"Immortal Flame Barrier!"
...
Seven layers of defense unfolded simultaneously, and the overwhelming storm of cannonballs exploded one after another in mid-air, turning into fireworks across the sky, intercepted completely.
A significant number of cannonballs also bounced back, landing on the Navy's warships and artillery positions, stirring up smoke and a chorus of screams.
As the smoke cleared, seven men landed back on the ship.
The massive fleet of the Endgame remained unscathed, continuing to advance at an astonishing speed.
"Damn it, the highest-ranking officers have taken action!"
"Just a casual move from each of them intercepted everything..."
"This level of bombardment truly has no effect at all!"
The Navy soldiers were in an uproar.
Even some high-ranking officers, while having expected it, couldn't help but clench their teeth and feel a wave of despair upon witnessing the scene.
No way.
The enemy's top-level combat power is simply too numerous and too strong!
"Hmph, it's just an opening probe."
Kong's cold voice echoed once more:
"Don't dwell on it; the real battle is just beginning. Issue the orders, have all the Peacekeepers prepare to launch, targeting the enemy flagship!"
"The Seraphim and the Seven Warlords of the Sea, also target the enemy's high-ranking officers, all launch!"
"Yes!"
The Seraphim accepted the orders, cold-faced, and stepped out of the ranks.
They were clones infused with Lunarian blood, possessing more comprehensive and powerful strength than the originals.
Operating under the command of the "Authority Chip," they displayed no ideological wavering, nor could they possibly fear enemies they've never battled!
A total of seven, with codenames S-Shark, S-Snake Woman, S-Eagle, S-Flamingo, S-Moonlight, S-Crocodile, and S-Thunder God!
"Fuhuhuhuhu..."
S-Flamingo, resembling Doflamingo in appearance, chuckled sinisterly with hands in pockets, gazing at the distant Endgame fleet:
"Finally, it's time for us to showcase our skills. Mere pirates dare challenge the authority of the World Government; truly a path to self-destruction!"
"My target is locked on."
S-Eagle expressionlessly raised the Black Blade Yoru, its tip pointing at Kuina on the deck:
"According to the intel, the deputy captain of the enemy, bounty amounting to 1.846 billion Belly, codename 'Wind Erosion,' threat level S, I'll handle it."
"Leave the blind fat guy to me."
S-Crocodile spat out smoke, glaring coldly at Issho leaning against the flagpole, "Press-Press Fruit Ability User, bounty worth 3.04 billion Belly, seems stronger than the deputy captain; I like challengers."
"Since that's settled."
S-Thunder God chuckled, twisting his neck as lightning flickered around him:
"That big guy with the bear ear hat is mine; strength aside, there's an unknown fire in my heart that makes me want to tear him apart."
"I'm going with the flow, dealing with whoever I come across."
S-Flamingo shrugged, then noticed something, curiously turning his head, "By the way, where are the other three? Why are just us four talking?"
"Hmph, that's because this Empress disdains engaging with existence like..."
S-Snake Woman strutted on, just opened her mouth when suddenly a graceful silhouette flashed from the flank!
"Fragrant Foot!"
Bang!
High heels struck fiercely on S-Snake Woman's cheek, catching her off guard. The surface of her right cheek showed petrification marks, and her body flew backward like a kite with a broken string, brutally crashing into a cliff.
What just happened?
The Seraphim raised their heads in shock to see Empress Hancock elegantly retracting her leg, looking down with distaste:
"A bunch of counterfeiters dare boast here?"
Even using 'this Empress' and 'this concubine,' how disgusting. The most she detested in life was anyone mimicking her speech!
"Lady Hancock?!"
The surrounding Navy soldiers erupted into a frenzy.
No one anticipated Empress Hancock would suddenly attack the allied Seraphim without any prior notice.
"Boa Hancock."
Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel, nearby, erupted with anger, speaking sternly:
"Control your tantrum! While we're usually tolerant of you, at such crucial moments, you want to cause chaos? Are you planning to betray the World Government?"
"Betray? Haha, thanks for the reminder; betrayal has always been my plan."
Hancock gathered her long hair, turning to face the Navy with pride:
"Now, I declare, I'm officially leaving the Seven Warlords of the Sea and siding with the Endgame!"
Almost instantly after she spoke, she crossed her arms before her chest, revealing a massive pink heart-shaped halo behind her —
"Sweet Breeze!"
Buzz!
Pink light rapidly spread, and all it touched instantly petrified many Navy soldiers, turning them into rigid statues.
"Empress! Are you mad?!"
Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel struggled against the petrification, vehemently shouting, "Seraphim, this woman's ability is a nuisance, we have to control her first!"
"A woman is just foolish."
S-Eagle, sword drawn long ago, sneered, "To announce such a thing, at least choose a better timing. Daring to betray in front of us, let's deal with you first!"
Just as S-Eagle raised the Black Blade Yoru to charge at Hancock —
A cyan sword light suddenly descended from the sky!
Clang!!!
Sparks flew as S-Eagle staggered backward, looking up in astonishment.
A tall figure wielding a cross-shaped sword stepped in front of Hancock, the sword tip pointing to the ground.
"A clone, ultimately just a clone."
The newcomer, with rippled eyes, gazed coldly at S-Eagle, "If you truly inherited my ideals, how could you forget the kindness from Lord Shano, standing against him?"
"Hawkeye Mihawk!"
Flying Squirrel was filled with rage and disbelief, "What do you mean by this? Are you also planning to defect?"
"Correct."
Mihawk glanced at Flying Squirrel indifferently, "As a reward, I can inform you this is just the beginning."
Just the beginning???
Everyone, including Flying Squirrel, had their expressions shift.
What does he mean by that?
The answer unfolded in the very next second.
"Fishman Karate: Shark Tile True Punch!"
"Corner Knife Shadow!"
With two cries, everyone watched in shock as two diminutive figures flew in screaming from the sky, crashing hard onto the ground, spitting blood.
"It's S-Shark and S-Moonlight!"
S-Flamingo and S-Thunder God widened their eyes.
"Seems like your seemingly perfect battle plan has encountered a substantial problem."
A deep, hoarse voice resonated from below, and everyone looked to see Sea Hero Jinbe emerge from the ocean, face solemn, taking firm steps.
"Heh heh heh heh heh..."
A snicker echoed behind, as Moriah sneered, stepping out of the shadows, "Don't blame me for defecting; after a trip to Wano Country, I found siding with Endgame more practical. But who'd thought, besides me, there'd be three other Seven Warlords already undercover."
Instantly.
The rear of the battlefield plunged into dead silence.
"..."
Marine soldiers glanced left and right, almost in tears, thinking their positions at the back would be safer.
But what's going on now!
Hawkeye Mihawk defected!
Empress Hancock defected!
Sea Hero Jinbe defected!
Moonlight Moriah defected!
Out of Seven Warlords, over half have defected in one fell swoop?!
With the rear ablaze, how is this war supposed to be fought?
"Marshal."
Kizaru, positioned on the central high platform, also noticed the disturbances at the rear, his expression grim as he looked towards the radio snail.
"I've seen it!"
Steel Bone Kong's voice emerged from the radio snail, evidently repressing anger, "These damned pirates, indeed every one of them, concealed malice and are completely unreliable!"