"Dead… dead!? Admiral Ryokugyu is dead!?"
The shock of that overwhelming reality struck the Marines' morale head-on. The momentum that had once driven the soldiers forward began to visibly falter.
The sudden transformation that engulfed all of Onigashima plunged the battlefield into an oppressive silence for several moments.
The island, which had once been barren and desolate with that massive skull at its center, was now teeming with life—but not natural life. Countless plants burst violently from the ground, growing wildly and uncontrollably. In mere seconds, the entire landscape transformed into a chaotic and menacing forest.
A colossal vine pierced the sky, rising like a pillar at the center of the island.
From its roots, rhizomes spread like a living web, crawling everywhere, advancing voraciously in all directions.
Like silent predators, these plants infiltrated the ranks of the landing Marines, quickly wrapping around them and turning into living chains that restrained one soldier after another.
"Damn it! These plants… they're alive!"
In the blink of an eye, the number of victims surpassed a thousand—and it kept increasing at an alarming rate with every passing moment.
A captain drew his sword and cut down the vines advancing toward him, shouting a warning:
"Don't let your guard down! Watch your footing! Nowhere on this island is safe!!"
But as soon as his words rang out, the vines he had cut regenerated instantly.
A new branch sprouted, swift as a serpent, coiling around his ankle and lifting him into the air.
"—Gah!"
At that exact moment, a blade flashed, and the vines were severed once more.
Momousagi appeared with a serious expression, her commanding presence imposing order amidst the chaos.
"Everyone, fall back immediately!"
"Vice Admiral Momousagi!" the captain said, still shaken. "Are we really retreating just like this?!"
Before he could receive an answer, several beams of light streaked across the battlefield.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Devastating explosions swept through the living forest, burning and destroying portions of the vines.
The ground trembled as hundreds of Pacifista advanced heavily onto the island.
They were emotionless humanoid machines, programmed for a single purpose: eliminate all pirates on sight.
Allies in their path were completely irrelevant.
"Let them clear the way! Fall back in formation now!" Momousagi ordered without even looking back.
Gripping her sword, she unleashed a powerful slash at the approaching vines.
The blade tore through the vegetation from a distance, opening a direct path toward the castle as she advanced.
On the other side of the battlefield—
Smoker tore through the vines restraining his subordinates, his face tense.
"Ryokugyu… is dead. And his power is now in the enemy's hands…"
His Observation Haki could no longer detect the Admiral's presence.
Suddenly, a vine pierced through his chest from behind like a spear.
"Captain Smoker!!" another captain shouted in horror.
"Why are you panicking?" Smoker replied coldly. "I'm a Logia user!"
His right hand darkened with Armament Haki.
He grabbed the vine firmly and ripped it out.
But in the very next instant, more vines grew back.
It was as if they had found the perfect prey—dozens of them converged on him.
"Damn it…!" Smoker gritted his teeth, struggling against the relentless assault.
The captain beside him kept slashing, breathing heavily:
"How do these things know where we are?!"
Smoker narrowed his eyes, thinking.
"…Is Straw Hat using Observation Haki to cover the entire island?"
The captain swallowed hard.
"If that's the case… his power is completely absurd…"
"Free the trapped men first!" Smoker ordered.
His body partially transformed into smoke, rising rapidly.
"There's no point fighting these things without targeting the user!"
Meanwhile—
On the command ship.
The live broadcast clearly showed Onigashima transformed into a green hell.
Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro watched with a dark expression.
"Ryokugyu is dead… what a failure."
His voice was cold.
"And worse, his ability was taken after his death… pathetic."
He picked up the Den Den Mushi and ordered:
"All Shichibukai… begin action."
After that, he stood up and walked toward the deck.
Behind him, Bartholomew Kuma followed mechanically.
"A member of the Five Elders!" several Marines reacted in shock.
Sengoku turned around.
"Nusjuro-san… are you planning to act personally?"
"The entire army will be mobilized!" The killing intent in Nusjuro's eyes was unmistakable.
"Kuma. Send me there."
Without hesitation, Kuma removed his gloves, revealing his characteristic paw-shaped palms.
He touched Nusjuro's back and instantly launched him into the sky.
Then he prepared to do the same for himself.
"Wait."
Sengoku finished eating his senbei, calmly wiping the corner of his mouth.
"Take me as well."
Tsuru frowned.
"Sengoku…"
"Tsuru, you stay," he said with a faint smile. "You're the best strategist here. You need to maintain control of the battlefield."
He paused briefly.
"Even retired… I'm still a Marine."
In the next moment, Kuma touched him—
And he vanished, launched toward the battlefield.
Tsuru remained silent, massaging her forehead.
"…There is no mercy on the battlefield."
she murmured.
"Even if he's Garp's grandson… Straw Hat might not spare anyone."
Her gaze returned to the island.
"Even Ryokugyu was killed instantly…"
Her expression grew heavier.
"The power of Monkey D. Luffy… has already surpassed that of an ordinary Yonko."
"He… has reached an entirely new domain."
At that moment—
Two figures stepped forward.
A gigantic man, over three meters tall, bare-chested, with absurdly defined muscles.
Baptis Ackroyd.
Beside him, a much slimmer figure, his body wrapped in bandages, with only his eyes visible.
Baptis Alger.
"Hey, send us too," Alger said in a hoarse voice. "The Dragon is on that island. That storm… was his doing."
But Kuma did not respond.
He simply pressed his palm against his own chest—
And vanished.
"What? Our orders mean nothing to him?" Ackroyd grimaced.
Tsuru replied coldly:
"Only the Five Elders and Vegapunk have absolute authority over him."
She paused.
"Admirals and the Fleet Admiral can issue orders as well… but only with authorization."
Ackroyd clicked his tongue.
"What a hassle."
Alger wasted no time.
With a step in the air—
BOOM!
He vanished instantly, using Geppo to launch himself through the sky.
Ackroyd slightly bent his knees.
The warship sank a few centimeters under his weight.
The bow tilted.
"The hunt has begun…"
BOOM!!!
The deck exploded beneath his feet.
And like a human missile, he launched himself straight toward Onigashima.
(End of Chapter)