Like a swarm of ants on the march, a wave of uniformed fighters from both sides charged, gripping rifles and pistols in a disciplined assault. Amid the chaos, several Zoan-type Devil Fruit users tore through the ranks, their beastly forms clashing in a frenzy of claws and roars.
Before long, sword-wielding swordsmen slashing waves of aura and bare-chested martial artists joined the fray, trading blows in a deadlock. The Worldcom Shipping Syndicate's strength was no joke—they were holding their own!
Suddenly, a black-clad figure burst from the Syndicate's ranks, face hidden behind a gladiator mask. His Armament Haki was rock-solid, pummeling two Umi Family powerhouses until they spat blood and staggered back.
"Siboshe, you hired outside muscle?!"
Umide, seeing his allies wounded, barked an accusation. Sure, he'd called in the Hell Pirates for backup, but that didn't stop him from seizing the moral high ground and pointing fingers!
"Hmph, you old crook Umide! I know you've cozyed up to some big shots. How else did the Umi Family swallow Maxway's New World Dispatch Company so fast?" Siboshe sneered. "You played dirty first, so don't cry when I hit back harder. Today, before your backers show up, I'm wiping you out!"
Siboshe whispered to a few cloaked figures beside him, then unleashed a ferocious aura, grinning wickedly. Today, the Umi Family would be erased—no survivors!
The air shifted, winds picking up fiercely, catching Brook and Redfield's attention.
"Yohohoho! That's a familiar scent! Looks like a big fish has swam into our net!"
Brook's eyes gleamed. Last time, they let this guy slip away to learn Conqueror's Haki Coiling. Now, the Qilin Lion Devil Fruit was ripe for the taking. With it, Golden Ark's propulsion would be secured, and stormy seas would be no match for them!
"Brook, we finishing this guy off this time?"
Redfield's voice dripped with icy intent. He'd tangled with this foe before—Vesper Pirates' top officer, no less. But the call was Brook's.
"Not one gets away! Make sure he doesn't bolt!"
Brook chuckled. The Hell Pirates had already taken down Rocks', Sandy. Did this guy think he'd scare them?
With the three major pirate crews now locked in a three-way standoff, alliances were a thing of the past. Show a weakness, and they'd carve off your limbs without hesitation!
Rumor had it, after the Squid Island fiasco six months ago, Vesper had been pushing Shirokiri to "spread his seed," pairing him with beauties from a dozen races. Shirokiri was still stuck on Vesper's Madagascar Island, forbidden from leaving until he produced an heir.
"Jahaha! It's that windbag Orion, huh? What a damn nuisance!"
Golden Lion Shiki scowled. Orion's Wind-Wind Fruit slightly countered his Float-Float Fruit. Taking him out would be a sweet victory!
"Heh, word is Shirokiri's living it up on Ten Kings Island, playing with his breeding duties!"
Shakky smirked, giving Brook a sly wink. Back in the day, Shirokiri chased Angelie like a lovesick puppy, and now Angelie and Brook had their own… complicated thing going on.
"Brook, why's this guy using his Devil Fruit? Ain't we supposed to keep those under wraps?"
Stussy pouted, annoyed. The enemy was breaking the rules first, and the Vesper Pirates were diving headfirst into the underworld's turf war, flaunting their presence!
"Gurarara! Guess Orion thinks he can wipe out the Umi Family and erase all evidence. This is Worldcom Shipping Syndicate turf, after all—Umi's the invaders here!"
Whitebeard Newgate saw through Orion's confidence. Did he think he could steamroll everyone? How many Vesper Pirates officers were here to make him this cocky—drunk on bravado without a bite to eat, dreaming in broad daylight!
"Oh? So I get to feast on another top officer's soul?"
Charlotte Linlin's eyes gleamed as she eyed the island ahead, a key Worldcom Shipping Syndicate stronghold.
"Operation codename: Total Annihilation! Leave no one standing! Kill!"
Brook spotted Orion's black-robed figure carving through the Umi Family's ranks. Any later, and Umide might actually bite the dust.
...
On the island, Umide was sweating bullets. He hadn't shown his face in ages, only coming out to meet Brook and show some goodwill, thanks to the Hell Pirates' backing.
But Siboshe had pulled a fast one, hiring Orion from the Vesper Pirates. Worse, they didn't even bother with pleasantries—just straight to the attack! Couldn't they at least trade a few insults first?
Unsure if Brook's crew had arrived, Umide bolted, buying time. If he could hold out until Brook showed up, Orion would be eating dirt!
Boosted by his Wind-Wind Fruit, Orion zoomed toward the fleeing Umide. Take out the head, then his two brothers, and the Umi Family would collapse. The Vesper Pirates' puppet, Siboshe, would swallow their territory whole!
Vesper had been itching to prop up new underworld players, aiming to pull the strings from behind. If Shirokiri wasn't busy with his "breeding mission," he'd probably be here, shouting to join the fight.
Orion half-wondered if Shirokiri was… well, defective. Months without results? Had the guy burned himself out in his wild youth, leaving Little Shirokiri out of commission? If so, the Vesper Family might be facing a succession crisis!
But those thoughts were cut short. A bone-chilling aura swept over him, snapping him back to reality. Danger screamed at him, and he shot skyward just as razor-sharp sword slashes crisscrossed where he'd been, leaving jagged scars in the earth.
Cold sweat beaded on Orion's forehead. That was too close. And those auras… they felt eerily familiar.
Death's stench! And that damn giant needle!
"Yoho! Today, I'm Karthus, lead singer of the Pentakill Pirates, serenading death itself! Before death, all are equal!"
Brook's ghostly voice echoed from all directions, seeping into Orion's soul. Before his skeletal figure appeared, his haunting dirge filled the air. Countless generals drifted forth, spreading the grim joy of death to every mortal in their path!
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+300 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg