Luffy remained calmly positioned on high ground, observing the battlefield forming below him.
"This is a defensive battle. As long as you can hold off the Marines for one hour, the survivors will be free."
"Ooooh!!"
The pirates roared in response, one after another, their voices echoing like thunder, filled with fighting spirit and determination. Some pounded their chests, others raised their weapons, and there were even those who laughed nervously under the crushing pressure of the impending battle.
Because of that, Luffy simply cast a calm glance over all of them.
Deep down, all he could do was wish them luck.
One hour?
Maybe everything would be over in half that time.
On the ground, Kizaru reformed his body of light, photons condensing once more into human shape. He raised his hand to the Den Den Mushi on his wrist and spoke indifferently:
"Attack. There are no traps on the island."
He had deliberately advanced to strike Luffy. Of course, he never believed a single kick would solve anything. It had merely been reconnaissance.
Unlike the Marineford War, where the Marines fought on home ground in a defensive position, this time they were the invaders.
And that changed everything.
Immediately after his order, the Vice Admirals aboard the warships began issuing commands in succession.
In the next instant—
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The main cannons of the frontline ships fired in unison. Cannonballs streaked across the sky like meteors, raining down one after another upon Onigashima.
For the Marines, bombarding an island was practically routine.
Regardless of effectiveness, a barrage of artillery was always the first step of an offensive.
In the blink of an eye, flames began to erupt all over the island. Some explosions even reached the surrounding sea.
"So annoying!!"
Ulti became furious and transformed immediately.
Zoan — Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Pachycephalosaurus!
Facing the bombardment raining from the sky, she leapt up and began smashing the cannonballs with headbutts.
"Ulti Mortar!!"
BOOM!
The cannonballs exploded midair before even reaching the ground.
"Big sis, conserve your energy!"
Page One shouted right after.
"The real problem starts when the Marines land! We don't need to defeat them, just hold out for one hour! That's Luffy's order!"
"Hah?! You only listen to Luffy and not your sister? That hurts, you know?!"
Ulti pouted, clearly offended.
Page One sighed, already used to it.
Without saying anything else, he transformed as well.
Zoan — Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Spinosaurus!
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The artillery continued for several rounds.
Meanwhile, Ryokugyu caused a flower to bloom from his back, spinning like a propeller. His body was propelled through the air toward the island.
"Advance onto the island!"
Under his command, the Marines began landing en masse, crossing the forest of roots he had created and advancing like a white tide.
At the same time—
Fujitora's warship was lifted by gravity.
It surpassed Ryokugyu and landed directly in front of the pirates' defensive line.
BOOM!
Upon impact, the ground trembled.
Fujitora stepped down calmly, his wooden sandals touching the ground, and drew his sword.
His strike surged forward like an invisible dragon, carrying crushing gravitational pressure as it cut across the battlefield toward Luffy.
"What is this now…?"
Luffy chuckled lightly.
Suddenly, a figure appeared in the path of the attack.
King enveloped his body in flames and raised a blazing shield, blocking Fujitora's strike.
At the same moment, Ryokugyu was already hovering above all the pirates.
His ten fingers transformed into root-like tendrils, shooting directly toward Luffy.
Luffy looked at it with a slightly bored expression.
Everyone wanted to do the same thing.
Eliminate the leader directly in the middle of the army.
He didn't even move.
Before the attacks could reach him—
Jack leapt forward.
With his two curved blades, he sliced the roots into pieces.
"Don't ignore us, Admiral!"
His eyes were red, filled with fury.
At the same time—
Behind Luffy, pieces of paper began to appear out of nowhere.
They quickly gathered, layer upon layer, forming a human figure in less than a second.
"Straw Hat Luffy… I'll take your head!"
A blond-haired man charged forward with a sword.
CLANG!
The blade struck Luffy's neck—but couldn't go any further.
White scales emerged on his skin, completely blocking the blow.
The man's pupils shrank.
Sensing danger, he immediately retreated.
Luffy slowly turned his head.
"Who are you?"
His eyes had already seen the future.
"Of course… it wouldn't be that easy."
The man narrowed his eyes.
"God's Knights. Saint Alexis Bunting. You've killed many Celestial Dragons… two of them were my relatives."
"Sorry."
"No, I should thank you."
He smiled coldly.
"I hated them too."
"Then… you're welcome."
Luffy replied casually.
Bunting's expression darkened.
"But you also killed a woman… my fiancée."
"…Ah."
Luffy fell silent for a moment.
"That happens."
He shrugged.
"Don't you Celestial Dragons have as many as you want? One goes, another comes."
"You understand nothing."
Bunting opened his hand.
His skin turned into paper, multiplying rapidly.
In an instant, thousands of sheets swirled around him.
"We can only have children with other Celestial Dragons. It's an absolute rule."
Ordinary women were disposable.
Children born from such relationships were killed or enslaved.
"That is the law."
"How complicated."
Luffy smiled faintly.
"But relax… you won't have to worry about that much longer."
He snapped his fingers.
SHIIING!
A blade of wind cut through the air and passed through Bunting's body, slicing him in half.
—
About fifty kilometers away—
Ships of the so-called Neo Marines advanced toward Whole Cake Island.
Garp frowned.
"Did you hear that?"
Beside him, Katakuri replied calmly:
"The Marines have already begun their attack. And Luffy is holding them back."
As he spoke, his gaze shifted to someone else.
Uta.
The user of the Uta Uta no Mi.
She had come along with Garp.
Uta puffed her cheeks in frustration.
"Grandpa! Luffy's in danger! Let's help!"
"Hahaha! Uta, Luffy is already stronger than Grandpa!"
Garp laughed loudly.
Uta pouted but couldn't deny it.
She remembered Luffy's words—
[Your ability is most effective the first time it's used. After that, the enemy adapts.]
[In this war, don't use it recklessly.]
[After all… only one of the Five Elders has come. It would be a waste to reveal your power.]
Uta sighed.
If she wanted, she could end everything in an instant.
But Luffy wouldn't allow it.
Suddenly, Garp narrowed his eyes.
Out at sea, not too far away, a pirate ship was approaching.
"That is…"
He recognized it immediately.
"The ship of the Shichibukai… Marshall D. Teach… Blackbeard."
---
(End of Chapter)