Outside the "Devil's Strait," five Navy warships sat anchored two hundred meters offshore. Curiously, despite flying the standard Justice seagull flag, their sails were emblazoned with two giant letters: G-5.
These were clearly vessels belonging to the infamous G-5 base!
"Are those monsters fighting up there?"
"My god... it's on a completely different level!!"
"Oi, oi... are we really expected to fight those freaks?"
On the decks, countless Marines watched the terrifying aftershocks of the battle atop the strait in shock. Even the G-5 soldiers, known for their ruthlessness and brutality, felt their legs grow weak as they witnessed massive slashes that seemed to split the sky and earth, devastating shockwaves, and the heart-stopping beams of green light.
If the towering lightning giant hadn't been heavily injured and dispersed by Admiral Kizaru, they wouldn't have dared to get this close, fearing the strait would collapse and trigger a massive tsunami that would swallow their ships.
On the central warship, a middle-aged man stood at the bow. He was dressed impeccably in a white suit, white trousers, and white leather shoes, draped with a thick, white fur coat. He watched the fierce battle atop the cliffs with an expressionless face before coolly commanding: "Lower the boats!"
Beside him, a Marine with his cap tilted at a crooked angle looked the man up and down with a hint of annoyance, giving a perfunctory reply: "Fine, fine. Sir."
Soon, a small boat painted in Navy blue and white was lowered by the G-5 Marines. The white-suited man, followed by several subordinates in black suits, boarded the craft and began rowing toward the strait.
Shortly after they departed, Vergo, holding a piece of half-eaten meat patty stuck to his cheek, walked to the bow. He adjusted his sunglasses and looked at the deck, asking a nearby Marine in a confused tone, "Where are the people from the World Government?"
Seeing Vergo arrive, the Marines immediately stood at attention, their demeanor shifting to one of deep respect.
One Marine saluted and pointed toward the strait. "Vice Admiral Vergo, the World Government officials have headed into the Devil's Strait!"
Vergo narrowed his eyes. Indeed, a small boat carrying several figures had entered the strait and was approaching the shore.
"I just got promoted to Vice Admiral and I'm already saddled with a chore like this. How annoying."
Accompanied by the sound of heavy footsteps, a rugged, silver-haired man walked over. He was biting down on two cigars, his hair slicked back into a pompadour with the sides shaved close. A scar ran down his right cheek, and he, too, wore dark sunglasses.
Following behind him was a tall female officer wearing glasses, a katana strapped to her waist—the Shigure, one of the fifty Grade Swords.
The newcomers were Smoker, who had requested a transfer to the G-5 branch after the Paramount War and had since been promoted to Vice Admiral, and Tashigi, now holding the rank of Captain.
"Smoker-kun, if Admiral Borsalino mobilized troops this urgently, there must be a reason from above. As for the World Government people, just ignore them," Vergo said with a smile.
"This sea is within the territory of the Bivins Kingdom, a prime target for the Chris Pirates. That massive lightning giant earlier was undoubtedly the ability of 'Thunder God' Enel," Smoker said gravely. "For Admiral Borsalino to be engaged with them... is the Navy planning to go to war with the Chris Pirates?"
"If we are going to war, please forgive my bluntness, Vice Admiral Vergo, but we will likely die here," Tashigi added calmly, adjusting her glasses.
"Rest assured, I haven't received any orders to initiate a war with the Chris Pirates. This might just be an accidental conflict," Vergo replied, clasping his hands behind his back. "Let us head up as well. We might be able to offer the Admiral some assistance."
With that, Vergo leaped into the air, using Geppo to kick his way toward the top of the strait.
"Hmph." Smoker exhaled a cloud of smoke. "Seriously, this feels like more trouble than dealing with the actual pirates."
"Vice Admiral Smoker, the Chris Pirates are actual pirates!" Tashigi said primly.
"I know that!" Smoker's face darkened. His lower body transformed into smoke, and he shot into the sky, following close behind Vergo.
"They just flew off using Geppo and their powers..."
"They're so reckless! Typical Vice Admiral Vergo and Boss Smoker!"
With the two G-5 leaders gone, the soldiers on the deck broke into a noisy chatter.
"Prepare the boats! Select one thousand men for the landing; everyone else stays with the ships!" Tashigi commanded loudly.
"Understood, Colonel-chan!"
"Let me protect you on the way down, Captain Tashigi!"
"Captain-chan, I can carry you so you land safely!"
The G-5 Marines suddenly seemed like they had been injected with adrenaline, howling and cheering as dozens of them rushed forward to curry favor with Tashigi.
…
Atop the Devil's Strait...
Aside from Oliver and Ryūkawa, who were still locked in a life-and-death struggle, the four others—Aeridar, Enel, Borsalino, and Malha—had entered a tense standoff.
"The Navy is interfering in my business? Is this Sakazuki's idea? Or the Gorosei's? Or perhaps you're taking orders directly from those Celestial Dragons?" Aeridar asked, his expression dark.
"Now, now... I don't see any need to explain that to you. Bottom line: my mission is to take him with me," Borsalino replied, shrugging helplessly. "If you're willing to take a step back, I'd rather not fight a monster like you!"
"Cut the crap. Malha dies today," Aeridar said coldly. "Even if you manage to rescue him now, I won't let your warships return to Marine Headquarters in one piece!"
"That really is a headache~" Borsalino scratched his head, looking troubled.
His orders were to bring Malha back safely to the Holy Land of Mariejois, but a full-scale clash with "Golden Ring" Aeridar clearly went against his own preferences. After all, provoking the Chris Pirates was not in line with the Navy's current strategy in the New World.
"Aeridar-sama, I know you want to kill me, but looking at the situation, you can't," Malha said, wiping blood from his lip and speaking coldly. "Why don't we make a deal? I'll give you a crucial piece of intelligence, and you let me walk. How about it?"
"No need. I only want you dead right now."
"Zhurong!"
Aeridar rejected him coldly and shouted toward the sky.
A moment later, the air grew swelteringly hot. A ball of fire descended from the high clouds, one that possessed eyes and a mouth, and landed obediently in front of Aeridar.
"Oh? What's this? Is that Big Mom's sun, Prometheus?" Borsalino looked at Zhurong, his face filled with surprise and curiosity.
"Dammit, is that the 'Living Flame' those people from the Church of the Night mentioned?!" Malha immediately recalled the intel regarding Zhurong. Bane of the Dark Tribunal had spoken of this "Fire Demon God" during the battle at Griffinfort.
"Burn them to a crisp!" Aeridar ordered frostily, pointing at Borsalino and Malha.
"Understood, Master!" Zhurong's expression instantly became savage.
WHOOSH—!
Zhurong's mouth puffed out, and he exhaled a massive torrent of searing flames. It was like a sea of fire rushing forward, turning the air into a blistering furnace.