Chapter 57: Please keep reading! All hands on deck!

At two in the afternoon, during the peak of the sun's heat, and in the height of summer, the temperature across the desert realm of the Tutmos Kingdom had reached its absolute zenith.

The overly brilliant sunlight spilled across the boundless ocean outside, so intense that one could clearly see a layer of light mist permeating the air, both evaporating and distorting the light reflecting off the sea surface.

Just then.

On the distant horizon, blue warships bristling with cannons and flying seagull-white sails appeared. Led by four massive warships acting as the arrowhead, over twenty vessels spread out to cover almost the entire sea surface. They moved like aquatic beasts, riding the waves and charging forward with momentum.

"The Navy is here!!"

On the island of golden sand seas, the Slave Guardians hiding in the cool underground tunnels rose one after another following this general announcement. They grabbed their firearms and ran into the trenches, staring fixedly at the rapidly approaching naval warships.

No one retreated, for they knew there was no way back; the green collars around their necks would not allow them to take a single step backward until an evacuation order was received.

But this was not without its benefits—at the very least, it allowed them to exert one hundred percent of their strength!

"This is going to be a bit difficult to fight."

Rear Admiral Even felt somewhat speechless as he looked out at the golden world of endless sand seas. Although his Observation Haki allowed him to perceive many presences, he could see almost nothing with the naked eye.

Under these circumstances, how were their warships supposed to conduct a bombardment?

Simultaneously, the massive fleet began to split up according to the original plan. Aside from the main headquarters warships where he was located and three small branch-level warships from the 194th Branch remaining at the front, the other ships—configured as one headquarters warship accompanied by five branch warships—sailed toward the other three directions of the Tutmos Kingdom.

Their objective this time was to capture the Taklama Kingdom, investigate all its forces thoroughly, and rescue all captured slaves; naturally, this required a total encirclement.

"Get me some paper!"

Rear Admiral Even commanded the Marine behind him. Once the subordinate brought paper and a pen, Even quickly recorded the deployment of troops he perceived on the island.

However, the range of his Observation Haki was not sufficient to perceive the entire island, so he only knew the general situation of the frontal coastal defense line.

That was enough.

"Have them conduct bombardments and troop deployments according to this map!"

"Yes, sir!"

The Marine took the paper handed to him by Rear Admiral Even and hurried into the cabin to relay the orders. Even looked up at the scorching sun still radiating infinite heat and light, remaining silent.

The war had begun.

【BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!】

Fifteen minutes later, one headquarters-class large warship and three branch-class small warships took their positions, aiming their broadsides toward the golden sand seas of the island.

The triple-barrel high-altitude gun turrets at the bow of the former had completed their rotation, working in coordination with the broadside triple-barrel turrets, twelve large-caliber cannons, and the eighteen medium-caliber cannons of the branch warships.

A total of thirty-six cannons of various sizes unleashed a violent barrage of fire toward the Slave Guardian Legion's coastal defense line!

In an instant.

The roar of artillery echoed, smoke filled the air, and flames soared into the sky. Dark shells filled with high explosives traced bright lines through the air, creating an incredibly shocking coverage of firepower across the sand seas!

The trenches hidden beneath the sand layers on the island were repeatedly struck, sending countless grains of sand flying from the explosions. Some unlucky souls were swallowed by fireballs or killed instantly by the shockwaves.

Fortunately, most people managed to retreat into the tunnels in time, so casualties were not massive. The problem, however, was that due to their range limitations, their own artillery was unable to mount an effective counterattack.

The difference in range between naval guns and ordinary artillery was night and day; thus, the Slave Guardian Legion could only grit their teeth and endure the Navy's continuous bombardment.

On the Navy's side, they didn't actually feel the bombardment was doing much direct damage; its primary purpose was fire cover.

Covering the main force for a beach landing!

One by one, small wooden boats carrying squads of Marines armed with firearms and long blades rushed toward the island at maximum speed, taking advantage of their fleet's suppressive fire.

But as they drew closer to the beach, they were met with the Slave Guardian Legion's artillery interception and layers of incoming bullets.

These Marines, whether from the headquarters or the branches, had to grit their teeth and push forward.

To be honest, this would cause massive casualties, but it was an unavoidable process—and it was the path to promotion for all Marines.

In the years past, Sengoku, Garp, Zephyr, and even Vice Admiral Tsuru—who among them had not fought their way through like this, holding guns and swords while enduring shells overhead and bullets flying past?

As long as they could survive the battlefield, their ranks would rise, they would earn military merit, and they would have the chance to access higher-level swordsmanship, martial arts, or even exchange for Devil Fruits!

Therefore, for many, this war was an opportunity.

Meanwhile, on the side of the Slave Guardian Legion, because they needed to intercept the Navy's landing, they had to emerge from the tunnels and return to the trenches.

This meant facing the artillery bombardment from the four warships at sea. With Rear Admiral Even acting as a human radar, the fire coverage was incredibly precise.

For a time, the casualty rates for both the Navy and the Slave Guardians began to rise rapidly.

Despite this, looking down from a high altitude, one could clearly see that as more and more Marines stepped onto the beach, the distance between the two sides was closing at a visible speed.

Most of these were Marines from the Navy Headquarters; the high-intensity training and rich combat experience they had undergone were fully displayed the moment they hit the shore.

Daily training consisting of two thousand push-ups, one hundred laps on high-altitude ropes, and two hundred laps around a large training field—training that had to be pushed until they were completely exhausted and unconscious.

It could be said that the strength of every Marine from the Navy Headquarters, if placed in the previous life of Imu, would be superhuman enough to slay a tiger or a bear.

In comparison, the Marines from the 194th Branch were far too inferior; they were essentially the ones being shot to death.

The coastal areas of the north, south, east, and west of the entire Tutmos Kingdom had now completely transformed into the most tragic and brutal battlefields.

Strangely, however, the figure of the commander-in-chief, Dragon, had not yet appeared, nor was there any sign of his flagship.

In fact, the King of Taklama, seated upon the golden throne inside the pyramid, was also feeling confused by this.

He watched the real-time combat footage projected by several Visual Den Den Mushi throughout the hall.

He failed to see a single Navy officer wearing a "Justice" coat.

It was all white shirts and blue trousers, with only the occasional figure wearing a Navy jacket.

But those were, at most, junior officers.

He had prepared a group of elites to be sent to various defense lines to guard against these Navy Headquarters experts, yet now, he couldn't see a single "coat"!

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty—"

Just then, a high-ranking official ran in desperately, then collapsed with a thud onto the cold stone floor. Even so, he ignored it and shouted breathlessly.

"It's bad, Your Majesty! Sabak is under naval bombardment!"

"Nonsense!"

The King of Taklama stood up in anger, looking down coldly at the man. "We are located inside the desert island; no matter how far the warships' range is, they cannot hit us here."

"But the warships are coming from the sky! They are bombarding us from the sky!"

"What?!"

The King of Taklama snapped his head up. Although his eyes saw only a flat ceiling, his Observation Haki was sensing upward silently and at maximum speed.

At the same time, just as the official had said, a headquarters-class large warship was floating high in the air, surrounded by a green whirlwind, its broadsides fully unleashed toward Sabak below.

Dragon stood tall at the top of the mast, his "Justice" coat fluttering violently in the gale.

"All forces, move out!"

With his command, a large group of Navy officers who had been poised on the deck took flight like fierce white eagles, charging down toward all directions of the sand city like falling blossoms.

"Kill!!!"