Two giants were clashing overhead, and even the smallest fragment falling from their fight could mean death.
Even an Emperor could perish in such a battle, proving just how terrifying the two monsters locked in combat truly were.
"Meat!"
Luffy opened his eyes, looking up at the two figures. He desperately wanted to join the fight, but right now he had no strength left.
Nika had once saved the world, but also became the one who destroyed it. Luffy didn't know why, but he just wanted to participate in the battle and take down Imu.
"Hold on, I'll cook for you right now." Sanji hoisted Luffy onto his back and rushed toward the Sunny.
"Don't even think about it! Joy Boy must die!!!" A member of the guard lunged forward, stretching out his hand. Countless bandages shot out, aiming straight for Luffy.
Shing
Something flashed past. The guard turned his head and saw Zoro, grinning with two blades in hand.
"Don't even think about touching our captain. Hey cook aren't you a little slow? Our captain's about to starve to death," Zoro sneered.
"Shut it, Moss-head! I'm heading back to the ship now. Buy me some time. If even one enemy gets through, I'm not going to let it down for the rest of my life," Sanji retorted.
"You don't need to say it. Not a single one will get past me." Zoro charged forward, blades flashing, forcing the enemy back.
Fighting three guards alone, Zoro displayed the strength worthy of the right hand of an Emperor.
The three guards were not weak; they were even more shocked by Zoro's power.
"This guy, how is it possible!!"
"His strength is nearing Red Hair's."
"How can someone like this be content serving under another?"
"Kill him first, then go kill Straw Hat."
The three charged again, but Zoro advanced once more, single-handedly intercepting all three.
"Zoro, they're all yours," Nami, Usopp, and Chopper quickly retreated from the battlefield.
Their strength wasn't suited for this large-scale battlr; it was better for them to stay in the rear and cheer.
"You three shut up and get over here to help!" Zoro shouted at them.
But the three just kept waving flags and shouting encouragement, with no intention of stepping in.
Zoro could only grit the Wado Ichimonji in his teeth and continue fighting the three.
"So hungry," Luffy said weakly.
"Alright, stop whining. I'll cook right now." Back on the Sunny, Sanji dropped Luffy down, rolled up his sleeves, and got to work.
He flung open the freezer doors, cold mist spilling out. Inside was packed full of meat.
"I need to be quick, but also consider nutritional balance," Like a magician, Sanji worked at lightning speed, turning raw ingredients into dish after dish.
The moment Luffy smelled the aroma of meat, he sprang to life, devouring everything in sight.
Sanji had to work even faster, because Luffy's appetite was insatiable. Back at Whisky Peak, Luffy had once eaten through the island's entire food stores, exhausting every chef there.
Sanji had long since gotten used to it, he simply had to keep up.
BOOM!
A loud explosion shook the ship violently. Sanji looked out the window at the scene outside.
Imu's massive form was knocked down and thrown into the sea by Roy.
The seawater here wasn't deep, only reaching up to Imu's knees. She immediately stood up and retaliated with a punch towards Roy.
But Roy drew the black sword from his waist, meeting the attack with its blade.
BOOM!
Conqueror's Haki collided. The impact force from such massive bodies shook the earth and churned sea.
Luffy rolled across the deck, but still didn't stop eating. Not a single bite could go to waste.
"They're both monsters…" Sanji sighed.
Meanwhile, at the Red Line in the Grand Line, a battle had concluded.
The Revolutionary Army's Grand Line forces, led by Emporio Ivankov, had defeated the supply fleet led by Vice Admiral Momonga, commander of G-1.
"It seems I've won," Ivankov, now in his female form, smiled at Momonga.
"Who exactly blocked the Marine reinforcements?" Momonga still didn't know why the Marine reinforcements hadn't arrived.
"No harm telling you. After all, there may never be Celestial Dragons again. Issho joined us. He's blocking your reinforcements at Red Port right now," Ivankov grinned.
"So it was him… Issho." Momonga lay on the deck, exhausted. He looked up at the sky, seagulls flying overhead.
"If one day there were no Celestial Dragons... the world be peaceful, right?" Momonga said.
"You know the harm the Celestial Dragons cause the world. Why do you aid their tyranny and help them rule the world?" Ivankov asked, hands on hips.
"We know. We all know. How could we not? The higher you climb, the more you learn the truth of the world. Have you seen the power of the Celestial Dragons? The World Nobles who have ruled for hundreds of years, possessing all the wealth in the world. Even a pig in their hands can become incredibly powerful."
"That immense gap is not something you can understand. Deploying Marine Admirals is actually the smallest cost. Once the Celestial Dragons act themselves, the consequences are unimaginable."
"In the world of the Celestial Dragons, humanity has no place. They treat humans like livestock, like dogs."
"The existence of the Marines is more like a law enforcement agency established between the World Government and ordinary people."
"The reason the World Government exists is due to an agreement reached by the world's nations to collectively support the Celestial Dragons, placing them high up to prevent the world from being destroyed by them again."
"Over the centuries, many have opposed the World Government. Without exception, they all failed, and their ends were tragic."
"The Marines can only minimize the harm. If one day, someone truly can overthrow the Celestial Dragons' rule, the ones who would most want to see it are definitely us," Momonga said.
Ivankov hadn't expected Momonga's thoughts to be like this. He couldn't help but laugh. "Perhaps what you say will come true. It will happen soon."
"Let's hope. My failure, even the Marines' failure, means nothing. Only the failure of the Celestial Dragons matters. They must be eradicated. Only then can the world return to equality. But who can achieve that? Not you. Not like this. Even if you destroy the Marines, as long as the Celestial Dragons remain, they'll rule again." Momonga closed his eyes, as though seeing a future of hell.
Perhaps the whole world would drown again, only the Red Line and a few high islands left above the waters. How many humans would remain then?
"Don't worry. This time, victory is assured," Ivankov said with a smile.
"Why are you so certain?" Momonga asked.
"Because the moment we chose to resist, we already won. Resistance is always better than doing nothing. Don't you agree?!"
...
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