One piece: I,Akaino will not die easily

Rear Admiral Onigumo, we have confirmed the exact location of [Thunder Lord] Makugai and his men. Please give us your orders.

Lindemann and several colonels of the same rank were organizing the intelligence reports that had just been sent over. Skillfully, they marked the pirates' precise numbers and firepower distribution on the map.

"It looks like they're waiting for the coating to be completed. Do not give them a chance to enter the New World."

Onigumo glanced at the densely marked map and made his judgment.

He took out a cigarette and placed it between his lips. A perceptive senior captain quickly pulled out a lighter and lit it for the rear admiral, then respectfully asked, "How should we deploy our forces?"

Onigumo exhaled a puff of smoke. "Send out two colonels, each leading a team to flank both sides of the pirates' base. Lindemann, you will lead a squad to raid the pirates' ship while they are in the middle of coating. I will handle the frontal blockade."

"Yes, sir!"

"All combat units will continue using the battle formation previously organized by Vice Admiral Sakazuki."

Only by continuously testing the formation in actual combat could they refine its feasibility. It was only through repeated battles and slaughtering pirates that the marines could truly learn how to coordinate.

Onigumo frowned. His already fearsome appearance became even more terrifying, enough to make children cry. Seeing his subordinates in high spirits, as if they already considered victory in the bag, he gave them a stern reminder:

"Do not underestimate the enemy! This time, we are dealing with a powerful pirate crew that has made it through countless hardships along this route to reach here."

"All units, attack!"

Lindemann followed Onigumo out of the operations planning room. As soon as he stepped out, his meticulous nature made him pause and turn back. He returned inside and picked up a video Den Den Mushi from the table, holding it close to his chest. Regardless of how the battle formation fared in actual combat, the navy could review the footage afterward to analyze its strengths and weaknesses.

"Rear Admiral!" Lindemann quickly caught up with the departing Onigumo.

"Hmm?" Onigumo was momentarily surprised, but then he understood his subordinate's intentions. "Good thinking, Lindemann."

For someone as cold toward subordinates as Onigumo, it was rare for him to offer praise.

"I have only assigned you a squad of one hundred men. Strike swiftly and retreat immediately when raiding the enemy ship. Even if you fail to achieve your objective, do not engage in prolonged combat. Although the number of pirates guarding the ship will surely be small, do not let your guard down. [Thunder Lord] is a meticulous man—he will certainly have placed capable officers at the rear."

In the past, Onigumo never cared about the life or death of his subordinates. He certainly wouldn't have taken the time to explain his orders or express concern for Lindemann. But Sakazuki's words had indeed left an impression on him.

At the very least, for subordinates he deemed worthy, Onigumo was now putting in some effort to train and cultivate them. He was slowly imparting his battle experience to Lindemann—not expecting him to grasp everything immediately, but hoping it would help him suffer fewer losses in combat.

"Understood! I will maintain contact via the Den Den Mushi!" Lindemann saluted and ran off to gather the elite marines from headquarters.

Sabaody Archipelago was formed from the exposed roots of the world's largest red tree, the "Yarukiman Mangrove." The entire island consisted of 79 such trees, each assigned a number, with towns and facilities built atop them. The naval headquarters and government entry points were located between trees numbered 60 to 69, while Onigumo's target, [Thunder Lord] Makugai and his crew, were hiding in the illegal zone between trees 1 and 20.

After circling nearly half the island, the navy finally locked onto their target—a large hotel on Tree No. 17.

Observing his troops in position on both sides for the ambush, Onigumo leaped into the air using Geppo (Moon Walk) and placed the video Den Den Mushi atop the towering clock tower of the town.

This served two purposes: first, it ensured the recording device wouldn't be affected by the upcoming battle; second, the elevated angle provided a better view for the navy to analyze the footage post-battle.

This large hotel had been completely booked by [Thunder Lord] Makugai.

Makugai was not a stingy man—at least, when he deemed something worth the expense, he had the guts to spend large sums from his pirate crew's fortune to make it happen.

Booking the entire hotel was a trivial expense for Makugai, who had fought and plundered his way to a vast amount of treasure.

Keeping his entire crew in one place was a strategic decision.

One reason was that naval headquarters was practically within arm's reach, and the Sabaody Archipelago was heavily patrolled by elite marines. Keeping his forces together allowed for a quicker and more coordinated response in case of emergency.

He had only left behind a handful of trusted subordinates to guard the ship, ensuring they could escape at a moment's notice.

Another reason was to avoid unnecessary conflict with other pirate crews staying on the island. Engaging in needless battles before even reaching the New World was not in his nature.

Additionally, on the island, Makugai had formed alliances with two other well-known pirate captains.

They provided advanced weaponry and equipment, while Makugai funded their scientific research.

Had it not been for his caution toward the bodyguard of a certain eccentric scientist, Makugai would have long since betrayed and eliminated the so-called "mad bomber" to seize everything for himself.

"Boss, something feels off. There seem to be fewer people on the streets."

By the window, a perceptive navigator from the crew noticed the abnormality.

"Hm?"

Any pirate captain who had made it this far on the Grand Line was no fool.

Makugai immediately jumped to his feet, his previously relaxed, long legs propped up on the sofa now firmly on the ground. He paced anxiously.

"Send some of the crew from the lower floors outside to check the situation. Tell everyone to stay alert."

The navigator acknowledged the order and turned to some pirates playing cards in the central hallway.

"Captain wants you guys to go out and see if something's going on."

"Ugh."

Though annoyed at having their game interrupted, they obeyed the captain's orders. Grumbling, they picked up their flintlock rifles and headed downstairs.

…

A few moments later, the navigator called down the stairwell.

"How's it looking? Anything unusual?"

No response.

He knew there was no way they hadn't heard him shouting.

Something was wrong.

He took a deep breath.

"Enem—"

Before he could finish, a flash of white steel emerged from the darkness below, slicing through the pirate's throat, cutting his scream short.

Yet the first sharp cry had already reached the ears of the second-floor pirates.

"AMBUSH!!!"

"All combatants, take position!!"

"Captain Makugai! We're under attack!!"