On the deck of the lead Marine warship, Great Staff Officer Tsuru raised a hand to shield her eyes from the gale-force winds kicking up off the sea. Her expression was heavy as she watched the dust settle from the destruction of Fujitora's meteor.
"It seems X Drake's intelligence was accurate," Tsuru remarked quietly. "We cannot rely on old information regarding the Beasts Pirates anymore. For two youngsters to unleash that kind of power... their strike carried the weight of an Emperor's shadow."
Admiral Fujitora frowned, his closed eyes fixed toward the enemy. "Truly terrifying," he agreed. "And to think, they haven't even forced their leaders onto the field yet ." Suddenly, his "Observation Haki" flared. "Be careful!" he warned sharply.
"Leave this to me, old man!" Admiral Aramaki shouted as he stepped to the front. He slammed his hands down, activating the power of his "Mori Mori no Mi". Massive, sturdy trees erupted from the hull of the ship and plunged into the sea, growing at an impossible rate. Within seconds, a literal forest rose from the waves like a tidal wave, forming a massive wooden wall to protect the Marine fleet.
Across the water on the deck of the King of the Beasts, Page One didn't hesitate. Seeing the Marines' defensive maneuver, he turned to his older sister. "Sister, let's give the Marines a proper thank-you gift for that meteor."
Ulti grinned, her eyes wild with excitement. "You're so polite, Pay-Pay! Let's do it!"
The two siblings took their stances once more, their weapons glowing with a terrifying intensity. "Hakai!" they roared in unison.
A massive shockwave tore through the air and the ocean surface, slamming directly into Aramaki's forest wall. The sound was like a thousand sheets of metal being ripped apart. The wooden defense began to splinter and tear under the pressure, but Aramaki pushed his power to the limit, forcing the trees to regrow as fast as they were destroyed. Eventually, the shockwave dissipated.
The aftermath was horrifying. Between the two fleets, a massive chasm—100 meters deep and spanning tens of kilometers—had been carved into the very ocean, as if the sea itself had been split in half. Shards of wood and tons of seawater rained down from the sky.
"Is this... is this really the level of an Admiral and a Yonko's crew?" a Marine recruit stammered, his legs shaking.
"Get a grip!" a veteran barked. "The Emperors haven't even moved yet!"
On the Big Mom Pirates' ship, the Sweet Commanders watched the display with grim faces. Charlotte Katakuri remained silent, his gaze fixed on the Tobi Roppo. He realized now why Kaido hadn't sent his "All-Stars" to the front. If the Tobi Roppo were this powerful, the strength of the "Lead Performers" like King and Queen must be beyond imagination.
Hidden away on the Wokah Kingdom island, the three Revolutionaries were equally stunned. "Are all the Beasts Pirates monsters now?" Koala whispered. "We knew Yamato was strong, but these two youngsters... "
Sabo's face was set in a hard line. "Dragon was right to send us. I wouldn't have believed this if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes."
In another corner of the island, Doflamingo looked over at Mihawk and Crocodile. "Mihawk, what's your take on those two brats? "
Mihawk's yellow eyes didn't waver. "To be blunt, neither you nor Crocodile could have blocked that strike. Purely in terms of Haki, those two youngsters have surpassed you both. Furthermore, 'Hakai' is a technique of the Giant Race. To use it requires a physical constitution equal to a Giant."
Crocodile scowled, but for once, he didn't argue. He knew that if he had taken that hit directly, he likely wouldn't be standing.
On the sea, a sudden, heavy silence fell. Both sides had "exchanged greetings" and now seemed to be waiting. The Marine warships came to a full stop.
Ulti clicked her tongue in annoyance, spinning her weapon. She wanted to go again, but Jack the Drought stepped forward, his massive frame casting a shadow over the deck. "That's enough, Ulti, Page One. Fall back."
Though she was clearly irritated, Ulti obeyed without a word. The Beasts Pirates had become far more disciplined over the last six months. Jack walked to the edge of the ship and his voice boomed across the water. "Marines! I don't recall the Beasts-Big Mom alliance sending you an invitation to our party!"
Fleet Admiral Akainu remained motionless, refusing to respond to a mere commander. Instead, Tsuru stepped forward to the railing. "Jack, surely you understand," she said, her voice calm but carrying across the waves. "It is the natural duty of the Marines to eliminate pirates."
"Is that so?" Jack growled. "Then it's only natural for pirates to slaughter Marines. Since you've come all this way, you can stay here forever! All ships, prepare for bombardment! Wipe them out!"
The atmosphere turned electric as cannons were rolled out on both sides. But Tsuru didn't flinch. "If it's war you want, we will give it to you. But first... hand over the boy, X Drake."
Jack's eyes narrowed into slits. "Drake? I'm afraid I have no intention of handing him over. It's impossible, anyway."
"What do you mean?" Tsuru asked, her voice trembling slightly.
"Don't be naive, Vice Admiral," Jack sneered. "There is only one path for a traitor: death. If you want to see him, you'll have to go to the afterlife yourself!"
A shock went through the crowd; even many of the pirates hadn't realized Drake was a spy. Tsuru closed her eyes, letting out a long, pained sigh. She stepped back, looking at Akainu. "Sakazuki... I have my answer."
Akainu nodded. "Go rest, Vice Admiral. I'll handle the rest ." He stepped to the very edge of the deck and roared at the sky. "Get out here, Kaido! Charlotte Linlin!"
A thunderous laugh shook the heavens in response. "Wororororo!" "Mamamamama! "
The dark clouds above the pirate fleet suddenly split apart. A colossal azure dragon spiraled down from the heavens like an ancient demon. Floating alongside the dragon's head was Big Mom, her feet planted firmly on the thundercloud Zeus, with the sun Prometheus burning brightly at her side.
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