Chapter 138: Tower of Justice – Sol vs. Joser & the Five Vice Admirals
"This guy's ability should be related to flames, right? Is it some special Paramecia type?!" Joser thought in shock, but quickly suppressed the doubt. Devil Fruit users on the sea were strange and varied; having multiple abilities wasn't unheard of. Still, this meant his strongest wind-based killing technique had instead become the opponent's replenishment—he probably couldn't use it lightly anymore.
"Looks like… I'll have to rely on hand-to-hand combat."
But when he thought about the opponent's martial arts lineage coming from the legendary "Navy Hero" Garp, Joser's expression grew even uglier.
"Damn Garp… what a tough bone to chew!" He gritted his teeth inwardly, regretting that he had rushed here alone to steal credit. If he had brought even one more helper, the situation wouldn't have become this passive.
Returning to reality, Joser flapped his wings again and shouted sharply: "Tempest Kick – Flying Spike!"
He kicked out repeatedly with both legs. Sharp, spear-like vacuum thrusts whistled toward Sol! Sol coated both arms in Armament Haki and swatted them away one by one like swatting flies. The deflected spikes embedded deeply into the surrounding ground, leaving countless bottomless round holes in the stone tiles—showcasing their terrifying penetration power.
However, just as the two were locked in fierce combat, the moment the Navy Headquarters received the Buster Call signal, it began operating with extreme efficiency.
Five elite Vice Admirals—Onigumo, Doberman, Momonga, Yamakaji, and Strawberry—were immediately ordered to lead ten top-tier warships and a large force of elite Marines. They passed through the open Gates of Justice and advanced majestically toward Enies Lobby!
Their mission was clear and ruthless: erase this island completely from the map.
"I never imagined that Admiral Aokiji's golden Den Den Mushi would end up in the hands of someone like Spandam," Onigumo said with both hands in his pockets, gazing at the gradually clearer silhouette of Enies Lobby in the distance.
Momonga, chewing on a cigar, chuckled: "It's meaningless to say that now. Since the Buster Call has been activated, we only need to follow orders. What really concerns me is what Fleet Admiral Sengoku said before we set out."
His words caused the other Vice Admirals to fall silent for a moment. Before departure, Fleet Admiral Sengoku had personally come and issued an unusual directive: if that "Fire Dragon" Sol could survive the Buster Call and their combined assault, the Navy would consider inviting him to become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. Of course, if he died, those words would never have been spoken. This meaningful instruction made everyone sense the coming storm.
"So we're… being sent to test that kid Sol's current strength?" Strawberry said slowly, his tone thoughtful.
"Hmph!" Onigumo's expression turned ferocious as he snorted coldly. "That guy relied on being Vice Admiral Garp's disciple to dare assault a Celestial Dragon back then. Now he's become a pirate and is causing havoc on Enies Lobby! This is naked betrayal of justice! I should personally execute him right here!"
Doberman scanned his colleagues and summarized in a steady voice: "Regardless, we first carry out Fleet Admiral Sengoku's orders. As for this island… we complete the encirclement first and seal off all exits."
On the other side, the battle on the Hesitation Bridge was nearing its end. Joser, covered in wounds and breathing heavily, stared fixedly at Sol. If not for the stubborn vitality and recovery power granted by his Zoan fruit, he would have already collapsed from exhaustion. He was inwardly horrified: just what kind of human monster was the person in front of him? After fighting this long, his breathing hadn't shown the slightest disorder!
He glanced at Nico Robin behind Sol. If not for Spandain's strict order that she must be brought back, he would have turned and fled without hesitation long ago. But as a member of CP0, obeying orders was the very meaning of their existence.
Sol shook out his wrist. The CP0 agent in front of him was clearly at his limit—one more strike would finish him. However, just as he was about to act, a sharp red light flashed in his eyes! His Observation Haki issued a piercing warning!
A peerlessly sharp flying slash came without any warning, tearing through the air! Sol instantly retreated and flipped, narrowly avoiding the lethal strike.
"Who?!" Sol raised his hand to block. His Armament-hardened forearm collided heavily with a suddenly descending long sword, producing a harsh metallic clang and scattering sparks!
The attacker was Vice Admiral Onigumo. His face was grave; the hand gripping the sword was steady as a rock.
Almost simultaneously, the attacks of the other four Vice Admirals came from different angles! Sol didn't hesitate—his overwhelming Conqueror's Haki erupted like an invisible shockwave, shaking the minds of everyone present!
Taking advantage of that brief gap, he opened his mouth wide.
"Fire Dragon's Roar!"
A blazing torrent of flames surged out, forcibly splitting the battlefield. When the flames dissipated, Sol finally saw clearly the five elite Vice Admirals who had suddenly appeared in front of him. His Observation Haki rapidly expanded further. In the distance, ten massive Navy warships were slowly sailing in, completely encircling Enies Lobby.
"Buster Call… did you secretly press the summoning signal?!" Sol's sharp gaze shot toward the trembling Spandam in the corner as he questioned harshly. Without waiting for an answer, his eyes returned to the five Vice Admirals in front of him—they were all old acquaintances.
"Long time no see, Vice Admiral Onigumo," Sol said. He had once had a decent relationship with Onigumo. There was a period when Garp was busy with Sengoku in the "Donut Challenge Contest" and had dumped him on Onigumo's ship for training. Although the man had a strict and rigid personality, he had indeed taken good care of him at the time.
"Sol!" Onigumo's eyes carried a stern look of disappointment. "Not only did you become a pirate, but now you dare cause havoc on Enies Lobby! Go to Impel Down and reflect properly!" Before the words finished, the long sword in his hand swung out another fierce flying slash!
The slashes of the other four Vice Admirals also arrived at the same time! Vacuum slashes coated in Armament Haki sealed off all of Sol's escape routes from every direction.
"What a headache…" Sol clicked his tongue inwardly. The Navy Headquarters was never short of swordsmen—most Vice Admirals were skilled in swordsmanship, as it was the easiest path to power—though famous blades were hard to come by.
In the blink of thought, he wrapped both hands in high-speed rotating wind, forming claw shapes and swinging them fiercely.
"Heavenly Dragon's Fang Crusher!"
The sharp wind pressure collided violently with the slashes, producing a piercing tearing sound. It actually blocked and shredded several powerful slashes!
"If you can do it, then try! I couldn't beat that guy Kuzan—do you really think you can beat me?" Sol declared with boundless confidence, striking a battle stance. His sharp gaze swept across the five Vice Admirals in front of him; his voice was loud and full of self-assurance.
"What?! He fought against Admiral Aokiji… and survived?!" Sol's words exploded like thunder in the ears of Onigumo and the others. Though they were unwilling to admit it, the strength of the Navy's three Admirals was like an insurmountable chasm to them. To have fought Aokiji and escaped unharmed—this level of power had already surpassed any one of them present!
"Everyone together! Take this guy down!" Onigumo shouted fiercely, leading the charge with his sword. The other four Vice Admirals moved at the same time. Sword light and Haki intertwined into a net, attacking Sol from all directions!
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