Boom!
In the shock wave from the explosion of shells, the roof of the coffee shop and the wall facing the square instantly began to collapse!
In the blink of an eye, Shano unhesitatingly blocked in front of the window, holding up the collapsing beam with one hand, shielding his companions from the flying bricks and shattered glass.
At the same time, he turned his head and shouted sternly:
"Ah Yin!"
"Howl—!" Ah Yin instantly understood, roared, and his fur bristled with crackling electricity.
In the blink of an eye, a semicircular Thunder Electric Field spread out, covering the entire area where the coffee shop was located.
This was the advanced version of the Basic Bloodline Talent Skill - "Arc Shield" that it comprehended in its youth.
The protective shield of the Thunder Electric Field could expand up to ten meters in radius, protecting everyone within from any physical harm from the outside world.
The collapsing bricks and walls were kept outside the force field, and at the same time, explosions and screams resounded throughout the square.
"Spit, spit, spit!" Nami wiped the ash off her face and rushed to the stairway anxiously, "Are you alright, Shopkeeper Auntie!"
"No, I'm fine!" The voice of the female shopkeeper downstairs came, shaken but unhurt.
Nojiko hurried over to help check for any injured people.
Fortunately, the coffee shop was not large, and both floors were within the protected range of the force field, saving all thirty-plus customers and employees without exception.
"Whew." Nami finally breathed a sigh of relief.
But others outside the coffee shop were clearly not so lucky.
Through the hole in the wall, looking outside, many shops and houses on both sides were affected by artillery fire, large areas collapsed, and the devastation was everywhere.
"I'll go up and take a look!"
Kuina looked grim, left this sentence, and rushed out through the rooftop opening.
Damn it!!
What kind of Pirate Gang is daring enough to boldly shell Log Town in broad daylight?!
The East Sea only had small fry pirates left; where did they get the guts for this...
Could it be that another batch of pirates like Ah Long have returned from the Grand Line?
Swish, Kuina drew the Wado Ichimonji, stepped on Moonwalk, and landed on the clock tower with a wide view, looking toward the dock.
Just one glance.
Her expression suddenly changed, showing shock.
How could it be...
The ones firing were actually the Navy?!!!
But looking towards the docks.
A massive luxury cruise ship was anchored there.
And surrounding it, three Navy warships had already turned their direction, aiming the cannons at the entire square in front of the execution stand!
......
Time rewind to five minutes ago.
The bow of the luxury cruise ship.
The Golden Staff encrusted with jewels was held by a fat hand, pointing toward the front of the execution stand.
"Hey, hey, hey, can anyone tell me, who are all those people crowded in the square? Such eyesores."
Alta turned his head, his gaze finally resting on Smoker's face, "If I remember correctly, you seem to be responsible for the Navy on this island, so you should know this well, right?"
"On ordinary days, they might mostly be tourists, and partly pirates mixed in among them."
Smoker squinted his eyes and said coldly under Onigumo's gaze, "But these days are special, probably more than half are pirates."
"Pirates?!"
Alta covered his mouth and exclaimed exaggeratedly, "Wow, all pirates? It's the first time I've seen so many, why are they so bold next to your base, fearless and arrogant?"
Isn't this just to escort you, you stupid pig?
Smoker's face suddenly darkened.
When he was stationed at the Log Town base, the pirates coming onto the island always kept a low profile, fearing their identities would be exposed!
How dare they gather so openly?
"I should go back, Vice Admiral."
Smoker extinguished his cigar, turned to Onigumo, and said, "My post is already reached, the rest of the journey shouldn't need me."
Actually.
He always felt this escort mission had been overly emphasized.
Apart from Vice Admiral Onigumo, and himself being pulled over, there were two Major Generals from the G branch of the Grand Line, and two Rear-Admiral Level adjutants under Onigumo's command.
One Headquarter Vice Admiral, four Headquarter Rear Admirals, plus himself, whose strength was enough to serve as a Headquarter Rear Admiral.
This was naturally to emphasize the importance of the personal safety of the three kings from affiliate countries, one of whom was almost a half Heavenly Celestial Dragon.
If navigating the Grand Line, he could barely understand.
But it was just escorting from the South Sea to the East Sea.
No need to raise the lineup to such a grand, even somewhat wasteful level, right?
In comparison.
It was still more crucial for him to get back to the island quickly and deter the gathering pirates.
East Sea pirates are manageable; they can't stir much trouble,
But among the crowd in the square, pirates from other seas were mingled in.
North Sea, West Sea, even the Grand Line... Compared to the East Sea, among the pirates coming from those places, troublesome characters were in plenty!
The fear now was they might take advantage of his absence, when the island's defenses were slack, to gather together, emotions running high, and suddenly get the idea of plundering and slaughtering.
Then the residents of the town would be in great distress...
"You want to go back now?"
Onigumo frowned slightly, about to say something.
"Alright, alright!!"
Alta suddenly clapped excitedly from behind, "More pirates is a good thing, the more, the better! The more arrogant, the better! I've never seen the Navy fight pirates in person, come on, Onigumo, fire the cannons! Come on, fire the cannons!"
"As you wish, Your Majesty."
Onigumo glanced toward the execution stand, nodded, and then walked straight to his flagship using Moonwalk.
Leaving Smoker there, completely stunned.
"Have you gone mad, Onigumo!!!"
Smoker hurriedly also turned into smoke, closely following onto the deck of the warship. As soon as he landed, he desperately questioned:
"Are you listening to some outlandish order from an untested noble, blindly commanding to fire on the town center where many innocent citizens could be hurt? It's sheer madness!"
"Don't get it wrong, Smoker."
Onigumo gave him a strange look, sneering, "I might tolerate petty matters for the sake of his Heavenly Celestial Dragon lineage, but in military affairs like this, that brainless fat pig isn't qualified to command me."
"Then why are you doing it!!!"
Smoker roared furiously.
He already saw three warships gradually turning, raising cannons high above the dock, directly aiming at the square, making him furious and anxious, "And you people, do you know what you're doing? Stop this at once!!"
But the command of the three warships did not belong to him.
The few Major Generals glanced at him indifferently, then turned back,
continuing to follow Onigumo's orders, directing their gunners to load shells.
Onigumo flicked ash from his cigarette, speaking calmly:
"Although we've known each other for a long time, it seems you really don't know me well, Smoker..."