More importantly, intelligence showed that Charlotte Linlin showed extraordinary 'favor' toward women, especially beautiful ones. Her core subordinates were all female. Even in the battle five years ago where she could have killed Tsuru, the opponent had unexpectedly shown mercy. After that battle, Tsuru could be said to have suffered no injuries at all.
After analysis by a series of intelligence personnel, it was determined that Tsuru had the highest chance of success in this mission and the highest chance of survival. After all, isn't the biggest difference between the Marines and pirates the amount of resources they control?
Therefore, with the Marines' high-end combat power currently stretched thin, she took on the task of'stalling' Charlotte Linlin.
Neither she nor the other intelligence analysts thought anyone else had much of a chance of stalling Charlotte Linlin, because there truly weren't many people who could survive after fighting her.
While Charlotte Linlin and Tsuru were engaged in an aerial maneuver that seemed intense but was actually full of hidden motives, the other cadres of the Rocks Pirates were also being targeted by the backbone of the Marines.
Byrnndi World faced off against two veteran Vice Admirals who specialized in physical techniques and swordsmanship. His golden armor flashed in the sun as he collided fiercely with the opponent's blades.
Captain John was entangled by three Vice Admirals skilled in combined attack tactics; his exquisite swordsmanship was unable to break through the encirclement for the time being.
Every swing of Hyogo's giant axe carried the power to split mountains and shatter Rocks, but the rotating pressure from three power-type Vice Admirals left him feeling quite helpless.
Newgate was even personally sought out by one of the Marines' current top combatants, 'Black Arm' Zephyr!
Every time the two traded punches, it caused the atmosphere to wail and the sea to churn. The terrifying shockwaves caused nearby ships to rock unsteadily.
Although this group of Rocks' Crew members could defeat their opponents, it was completely impossible to finish them off in a short amount of time.
Among everyone, the one in the most 'aggravating' situation was none other than Golden Lion Shiki.
It wasn't that his opponents were too strong—the three master swordsman Vice Admirals besieging him were skilled, but not enough to suppress him—but rather that he bore a direct Order from Rocks: protect the gibeck from being hit by cannon fire!
He had to divert a large amount of energy to swing countless sword beams, intercepting the cannonballs that shot toward the gibeck like a swarm of locusts in mid-air.
"Bastards! You Marine scum, is there no end to this!!"
Shiki roared in anger, his long golden hair dancing wildly. He cast out another web of sword beams, detonating dozens of cannonballs in mid-air as fireballs bloomed one after another.
"Newgate! Don't just focus on your own fun fight! Get rid of those annoying flies that keep firing cannons for me!"
Shiki forced back a Vice Admiral trying to close in with a sword strike, then turned his head to roar at Newgate, who was passionately trading blows with Zephyr.
"Gurararara! No time! I'm very busy over here too! Figure it out yourself!"
Newgate laughed as Murakumogiri parried a heavy iron fist from Zephyr. He threw a backhand punch to shake off an incoming barrage before clashing with Zephyr once more. The sound of explosions was constant as their fists crossed.
In the very center of the main battlefield, the fight had already reached a fever pitch!
"Rocks! Take this! Fist Bone Meteor!"
Seizing the tiny gap when Rocks swung his sword to block Sengoku's'shockwave', Garp concentrated his entire body's strength into his right fist. His pitch-black Armament Haki hardened to the limit as his figure appeared in front of Rocks' side. A simple but terrifyingly powerful straight punch slammed squarely into Rocks' face!
Boom—!
As if hit by a giant battering ram, Rocks' tall frame flew backward like a cannonball, smashing heavily into the island ruins below. He plowed a trench a hundred meters long, kicking up a sky full of dust.
However, neither Garp nor Sengoku had the slightest joy of success on their faces. Instead, their gazes became even more solemn. They understood Rocks' fearsomeness all too well.
Sure enough, before the dust had even settled, Rocks' voice, filled with fury, exploded from the ruins, the sound waves making eardrums ache:
"Garp!!! You bastard!!! You really are a... headache-inducing, hateful fellow!!!"
An even more dangerous and more violent aura, like an awakening ancient beast, spread out from the dust.
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