Chapter 194: The Strength Beyond the Gate

The complete annihilation of the first advance group caused the atmosphere within the Other Worlds Strategic Committee to become very heavy and gloomy.

This had confirmed that the civilization on the other side of the Dimensional Gate was prepared for invasion.

[Knock! Knock! Knock!]

"Come in."

"Chairman, this is the weapons research institute's estimate report on the enemy's firepower."

A young official entered the meeting room and placed a document on the table in front of Chairman Fernández.

"Thank you. You may leave."

"Yes sir!"

Once the officer left the room, Fernandez reviewed the report and then passed it to Coulson, who was standing next to him.

"Take a look at it."

"Okay." After reading the report, Coulson's eyes widened in surprise. "High-explosive mines? Heavy shells?"

The report suggested that the first four Cipher Pol members who explored likely stepped on high-powered mines or multiple composite mines

And the six people near the dimensional gate have been confirmed to have been bombarded by heavy artillery.

To be honest, this evaluation result made Coulson feel relieved. After all, both mines and howitzers belong to the category of gunpowder weapons, and their destructive power did not seem to be excessive.

But this did not mean that they could relax completely. No one knew whether the enemy possessed even more powerful weapons.

"We should send more people to obtain more information. If it is confirmed that the other party's means are really only at the level of heavy artillery, we can consider sending the generals!"

Coulson, while passing the report to another vice chairman, made this suggestion to Fernandez.

"Okay, does anyone else have any other opinions?"

Seeing the other vice chairmen shaking their heads, Fernandez said: "That's it. I will notify the Cipher Pol headquarters immediately. Let's adjourn the meeting."

After saying that, he stood up and left the meeting room first.

...

The next day.

Twenty CP members gathered in front of the electric gate of the biochemical safety station.

Among them were Pran and Belloc. They were a Dragonfly-model Insect Fruit user and a Swallow-model Bird Fruit user. They were the only two Devil Fruit users on the team and could also use dual-colored Haki.

"Let's go!"

The leader of this mission was Pran.

Each of them carried a Den-Den Mushi on their shoulder, connected by a long black line.

The entire team rushed towards the desert on the other side of the Dimensional Gate. Then, they split into pairs, dispersing in all directions like fleeting shadows.

In particular, Pran and Belloc transformed into a large dragonfly and a large black swallow, rising rapidly into the sky.

The researchers had previously calculated the location of the enemy guns based on the trajectories of the shells. Pran and Belloc's mission was to find them.

At this moment, the top military and political leaders of the World Government were watching the virtual screen with various expressions.

Quickly, as the twenty people moved at high speed, the surroundings around the Dimensional Gate became clearer.

But at this moment.

[Boom! Boom!]

Intense explosions appeared on the virtual screen again, one after another, followed by black screens.

"They've placed mines with precision. How could they have predicted the movements of these Cipher Pol agents?!" Coulson stood up abruptly, his face stern.

In just a few seconds, the eighteen virtual screens were already dark!

Fortunately, Pran and Belloc's aerial perspectives were still transmitting. Through their images, the World Government first noticed that the place was a peninsula surrounded by the sea on three sides.

But the following scene stunned all the staff at the headquarters of the Other Worlds Strategic Committee.

First, the sea was filled with hundreds of large battleships, with all their turrets pointing towards the Dimensional Gate.

The only route to the mainland was then covered by a swarm of interlocking trenches and fortifications spread across the terrain.

Armored trains with large guns moved in an orderly fashion along the tracks, and thousands of heavy howitzers were distributed in multiple positions. Beyond them stretched endless military camps, seemingly tens of kilometers long.

 [Swoosh! Swoosh!]

Suddenly, two sharp sounds pierced everyone's eardrums, and Pran and Belloc's screens also went dark.

The last image seen was a gust of white mist in addition to the screams of pain.

...

Starfish World, the Moon, Noah's Ark.

Imu watched everything carefully. Although the military display of the other world was truly impressive and grand, what mattered most to him was that he had not yet discerned what kind of world it was.

First, it seemed to be an era of World War II or later. And since their technological level seemed to be in World War II, would it be likely that they also had nuclear weapons?

The question is, what kind of fantasy world, based on this, still has a strong ability to predict the future?

Imu thought for a long time, but still didn't understand.

If it was just the former, there would be nothing to say, just start fighting, after all, it was only the level of the Second World War, and there was nothing to worry about except nuclear bombs.

But with the ability to predict the future, the situation would be different. Would the opponent have other superpowers?

Especially the last attack method that eliminated Pran and Belloc. It was definitely not an artillery attack. It should be noted that both had Kenbunshoku Haki.

Sure enough, mystery and unknown are the biggest problems!

...

Mry Geoise, Room of Authority.

The Five Elders were repeatedly reviewing every video obtained.

"The military strength definitely exceeds ten million, and their cannons and battleships are clearly stronger than those in the Demon Slayer world." V. Nusjuro frowned.

"It's incredible that this happened. It's definitely not something they've prepared recently; it must have taken them at least several years." Warcury sighed.

"This surely represents the full power of your world. Your ability to foresee the future is incredibly advanced!" Mars was amazed. Mars' gaze turned colder, and he said in a low voice: "This time, we might have found a true rival."

These words caused the other four to fall silent. After a moment, V. Nusjuro spoke again. "There are three main problems facing us now."

"First, we are not clear about the details of the enemy, especially the origin of their ability to foresee the future, and whether they have other extraordinary methods."

"Second, should we send more troops?"

"Third, the dimensional portal is too small."

Ju Peter nodded and continued speaking in a serious tone. "The first and second points are actually a problem, that is, whether to send higher-level combat forces, such as lieutenant generals or even generals, but no one knows whether the other side can still kill them. If they can, the loss will be too great!"

"And then there's the third point. The dimensional gate is only two meters wide and three meters high, meaning troops can only pass through slowly. But the other side already has thousands of heavy howitzers and large-caliber cannons aimed at it. Basically, any mid- or low-range force we send in will be wiped out."

At that point, Mars added a concern he had had before. "There is another point we need to consider carefully: is it possible that the enemy will try to break through the Dimensional Gate?"

"It shouldn't be possible. The size of the Dimensional Gate doesn't just affect us. If they want to get in, they'd have to do it little by little as well, and our defenses aren't child's play." V. Nusjuro shook his head firmly and denied his idea.

The atmosphere in the Room of Authority immediately became tense and silent. No one said another word, as everyone was lost in their thoughts and doubts. It seemed like the situation had reached a standstill.

Imu had also considered this, so he was thinking of one thing.

Should he upgrade Dimensional Gate number three to a medium-sized one?

"But if the gate is enlarged, it will also make it easier for the enemy to enter. It could become an uncontrollable situation unless we close it immediately."

Finally, Imu felt that there was no point in worrying alone any longer, so he decided to inform the Five Elders about the possibility of expanding the gate. This kind of problem was best left to them.

A few minutes later.

The faces of the Five Elders were filled with astonishment.

"Three hundred meters high and two hundred meters wide, this is completely enough!" V. Nusjuro exclaimed, standing up excitedly.

However, once they calmed down and examined the situation in more detail, they realized a critical problem. If the gate is enlarged, it will also make it easier for the enemy to enter.

"We still have to find out the upper limit of the opponent's attack methods, that is, whether they have the ability to damage general-level combat power." Warcury sighed.

"But if we send the general's combat power, the question is who should be sent to take the risk of more than 50% probability of death?" Ju Peter pointed out the most difficult aspect.

"If a general is to gauge the enemy's limit of attack, he will first have to endure the bombardment of thousands of heavy guns, fight his way into the enemy camp and wreak havoc, to see if they have any means of wounding or even killing him."

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