The seawater that had been cleaved in two slowly mended, the deep chasm left by the white-robed elder's attack vanishing as if it had never been there. That powerful blow, so strong it reminded Rodin of the King's Fistfrom the original plot, had been a game-changer. The King's Fist, after an hour of charging, was said to be capable of instantly killing even a Four Emperor. Its authenticity was still under investigation, but it was a testament to the sheer power of the white-robed lady's attack.
The difference, however, was in the aftermath. Unlike the original King, she looked as though she was at death's door. Even if she recovered, the possibility of her fighting again was in question. Of course, that was no longer Rodin's concern.
"Rodin, none of you pirates are leaving here today!" Sengoku roared, launching another punch.
But the female elder's who had been lying on the pier had long since disappeared. She was still watching, but no longer in the same spot. Sengoku's fist swung through empty air. He froze for a moment, his Observation Haki exploring every inch of the area, yet he couldn't find a trace of her. He had just declared they wouldn't escape, but she had really run away.
At that moment, the system's voice echoed in Rodin's mind.
[Ding, the summoning time is over, the mysterious female character from Time Limited Card is returning....]
[Successful Execution!]
[Congratulations on your next random draw, you will definitely win a 'four-star' Female Character!]
[You now have a chance to randomly draw from a faction. Would you like to do it immediately? ]
Rodin was slightly taken aback after reading the message. It meant the faction would be revealed in advance, but he couldn't summon the character yet.
'Let's do it,' he thought.
[Ding, the random drawing is in progress. Congratulations! You will win the Marine faction character in the next draw!]
This draw was a bit lackluster. Still, a Marine faction character…
Rodin's mind raced. Was this the first time he'd gotten a Marine character? And a four-star at that? The possibilities were few. Was it Fujitora, Green Bull, Aokiji, or Kizaru? Or maybe Zephyr, Garp, Sengoku, or Kong!?
Before he could ponder further, Sengoku's Big Buddha shockwave charged toward him. Seeing this, Rodin brought his palms together, creating an electromagnetic ball.
"Whooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!"
In an instant, a blinding blue light engulfed the area. Rodin was sent flying tens of meters away. Baki, with his knife drawn, flew toward the fray as well.
"This is Zephyr's side…" Sengoku muttered, a bad feeling growing in his heart.
Just then, a beam of light particles gathered in the air. Kizaru, his hands in his pockets, appeared. He glanced at the wreckage of the warship below and his eyebrows raised slightly. The situation was far worse than he had imagined. Why was only the Marshal left?
"Mr. Sengoku, the situation ahead is not good for us," Kizaru said.
Sengoku frowned, giving him a look that clearly said, 'Why are you here?'
"Oh… I can't handle it by myself, Sengoku-san." Kizaru drew his Ama no Murakumo and effortlessly split the attack Baki had just sent. "Konpira from Gion?"
At this moment, Dove opened his hands and flew over from a distance, followed by Mihoko. The situation for the Marines was getting worse by the minute.
"Mr. Sengoku, Fig—"
Under a sudden gust of wind, Sengoku roared, "Borsalino, as a soldier, do you want to retreat at this juncture?!"
"Eh?" Kizaru's expression was bitter. The gap between the enemy and them was so vast; if they didn't run, they would die.
"Hold on for a while," Sengoku commanded. Despite the unknown fate of his colleagues, he forced himself to stay calm. He glanced at the sea behind him. The fact that nothing had appeared yet made him uneasy.
Just then, female Akainu resolved her own battle and moved towards her crew. Rodin's side was now almost at full strength. Sengoku clenched his fists.
"Withd—"
The word was cut short by a look from Kizaru. Behind them, a warship was speeding toward the harbor. Standing on the ship was a white-haired, bearded man, his folded arms giving off a stern aura.
"The two who have led the Marines on the front lines since Roger's time, if the curtain ends this way… I'm afraid it will become a big news story right away." He stepped forward, launching himself toward the battle.
Marine support had arrived!
"Commander-in-Chief, Kong?" Rodin murmured, leaping onto the ship that had been on autopilot.
"Captain, we got what we needed!" Baki landed on the deck.
"All of it?"
"Look!" Baki proudly displayed a Devil Fruit, a Calm Belt chart, and a pointer.
"You're a lucky girl," Rodin said, rubbing Baki's red nose. "As expected of Lucky Baki. In that case… let's not waste any more time. We're going straight to Fish-Man Island."
The lesson for the Marines was over. Business was business!
Baki, touched by Rodin, trembled slightly, as if shocked by electricity. She looked a little shy, and Dove, who was also on board, glanced at him. 'This guy usually hates people touching her nose, but when it's the captain…'
Dove turned her head. "Captain Rodin, our film isn't finished yet."
"Leave that to me," Rodin smiled, taking out his bubble machine and pulling the trigger.
Hoo hoo!
Seven-colored bubbles emerged from the transparent machine, quickly enveloping the flying boat. Below them, airships and warships unleashed a fierce barrage of cannon fire.
"Shhhhhh!"
As the intense cannonballs flew, Dove was about to act, but a silent space was created around the flying boat, repelling the attacks.
"Let's go," Rodin said, pressing his hands against the deck. The silent space expanded, covering the entire ship. The hull became transparent, and suddenly, the countless muzzles of the enemy cannons became like headless chickens. They had lost their target.
"They disappeared?"
"It must be a Devil Fruit ability!"
"An ability that makes them both disappear and silent? Is it teleportation?" The soldiers under Kong's command were confused. No one knew where to aim.
"Give up the pursuit!" Kong commanded. "Diving team, start the rescue mission first!"
The ships moved into action. In the distance, reporters with trembling hands recorded the events.
"He… he actually forced the Commander-in-Chief of the three armies out?!"
"It's terrifying! With this kind of strength, how will the other Four Emperors of the New World handle it?"
Near the giant bubble tree not far from the pier, a beautiful figure in a light red cloak watched the disappearing flying boat. The crunch of her fists was the only sound she made.
'For how many days I have been with you? And you just dumped me here?'
Never mind. That's fine.
She would simply create a new Marine. Even… in this strange world.
Akainu's expression soured. She let out a cold snort and turned around.
"You have too little faith in your captain."
A voice suddenly came from behind, and a warm arm wrapped around her. Female Akainu was startled, then she gritted her teeth.
"Don't touch… there…"
"Ah, sorry." Rodin smiled. "But you can't resist, can you?"
He held Akainu in his arms and leaped back to the flying boat. A soundless layer of bubbles rose from the water as they vanished in the sea.
Holy Land Mariejois
The Five Elders had lost contact with the battlefield after the Den Den Mushi went silent.
"I hope Kong can arrive in time. Sengoku and the others definitely can't take on those five people," one of the elders said.
"Those five elders? Are they all members of Rodin's crew?" The white-robed elder raised a question that the others had been avoiding.
"I have never heard of a Devil Fruit with such imitative and creative abilities…"
"Maybe they are us? They just used unknown means…" the elders guessed, growing more and more unnerved as they got closer to the truth.
"But why five old women?"
This statement made their faces turn ashen. A moment later, a report on the battle situation arrived, and the faces of the Five Elders turned even gloomier. The meeting room was silent.
After a long time, someone finally spoke.
"At least, the situation is better than we thought," the Five Elder with long, straight hair said, leaning on the sofa. "The fate of Zephyr and Garp is unknown. Marine's future combat power in unexpected battles is obviously insufficient. In this sea, it will be difficult for the Marines to form a balance of power."
"Speaking of which, it has been confirmed that Teach, who betrayed the Whitebeard Pirates… has the most vicious Logia fruit."
"Dark-Dark Fruit?!"
"It's just one thing after another."
"It's so hard to deal with Rodin and his gang now," the blond Five Elder said, rubbing his sore legs. "Open a worldwide conscription and give the Marines two special enlistment rights for Admirals!"
The rest of the elders frowned, as if making a difficult decision.
"At this point, this is the only way."
"I'll talk to Sengoku later," the blond Five Elder nodded. "In addition, we must also report this matter to Supreme Ruler Imu!"
At the mention of Im, all four of them looked solemn. Although they were at the pinnacle of world power, there was one more person who was truly above them all.
"Then let's stop here. The matter of world conscription must be put on the agenda as soon as possible!"
With the final voice falling, the five of them concluded the conversation. The world was about to change once again.