The New World.
Under the rolling dark clouds, the torrential rain had ceased at some point, and the storm that had whipped up towering waves came to an abrupt halt.
However, the incessant explosions not only failed to stop but instead grew even more frenzied.
The whistling of cannonballs echoed across the sky, and dense arcs of projectiles streaked through the overcast heavens before crashing down, sending towering plumes of water into the air.
The Akainu Army, led by Sakazuki, consisted of eight warships, each spaced dozens of meters apart, fanning out across the sea.
On the large flagship positioned at the center, Sakazuki gaze burned intensely as he stared at the sea ahead.
Though cannonballs continued to explode around the ship, he seemed unfazed, allowing the rising waves to obscure his vision.
Meanwhile, on the sea facing the Akainu Army, the Beasts Pirates, having already lost over a dozen ships, launched their counterattack against the Marine warships.
As one ship after another braved the incoming cannon fire to form their battle lines, the sounds of cannon fire became a continuous roar. In the next moment, a dense barrage of cannonballs hurtled toward the opposing warships.
"Lord Queen!"
On the deck of the Beasts Pirates' Brachiosaurus ship, a Headliner rushed up to the towering figure of Queen and shouted excitedly.
"The Marine only has eight warships, while we still have over thirty ships left!"
"The Marine cannons are more powerful and have a longer range than ours. We must close the distance!"
As he spoke, the Headliner expression turned fanatical, as if he could already see the dawn of victory.
"Thirty ships against eight—the advantage is ours!"
Boom—
Before Queen could respond, thunder roared once more in the sky above, and bolts of lightning tore through the heavens, illuminating the sea as bright as day.
In the next moment, the sound of cannonballs cutting through the air grew louder, and the dense barrage rapidly filled the pupils of Queen and his men.
"Lord Queen!"
Seeing the incoming cannonballs, the Headliner raised his voice again and shouted.
"Don't hesitate! Continuing to exchange long-range fire with the warships is to our disadvantage. Close the distance—we can win!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
As soon as the Headliner finished speaking, a series of explosions erupted almost simultaneously.
The shockwaves from the cannonballs swept across the sea, churning up waves that crashed mercilessly against the pirate ships.
Queen, swaying unsteadily as the ship rocked, took a deep drag from the cigar in his mouth before flicking it off the deck.
In a low voice, he commanded "Order all ships to close the distance!"
"Yes, sir!"
The Headliner responded loudly, then grabbed a Den Den Mushi and roared into it.
"ALL SHIPS, ACCELERATE AND CLOSE THE DISTANCE! GET CLOSER!"
As the Headliner orders were relayed, one ship after another sped forward, braving the incoming cannon fire.
In the waters where the Akainu Army was stationed, Sakazuki stood in the command room of the large flagship. Raising his binoculars, he watched as the pirate ships rapidly closed in.
A cruel smile flickered across his lips before he turned and strode out of the command room, making his way to the deck.
Previously, he had been worried that the Beast Pirates might escape under the cover of the fleet artillery fire.
However, to his surprise, the Beast Pirates not only didn't flee but instead charged head-on.
Since the Beast Pirates were so bold, how could he, one of the highest combat powers of the Marines, miss this opportunity?
As soon as Sakazuki stepped onto the deck, an officer quickly approached him.
"Relay my orders!" Sakazuki wasted no time and commanded directly.
"All warships cease fire and let them come closer!"
"Yes, sir!"
The officer didn't dare to delay and immediately used the Den Den Mushi to convey Sakazuki orders.
"MARINES!"
"PREPARE TO DIE!"
As the Beast Pirates' ship rapidly closed the distance, the members on the deck roared with fervor. Many of them were baring their teeth and claws, as if they wanted to devour the Marine alive.
Their momentum was undeniably terrifying!
"Hmph!"
"A bunch of trash seeking death!"
Hearing the noisy roars of the pirates from afar, a cold glint flashed in Sakazuki eyes.
He then took a step forward, standing at the bow of the ship, and unleashed the power of his Logia-type Magma-Magma Fruit.
As soon as the Magma-Magma Fruit power was activated, Sakazuki arms instantly turned into molten lava.
In the next second, the lava-formed fists detached from his arms and shot straight into the sky, like meteors suddenly lighting up amidst the rolling dark clouds that covered the heavens.
An overwhelming pressure poured down, enveloping the rapidly approaching Beast Pirates' ship.
As more and more lava-formed fists detached from his arms and filled the sky, Sakazuki slowly raised his head, his killing intent palpable as he declared.
"Die, scum of the Beast Pirates!"
"Meteor Volcano!"
As the words filled with endless killing intent left his lips, the lava-formed fists that had appeared in the dark clouds began to fall like meteors, raining down in an overwhelming torrent toward the rapidly approaching Beast Pirates.
"SAKAZUKI!!!"
Suddenly, a furious roar echoed from high above. Immediately after, a figure emerged from beneath the dark clouds, darting through the dense rain of falling meteors with lightning speed.
In the blink of an eye, the figure appeared in the sky opposite Sakazuki.
In the next moment—
"KARYUDON!"
Accompanied by another roar, a burst of flames ignited high in the sky, quickly transforming into a ferocious fire dragon.
With astonishing speed, it bared its fangs and claws, roaring as it charged straight toward Sakazuki.
Whoosh—
Before Sakazuki could react, a dazzling sword aura suddenly erupted from the night sky behind him.
Like divine punishment, it slashed past Sakazuki side and collided head-on with the roaring fire dragon.
At the moment of impact, the sword aura and the fire dragon intertwined and spiraled wildly, then shot into the sky and exploded within the rolling clouds.
A terrifying shockwave spread out, creating a massive hole in the dark clouds, as if the sky itself had been pierced, leaving onlookers in awe.
As the massive fire dragon was blocked by the sword aura, a heroic figure rode the waves and landed steadily beside Sakazuki.
It was none other than the new Admiral, Gion who had come from the Marine Headquarters to provide support.
As soon as Gion, wielding her golden sword, landed on the deck, she looked up at the sky and said coldly.
"King the Conflagration! Your opponent is me!"
Before the words could fade, Gion moving with the speed of lightning using her Moon Step technique, appeared directly in front of King, who had transformed into his Pteranodon form.
With a swift and decisive motion, Gion swung her golden sword, delivering a powerful slash through the air.
At the same time, the fleet led by Momousagi Army, who had followed Gion surged through the waves from another direction.
They formed a pincer movement with the fleet commanded by Sakazuki, known as Akainu Army, effectively blocking the retreat path of the Beast Pirates' ships, which were desperately trying to escape under the relentless barrage of Meteor Volcano.
High above, King, in his Pteranodon form, was caught off guard by the swift arrival of the Marine reinforcements.
He was even more surprised to see that it was Gion, a candidate for Admiral, who had come to their aid.
Utilizing the agility of his Pteranodon form, King narrowly dodged Gion slash. Filled with frustration, he let out a furious roar.
"GION!!!"
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—
Just as King roar echoed out, a dense barrage of Meteor Volcanoes rained down around him.
In the next moment, agonized screams erupted from the sea as a pirate ship charging ahead was struck by the Meteor Volcanoes the moment it approached the warship.
In an instant, the sturdy deck and hull were pierced by several massive holes from the terrifying energy of the Meteor Volcanoes.
The members of the Beasts Pirates on board had almost nowhere to escape, their cries of pain and despair filling the air.
However, the Meteor Volcanoes showed no mercy.
With another wave of Meteor Volcanoes crashing down, the pirate ship could no longer withstand the onslaught.
With a series of cracking sounds, it disintegrated and plunged into the sea.
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