The Gorosei on the other end of the transponder snail appeared exceptionally calm. One of them spoke in a cold, steady tone.
"Aramaki, compose yourself. As an Admiral, you should not show panic. We are already aware of how the situation is developing."
"Ah?" Aramaki froze in place. He had not even begun his report, yet they already knew. What had just happened in the forest should have been known to no one else.
The Gorosei continued, their voices carrying unquestionable authority. "Borsalino's defeat did surprise us. We clearly underestimated Marco. His growth in speed is astonishing, and his current combat power may no longer be inferior to Whitebeard's."
After a brief pause, their tone hardened.
"Even though the Phoenix Pirates have already supported Cake Island using the powers of the Mirror Mirror Fruit, our plan does not change. Your next objective is to eliminate Big Mom as quickly as possible. Casualties are irrelevant. She must be killed. You may retreat only after that is accomplished."
Aramaki hesitated, then spoke with difficulty. "Esteemed Gorosei, that is not what I intended to report."
"Hm?" Confusion crept into the Gorosei's voices.
Aramaki swallowed and spoke anxiously. "Fleet Admiral Sakazuki has fallen. He was killed by Phoenix Marco."
Silence followed for a fraction of a second.
Then, from the Holy Land, voices rang out in shock. "What?!"
Their composure shattered instantly. "Explain yourself. How could Marco possibly defeat Sakazuki?"
Aramaki's expression turned heavy. "It is difficult to believe, but it is the truth. After Marco's Phoenix Devil Fruit awakened, the black flames surrounding him became terrifyingly powerful. Fleet Admiral Sakazuki misjudged his opponent, and as a result…"
His voice trailed off.
The Gorosei's faces darkened. They had only just forced themselves to accept the news of Admiral Kizaru's defeat and capture, something that should have been impossible in their eyes. They had barely convinced themselves that Borsalino had simply been careless.
Now, before they could even process that blow, they were told that Fleet Admiral Sakazuki had died in battle.
The five exchanged looks, disbelief written across their faces.
After a long silence, Aramaki spoke again. "Fleet Admiral Sakazuki's final order was a retreat. Honored Gorosei, I request permission to carry out that order."
They did not answer immediately.
Instead, one of them asked, "What is the current situation on the battlefield?"
Aramaki glanced around. Since the arrival of the Phoenix Pirates, the morale of the Big Mom Pirates had surged, while Marine forces were steadily being pushed back under relentless pressure.
"The situation is extremely unfavorable," he reported. "All of the Phoenix Pirates' core captains are present. Our forces are at a complete disadvantage."
He emphasized his point once more. "Fleet Admiral Sakazuki personally passed the retreat order to me in his final moments. I ask again, may the Marines withdraw?"
The Gorosei fell silent.
Their original plan had been clear. Use this operation to crush the Big Mom Pirates first, tearing away one corner of the Three Emperors Alliance. After that, they would deal with the Beasts Pirates and the Phoenix Pirates one by one.
It had been a logical choice. Among the three emperors, Big Mom commanded the largest forces, yet her personal combat power was considered the weakest. By all accounts, this should have succeeded.
But it had failed.
Now, time was no longer on their side. Fleet Admiral Sakazuki was dead. Admiral Kizaru had been captured alive. One defeated, one killed, both by Marco himself. This alone was enough to prove that Marco's current strength had likely surpassed even Whitebeard at his peak. Otherwise, such a feat would have been impossible.
With Marineford's current strength, confronting the Three Emperors Alliance head-on was no longer realistic.
The Gorosei exchanged another glance, reaching a silent consensus.
As the highest authorities of the World Government, they could not easily descend into the lower world. Even if they wished to intervene personally, they would first need Lord Imu's approval.
What was supposed to be a decisive victory had instead turned into a disaster. For centuries, everything had gone according to their expectations. Today was an exception, and it infuriated them.
After a brief moment of hesitation, one of them spoke firmly. "Aramaki, order all Marines to hold their ground and wait for reinforcements."
"Hold the ground and wait for reinforcements?" Aramaki was stunned.
Reinforcements? From where? Fleet Admiral Kong? Chief of Staff Tsuru? To face the Three Emperors Alliance, the Marines had already deployed their elite forces. There should have been nothing left.
Then realization struck him.
The Marines might have no more forces, but the World Government was another matter entirely. No one knew how many powerful figures it still possessed after eight hundred years of rule.
"Yes," Aramaki replied immediately.
After ending the call, he finally let out a long breath.
Nearby Marines, having overheard fragments of the conversation, rushed toward him in shock. "Admiral Aramaki, was that true just now? Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, he…"
Aramaki's face was grim.
Who could have imagined this outcome? The Marines had intended to subdue the Big Mom Pirates in one decisive blow, dismantling the Three Emperors Alliance at its core. The operation had begun flawlessly. They infiltrated Cake Island and even pushed Big Mom to the edge of collapse.
Even when Big Mom forcibly fused with countless Homies to increase her power, Aramaki knew such a technique had limits and severe side effects. With a bit more time, her defeat had been inevitable.
Then Marco arrived.
The appearance of the Phoenix Pirates alone was troublesome, but still manageable.
Marco's strength, however, was far beyond anything they had anticipated. The moment he pierced Sakazuki's body was burned into Aramaki's memory.
Neither he nor Sakazuki had ever imagined that Marco possessed such terrifying power.
Facing the expectant gazes of the surrounding Marines, Aramaki clenched his teeth. If the truth were revealed now, morale would collapse instantly.
He shouted coldly, "Enough. No one is allowed to mention this, and no one is allowed to discuss it. You all heard the Gorosei's order. Hold your positions and wait for reinforcements."
His voice left no room for argument.