"Haha, seven massive warships and fifteen large warships. They really think highly of me!"
Silas stood at the harbor's highest point, gripping his sword hilt, chest straight, gazing directly at the Marine warships several kilometers away.
The Marines' massive warships were all the most sturdy and aggressive in the Marine fleet, all built by the imperial shipyard of Water 7.
Including Silas's Black Pearl, which was also constructed by shipwrights from Water 7.
Each of the Marines' massive warships carried a thousand Marine soldiers, while ordinary large warships carried five hundred Marine soldiers.
Combined, the number of Marines participating in this suppression operation approached fifteen thousand, almost as many as the pirates in the port town.
These soldiers were not ordinary small fry either. Their level was at least equivalent to Rocks from a year ago. The current Newgate might not be able to handle facing two or three such Marine soldiers simultaneously.
Not to mention the generals and field officers on the warships.
"Ten Vice Admirals, two Admirals? Is it really necessary to go to such lengths against one old geezer like me?"
Under his Observation Haki's perception, the Marine warships' formation was completely clear. The Marines had not even thought of hiding it.
As long as they confirmed Silas was still on this island, what they needed to do was openly and honorably destroy Sphinx and eliminate the pirates on it.
It could be said that all the pirates on Sphinx were now dragged into this by Silas. They either had to work with Silas to repel the Marines or surrender and wait to be imprisoned in the Marines' underwater prison.
Want to escape?
First ask those more than twenty Marine warships!
"Hahahaha, everyone, it seems our luck is not so good. So many Marines have come to suppress us that escape is impossible."
Silas stood on a rooftop, his Conqueror's Haki soaring skyward.
"So, those with courage, follow me and carve out a bloody path!"
Having said this, Silas charged first toward the Marine warships.
"Silas!!!"
But before Silas could step out of the harbor, the same Conqueror's Haki rose from the Marine warships. The familiar aura made Silas grin widely.
"Hahahaha! Sebastes, you idiot, you are still not dead?"
"Silas, I should be asking you that!"
Blazing flames rose from the warship. Silas saw a figure burning with flames all over his body. As that figure threw a punch, a fire pillar thousands of meters long shot straight toward Silas.
"Since you are about to die, do not come out and trouble others!"
Boom!
The fire pillar collided with cold breath in midair. Following the fire pillar through air distorted by high temperature, Silas could vaguely see a figure beginning to grow scales, taking on an appearance that was both horse-like and lion-like.
Marine Admiral Sebastes, code name "Crimson Horse."
Also a Zoan Devil Fruit user. Mythical Zoan: Fire Beast.
That was right. Although his entire body burned with flames, Sebastes was not a Logia Flame-Flame Fruit user but, like Silas, was a Mythical Zoan user.
And his attribute directly countered Silas's ice.
His body hair became luxuriant at this moment. After knowing who his enemy was, Silas assumed a full-effort stance.
Flames and frost.
Lion-horse and white wolf.
Both leaped into the air simultaneously, then collided, producing a terrifying crash that shook the very foundations of Sphinx.
Originally, Kong had wanted to take the lead in this battle because he was younger, but Sebastes refused, claiming that having fought Silas countless times, he was more familiar with Silas than Kong.
Kong did not mind this decision.
With two Admiral-level fighters, it did not matter who went first.
The opponent was just an aging old pirate.
If both of them attacked together, it would actually enhance Silas's reputation.
Fighting one against two, honorable even in defeat!
If such news spread, even if they captured Silas, Admiral Sebastes would not feel good about it.
We are both old men. How could I lose to you?
Moreover, in Sebastes's mind, Silas had always been his defeated opponent.
Pirates were pirates.
When encountering Marines, they should tuck their tails and run!
"Sebastes, at your age, why are you still coming here to die?"
Silas's voice rang in Sebastes's ears.
"Although I am just a pirate, I still have to say..."
"I have always really disliked you!"
The corner of his eye swept over Sebastes's warship. Seeing two female slaves with collars around their necks, Silas's disgust for Sebastes was completely undisguised.
"You who likes to imitate Celestial Dragons in keeping slaves are garbage. Even wearing a Marine skin, you are still garbage!"
"Silas!!!"
Flames and frost collided again, but whether flames or frost, both were merely secondary effects of the two Mythical Zoan fruits.
Whether Silas or Sebastes, they were essentially Zoan ability users, master swordsmen, and physical combat experts!
Sebastes immediately burst out with power worthy of a Marine Admiral. Each collision with Silas created terrifying flame clouds that seemed ready to burn the sky itself. Even Silas's frost was momentarily suppressed.
Seeing this scene, Kong's expression relaxed slightly.
Undoubtedly, the power Silas was now displaying had reached a level comparable to theirs. Even if he went up to fight Silas, he might not gain any advantage.
But Sebastes was indeed a veteran Admiral. Although aged, the power he could burst out in short periods could definitely suppress him.
Like Silas, who was now being dominated by Sebastes.
But whether it was Kong's imagination or not, the two men constantly colliding in the sky using Moonwalk seemed to be moving toward the island.
The distance was getting too far!
Kong leaped from the warship toward Silas and Sebastes.
He was not intervening in the battle, just preventing accidents.
However, in the next second, an image that should not appear flashed through Kong's mind.
Observation Haki: Foresight of the Future!
As a powerhouse who reached Admiral level without relying on Devil Fruit abilities, using only his physique and three-color Haki, Kong's Observation Haki was absolutely top-tier, also reaching the level of foreseeing the future.
And at this moment, the future he foresaw was catastrophic.
"Admiral Crimson Horse!"
"Too late!"
Having finally used Sebastes's contemptuous attitude toward him to create distance from Kong, how could Silas miss this perfect opportunity!
Sebastes, who had been in the dominant position, suddenly discovered that Silas's power and speed had both jumped up a level. Even his previously clear Observation Haki had become blurry.
Advanced Observation Haki absolutely dominated lower-level Observation Haki.
Sebastes also possessed future-sight Observation Haki.
But the future he could foresee was not as far as Silas's!
"Go down!"
Slashing through Sebastes's defense with one strike, Silas grabbed Sebastes. Like a meteor falling to earth, they plummeted from the sky toward a direction away from Kong.
Thoom!
Accompanied by the earth splitting apart, a dull sound echoed across the entire island.
[Chapter Complete]
***
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