The battlefield was pure chaos incarnate with fire raining from the heavens, Vice Admirals clashing with monsters, and the sea itself boiling under the fury of the Buster Call.
And then
BWOOOOOOOOOOOM!
A deep, resonant horn call rolled across the waves, louder than cannon fire, older than war itself. It carried the weight of a forgotten age and with it came silence.
The Marines froze.
Prisoners looked to the sea. Even cannon fire staggered to a halt as every soul turned toward the horizon.
Magnus tilted his head, black lightning sparking faintly along his shoulders, his lips curved into a smile that cut through the smoke.
"They're finally here."
Through the haze of fire and salt spray, shadows emerged.
Enormous, far larger than any battleship that dared encircle Impel Down.
Two colossal ships carved the waves, their sails as white as bone, their timbers thicker than fortress walls and high above them, billowing in the salty wind, flew a Jolly Roger the world had not seen in decades...
A skull bearing a horned Viking helm.
Crossed swords beneath.
The flag of the Giant Warrior Pirates.
On the flagship…
At the prow stood Dorry the Blue Ogre, a mountain of muscle and laughter. His dark-grey beard whipped wildly in the wind, his massive longsword resting across his shoulder like a mere stick. His belly shook as he threw back his head and laughed, voice booming across the sea.
"GEGYAGYAGYAGYA! The sea's on fire, Brogy! Look at the little ones scatter like ants before a storm!"
Beside him towered Brogy the Red Ogre, his enormous battle axe gleaming. His chest rumbled as he let out his own thunderous laugh.
"GABABABABABABA! Dorry, old friend, I see it too! Amid the smoke, there's one man who dares carve a path through the sea itself!"
Their warriors roared behind them colossal men and women of Elbaf, clad in furs, iron, and bone, wielding spears taller than masts. The horn bellowed again, shaking the heavens as the fleet charged.
One giant warrior thrust his spear to the sky and shouted, "Our chiefs have spoken! Elbaf's roar joins this war!"
The decks shook as the crew bellowed in unison, their voices rolling like thunder over the waves.
Back on the battlefield…
Panic seized the Marines.
"T-That flag—!"
"No… impossible!"
"Dorry and Brogy! The Chiefs of Elbaf's Warrior Tribe!"
"The Giant Warrior Pirates are here!"
Even the Vice Admirals faltered, their faces grim. The horn's cry shook their bones, and the sight of those titanic shadows drew fear no cannon could erase.
Bullet's steel titan turned, its glowing eyes reflecting the distant sails. The berserk giant froze, awe fighting with rage in his bloodshot eyes. The rogue Marine's spear wavered for the first time, his gaze locked on the monstrous figures approaching.
And Magnus..
Magnus smiled wider, Shusui humming with black lightning in his grip. His voice was low, calm, yet it carried over the crackling fire and trembling waves.