Golden light gathered, and Borsalino's figure appeared at the center of the battlefield.
Shhhhh!
The moment he finished forming, a sharp scream of steam rushed toward him.
He raised his right hand and extended his index finger. A golden cross-shaped light spun, and a laser shot out, colliding with the steam spear and exploding.
Boom!
The massive blast was like a rising sun.
Borsalino's body scattered into particles of light, blown away by the shockwave. He flew toward Kuzan and reformed beside him, letting out a long, exaggerated breath.
"How scary~ These Emperors are all monsters, every single one of them~"
Beside him, Kuzan condensed ice in the air and slowly exhaled cold mist.
"That's true. This is really troublesome."
Far across from them, Knox was floating in the air, steam rising from his body.
"Another one…"
His expression was unclear as he weighed whether to continue fighting.
From the opposite side, Borsalino spoke again, his tone light. "How about we stop here~ It's a bit too early to fight seriously now~"
Knox's lips curled into a sneer. "Easy for you to say. If it were your marine islands being attacked, could you still talk so lightly?"
Borsalino scratched his cheek, sounding helpless. "Well~ That's something you'll have to ask our Fleet Admiral~"
The atmosphere immediately cooled.
Thinking of Sakazuki, Knox's eyes narrowed. His killing intent flared briefly before being forcibly restrained.
"Go back and tell that bastard Sakazuki," he said coldly. "Don't push things too far. Mutual destruction benefits no one."
With that, the pressure vanished. The steam around him thinned and slowly dissipated as he turned away, flying off toward the horizon.
Compared to Smear Port behind him, the 'cooperation' with the Vinsmoke Family mattered far more.
Over there, Kuzan let out a quiet breath. "It's finally over."
Borsalino looked troubled. "We just got threatened, huh~ What should we do~"
Kuzan shot him a look. "Call Sakazuki first."
Borsalino nodded slightly, took out a Den Den Mushi, and teased, "Remember to address him properly, Fleet Admiral~ Kuzan~"
Kuzan's face darkened as he waved his hand impatiently.
The call connected and Borsalino briefly explained Knox's threat.
Sakazuki's cold voice came through the Den Den Mushi.
"Mutual destruction? He thinks he's worthy? Work with Kuzan and erase Smear Port from the map. Leave no survivors. After that, keep organizing the fleet and attack the next island."
Kuzan's eyes widened in shock. He was about to speak when Borsalino raised a hand to stop him and replied to the Den Den Mushi.
"Understood~"
He hung up and exhaled deeply. "Whew~ Don't get too worked up~"
Kuzan frowned hard. "Are you joking? Smear Port isn't just made up of pirates alone. Most of the people there are civilians. You're telling me we're supposed to wipe them out too?"
Borsalino sighed in response. "Don't you know Sakazuki's personality by now? This is a war about the future of the world. A few civilian lives won't slow our Fleet Admiral even for a moment~ If you had argued with him just now, those people would really be dead~ First control all the pirates on the island. Then let your fleet come and move the civilians~"
Kuzan's expression softened a little at that, though he still struggled inside. Even if what was said made sense.
Borsalino said nothing more. Some things had to be understood on one's own.
If civilian or soldier lives could threaten Sakazuki, then his resolve would be far too weak.
This was about the fate of the world. There could be no hesitation at all.
If not for that past clash between Sakazuki and Sengoku, Borsalino would have thought Sakazuki was an emotionless machine.
But sadly, that was the only time.
Now, Sakazuki truly seemed like a machine without feelings. Even when Enel had been severely injured in Wano and brought before him, there had been no reaction.
So a few civilians or marine soldiers meant nothing to him at all.
After struggling for a while, Kuzan slowly let out a breath. "Alright."
He took out his Den Den Mushi and issued orders to the fleet on standby.
* * *
A short while later.
As the Marine fleet slowly appeared and the pirates began preparing to fight again while trying to report upward, Kuzan's voice echoed across the island.
"Ice Age."
Using Observation Haki, he marked every pirate. In an instant, he froze one third of the island solid, not missing a single one.
When Admiral-level power was unleashed, the pirates below stood no chance at all.
The warships docked soon after. Civilians, still dazed and terrified, were ushered aboard with whatever belongings they could carry. Many did not even understand what was happening, only that they were being forced to leave their homes behind.
Once the ships filled with civilians slowly sailed away and withdrew to the rear, a blinding light lit up the sky above the island.
Countless light bullets rained down. Each one was like a high-explosive shell. Amid the endless explosions, the island slowly sank into the sea within moments.
As for Knox hearing this news while discussing 'cooperation' with the Vinsmoke Family, and his rage and response, that need not be mentioned here.
* * *
On the other side, Enel's fleet advanced without resistance.
In just a few days, they captured seven islands in one push before stopping.
Ahead lay Bubble Island. Red-Haired Shanks' captains had been gathering there over the past days, forcing the Marines to halt their advance.
Krenni Island.
The closest island to Bubble Island, and the current base of Enel's fleet.
The island's residents evacuated one after another onto Soter's floating fleet. The people who did not wish to leave were not forced and were allowed to choose for themselves.
Enel and Soter stood on the highest cliff along the shore, overlooking the sea.
Sote sat down at the edge. "So we stop here, right?"
Enel nodded. "Yes. Red-Haired's captains have already gathered on the next island to set up defenses, so pushing forward won't gain us much. And Shanks disappeared suddenly not long ago. He's probably coming for us. Bullet is on his way here too."
Soter sighed softly. "An Emperor—"
He was about to say he really wanted to see one for himself. But suddenly, lightning burst from Enel's body.
Crackle!
With a flick of his hand, a golden trident appeared and swung to the left.
Clang!
The pitch-black golden trident collided with Gryphon, sparks flying everywhere.
The shockwave exploded outward.
Soter jumped to his feet in alarm. When did he get here? He hadn't sensed anything at all.
Enel remained expressionless. He held off Gryphon with his left hand and slightly turned his head to the left.
"Red-Haired Shanks."
**
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