The entire Marine contingent stared in disbelief as the battleship loomed in the sky, silhouettes of the Impel Down escapees appearing on deck.
Restlessness spread through the ranks.
"Is that Douglas Bullet? Honestly, from Roger's pirate crew—Bullet shows himself at last!" one Marine gasped.
"Not only him, but World Destroyer Brynndi World is aboard too. Wasn't that huge cannon blast just now from his ship?"
"Wait … isn't that Ace? No wonder Ace hasn't been delivered yet, and Marine Headquarters muted all the live feeds from every district!"
"Don't get distracted by Ace now. Have you seen who's behind Thorne Ashveil? Good grief, unless I'm mistaken, that must be the Red Count! I recognized him when I served under Kong sama!" an aging soldier exclaimed, his voice barely steady.
On Marineford, Sengoku stared up at the ship, his brows knitting together. Doflamingo, draped in his flamboyant coat, licked his lips with excitement, the glare on his red shades reflecting the chaos.
"Heh heh heh heh," Doflamingo murmured. "Ashveil, you truly become more fascinating by the moment. A fresh era indeed begins."
Hawkeye Mihawk's eyes glinted sharply—he was poised, waiting for Ashveil to give the order that would rend the Marines.
High above, reporters from the World Economic Journal raised their cameras. Every second was worth capturing.
"Breaking report! Massive criminal force arriving at Marine Headquarters!" Morgans' voice crackled through his transmitter. He paced, thrilled by the scoop.
If he could broadcast this unfolding event to every district, his name would forever be etched among the great war correspondents. Not even the richest patron could buy such fame.
The warship finally docked. Standing on the deck were criminals of legendary dread—escapees of Impel Down—including Douglas Bullet, Waldo, the Red Count, among others.
"Red Count, Bullet, World… how are they all together? Why are they attacking Marine Headquarters?" Vice Admiral Tsuru asked, face stern.
"These monsters—each one a threat alone. I will see them captured, every last one," Garp said, clenching his fist.
Sengoku's eyes narrowed. Swiftly he grabbed his Den Den Mushi, voice booming with command.
"All units, listen closely. Level One Combat Readiness. Initiate attack!"
At Sengoku's shout, the Marines at the forefront surged forward under the banner of the Fleet Admiral.
"Advance!"
Despite fear shadowing their hearts, the soldiers obeyed. They had orders to follow, and duty bound them.
Turrets across Marineford pivoted, muzzles locking on Ashveil's forces. Cannonballs soared, heavy with threat, creating ripples of tension in the air.
Ashveil, standing at the tip of the assault, smiled faintly—disdain etched in his features.
"This battle begins—I don't have the time to save you all," he said coolly.
Douglas Bullet laughed deeply, excitement crackling in his tone. "Don't underestimate us, kid. We don't need your protection!"
Ashveil turned that slight smile toward him. "Then I can spare my concern."
Without hesitation, Ashveil advanced, channeling his Conqueror's Haki in a surge of power.
Behind him, the escapees unleashed their full fury. Each poised, each lethal.
"Kid, you think you can steal the show? Not today!" World bellowed, seizing a Marine's pistol.
"Watch this—100x Pistol!" he yelled, and with that the weapon roared: six consecutive shots erupted.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Smoke trailed, and each bullet, magnified a hundredfold, tore through the air. When they struck ground, they struck with more force than cannonballs, carving deep craters and scattering Marines.
"It's World, the World Destroyer!" Marines screamed in terror.
Shiryu of the Rain, blade in hand and cigar clenched in jaw, stepped forward. The sword Rayu gleamed, its visage darkened by Armament Haki, the metal seeming coated with blackened armor, catching sudden light at the edges.
"Heh … my black blade's been silent too long," Shiryu murmured with menace.
Three staggering slashes cut through air in rapid arcs, dark crescents racing toward their foes.
The aftermath was carnage: Marines' screams echoed, blood arced through the air, bodies collapsing in ruin.
"Shiryu of the Rain—once Head Jailer at Impel Down—now a first-class swordsman," someone whispered, terror lacing their voice.
Near him, Crocodile stretched his arm, sand swirling around it. With a roar he struck with his crescent sand blade. Marine soldiers touched by it gasped as water drained from their bodies, leaving them shriveled husks collapsing in agony.
"Curse you, Crocodile," the Marines murmured, cracked lips whispering of dread.
Douglas Bullet, watching the destruction, licked his lips in anticipation. A dark aura enveloped him, growing dense with Conqueror's Haki.
"I'll prove I'm the strongest!" he roared, fist heavy, arm trembling with raw power.
Boom!
One punch and the earth rumbled. Marines nearest him were crushed, cries of agony searing the air. A massive crater split the ground.
High above, the Red Count stood draped in a cloak of deep blood red, blue rose pinned at his collar. He held his slender umbrella, bat-shaped handle glinting. His eyes were locked on Ashveil leading the charge. A breeze lifted his cloak, momentarily revealing nothing amiss—until without warning, he vanished, leaving behind no trace even of his aura.
No one but Douglas Bullet seemed to notice this slip.
"That Red Count—an old monster," Bullet said in low awe. "Even my Observation Haki fails me."
"Roger was right—Red Count's methods are bizarre beyond imagining," Bullet added, eyes narrowing.
In the thick of the chaos Ashveil pressed on, unmoved by the flush of conflict.
"These Marines—they're but fodder for what comes next," he murmured, voice calm but steely.
_____
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