The moment Natsuha gave the order, the Seraphim moved.
Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh!
Their figures flickered, bodies darting in and out like streaks of light. Their execution was flawless, their movements sharp and precise.
Watching them act with such discipline and terrifying speed, Blackbeard finally realized something dreadful.
His face stiffened, eyes widening in disbelief. He swallowed hard, then growled through clenched teeth:
"You just said… Seraphim Hawkeye, Seraphim Akainu?"
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" He scowled deeply, voice heavy with unease.
The members of the Blackbeard Pirates froze as well, their faces stricken with fear.
Could it really just be coincidence?
Or maybe… maybe they'd been given those names just for show, to make them sound cooler?
No way… Could these little brats actually possess the power of Dracule Mihawk and Sakazuki?!
Even Ace was stunned, his gaze fixed on the two Seraphim before him.
And sure enough—now that he looked carefully—they did resemble Mihawk and Sakazuki!
Just what kind of monsters were these kids?!
Navy Vice Admiral Comil sneered, the corners of his lips lifting ever so slightly.
"Since you're already as good as dead, I don't mind telling you this—the Seven Warlords of the Sea are no longer necessary!"
"In their place stand these weapons of war!"
"Take a good look at their faces. I'm sure you can guess it by now—these children possess the full power of the Warlords, and even fragments of the Admirals' might!"
Inside, Comil could barely contain his glee.
Having such powerful and obedient weapons at his side was sheer ecstasy.
Blackbeard, weren't you just swaggering around moments ago? Weren't you planning to snatch a warship from us?
You've got guts, I'll give you that. Even with ten Seraphim at Warlord-level strength standing in front of you, you still dared to act so cocky…
But now? You're about to find out what it means to not even know the word "death."
Blackbeard, Van Augur, Lafitte, Burgess, Doc Q—all of them felt their hearts jolt violently.
The flood of information was too overwhelming. For a moment, they simply stood there, jaws slack, unable to process it.
They had thought these "kids" were humans… but no!
These children—every last one of them—were machines of war!
And if the Navy truly intended for them to replace the Warlords, then they must be at least as strong as the Warlords themselves.
But… they were machines. Could they really reach such heights?
If it was true, then the seas would be turned upside down!
After all, among tens of millions, maybe one Warlord-level powerhouse would appear. And now, machines could simply be mass-produced to replace them?
The thought alone was terrifying.
"No way. Absolutely impossible!"
"When did the Navy's technology become this monstrous?!"
"Don't tell me… this was Vegapunk's doing?!"
Blackbeard had sailed with Whitebeard for years. He knew a thing or two about the world, and of course he knew of Vegapunk—the scientist five centuries ahead of his time!
If these creations were real, then surely they must be Vegapunk's masterpieces…
But Comil only smirked, tilting his head toward the boy beside him.
"Sorry to disappoint you…"
"These weapons of war were not created by Vegapunk. The one who made them… is standing right before your eyes. This is Dr. Natsuha!"
Comil's tone brimmed with pride. The Navy's eight-year-old prodigy scientist was a source of endless honor to him.
"What?!"
Blackbeard and his crew nearly popped their eyeballs out of their sockets. Their mouths dropped wide enough to fit a cannonball.
Eight years old…
An eight-year-old brat had created war machines with combat power on par with the Warlords—ten of them at once, no less?!
Who would ever believe such a thing?!
How far ahead did this kid's brain develop compared to normal people?
At eight years old, his mind had already surpassed Vegapunk, the world's foremost genius scientist!
Give him a few more years, and what—would he ascend to the heavens themselves?
Ace, standing beside Natsuha, was no less shaken. His eyes were wide, his throat dry as he swallowed again and again, staring at the boy in disbelief.
At a glance, Natsuha looked like an ordinary child.
But this "ordinary" boy had created machines capable of shattering the delicate balance of power between the world's three great forces?!
It was… absurd. Unreal.
When he thought back to himself at eight years old, he had been playing in the forest with wild animals.
Meanwhile, Natsuha was inventing weapons that could shake the seas. The gap was astronomical!
What kind of brain could achieve this?!
"Quit messing around, Comil! An eight-year-old brat building such terrifying war machines? Who are you trying to fool?!"
Burgess roared in outrage, his pride smarting.
Lafitte, Doc Q, Van Augur—each wore skeptical looks.
If Comil had said these machines were Vegapunk's work, maybe they would've bought it.
But an eight-year-old kid?
No way in hell!
Even so, Blackbeard understood.
The Navy was dead serious this time.
There was no point hesitating. His beady eyes flashed with vicious resolve.
"Doesn't matter if it's true or not."
"We've got no choice left. Men—give it everything you've got! Run for your lives!"
"Otherwise, this might really be the end of us! Zehahaha!"
Even at the brink of death, Blackbeard laughed wildly, infectiously.
His crew, seeing their captain laugh in the face of despair, found their spirits reigniting. Fear gave way to reckless courage, and a death-or-glory aura spread among them.
Natsuha tilted his head slightly, observing.
So this was Blackbeard's leadership—the ability to turn despair into defiance. When everyone panicked, they were doomed; but if they all burst forth together, survival might yet be possible.
Indeed, he had the makings of an Emperor of the Sea.
A pity, though… the system had already marked him as a disgusting target. And if the system decreed his death, how could he possibly see tomorrow?
Without hesitation, Natsuha raised a hand.
"Seraphim Hawk! Seraphim Akainu!"
"Go. Wipe them out. Leave no survivors."
Whoosh—whoosh!
Before the order had fully left his lips, two figures vanished from sight.
The next instant, the thunder of pounding footsteps came from every direction.
Blackbeard's face went pale.
"Damn it! They even know Rokushiki?!"
"Run! Forget killing—just fight to break free!" he bellowed.
(to be continued…)
Hey everyone! 🙌If you've been enjoying the story so far, the twists, the battles, and the journey with our characters, I'd be so grateful if you could take a moment to leave a review. 💬✨
Your feedback not only motivates me, but it also helps new readers discover the story and join us on this adventure. Every review, no matter how short, makes a huge difference.
Thank you in advance for your support, you're the reason this story keeps growing stronger chapter after chapter. ❤️