At the harbor.
Law activated his ability, creating a field that covered half the island.
He flashed from place to place, appearing beside wounded soldiers. His hands moved so fast they left afterimages as he treated each injury.
Drake organized the members of SWORD under his command, quickly cleaning up the battlefield.
In the distant sky, a massive fleet appeared.
Soter led the floating fleet down and drifted down himself, landing beside Enel.
"How is it, Enel? Did many people want to leave?"
Enel shook his head. "Not many. About half. They still have some sense."
Soter frowned. "Why so few."
On other islands, only the elderly stayed behind. People who had lived there all their lives and refused to leave.
Enel looked at the island. "This isn't the Marines' territory. They were oppressed badly by chaotic pirates before. After Red Haired became an Emperor, he set rules and restrained them. When the oppression lessened, the residents treated him like a savior. And when we wiped out his subordinates here, we became the villains."
Soter was stunned. "This…"
Enel sighed softly. "Take as many as we can. Those who refuse to leave, whether they live or die depends on luck. This is not the time for mercy. The war between the Marines and pirates has entered its final stage. If we win, that's fine. If we lose… everyone in the New World will go to hell together with those ocean trash."
Soter exhaled deeply. "I understand…"
As he turned to leave, people who had hastily packed their belongings began boarding the warships.
They could not wait to escape this land of suffering.
At the same time, news of the attack on his territories reached Red Haired.
* * *
New World, a deserted island somewhere.
The wandering Red Force had anchored along the shore.
Everyone was resting in the forest. Fragrant meat roasted over a campfire, filling the air with a rich smell.
Shanks held an intelligence report. His expression was heavy.
"This doesn't look good… We just got news that Sakazuki has entered the New World. The Marines have already begun moving."
Beckman had a cigarette in his mouth as he read another report.
"It's not just us. Knox was attacked as well. Though the Marines' top combat power hasn't acted yet. They're mainly using fleets to surround and pressure targets. Looks like they're training their forces. Preparations have already started… but for some reason, Knox suddenly appeared there.
"He tried to attack a Marine fleet, but was stopped by the sudden arrival of Admiral Aokiji. They're still fighting now. So we can assume that behind these Marine fleets, there's always an admiral escorting them…"
Shanks nodded slightly.
"Enel, huh…"
Everyone had some understanding of this admiral candidate.
After all, Sakazuki had announced to the whole world that Enel would serve as the Marines' overall commander for dealings on this front.
He was also Sakazuki's trusted subordinate. None of that was hard to find out. A fighter with both speed and attack power…
Thinking about speed…
He could not help but think of the current Grand Admiral, Bullet. Extremely troublesome. Impossible to catch…
Shanks stood up and put away the reports.
"We can't let this continue. Call all captains together and set up defenses centered on Bubble Island. At the same time, warn the Marines to stop their provocations.
"Everyone, pack up and prepare to sail. Our destination… Rasse Island. Let's see how fast this admiral candidate really is. And whether he's anywhere close to that guy…"
As someone of the same generation as Enel, Shanks felt a bit of interest toward him.
* * *
South Blue, the Sorbet Kingdom.
Inside the royal palace, Queen Dowager Conney hung up the call with a headache.
Not long after Kuma left, rumors began spreading from nowhere. Stories claimed Kuma had become a pirate and committed various crimes. They were described vividly, almost convincingly.
Even many old friends had called to ask about it. She had no choice but to explain again and again…
The call she just ended was already the twenty-seventh explanation.
'Is this really necessary… government…'
Conney clenched her fists tightly. They trembled slightly, revealing her inner unrest.
Purururu~ Purururu~
Conney sighed and answered the Den Den Mushi.
"Hello…"
To her surprise, the call did not inquire about Kuma. Instead, it brought devastating news.
Cold sweat poured down her face. Her breathing grew rapid. Her vision spun.
Thud.
She collapsed to the floor, consciousness fading into darkness.
"My child…"
* * *
Sorbet Kingdom, inside the royal palace.
Conney lay unconscious.
After hearing the news, Bonney rushed over. She confirmed that her grandmother was still alive, then she ran out of the palace, intent on taking revenge.
Luckily, Dragon discovered her in time. He knocked her out and brought her back.
But once Bonney woke up, she threatened to die if stopped. With no choice, Dragon let her go. He ordered someone to call Sabo.
Before long, Sabo walked over. His expression was dark. His eyes were red.
"Supreme Commander."
Dragon sighed softly. "Bonney wants to go after Sakazuki for revenge. Go protect her for a while. But be careful to hide yourself. Don't let her notice you."
Sabo took a deep breath. "I understand. I won't let Kuma's daughter come to harm again."
Dragon nodded. He then took out a Devil Fruit.
"Eat this. It will make things easier."
Sabo accepted the fruit.
"This is…"
Dragon explained, "A Logia-type. The Snow-Snow Fruit. The previous user was a major pirate under Golden Lion. Blizzard Frank. He later died during Golden Lion's attack on Marineford…"
The incident that was publicly announced as Sakazuki suffering zero casualties while wiping out Shiki's fleet was not known to most people at sea.
But within the Marines, many knew at least part of the truth.
After being ambushed, Shiki lost an arm and fled in defeat. The remaining pirate leaders were hunted down by Sengoku and Garp.
None survived. Blizzard Frank included.
The Snow-Snow Fruit was reborn somewhere in the sea. It was only discovered recently by the Revolutionary Army in the North Blue and sent to headquarters.
Sabo nodded heavily.
He took a bite.
His expression instantly became indescribable.
"…"
"…"
"Ughhh!!!!"
* * *
New World, Smear Port.
High above the distant sky, the clash between steam and ice continued. The alternating cold and heat made people on faraway islands fall ill one after another.
The Marine fleets, which had retreated far away and called for support, were not affected much.
Kuzan was young and strong. But Knox was seasoned and backed by Conqueror's Haki. He had roamed the seas far longer than Kuzan.
After being locked in battle for so long, Kuzan was slowly falling into a disadvantage.
Still, it was not enough to cause fatal harm.
This was how Logia battles usually went. Wide-range attacks that could not hit the real body. It was like air striking air. What mattered was endurance.
Even though Knox had trained for years, and his steam power was several times stronger than when he fought Sakazuki in the past, it still was not enough.
Only when one side's strength far exceeded the other would an instant kill happen.
Just like when Knox instantly evaporated Longfellow, the user of the Smoke-Smoke Fruit back then.
But against Kuzan's level of power, he could not instantly evaporate all the ice.
The fight fell into a deadlock.
Buzz!
A strange sound echoed across the sky.
It was faint, but both sides noticed it.
In the next moment, countless light bullets swept across the battlefield. They cut through the intertwined steam and ice, tearing them apart.
A relaxed voice followed.
"Yasakani Sacred Jewel."
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