"Hahahahaha, good wine, good meat! I didn't expect you, Golden Lion, to prepare so many good things for this!"
As the banquet began, Captain Li Yuan, Golden Lion, Kaido, and Whitebeard all sat together and started their feast of devouring meat and drinking wine.
"Jie hahahaha, of course! I knew we would achieve great victory this time, so I prepared the finest delicacies and wines to celebrate!"
After downing a few drinks, Golden Lion burst into laughter.
"Mahh, Mahh, Shiki, although the cake you prepared is delicious, you can't just speak nonsense with your eyes wide open. Are you a prophet or something?"
Charlotte Linlin stuffed her mouth with a large cake in one hand and a small cake in the other, her face smeared with cake oil.
"Jie hahahaha, my three main subordinates only sent one Reinhardt. Aren't your subordinates also absent? If we really reach a point where we can't hold on, we can just send those who didn't come to join the fight. How could we possibly lose?"
"I'm not bragging, but if we pirates combine our strength, we could even succeed in attacking Holy Land Mariejois. How could we possibly lose to the mere World Government in the war beneath Mary Geoise!"
Golden Lion confidently analyzed the situation.
Upon hearing Golden Lion's words, everyone present tacitly agreed. After all, in their view, the World Government was nothing to fear as long as they didn't attack Mary Geoise.
As for attacking Mary Geoise, aside from Li Yuan, Golden Lion, and the crazed Kaido, the others had no such intentions.
They could handle occupying the South Sea, but if it came to attacking Mary Geoise, they would refuse.
After all, the Celestial Dragons had ruled the world for eight hundred years; they couldn't possibly lack any foundation. One misstep, and their pirate crew could be completely annihilated at Mary Geoise.
So, without absolute benefits, they wouldn't go, and the current benefits were enough for them to feast on. Why bother attacking Holy Land Mariejois?
"Hahahahaha, it's still too early to talk about attacking Mary Geoise. Let's first completely occupy the South Sea. By the time the World Government recovers, they won't even be able to fight back."
Li Yuan laughed.
"Wugogogog, if they dare to come, I'll wipe them all out!"
"Gulalalala, Kaido, be careful not to let someone else become the Dragon-Slaying Hero!"
"Wugogogog, old man Whitebeard, I've heard your fists are powerful. Let's see if you can kill me!"
"Jie hahahaha, are you guys going to fight? Just don't do it on my island. Do you see that island over there? Go fight there, don't disturb our banquet!"
"Mahh, Mahh, watching you fight while eating cake is quite entertaining. Hurry up and go!"
"Gulalalala, Kaido, if you want to fight, wait until the banquet is over. I don't like being a monkey for others to watch while I'm fighting!"
"Wugogogogog, Whitebeard, if you're a man, don't run when the time comes. I will definitely defeat you!"
In stark contrast to the raucous celebration of the pirates, the navy and the World Government were shrouded in a heavy atmosphere of sorrow and silence.
Inside the warship's cabin, many high-ranking officials sat waiting for the final tally of losses.
"Marshal, we have roughly calculated the losses!"
At this moment, a rear admiral approached with the compiled data.
"Just say it!"
Sengoku replied.
"Yes, Marshal!"
"According to the current statistics, the total loss of warships and various vessels is four hundred fifty-five, with at least four hundred fifty thousand casualties. We lost five top-tier combatants, twenty at the vice admiral level, and…"
The rear admiral recited the figures recorded on the paper one by one.
With each statement, the atmosphere grew heavier, and by the time the report was complete, Sengoku slumped like a deflated balloon, bending at the waist.
Such enormous losses, while not all from the navy, still accounted for at least a third of their total.
This was akin to emptying out the navy's accumulated resources over the years! It was as if they had returned to square one, which perfectly described the navy's current situation!
"Bru Bru, Bru Bru!"
Amidst this heavy atmosphere, Sengoku's Den Den Mushi rang. Upon seeing the caller ID, Sengoku knew it was the Five Elders, so he answered the Den Den Mushi in front of everyone.
"Your Excellency, Five Elders, this is Sengoku!"
Sengoku adjusted his emotions, stabilizing himself before speaking.
"Sengoku, why did we lose this war? Why were the losses so severe? Give me a reason, what is the reason behind this?"
Saint Saturn, Warrior God of Science and Defense, suppressed his anger and questioned.
"Your Excellency Saint Saturn, the specifics of the war are as follows: Initially, all of the Infinite Pirates' Steel Battleships and the Hades Pluto ship launched a super-spec weapon, resulting in the destruction of hundreds of our warships. After the full-scale war began, the Infinite Pirates utilized submarines that could dive into the sea and bombs that floated in the water, along with a hundred thousand Fish-Man Army launching a surprise attack from the seabed, and numerous bombs dropped from the sky…"
"I have already dispatched someone to compile the relevant intelligence, and I will send it to you as soon as it's ready."
Sengoku didn't directly state the reasons for the defeat but recounted the entire process of the war from start to finish.
After all, with the wisdom of the Five Elders, they would surely understand why the war had failed.
Sengoku was still seething inside. If the Five Elders had come to oversee the battle in person, they could have added five top-tier combatants to their side. Perhaps even if they lost in the mid to lower tiers, they could have won back in the top-tier battles.
Unfortunately, the Five Elders were too afraid to die. Not only did they avoid confronting Li Yuan, but they didn't even have the courage to appear before him, which left Sengoku extremely dissatisfied with the Five Elders!
"Sengoku, immediately lead the remaining forces back. You will come to Mary Geoise, and we will discuss the consequences of this war failure face to face!"
Saint Saturn intended to question Sengoku further, but Saint Nasujuro stopped him, suggesting they let Sengoku return first.
"Yes, Your Excellency, Five Elders!"
Sengoku remained silent for a moment before responding, then hung up the call.
"All forces, regroup and return immediately!"
Sengoku calmly addressed all the high-ranking officials present.
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