"C-Captain Rocks… i-it's the Marines! The Marines are here!!!"
Behind Rocks D. Xebec, a giant shouted in alarm.
"The Marines sure know how to pick their timing! Not early, not late—just now of all moments!" Long Bread grumbled.
"They're like flies—you can't get rid of them. Always buzzing around our ears. What a nuisance."
"Tap… tap… tap…"
On the Marine warship, Is, Madara Uchiha, Acnologia, Retsu Unohana, Tornado, Yoriichi Tsugikuni, and Monkey D. Garp stepped forward to the very front, their gazes fixed on the shore.
"The one standing in the center… that's the Celestial Dragon, Saint Aurelius D. Virel ·Is!" Kaido frowned deeply.
At first, Kaido had thought it was just the Marines arriving.
But the moment he saw Is—and Madara—
His composure shattered.
Back when he fought Madara, he had nearly been killed. Against Is, he had almost lost his life as well. Both of them had left a lasting shadow in his mind.
"That guy… he's here too."
Beside him, Charlotte Linlin was equally unsettled.
The last time she fought Madara, his strange abilities had completely caught her off guard. If she hadn't been quick enough to disengage, she would've been thoroughly beaten.
Rocks noticed their expressions and spoke:
"Linlin, Kaido—what's wrong with you two? It's just a Celestial Dragon. Is that enough to scare you?"
"Captain, that Celestial Dragon—Aurelius D. Virel ·Is—the people around him are all extremely powerful. We already clashed with them back at Mary Geoise," Linlin explained.
"Hm?"
Rocks' expression darkened slightly.
Seeing that, Linlin didn't dare say another word.
"The Marines don't seem to take us seriously, do they?!"
"Exactly! Don't tell me they think one warship is enough to take on the Rocks Pirates?!"
"Hahahahaha—!"
Laughter broke out among the crew.
Only a few remained silent.
Aside from Linlin and Kaido, even Edward Newgate stood quietly, saying nothing.
Though they sensed something unusual about this group, most of the Rocks Pirates still believed themselves invincible.
On Is' side, action finally began.
Just as Garp was about to move, Is raised a hand to stop him.
"Tornado—call down a few meteors as an opening."
"Got it!"
"Huh???" Garp stared in shock. "M-Meteors?!"
No one answered.
A green aura enveloped Tornado's body as she slowly floated into the air.
Moments later—
A piercing sound tore through the sky.
A massive shadow descended, covering more than half the island.
On the Rocks' side, everyone looked up.
When they saw the enormous meteor, sweat instantly formed on their faces.
"W-What the hell is that?!"
"Devil Fruit ability?!"
"Looks like that little girl did it… she's got some skill."
While the officers remained relatively composed, the lower-ranked pirates were already panicking.
This was beyond them—
This was a battle of monsters. They were nothing but cannon fodder.
"Edward!"
Rocks shouted.
"Understood!"
Edward Newgate planted his naginata into the ground, then thrust both hands forward, gripping the very air.
His fingers clawed through an invisible barrier—
And in the next instant—
The meteor shattered, exploding into countless fragments.
At the same time, Rocks raised his hand.
A mass of black energy surged upward.
"Black Hole!"
As his voice fell, the darkness expanded like a gaping maw, devouring every falling fragment.
Just as Rocks was about to order an attack on Is—
A pirate shouted from the side:
"Not good, Captain Rocks! Roger's trying to escape!!!"
Rocks frowned sharply.
"Don't let them get away! Edward—you're on them!"
Whitebeard nodded, pulling his weapon free and charging forward.
"Marines, huh?! Since you've come—then all of you can go down with Roger!!!"
Rocks swung his blade, issuing the command.
At once, the pirates surged forward, weapons drawn, flooding toward the sea.
Watching the incoming tide of pirates, excitement lit up the faces of Is and his group.
"Finally… it's starting. I can't wait any longer," Acnologia said eagerly.
Is fell silent for a moment.
Against strong enemies—only strong fighters would suffice.
"Acnologia. Madara. The two of you—take the one covered in black smoke."
"The one with black smoke? Got it!"
Acnologia agreed immediately. Madara simply nodded.
"Move out, everyone!"
With Is' command, the rest charged forward as well.
"Whoosh!"
Flaming crimson wings burst from Is' back.
With a single beat, he soared into the sky.
Red flames ignited in his hand.
"Fire Fist!"
With a swing of his arm, a massive wave of blazing fire surged forward like a tidal force, crashing toward the front lines of the Rocks Pirates.
The crimson glow blazed like a second sun, illuminating the battlefield.
On the opposing side, Charlotte Linlin leapt into the air, raising Napoleon and roaring:
"Elbaf Spear—Ikoku!"
A giant slash of energy tore through the air, colliding with the incoming flames.
"BOOM—!"
The fire exploded midair, sending temperatures soaring.
Though dispersed, fragments of flame still rained down, striking pirates below.
Madara was the fastest.
He reached the shore first—
And began to dance through the ranks of the Rocks Pirates.
Right behind him came Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
With his unparalleled swordsmanship, pirates were sent flying one after another.
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