Chapter 246: The Phoenix Freed, Hachi's Choice
"BOOM!!!"
Jozu forcibly braked his retreating diamond body, sending gravel flying and cracking the ground.
He looked up toward the center of the battlefield, his pupils contracting violently—
Luffy's dragon-shaped fist wind roared like raging waves, smashing ruthlessly into Andre's chest!
"BANG!!!"
Andre's massive body exploded directly under the fist pressure. Blood and shattered bone sprayed like a rainstorm, and his mangled body crashed to the ground!
"ANDRE!!!"
Jozu's eyes nearly split with rage, the fury within almost burning through his pupils!
"BASTARD! YOU'LL PAY WITH YOUR LIFE!!!"
His roar shook the heavens and earth. He spun around violently, his diamond-covered fist carrying monstrous killing intent as he charged wildly at Luffy!
Meanwhile, beside the prisoner cart.
Marco had just been released. He stood up weakly, supporting himself, his body still covered in wounds, blood undried.
He watched helplessly as Whitey Bay was blasted into the tree trunk, blood staining the roots red;
He watched as Andre was blown apart by a single punch, his remains falling like a ragdoll...
His eyes suddenly went hollow. His chest heaved violently, grief and rage converging into a low growl: "MARINES!!!"
"WHOOSH!!!"
The next second, the flames of the Phoenix erupted explosively!
Azure-blue flames soared into the sky. Marco's wounds healed at a speed visible to the naked eye, and the flames condensed into two massive Phoenix wings behind his back!
"Jozu, I'm coming to help!!!"
Marco spread his wings and soared, diving straight for Luffy!
On the other side, Luffy turned slowly. Reflected in his dragon pupils were two main forces of the former Whitebeard Pirates pouncing on him. His battle intent surged like a volcanic eruption.
"COME ON!!!"
"Dragon Bone: TWIN DRAGON FANG!!!"
"BOOM!!!"
His Haki-covered fists turned into two intersecting dragon shadows, meeting Jozu's diamond fist and Marco's flame wings!
Three terrifying forces converged轰然 (boomingly) in mid-air!
The shockwave exploded from the point of impact. Gale winds swept the surroundings like blades, the surface of the entire island trembling violently, cracks spreading across the ground like spiderwebs!
Jozu was knocked back, and the exhausted Marco tumbled dozens of meters in the air, his blue flames oscillating violently!
Meanwhile · Prisoner Cart Area
Nami quickly pulled Usopp up. Glancing at the earth-shaking battle in the center, she took a deep breath, suppressing her panic.
"Leave Marco to Luffy. We coordinate with Sanji to take out that caterpillar first!!!"
Usopp picked up his sniper rifle with trembling hands, but hearing Nami's words, his gaze focused, and he nodded heavily.
"Understood!!!"
Nami's Clima-Tact transformed abruptly. Steel wings unfolded, the Swift Fruit ability activating instantly, her figure turning into a streak of silver light!
"Swift: PHANTOM RAID!!!"
"SWISH!!!"
She lunged like lightning, aiming straight for Epoida's throat!
Epoida had just steadied himself. His insect legs waved wildly, but were precisely blocked by Nami's steel wings, sparks flying!
"Cough... brat... don't think you can—"
Before his voice faded, a whirlwind wrapped in scorching flames struck suddenly from the side!
"DIABLE JAMBE: MOUTON SHOT!!!"
"BANG!!!"
Sanji's heavy flame kick landed solidly on Epoida's chest. Flames scorched flesh, and the powerful impact sent him flying backward more than ten meters, smashing through a large tree!
"NOW!! USOPP!!!" Nami shouted.
Usopp had already found his position and aimed, his gaze unprecedentedly sharp.
"Special Attack: GREEN STAR · DEVIL!!!"
"THWIP!!!"
The projectile accurately hit Epoida's old abdominal wound. Vines exploded into growth instantly, piercing the ground and madly entangling his limbs, pinning him firmly!
Sanji leaped into the air, flames on his right leg blazing like an inferno!
"DIABLE JAMBE: FINISHING STRIKE (Painting the Dragon's Eye)!!!"
"CRACK!!!"
Like a falling crimson meteor, accompanied by the cracking sound of a breaking spine, Epoida spat blood, eyes rolling back, completely losing consciousness!
In the distance, Vista saw Epoida fall, his face changing drastically!
"EPOIDA!!!"
He roared, suppressing Ace fiercely, attempting to turn back and help!
"WHOOSH!!!"
A wall of raging fire rose abruptly, blocking his path dead.
In the firelight, Ace held the flame in one hand, a chill at the corner of his mouth:
"Your opponent... is me."
Vista's eyes were bloodshot, fury sky-high. "Bastard! GET OUT OF MY WAY!!!"
"Flower Sword: CHERRY BLOSSOM STORM!!!"
Hundreds of petal-like sword energies exploded instantly, pouring out like a rainstorm!
Ace advanced instead of retreating, flames rising like a raging tide!
"FLAME COMMANDMENT: FIRE PILLAR!"
"BOOM!!!"
Flames and sword energy clashed head-on. The intense light illuminated half the island, wind and shockwaves sweeping the battlefield once more!
Every part of the battlefield was boiling!
...
Sabaody Archipelago · Shakky's Rip-off Bar
Outside the window, the entirety of Grove 13 shook in the fires of war.
Flames and sword energy intertwined, diamond and dragon scales collided madly, explosion after explosion.
Rayleigh stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, wine glass in hand, seeming able to see every detail of the battlefield through the wind, rain, and smoke.
He swirled the wine in his glass gently, his tone carrying a hint of amusement. "Roy... is using their lives as a whetstone for the Marines' fresh blood..."
Shakky paused, her cigarette stopping at her lips, brows furrowing slightly. "What do you mean?"
Rayleigh slowly turned his gaze to Shakky. "Haven't you noticed? It's been fighting for so long...
Not only are there no onlookers on Grove 13, but even bounty hunters and pirates are nowhere to be seen."
Shakky was startled, her gaze sweeping out the window.
Around the battlefield where fires soared and buildings collapsed, the streets that should have been crowded were now eerily silent—
No watching pirates, no panicked fleeing civilians, not even the usual patrolling Marines. Only the roar of the distant battlefield.
Shakky slowly put down her cigarette, exhaling a puff of smoke. "I see... this area has been artificially isolated..."
Rayleigh huffed a laugh. "Yeah, like the stage was cleared for them on purpose.
That guy Roy wants them to transform in this true 'Asura Field' (carnage)."
In the corner of the bar, under the dim light, Hatchan (Hachi) sat motionless.
His six arms trembled from clenching his fists too tight, fingernails digging deep into his palms.
He stared deathly out the window at the fiery figure, at Ace fighting fiercely with Vista.
Amidst the flashing flames and sword light, the bloodshot red in Hachi's eyes grew heavier.
"The one who killed Arlong and Chew... was that Marine..."
"Kuroobi... also died on the way..."
In his memories, scenes of former partners falling in pools of blood surfaced one by one.
The suppressed rage in his chest felt like it would tear him apart at any moment.
Hachi breathed rapidly, teeth grinding loudly.
Finally, with red eyes, he stood up abruptly. Six arms clenched into fists, he walked heavily toward Rayleigh.
"Rayleigh..." His voice was hoarse and trembling, carrying endless anger and struggle.
Rayleigh turned back slowly, his gaze calm and sharp, as if able to see through Hachi's heart.
"Hmm?"
Hachi gritted his teeth, knuckles white. "Can you do me a favor?"
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