New World.
Under the rolling storm clouds, the torrential rain had stopped at some point, and the raging winds that stirred up massive waves had suddenly ceased.
However, the explosions, far from subsiding, grew increasingly frenzied.
The deafening roar of cannon fire echoed through the skies, as dense barrages of cannonballs arced down from the cloud-covered heavens, crashing into the sea and sending towering sprays of water into the air.
The Akainu Fleet, led by Sakazuki, consisted of eight warships arranged in a fan-shaped formation on the sea, with several dozen meters of distance between each ship.
On the large warship at the center of the formation, Sakazuki stood steadfast, his eyes fixed on the sea ahead. Even as cannonballs whistled past and exploded around the ship, sending waves crashing upward to obscure his view, he remained unflinching, as though the chaos around him didn't exist.
Meanwhile, on the opposing side of the battlefield, the Beasts Pirates had begun their counterattack after losing over a dozen ships. As their remaining vessels spread out to form a battle line, the sound of cannon fire erupted in unison, filling the air with a cacophony of blasts.
In the next moment, a dense barrage of cannonballs was launched, hurtling toward the Marine warships.
"Lord Queen!"
On the deck of the Beasts Pirates' Brachiosaurus, a subordinate rushed to the towering figure of Queen, shouting excitedly, "The Marines only have eight warships, while we still have over thirty remaining!"
"Their warships may have superior firepower and range, but we must close the distance!"
As he spoke, the subordinate's expression grew fervent, as if he could already see the dawn of victory. "Thirty ships against eight—we have the advantage!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Before Queen could respond, thunder roared once again from the stormy heavens above, and bolts of lightning tore through the sky, illuminating the battlefield as if it were broad daylight.
In the next instant, the sound of cannonballs cutting through the air grew louder, and the dense barrage of projectiles rapidly expanded in Queen's line of sight, their trajectory aimed directly at the Beasts Pirates' ships.
"Lord Queen!"
Seeing the incoming barrage, the subordinate raised his voice even further, shouting, "Don't hesitate! Continuing a long-range exchange of fire with the Marines is not to our advantage. Close the distance! We can win this!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The subordinate's words were immediately followed by a series of deafening explosions. The impact of the cannonballs sent shockwaves rippling across the sea, churning up massive waves that slammed against the Beasts Pirates' ships with relentless force.
Queen, his massive frame swaying with the rocking of the ship, took a deep drag from the cigar in his mouth before spitting it onto the deck. His voice was low and steady as he commanded, "Give the order—close in on them!"
"Yes, sir!"
The subordinate responded with a loud shout before grabbing a Den Den Mushi and roaring into it, "All ships, listen up! Full speed ahead! Close the distance!"
As the order was relayed, the Beasts Pirates' ships accelerated, charging forward despite the incoming barrage of cannonballs.
On the Marine side, standing on the deck of the central warship, Sakazuki raised a telescope to his eye and observed the Beasts Pirates' ships rapidly closing in. A cruel smile played across his lips as he turned and strode out of the command room, heading toward the deck.
Moments earlier, he had been concerned that the Beasts Pirates might attempt to retreat under the cover of the Marine artillery. But to his surprise, not only had they chosen to stay, they were now charging directly at the Marine fleet.
Since the Beasts Pirates were so eager to fight, there was no way Sakazuki would let this opportunity slip through his fingers.
As soon as Sakazuki stepped onto the deck, a Marine officer hurried to meet him.
"Pass on my orders!" Sakazuki commanded without hesitation. "Cease all artillery fire and let them come closer!"
"Yes, sir!"
The officer immediately relayed the Fleet Admiral's orders through the Den Den Mushi.
"Marines!"
"Prepare to die!"
As the Beasts Pirates' ships closed in at high speed, the pirates on the decks roared with fervor, their voices filled with bloodlust. Many of them waved their weapons wildly, as if eager to tear the Marines apart with their bare hands.
"Hmph."
"Fools courting death."
Hearing the pirates' noisy shouts, Sakazuki's eyes glinted with icy resolve. He stepped forward to the bow of the ship, releasing the immense power of his Magma-Magma Fruit.
As the power of the Logia-type Devil Fruit surged through him, Sakazuki's arms transformed into molten magma.
In the next instant, a massive, magma-formed fist launched from his arm, soaring into the sky like a blazing meteor. The fiery projectile illuminated the stormy clouds above, its overwhelming pressure bearing down on the advancing Beasts Pirates' ships.
As more magma fists erupted from Sakazuki's arms, filling the sky with blazing meteors, he raised his head and declared coldly, "Die, you Beasts Pirates scum!"
"Meteor Volcano!"
The moment the words left his lips, the magma fists hanging in the stormy sky rained down like meteors, engulfing the Beasts Pirates' ships in a devastating barrage.
Suddenly, a furious roar echoed from the heavens above.
"SAKAZUKI!!!"
A figure burst through the storm clouds, weaving through the descending magma fists at lightning speed. In the blink of an eye, the figure appeared high above Sakazuki.
"Guardian Fire Dragon Emperor!"
With another roar, flames erupted in the sky, transforming into a ferocious fire dragon that roared as it charged toward Sakazuki at incredible speed.
Slash!
Before Sakazuki could react, a brilliant slash of sword energy tore through the night sky behind him, cutting past his side and colliding with the oncoming fire dragon.
The clash of sword energy and flames created a violent explosion that tore through the storm clouds, leaving a massive hole in the sky—a sight that struck awe and fear into all who witnessed it.
As the fire dragon was intercepted, a figure leapt across the waves and landed gracefully beside Sakazuki. It was none other than Gion, the newly promoted Admiral known as Momousagi (Pink Rabbit).
Wielding her blade, Konpira, Gion glanced skyward and said coldly, "King, your opponent is me!"
Without waiting for a response, Gion used Moonwalk to flash into the air, appearing directly in front of King, who had transformed into his Pteranodon form. Her blade swung decisively, unleashing a powerful slash.
At the same time, the Momousagi Fleet, which had accompanied Gion, approached from another direction. Together with Sakazuki's fleet, they formed a pincer attack, cutting off the Beasts Pirates' retreat.
High in the sky, King, in his Pteranodon form, hadn't expected the Marines' reinforcements to arrive so quickly, nor had he anticipated that Gion, a candidate for Admiral, would be among them. Narrowly dodging her slash, he let out an enraged roar.
"MOMOUSAGI!!!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
King's roar was drowned out by the sound of Sakazuki's Meteor Volcano, which continued to rain down relentlessly.
On the sea below, the Beasts Pirates' lead ship was struck by the falling magma fists. The ship's sturdy deck and hull were riddled with holes, and the pirates aboard screamed in agony, unable to escape the onslaught.
But the magma showed no mercy.
As another wave of magma fists descended, the ship finally succumbed, breaking apart with a resounding crack before sinking into the ocean.
End of today's chapter. No late-night writing tonight. I'll continue with the next two chapters tomorrow afternoon. ~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
The story isn't over...
🤔 Want to know what happens next to the characters?
🤫 Eager to explore the untold secrets of this world?
✍️ Ready to read more of my wildest stories?
✨patreon.com/GoldenLong