Sakazuki truly deserved his reputation as the Marine's most formidable Admiral. The offensive power of his Magu Magu no Mi was absolutely terrifying, capable of inflicting horrific burns on any enemy—yet even that monstrous ability couldn't stop the seemingly impossible Buggy the Clown.
After the arrogant Admiral Sakazuki was driven into the ocean, he never emerged again. Victory in this world-shaking battle belonged to the pirates.
"Hehehe, that Admiral nearly killed me," Buggy panted heavily, his voice carrying exhausted satisfaction. "Sakazuki, just sink to the bottom and feed the Sea Kings."
The continuous use of his awakened Bara Bara no Mi had caused severe physical strain. His four-meter frame trembled as he stood, and only his incredible willpower prevented him from collapsing entirely.
That was way too close, Kaito thought behind Buggy's triumphant exterior. If the fight had lasted even a few more minutes, I would've been the one hitting the ocean floor. The Grand Tale System's enhancements have limits, and I just reached mine.
The surviving Buggy Pirates, who had watched the battle's conclusion through telescopes from a safe distance, erupted in thunderous celebration. They had never expected Captain Buggy to actually achieve such an impossible victory.
"Captain Buggy is invincible!"
"Even the Admirals can't match Buggy-sama! We're the strongest pirate crew!"
Alvida trembled with excitement, her entire body shaking. She had never witnessed such overwhelming power from any man. All her previous conquests paled in comparison to this display of dominance.
"Such incredible Devil Fruit mastery," Alvida whispered in awe. "As a Devil Fruit user myself, I want to learn from Captain Buggy's techniques!"
While the pirates celebrated their impossible victory, the Marines aboard their warships wallowed in despair. They felt as though the heavens themselves had collapsed. Admiral Sakazuki had been defeated in direct combat—and everyone present understood that when a Devil Fruit user fell into the ocean without immediate rescue, the outcome was never favorable.
"Follow me to rescue Admiral Sakazuki," Vice Admiral Onigumo commanded grimly. "The rest of you buy us time. We still have a chance if we can save him."
Without hesitation, Vice Admiral Onigumo dove into the churning waters, followed by dozens of courageous Marine soldiers. They all drew deep breaths before entering the sea, fully aware they were likely swimming toward their deaths. If they couldn't rescue Admiral Sakazuki this time, they would rather drown in these depths than surface in failure.
"Gunners, prepare for bombardment! All cannons, target Buggy the Clown!"
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Fierce artillery fire from the Marine warships thundered across the coastline once again, hundreds of explosive shells streaking toward the enemy's position.
"You ignorant Marines just don't know when to quit," Buggy snarled, his patience finally exhausted. "Now you've really pissed me off."
The terrifying decomposition ability manifested once more. Every incoming shell disintegrated mid-flight, their fragments scattering harmlessly to the ground.
"Let your Admiral sleep forever in the depths," Buggy declared with cold finality. "Don't even dream of saving him."
I can't let Sakazuki survive this, Kaito reasoned grimly. Dealing with one Admiral was difficult enough—if he recovers and comes back for round two, I won't have the stamina to win.
Buggy moved with frightening speed, reaching the coastline in an instant. He intended to eliminate the Marines attempting their rescue mission. Facing an Admiral again would be far too troublesome—Sakazuki had to die here.
Compressing his Bara Bara no Mi ability into concentrated force, Buggy prepared his most devastating attack. The compression technique maximized destructive power, and the previously calm ocean surface was literally carved apart by his technique.
"Bara Bara no Kaiseki!" (Split-Split Ocean Divide)
Not only did the sea itself split in half, but the nearby Marine ship was also cleaved cleanly through its center. Unlucky sailors aboard the ship couldn't dodge in time and were bisected from front to back. The overwhelming power to literally divide the ocean itself shocked every witness present.
More than a dozen Marines who had plunged into the water were instantly cut in half beneath the waves. The blood of these justice-bearing soldiers stained the sea crimson, and soon their severed remains would wash ashore with the tide.
Vice Admiral Onigumo, who had been diving with desperate determination, was also caught by the splitting ability's tremendous range. His legs were completely severed from his torso. The ruthless veteran immediately employed Seimei Kikan (Life Return) to temporarily seal his wounds and prevent fatal blood loss, though the agony was beyond description.
Using his Observation Haki to scan the seabed, Buggy immediately detected the persistent Vice Admiral. Even without his legs, the man continued diving toward the ocean floor. "Stubborn bastard wants to find his Admiral even after losing his legs. Are all Marines this eager to die?"
As the terrifying pirate raised his hand to unleash another devastating technique, Smoker—one of only two Logia-type users present—refused to watch his comrades be slaughtered without resistance.
"Don't even think about it, Buggy the Clown!" Smoker roared. "Your opponent is me!"
"Shiro Kemuri!" (White Smoke)
Smoker's entire body transformed into elemental smoke, creating dense white clouds that engulfed Buggy's position. The obscuring vapor blocked vision while buying precious seconds for his fellow Marines.
"A Logia-type who can't use Haki dares to face me?" Buggy's voice carried amused contempt. "Don't you think rather highly of yourself?"
Wrapping his fist in Armament Haki, Buggy used Observation Haki to pinpoint Smoker's true form within the concealing smoke. "Found your real body. Taste my fist!"
A massive, black-coated punch slammed directly into White Hunter Smoker's chest. In the age of Haki dominance, Logia-type fruits had been forcibly weakened from their previous T0 status. The devastating blow sent the Marine Captain flying toward the ocean's surface.
"Shiro Rancha!" (White Launcher)
Smoker's body transformed back into elemental smoke, propelling himself skyward to avoid contact with seawater. However, Buggy's previous punch had inflicted severe internal damage—blood poured from his mouth, and his chest cavity was visibly compressed. This was the result without even using Conqueror's Haki infusion.
"Impressive, Captain Smoker," Buggy acknowledged with mock admiration. "I wonder if you can survive my next punch."
The Marines aboard their warships refused to watch Smoker fight alone. These elite headquarters personnel were proficient in two-color Haki and had mastered Rokushiki (Six Powers) during their training. They had no intention of retreating against such overwhelming opposition.
Utilizing "Geppo" they stepped into the sky itself. Several Marines who knew "Rankyaku" launched slicing attacks from aerial positions. More elite soldiers chose direct close-quarters combat with Buggy the Clown. As long as they could sacrifice their lives to delay this monster, their blood wouldn't be shed in vain. Everything depended on Vice Admiral Onigumo's rescue mission.
"Brothers, charge forward and hold him back! Victory will be ours!"
"The Marines never fear pirates!"
"Buggy the Clown, don't underestimate the Marine's resolve!"
Watching this group of elite Marines rushing ashore, Buggy's smile grew even more unhinged. "Hehehe, then let me send you to accompany Admiral Sakazuki on his journey to the afterlife."
"Bara Bara no Amimō!" (Split-Split Net Formation)
An invisible grid spread before him, rapidly expanding toward the charging elite forces. While they could employ basic Armament Haki, many officers lacked advanced-level coating techniques and couldn't protect their entire bodies. They were instantly divided into dozens of pieces, leaving only black-coated hands still gripping their weapons intact.
Fifty to sixty Marines perished in a single devastating attack. Even as their bodies were torn apart, fierce determination burned in their dying eyes. They refused to accept falling on this battlefield, but no amount of willpower could reverse the laws of physics. Living warriors became piles of dismembered flesh scattered across the shoreline.
The Marines who survived through superior Armament Haki had no time to mourn their fallen comrades. Their blades turned obsidian black as they charged the pirate with Haki-infused weapons.
Elite Marine snipers in the distance wrapped their bullets with Armament Haki, every shot representing their lives wagered for justice.
Several officers who managed to close distance used their Haki to resist the decomposition ability, but how could their defensive techniques compare to Admiral Sakazuki's mastery? As soon as their Haki supply faltered or their concentration wavered, they would be defeated within minutes.
The entire group was obliterated like targets hit by artillery shells. Elite Marines were blown into crimson mist under the relentless assault of compressed splitting attacks. They died one by one beneath Buggy's overwhelming power, but no miracles occurred. These brave souls perished heroically before the Clown's might, their hot blood splattering across the pirate's transformed frame.
The coastline of Loguetown's Marine Branch had become a slaughterhouse for the Marine's finest warriors...