Pirates: This island has billions of black technologies Chapter 041

The elite unit dispatched by Marine Headquarters brought unprecedented pressure to the Island of Hope with their powerful detection capabilities and unyielding tracking will.

Rear Admiral “Hound,” with his keen insight and obsession with intelligence, had roughly pinpointed the Island of Hope’s activity range and a certain periodicity in its energy fluctuations after several failed evasions.

He believed that continuous tracking would reveal the mysterious island’s patterns and weaknesses, completely exposing it to Marine artillery fire.

“Report, sir! The target island’s energy fluctuation trajectory is still chaotic, but its general direction of movement points southwest, largely consistent with the Red Line!” A detection officer reported loudly, staring intently at the data on his instrument.

“Reconnaissance aircraft report detecting abnormal airflow in a localized sea area, suspected to be the fringe reaction of the target island’s energy mist! They are attempting to approach for observation!” Another communications soldier relayed the latest intelligence.

In the flagship’s command center, Rear Admiral “Hound” stared intently at the sea chart, his brows furrowed.

On the holographic sea chart before him, the Island of Hope’s trajectory was outlined as a constantly changing dotted line, but the overall trend pointed towards the Red Line.

He knew deeply that allowing this uncontrolled, powerful entity to enter the Grand Line would be a huge hidden danger for the World Government.

He had to intercept it in the East Blue; this was a death order from Marine Headquarters.

“Order all ships to close the distance and form a pincer movement!” Rear Admiral “Hound” ordered in a deep voice, a cold glint in his eyes. “No matter what it is, we cannot let it escape! Gunners on all ships, prepare! Once the target enters effective range, open fire without further orders!”

Three new model warships immediately accelerated, forming a huge fan-shaped array on the sea, like an open animal trap, attempting to force the Island of Hope into a desperate situation from all directions.

The detection equipment on the ships operated at full power, sonars emitted bursts of detection waves underwater, and reconnaissance aircraft circled in the air, attempting to penetrate the strange energy mist and pinpoint the island’s true location.

The roar of engines broke the tranquility of the sea, signaling an impending fierce battle.

In the command center of the Island of Hope, the atmosphere was extremely tense.

Wei Ribao’s Observation Haki and Ikaros’s relayed data from the island’s external sensors had issued the highest level of alert.

“Host, the Marine elite unit is forming a pincer movement! Estimated fifteen minutes until the outer ships enter artillery range! The enemy has lifted fire restrictions!” Ikaros’s voice rang in Wei Ribao’s mind, with unprecedented urgency. On the holographic sea chart, the red dots representing the enemy rapidly tightened their encirclement like predators, almost completely engulfing the Island of Hope.

Wei Ribao’s expression darkened.

He knew that this opponent was no longer the East Blue Branch Marines, who could be easily shaken off.

This elite unit’s discipline and professionalism, as well as its commander’s persistence, made him realize that simple evasion would no longer solve the problem.

He had to launch an active counterattack, a powerful counterattack sufficient to deter the opponent and buy the island subsequent operational space.

He looked towards the medical area. Lilith, nourished by the life energy stabilization device, had regained much color in her face and was breathing steadily, sleeping peacefully.

She was the reason he couldn’t take risks, and also the source of his strength. He couldn’t let the aftershocks of battle affect her recovery.

“Ikaros, maximize the power of the energy mist generator, and activate Miss Lilith’s [Ecological Mimicry Barrier] ability, extending its energy field to its maximum range!” Wei Ribao ordered in a deep voice.

The mist around the island instantly became denser, almost to the point of being impenetrable.

Lilith’s [Ecological Mimicry Barrier] ability was fully activated. Although she was still recuperating, this defensive mechanism, generated by the resonance of her bloodline with the island’s core energy, remained powerful.

Faint green light began to flicker in the mist. This energy could not only distort light and magnetic fields but also interfere with and reflect external detection waves, rendering the Marine ships’ sonar and radar completely ineffective.

“Report, sir! The target island is shrouded in even denser mist! Detection equipment is completely inoperable! We cannot pinpoint the target!” Marine soldiers reported anxiously, cold sweat beading on their foreheads.

“Damn it! What kind of ability is this?!” A hint of shock flashed in Rear Admiral “Hound’s” eyes; he had never seen such a strange and powerful energy mist.

He gritted his teeth and ordered, “All ships, maintain formation and conduct saturation bombardment towards the center of the mist! I refuse to believe it can hide in there forever!”

The muzzles of the Marine warships’ cannons turned in unison, aiming at the center of the mist.

However, Wei Ribao paid no attention to the Marines’ blind attack.

He knew that blind defense would only make the enemy more agitated and potentially resort to more drastic measures. He intended to take the initiative, using thunderous means to completely crush their confidence.

“Host, all data regarding [Weather Dials] has been retrieved, and combined with the basic principles of the ‘Clima-Tact’ you provided, the energy fusion match has reached 70%! Local weather control can be attempted!” Ikaros’s voice rang in Wei Ribao’s mind.

He had previously acquired several good quality [Weather Dials], including Wind Dials and Thunder Dials, through trade with some lucky adventurers.

After Lilith recovered, Wei Ribao had already begun deeper research and modification of these Dials, connecting them to the island’s ancient energy system, in order to cope with the harsh weather and potential enemies in the Grand Line.

Now, this research came in handy.

“Excellent!” A gleam flashed in Wei Ribao’s eyes.

He immediately directed the island’s core energy to rapidly condense above its command center through the modified Weather Dials.

Wei Ribao fully integrated his Observation Haki into it, precisely perceiving the Marine fleet’s position and energy fluctuations. He could “see” the engine heat and personnel distribution of each ship.

He could even sense the slightly anxious but still resolute aura from Rear Admiral “Hound.”

Thousands of meters in the sky, the previously clear sky instantly became overcast. A huge localized thundercloud rapidly formed above the Marine fleet at a visible speed.

This thundercloud possessed powerful energy, as if endowed with life. Electrical flashes flickered within it, emitting a low rumble, completely exceeding the scope of ordinary Weather Dials, more like a combination of ancient technology and natural power.

“H-how can there be a thundercloud in the sky?!” Marine soldiers looked up in terror, feeling the immense pressure from the sky.

“T-this… is this that island’s ability?!” Rear Admiral “Hound’s” face changed drastically. He had never seen such a bizarre weather phenomenon, let alone one artificially created. This had already exceeded his understanding of East Blue forces!

Boom!

The first lightning bolt struck down from the thundercloud, like an angry giant dragon, precisely hitting the main mast of a warship on the outer edge of the fleet.

A huge current instantly swept through the entire ship. The mast broke, smoke billowed from the hull, fire splattered, and Marine soldiers screamed, falling into chaos.

In the command center, Wei Ribao calmly directed the landing point of each lightning bolt.

He was like a monarch controlling lightning. With each wave of his hand, precise lightning bolts struck the Marine ships’ weak points: either the engine room, causing them to lose power; or the ammunition depot, triggering violent explosions; or the bridge, directly paralyzing their command system.

He did not attempt to directly destroy all warships, but rather used precise strikes to cause paralysis and chaos, thereby deterring the enemy, avoiding unnecessary casualties, and simultaneously conserving the island’s energy to the greatest extent.

The guard members in the island’s fortifications also fully cooperated.

Under Captain Hughes’ command, they fired new-style bows and stone projectiles crafted by Chief Jack, suppressing the chaotic Marine soldiers and preventing them from boarding the island.

The island’s outer bio-metallic city walls also emitted a low rumble, with the vitality of surface plants intertwining with metallic luster, forming an indestructible defensive line.

The Marine elite unit suffered heavy losses under the sudden lightning strike, and the flagship’s commander also took a hit.

A lightning bolt grazed the flagship’s bridge, and the blast wave knocked Rear Admiral “Hound” to the ground, his Marine cap flying off.

He scrambled to his feet, watching with his own eyes as his fleet was shattered by the lightning, soldiers panicking and scurrying around like headless chickens.

He tried to use his own strength to resist the lightning, but its power far exceeded his imagination; he could not change the tide of battle.

He clenched his fists, his face ashen, his eyes filled with unwillingness and a deep reverence for the Island of Hope’s power.

“Retreat! All units retreat!!” He issued a hoarse command. He knew that continuing would only lead to greater losses, even complete annihilation.

The power of this mysterious island had already exceeded what he could handle.

As the Marine ships, battered and broken, fled in disarray through the mist, Wei Ribao finally let out a long breath.

He knew that this counterattack had succeeded. He had temporarily dispelled the shadow from Marine Headquarters with absolute power.

Wei Ribao walked towards the medical area. Lilith had been startled awake from her sleep by the intense energy fluctuations of the island, her pale little face showing a hint of confusion and worry.

She felt Wei Ribao’s fatigue, as well as her own severe energy depletion. Wei Ribao tenderly embraced her, gently stroking her soft hair.

“I’m fine, Lilith. We won.” Wei Ribao’s voice was low and gentle, full of comfort.

He felt her slender body tremble slightly in his arms; that dependence filled his heart with warmth.

Lilith nuzzled gently in his embrace, weakly responding.

She knew that she had used her power to help Wei Ribao protect this island.

This effort made her feel tired, but more than that, it brought a sense of satisfaction and happiness.

The Island of Hope successfully repelled the elite unit dispatched by Marine Headquarters, demonstrating its powerful weather control capabilities and armed forces.

The young commander gained a deeper understanding of the threat posed by the Island of Hope, but his obsession with its capture had not vanished.

The legendary status of the Island of Hope in the East Blue deepened further. Its name, along with this victory, would spread to every corner of this sea.