"Then I'll keep you entertained for a bit, Sakazuki!"
Shanks laughed, his Conqueror's Haki surging outward and forming a protective field around Nami.
Boom!
Blazing magma rained down from the sky, but under the pressure of his Haki, it shattered into harmless fragments before it could reach them.
...
"Stop running, you two!"
A strange, spinning flower sprouted from Admiral Aramaki's back, lifting him into the air as he hovered above the forest.
"A reindeer and a long-nosed man, both partners of the so called God King Shirogai. Criminals like you deserve to be captured."
Aramaki looked down at the fleeing pair with a mocking smile.
"Long nose, aren't you also using plant based abilities? Come on, let's see whose power is superior."
"Like I'd fight you, idiot! You're a Marine Admiral!"
Usopp clung to Chopper, who was in Walk Point, then turned back and pulled his slingshot to its limit.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
"Sure Kill Green Star, Mist Seed!"
Bang!
Thick green smoke exploded outward, covering the forest and sky in an instant.
For a brief moment, Aramaki lost sight of them.
"Cough, cough… smoke tricks? Is this how you fight? Pathetic."
He sneered, completely unimpressed.
Another spinning flower grew from his back, forming a dual rotor.
Whirrr…
A powerful gust erupted, sweeping away the smoke in seconds.
"In the face of absolute power, your tricks mean nothing."
But the next moment proved him wrong.
Instead of escaping, Usopp launched himself upward, appearing directly in front of him. His slingshot glowed with a green aura as he pulled it back with everything he had.
"Don't underestimate us! We're the Straw Hat Pirates!"
Fear was still in his eyes, but so was unwavering resolve.
"Sure Kill, Murder Star, Green Dragon Breaker!"
Swoosh!!!
The shot roared forward, forming the shape of a massive dragon as it tore through the air and slammed into Aramaki.
Boom!!!
The explosion ripped through the sky, scattering clouds and tearing apart most of Aramaki's body, leaving only half of him intact.
"We did it, Usopp!"
Chopper leapt up and caught him as he fell, cheering in excitement.
"N-no…"
Usopp stared upward, his face pale with fear.
"He's still smiling… he's not dead! Chopper, run!"
"What?! Half his body is gone and he's still alive?! These Admirals are monsters!"
Chopper landed and bolted forward at full speed.
Compared to them, he felt like the real monster title didn't belong to him at all.
"Hmph… I underestimated you."
Aramaki's remaining body glowed with deep green light. In seconds, it regenerated completely, returning to normal.
"You didn't run from a Marine Admiral. You even attacked me. Impressive… and foolish."
Killing intent flashed in his eyes as he raised both hands toward them.
"I'll stop holding back. I'll kill you here."
Swoosh! Swoosh!
Massive vines erupted outward, covering the sky and closing in on Chopper and Usopp from all directions.
"This is bad! They're too fast! Hold on, Usopp, I'll break through!"
Chopper sprinted along the closing vines, charging toward a narrow opening.
Armament Haki coated his antlers as he drove forward like a battering ram.
Bang!
He smashed through the vine enclosure, bursting out into open space.
"W-we made it!"
Usopp rubbed his back in pain, then turned to look behind them.
The giant vine sphere twisted violently.
Splat!
Animals that had been caught inside were crushed instantly, their blood spilling onto the ground.
Usopp's face turned pale.
If they had been trapped inside, that would have been their fate.
Gulp…
He collapsed onto Chopper, trembling.
"Chopper… run faster… I think I've caught the disease where I die if I fight a Marine Admiral…"
"Escaping won't save you. You're only delaying the inevitable."
Aramaki retracted his vines, absorbing the blood from them. His body grew even more robust.
"Such a waste. These animals died because pirates came here."
He spoke coldly.
"I'll send you to join them."
...
Crack!
The ground split apart as countless roots burst out, twisting toward Chopper like serpents.
I can handle this…
He's just an Admiral…
No, he's an Admiral! This is terrifying!
But I can't stop now!
"I'll handle it! Just keep running, Chopper!"
Usopp forced himself to stand firm, a green glow surrounding him as he summoned his own vines to counter the incoming roots.
"I'm counting on you, Usopp!"
Chopper trusted him completely and pushed forward.
The vines and roots clashed, tangling and restraining each other.
"D-did it work?"
Usopp blinked in disbelief.
He had actually stopped an Admiral's attack.
Confidence surged through him as he turned back and shouted.
"I told you! I'm Shirogai's partner! I'm not afraid of you!"
"God King?"
Aramaki scoffed.
"He's nothing but a filthy pirate. The chaos he's caused means nothing. In the end, he'll be crushed by the World Government."
He looked down at them with arrogance.
"Anyone who opposes the Celestial Dragons will die by my hands."
"What… did you just say?"
Usopp froze, his expression hardening as he stared up at the Admiral.