Every action of these warriors from Chuan Capital was clean and decisive to the extreme.

No unnecessary shouting, no futile chasing.

Every move was a lethal blow.

A shield warrior from Sakura Country had just raised his tower shield, trying to establish a defense line,

when the ground before him bulged without warning, and several sharp stalagmites burst from the earth, instantly skewering him and his shield like candied hawthorns on a stick.

Inside the command center.

Matsushita Ichiro watched the one-sided battle on the surveillance screen with an ash-pale face, his body trembling like a leaf.

He wanted to draw the long sabre at his waist to show his loyalty to the Kujo Family.

But his hands refused to lift no matter how hard he tried.

"Screeech—"

The command center's metal door was kicked open by immense force.

Matsushita Ichiro snapped his head up.

Two Chuan Capital warriors wearing panda-visored helmets stood like a pair of door guardians, blocking the entrance.

One of them was holding a bloody head in his hand.

It was the head of his adjutant.

Matsushita Ichiro's psychological line of defense completely collapsed at that moment.

He dropped the communicator in his hand, raised both hands high, and spoke in a trembling voice.

"I... I surrender!"

...

On the island, the battle had begun quickly and ended even faster.

In just ten short minutes.

The entire outpost fell silent of combat noise, and not a single standing Sakura Country soldier could be seen.

A thick stench of blood drifted in the cold sea breeze.

A middle-aged man with a hideous scar on his face stepped leisurely through the gap in the barrier, an unlit cigarette dangling from his mouth and his hands in his pockets.

He glanced at the carnage all around, then looked up at the mountain-sized Iron-Eating Beast, a hearty smile breaking across his face.

Pushing off hard with his feet, he launched into the air like a fired artillery shell,

landing firmly on the broad shoulder of the Iron-Eating Beast.

"Nice work, big guy!"

The middle-aged man chuckled and patted the Iron-Eating Beast's armor-plated head.

"You really did Chuan Capital proud!"

"When we get back, I'll prepare a hundred bundles of top-grade tender bamboo for you!"

The Iron-Eating Beast glanced at him with crimson eyes, blew two streams of scorching hot air from its nostrils, and let out a disdainful huff.

It slowly raised a giant paw and extended two thick fingers.

The middle-aged man's smile froze, followed by a wry laugh.

"Fine, fine, fine, two hundred bundles then."

"You fellow, you're getting better and better at bargaining."

As he spoke, he pinched the thick fur around the Iron-Eating Beast's neck and couldn't help but joke,

"By the way, you're already fat enough. Sure you don't want to go on a diet?"

"ROAR!!!"

The Iron-Eating Beast flared up instantly like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

A deafening roar erupted, nearly flipping the entire island over.

It jerked its shoulders violently.

"Holy crap!"

The middle-aged man cried out in surprise as he was flung like a sandbag from over ten meters in midair by a massive force.

Just as he was about to crash face-first into the dirt,

right at that moment, while still in midair, he twisted his waist fiercely, forcibly adjusting his posture, and landed firmly on his feet, completely unscathed.

He patted the dust off his clothes and shook his head helplessly at the Iron-Eating Beast, which was still growling provocatively.

"Still as explosive-tempered as ever."

Just then, a subordinate jogged up to him and snapped a salute.

"Reporting, General! The Demon Claw Island outpost has been completely cleared!"

"Captured enemy commander Matsushita Ichiro and 372 officers and men below him! Not a single one escaped!"

The smile on the middle-aged man's face vanished instantly.

He nodded, his voice deep and steady.

"Contact the combat command center immediately."

"Demon Claw Island outpost has been captured."

"Requesting further instructions!"

"Yes, sir!"

Receiving the order, the subordinate turned and quickly left.

Meanwhile.

Across the endless, pitch-black surface of the East Sea.

An aircraft carrier as massive as a moving island led a huge fleet of dozens of warships, slicing through the calm sea like a black sword as it steamed toward Sakura Country at high speed.

This aircraft carrier was the flagship of Great Xia Nation's East Sea Fleet—the Zhenguo.

Right now, the combat command center of the Zhenguo was brightly lit.

At the very front of the command center was a massive holographic tactical map covering an entire wall.

On the map, blue arrows representing Great Xia Nation's military were thrusting forcefully into the red territory representing Sakura Country from several directions with irresistible momentum.

An old man with a posture straight as a spear and graying hair stood before the map with his hands behind his back.

The marshal uniform he wore symbolized Great Xia Nation's supreme military power, the general stars on his epaulets shining brightly.

He was Great Xia Nation's Supreme Marshal of the United Front, Zhao Qingcang.

Dozens of staff officers and commanders in various military uniforms were busy at their posts, the clack of keyboards and quiet reports blending together.

"Report, Marshal!"

"Urgent dispatch from the Sichuan Capital Theater vanguard!"

"General Chen Chi successfully captured Sakura Country's Demon Claw Island outpost five minutes ago! The enemy garrison of over 1,300 troops has been entirely wiped out!"

Before the words had even faded, another signaller's voice piped up immediately.

"Report, Marshal!"

"Urgent dispatch from the East Sea Fleet First Task Force!"

"Successfully captured Sado Island outpost! The enemy's Magical Cannon positions have been completely destroyed!"

"Report!"

"Urgent dispatch from the Northern Theater vanguard! Successfully captured..."

Exciting victory dispatches arrived one after another.

Clenched fists at their sides, many young staff officers showed wild joy on their faces, barely holding back cheers.

Speed is paramount in war, striking where unexpected!

No one expected Great Xia Nation's offensive to come so swiftly and so suddenly!

Just one short hour into the war.

More than a dozen important military outposts deployed by Sakura Country across the East Sea were taken down one by one with overwhelming force!

Listening to the continuous stream of victories, Zhao Qingcang let out a faint smile.

"Very good."

"Our first step has been a huge success."

"That fellow Kujo Koji definitely didn't expect us to move this fast!"

Immediately following that, Zhao Qingcang rapidly issued orders like a rapid-fire cannon:

"Speed is paramount. While Sakura Country's military command hasn't reacted yet,"

"all vanguard forces are not to stop or rest!"

"Drive deep into enemy territory and keep advancing!"

"Order Chuan Capital Command that Nagato Port must be taken within twelve hours!"

"Order the East Sea Fleet, also within twelve hours, I want to see our Dragon Flag planted at the highest point of Izumo Port!"

"Tell them I don't want casualty figures—I only want results!"

"Yes, Marshal!"

The signaller snapped straight, responded loudly, and turned quickly to pass down the orders.

As order after order went out,

out on that pitch-black ocean, the vast fleet thundered once more, accelerating to maximum speed.

Warships like steel beasts plowed through white waves, launching an even fiercer charge toward the land shrouded in darkness.

Zhao Qingcang gazed at the blue arrows accelerating on the map again, his eyes deep.

He had only one purpose in doing this.

To maximize the pressure on Kujo Koji.

The more pressure applied here, the greater the opportunity Gandalf would have over there.

In this war, Great Xia Nation's victory or defeat did not depend on the main battlefield.

But rested on that man.