"Whoosh—"
As Sanji charged toward the priests, his mind raced rapidly.
In terms of sheer power, he had to admit he was still slightly inferior to that moss-headed swordsman.
If it came to a head-on clash, his chances of victory weren't high.
But…
Hawke only said each person should take on two opponents and that whoever finished first would get promoted to Lieutenant Commander.
He never said how we had to win.
Battles aren't just about whose fists are harder!
"Hmph—"
Sanji's sharp gaze swept across the enemies.
One priest rode a massive, monstrous bird. (Shura)
Another priest was accompanied by a large, ferocious dog. (Ohm)
Both of these enemies had beasts with them, meaning taking them down would cost double the time.
That meant…
Sanji instantly locked onto his targets—the other two priests: Satori and Gedatsu!
Then came the next problem…
How to stall his rival.
"Oi—"
Sanji tilted his head toward the green-haired swordsman charging beside him, battle spirit burning.
"Oi, moss-head!"
"Hm?"
"We split up ahead. At the crossroads, you go left, I'll go right!"
"Settle this fast—don't keep Hawke-san waiting!"
"Tch."
Zoro snorted coldly.
"Just don't drag me down, curly-brow!"
Reaching the crossroads, Zoro didn't hesitate, darting into one of the cloud paths.
Watching Zoro's confident, charging figure, Sanji couldn't suppress the sly grin spreading on his face.
Left?
Like hell you know your left from right, moss-head!
By the time you find your way back, I'll have finished off the enemies!
This Lieutenant Commander promotion is mine for sure!
"Idiot."
Sanji chuckled softly, twisting his body sharply before blasting forward like a streak of black lightning!
His right leg, wreathed in blazing crimson flames, carved a dazzling arc through the air and slammed squarely into Gedatsu's face.
"Boom—!"
Gedatsu didn't even manage a grunt before his eyes rolled back, body catapulting away like he'd been hit by a battering ram.
"One down."
Sanji landed lightly, casually straightening his tie.
"What?!"
The remaining priests froze, stunned by the sudden turn of events.
Gedatsu… got one-shotted?!
"You bastards think I'm still the same Sanji fresh out of East Blue?!"
"When that moss-head's been getting stronger, you think I haven't been working my ass off too?!"
Sanji's sharp gaze locked onto Satori.
"You're next, fatty!"
...
On the other side.
"Bang!"
Zoro smacked headfirst into a solid white cloud wall.
"?"
Rubbing his dazed forehead, he stared blankly at the dead-end before him.
What the—?!
Where's the path?
Where the hell did it go?!
Scratching his head, he turned back the way he came.
After a few steps, he found another fork.
Alright, right this time.
Moments later.
"Bang!"
Another cloud wall.
"???"
A bead of cold sweat rolled down Zoro's temple.
Something's wrong.
The layout of this damn island… is insane!
Just then, a distant explosion rocked the air, followed by a certain annoying cook's obnoxious laughter.
"Hahaha! Military merits are mine—die, bastards!"
"!!!"
"Son of a—!!!"
Zoro's face instantly darkened.
He'd been tricked!
That damned curly-browed bastard…
I should never have split up from him!
"Curly-brow!!!"
His furious roar echoed through the maze-like cloud pathways.
"Achoo!"
On the battlefield, Sanji rubbed his nose before driving his foot into Satori's gut, slamming him flat on the ground.
"Must be some beauty thinking about me."
He smirked proudly, then planted his foot on Satori's chest.
"It's over."
...
Across the battlefield, aside from the four priests, there were fifty divine soldiers.
Hawke raised his hand.
Behind him, the Marines instantly split into tight, coordinated squads, charging into the enemy formation with flawless teamwork.
They covered each other seamlessly, splitting and surrounding the divine soldiers with surgical precision.
The divine soldiers, so proud of their individual strength, crumbled like wet paper against the trained Marine formations, getting taken down one by one.
"Phew—"
Hawke calmly lit a cigar, smoke curling upward as his steady gaze swept across the battlefield.
With him overseeing things, there wouldn't be a problem.
These priests and divine soldiers were perfect for combat drills.
That brat Sanji wasn't bad.
Even though he and Zoro constantly bickered, fighting at the drop of a hat…
When push came to shove, Sanji could stay calm, analyze the situation, and find the most advantageous solution.
Brave yet clever, exploiting every edge he could.
"Thud—"
Before long, with the last divine soldier falling, the battlefield finally quieted.
Just then, a green figure stumbled out from around a clouded corner.
"…"
Zoro had finally found the right path.
By the time he arrived, both Satori and Gedatsu were lying on the ground, foam bubbling from their mouths.
Sanji stood there leisurely, one foot on Gedatsu's body, lazily smoking a cigarette as the crimson flames around his leg slowly faded.
The remaining two priests—Shura and Ohm—watched him warily, too intimidated to make a move.
"…"
Sanji exhaled a smoke ring, waving casually at Zoro.
"Yo, Lieutenant Zoro, you finally made it to the battlefield, huh!"
"..."
"!!!"
Zoro's temple veins bulged—one, two, three of them.
He knew he'd lost.
If not for this cursed labyrinth of cloud paths, there was no way he'd lose!
Tricked me into getting lost, huh?!
I'll remember this, damn cook!!!
Just you wait!!!
"Phew—"
Zoro inhaled deeply, exhaling slowly to force himself calm.
Hawke's orders still needed completing.
Military merits, promotions… he'd earn them himself!
All of his pent-up frustration condensed into blazing battle intent as his gaze locked onto the two remaining priests.
He slowly drew Wado Ichimonji from his waist.
"Shing—"
With a clear, sharp ring, his voice came out cold as the depths of hell.
Explosive killing intent surged from within him, forming a visible crimson aura around his body and blade, burning like blood-soaked fire.
"What the hell is that?!"
Shura and Ohm's faces twisted with alarm, instincts screaming danger.
From that blood-red aura, they could smell death.
"Kill him!"
Exchanging a glance, they attacked simultaneously.
Shura's spear lashed forward like a venomous snake, aiming straight for Zoro's heart.
Ohm's blazing longsword howled with scorching heat, slicing down toward Zoro's neck.
But the moment they struck, Zoro's figure vanished.
The next second—
A crescent-shaped slash of blood-red energy tore across the air.
"Slashhh—"
Time seemed to slow.
The ferocity on Shura and Ohm's faces froze into stunned disbelief.
Their eyes lowered slowly to the deep, bone-revealing gashes across their chests.
Blood gushed like a fountain.
"Thud."
"Thud."
Two bodies hit the ground.
"Phew…"
Zoro calmly sheathed Wado Ichimonji, the crimson aura around him dissipating like mist.
"Hm."
Hawke watched silently, nodding slightly.
He'd channeled all that bottled-up emotion into his blade, venting it in a single strike.
This Zoro was already far stronger than his canon counterpart at this point.
"..."
The entire battlefield fell silent.
Whether native Skypieans or Shandians, everyone stared at the Marines like they were monsters.
The "god" had been obliterated.
His four priests, sliced down.
His divine soldiers, wiped out with ease.
These blue-sea people… who the hell were they?
All eyes turned to Hawke, filled with reverence.
This man wasn't just absurdly strong himself—his subordinates were monsters too.
"…"
Just then, the crowd parted, clearing a path.
An armored old man and a solemn-faced chieftain walked side by side toward Hawke.
Knight of the Sky—Gan Fall.
And the Chief of the Shandians.
Stopping before Hawke, they bowed deeply in respect.
Gan Fall spoke first. "Mighty blue-sea warriors, thank you for bringing us peace."
The Chief followed, his voice solemn.
"We Shandians also thank you… for ending Enel's reign of terror."
Exchanging a glance, the two bowed even lower.
"May we ask… how do you intend to rule this sky?"
...
This is a chapter for 100 Powerstones. Than you so much. I will keep posting additional chapters for your Powerstones.