The crew had just set foot back on the snow-covered shores of Drum Island when Enel suddenly stopped in his tracks. His sharp gaze turned toward the horizon, and a grin slowly spread across his face.
The others followed his eyes, and soon they all saw it too — seven Marine battleships, cutting through the waves, their sails bearing the proud emblem of Justice. The cries of seagulls echoed in the morning chill, and the sound of synchronized drums from the ships beat like a war march.
"…Tch," Tatsumaki clicked her tongue, arms crossed. "Already? Can't they at least let me finish my morning tea?"
Escanor chuckled, Rhitta resting casually against his shoulder. "The sun is still rising, Lady Tatsumaki. What better way to warm yourself than with a little exercise?"
Hinata frowned slightly, her pale eyes watching the fleet carefully. "There are… many of them. A lot of strong ones, too. I can feel the intent in their movements."
Enel laughed, tilting his head back, the sound rolling like distant thunder. "It was to be expected. A new force rises, and the dogs of the World Government come sniffing. Hah! Did you think they would let us breathe in peace?"
The crew fell silent for a moment. Enel's voice carried a sharp edge — not fear, but excitement.
He raised a hand lazily, gesturing toward the extra shipwrights and doctors they had picked up.
"Take the Ark of Raijin to the far side of the island. Don't argue — you'll only be in the way. Once you're done, go get something to eat in the village. We'll call when it's safe."
The craftsmen and medics exchanged nervous glances, but none dared question. They quickly began to haul the ship toward a safer position.
Meanwhile, the core crew stood tall on the snowy shore, waiting.
The battleships drew closer. Seven massive hulls, lined with cannons, each carrying hundreds of Marines. White uniforms gleamed against the dark sea, rifles and sabers ready. At the head of the fleet, an enormous presence emanated from the deck — tall, lean, and shining with golden light.
"Seven ships," Erza muttered, her fingers tightening on Muramasa's hilt. "This is no mere scouting party of a rookie crew."
"Of course not," Enel replied, grinning as sparks danced across his shoulders. "They've already realized the Angel Pirates aren't to be underestimated."
Above, the sky began to darken unnaturally. Clouds thickened, thunder rumbled, and the faint scent of ozone spread through the air. Snow fell faster, driven sideways by winds no longer natural.
"Tatsumaki," Enel said simply.
The Esper smirked, lifting her hand. "Say no more."
Her green aura flared, and the atmosphere itself bent to her will. Winds screamed, twisting and forming howling tornadoes that stretched across the ocean, slamming down in the Marines' path. The wind and water churned violently, massive waves battering the hulls. The snowfall thickened into hail, shards of ice raining down on the approaching fleet.
The Marines scrambled. Cannons fired blindly into the storm, while some officers barked orders to steady the ships.
Then, with a flick of his wrist, Enel summoned seven bolts of lightning. They fell from the clouds like judgment itself, striking toward each battleship.
The first was deflected by a Vice Admiral's blade, coated in Haki.
The second was dispersed mid-air by a Marine with barrier powers.
The third was redirected into the ocean, boiling the waters but leaving the ship intact.
The fourth tore through the mast of a vessel, setting it aflame, but was quickly dealt with.
The fifth and sixth were parried, leaving only the seventh to slam full-force into a battleship's deck, vaporizing a dozen Marines instantly, and mortally wounding several others.
The fleet staggered, but did not fall.
Enel's smirk widened. "Interesting… they came prepared."
Using his Observation Haki, he scanned the fleet. The ripples of power were unmistakable — four Vice Admirals, each formidable, and a single overwhelming presence. His eyes narrowed.
"…Vice Admirals Tokikake, Momousagi, Vergo, and T-bone," Enel muttered, listing them calmly. "And… hah! Admiral Kizaru himself."
At the sound of the name, several of the crew stiffened.
Kyouka's lips curled in distaste. That wasn't exactly a line up you send to probe the strength of a newly found pirate crew. "An Admiral already… the World Government must be panicking."
Escanor, however, laughed, resting Rhitta on his shoulder. " How Marvelous! A fitting warm-up early in the morning! "
Tatsumaki scowled. "Easy for you to say, sunshine. Most of us don't gain energy from the fucking sun."
Erza's eyes shone, her sword hilt trembling faintly. "An Admiral… So soon? Then this is fate testing us."
"They're trying to eradicate us in one go, though this probably wouldn't be enough." Hinata glanced at Enel. "What's the plan?"
"It's simple. Fight!" Enel's grin turned predatory, electricity crackling violently around him. "I'll handle Kizaru. One-on-one. The rest of you — pick your prey. Smash the ships. Make them regret stepping foot here, and try to look cool for the newsbirds lurking above."
Tatsumaki's envy flared. "Tch… you can sense all of them with your Observation Haki, can't you? Show-off."
"Improve yours later, or over rely on your devil fruit like you always do." Enel taunted dismissively, making her cheeks flush with anger.
Then, without another word, his body erupted into lightning. With a thunderclap that shook the island, he was gone — streaking across the sky toward the fleet, while Tatsumaki's curses rang out behind him.
Kizaru rose lazily from the deck, his body glowing golden. Light gathered under his feet as he floated into the air to meet the incoming lightning user. His voice carried in that same drawn-out, mocking tone he was known for.
"Ohh… so you're the one making such a ruckus on the sea. And you actually have… wings. You're from the skylands above. My, my. You're quite the curious one, aren't you~?"
Enel didn't even slow down. His fist, wreathed in black Armament and blazing with electricity, shot forward.
Kizaru raised his forearm, blocking the blow with a sword of light forming in his other hand.
BOOOOM!
The shockwave ripped through the sky, throwing Marines off the decks below. The ships themselves groaned, pushed away by the sheer force of the collision.
Kizaru's lazy eyes blinked. "Ara~ that's quite the punch. You must think you're hot stuff."
Enel's grin split wider. "Do you spend all day talking like a dog, or do you actually know how to fight?"
Kizaru chuckled softly. "That's not very nice, especially from a so-called angel."
With a flick, his sword of light slashed downward. Enel responded instantly, his fists crackling as he funneled volts into them. The two clashed in mid-air, exchanging blows faster than most eyes and observation haki could follow.
Below, the crew watched their captain and an Admiral trade strikes, the sky itself tearing apart above them.
Escanor adjusted his stance, Rhitta glowing faintly. "Well… no point standing idle. Which Vice Admiral shall I claim?"
Alucard crimson eyes glowed. He'd found his own target "That particular one with the bamboo stick aggravates me for no particular reason. The way he looks is rather annoying, so I'll deal with him."
Erza smirked, her twin great grade blades gleaming. "Don't get greedy you two. Save one for me."
Tatsumaki scoffed, levitating rocks and debris around her. "Hmph. You're all hypocrites. You complain about Enel running off, then do the same thing."
Kyouka smirked. "Then why not join them?"
"Because someone needs to clean up the trash," Tatsumaki shot back.
She suddenly remembered she wanted to get her bounty up. "Damn it, I wanted to raise my bounty! You two handle the weaklings!" Tatsumaki flew after them at rapid speed. "
Hinata giggled softly, her Byakugan veins surfacing. "Let's handle the weaker ones then, Kyouka. The others will be… busy."
The snow crunched underfoot as Escanor and Alucard strode forward together, their power radiating like an oncoming storm. Erza followed, silent and focused, blades ready. Tatsumaki floated forward, aura blazing green. Hinata and Kyouka exchanged a glance before walking calmly into the chaos.
And thus, as the Angel Pirates prepared to unleash their might, the first true battle between them and the Navy began.