
The next day.
After dawn, the entire Marine Headquarters became busy.
Cannons were set up everywhere on the plaza.
Countless Marine soldiers were doing their final checks.
Although Marshal Sengoku had taken Zhao Zheng's advice and withdrawn the "100,000 elites," he had not withdrawn all of them, still leaving one-third behind.
Those who remained were mostly special forces, such as artillerymen.
Of course, Zhao Zheng had no objections to this.
As long as those cannon fodder were withdrawn, avoiding their sacrifice, then Zhao Zheng would be considered to have made a contribution.
At this time.
Even though the war had not yet begun, the Marine Headquarters was filled with a sense of oppression.
The opponent today was simply too terrifying!
The Whitebeard Pirates were not only one of the Four Emperors but also the strongest Four Emperors Pirates at present, an existence that could compete with the Pirate King "Roger" in the past.
In terms of strength, the Whitebeard Pirates were not much weaker than the Marine Headquarters.
Especially Whitebeard himself, who was hailed as the strongest man in the world, possessing the destructive power to destroy the world!!
Even if this lion was old, he was still terrifying.
Facing such an opponent, who would dare to be careless?
Anyway, last night, at least half of the Marine Headquarters, from top to bottom, couldn't sleep… …
Zhao Zheng slept quite well.
When he woke up, it was already past nine o'clock.
After eating breakfast, Zhao Zheng had just dressed neatly when a messenger came to inform him to go to the plaza.
When Zhao Zheng arrived at the plaza, he found that everyone had already arrived.
Those high-level officials didn't look too good.
Although Marshal Sengoku told everyone that Admiral Aokiji had another mission, they, as high-level officials, still knew the inside story.
Right now, no mission was more important than this war!
And the disappearance of Admiral Aokiji did have a bad impact.
Not only were the high-level officials affected, but even some smarter Marine soldiers were a little uneasy.
At this time.
A group of transcendents gathered together to discuss.
"I heard that Admiral Aokiji is missing and hasn't returned yet."
"Ah? Didn't Marshal Sengoku say that Admiral Aokiji went to carry out a sniper mission?"
"… … How did your brain survive until now? You believe that kind of talk? Don't you think about it carefully? At this time, who would send an Admiral to snipe pirates? Aren't they afraid of being ambushed and defeated?"
"Damn, now that you mention it, it seems like it's true… …"
"Alas! It's an unfavorable start! We've lost an Admiral before the fight even started, it's really a pain in the ass!"
"You haven't realized the seriousness of the situation! Without Admiral Aokiji's Ice-Ice Fruit ability, what will happen when Whitebeard launches a seaquake and causes a tsunami later? Who can stop it? Those experts will definitely be fine, but we little guys are afraid we'll suffer!"
"Damn it! I forgot about that, what do we do now?"
"There's nothing we can do! We can only take it one step at a time."
Suddenly.
They saw the late Zhao Zheng… …
"Eh! That Vice Admiral looks familiar… … Damn! It's Song Haitang's lover!"
"It really is him, I didn't expect this guy to really become a Vice Admiral."
"Wait… … Why didn't he go to the position guarded by the Vice Admirals, and instead went to sit in a row with the two Admirals?"
"Good heavens, could it be that Admiral Aokiji is missing, and Marshal Sengoku temporarily pulled in a strongman to replace him?"
"No… … Why him? He's not strong, is Marshal Sengoku out of his mind?"
"Speaking of him, where's Song Haitang? Why isn't Song Haitang to be seen?"
"That's right! And… … Wasn't it said to be 100,000 elites? How many people are there?"
