For the sake of fairness, everyone on the Argo also took one of Hera's clones to record their scores and to turn those pirates into nourishment for the City of Devouring Time.
In the end, Nami from the Brownbeard Pirates successfully took first place, as the speed advantage of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit was fully displayed during this operation.
Looking at the smug Nami, Hera felt a bit troubled; through her vision, she could see that the spiritual energy in Nami's body was reaching its limit. Once this was over,
she would have to prepare a Zero Crystal for her.
While Hera was still worrying, the 'guests' they had been waiting for finally arrived.
The Wang Zhi Pirates, Ace, Shanks, and the others appeared on the horizon simultaneously. As soon as the two factions met, the atmosphere became tense and hostile.
Ace, in particular, had no kind words for those who wanted to offend his Pops' hometown; his Conqueror's Haki surged into the sky, pressing down towards Ochoku.
Although Ochoku did not possess Conqueror's Haki, he was a former Crew member of the Rocks Pirates and naturally would not back down.
Seeing that the Red Hair Pirates had actually arrived with the Whitebeard Pirates, Queen took out a Transponder Snail to contact Kaido, preparing to call for backup.
Beside him, Big Mom's subordinate Charlotte Cracker also contacted Big Mom; since Shanks had arrived, they needed to be prepared as well.
Even the originally clear sky seemed to sense the overwhelming aura of the crowd, turning dark as several bolts of lightning flickered within the clouds.
Shanks' Observation Haki had already detected the anomaly in the clouds. He drew his saber and infused it with his Conqueror's Haki.
"It seems the person in the clouds isn't very welcoming to us."
His eyes flashed with a red light, and a sword strike knocked back a bolt of lightning that was about to strike.
"Since you're here, don't hide in the clouds, Kaido."
In the clouds, a massive dragon head emerged. Kaido, the strongest creature who had directly transformed into an Azure Dragon, had arrived:
"Brat from Roger's ship, it's been a long time."
On Ochoku's ship, Charlotte Brulee pulled out a giant mirror and brought Big Mom, Charlotte Linlin, from Cake Island to Ochoku's ship.
"Ma-ma-ma-ma! It really has been a long time. I didn't expect the few of us to gather because of Roger's child."
"But besides us, there seem to be a few people here who shouldn't have come."
Kaido and Linlin looked toward the island, where Garp and Hera were eating barbecue while watching them.
Seeing Kaido and Big Mom for the first time, Hera was somewhat shocked by Kaido's massive size.
She wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth and said excitedly, "So big! This is the first time I've seen a dragon."
"I just wonder what dragon meat tastes like."
Theseus nodded in agreement. She had seen a proverb in Hera's memories: 'Dragon meat in heaven, donkey meat on earth.'
Furthermore, in the Journey to the West, those immortals were always eating dragon liver and phoenix marrow, which made her crave it as she looked at Kaido.
Garp burst out laughing. Even he hadn't expected that upon seeing Kaido, the first thing Hera would be curious about was what the Azure Dragon he transformed into tasted like.
"Hahahaha! Since you're so curious, how about I knock a piece off for you?"
Hearing Hera's words, Garp suddenly felt that the roasted Sea King meat in his hand wasn't as delicious, and he also felt eager to try it.
Kaido and Big Mom glanced at each other, seeing a hint of solemnity in each other's eyes. Even if Garp was old, they were still very cautious when facing this Marine who had given them countless shadows.
After all, they had been chased and beaten by Garp quite a bit when they were young, especially since this guy didn't follow the rules and would punch people in the face first.
Just looking at Garp made them both feel a phantom pain in their faces.
As for Hera beside Garp, they didn't consider her an opponent; in their eyes, this newly promoted Marine Admiral was still too young.
Big Mom sized up Hera curiously. The Soul-Soul Fruit she had absorbed became restless upon sensing Hera's presence.
It was as if it were urging Big Mom to take action against Hera.
Even within Big Mom's Observation Haki, the fragrance emanating from Hera's body seemed more tempting than her favorite cake.
Hera felt a chill as she saw Big Mom looking at her as if she wanted to eat her.
"Ma-ma-ma-ma! Nightmare Admiral, you're quite an interesting person. Do you want to join my Big Mom Pirates? If you join, you can pick any of my sons for a marriage alliance."
"Of course, a daughter is fine too, but you must leave a child with one of my sons."
Big Mom had also investigated some things about Hera. In her eyes, Hera's abilities made it seem like she belonged to a special race.
Since Big Mom's dream was to collect all kinds of races, she wanted Hera to join her family, or she could just imprison her by her side.
Kaido snorted a plume of fire from his nose in dissatisfaction and continued:
"I won't mistake your ability. Only a Mythical Zoan Type would have such diverse powers. She should join the Beasts Pirates."
"Brat, join my Pirate Crew, and I'll forgive you for taking Jack's tusks and for your offense just now. Also, the matter with Doflamingo can be written off."
Hera shrugged helplessly. It seemed that being as outstanding as she was truly made her quite attractive.
Garp's face turned red with anger at Kaido and Big Mom's words. On his clenched fists, red and black Conqueror's Haki lightning crackled.
"You two bastards! Hera is a Marine Admiral and my granddaughter! She won't leave the Marines to become a pirate, right, Hera?"
Hera nodded and smiled. "Of course. I am a Marine Admiral. The Marine is my home. Why would I leave my home?"
Kaido and Big Mom looked at each other. Big Mom summoned her thundercloud 'Zeus,' jumped onto it, and flew toward the island with Kaido.
Sensing the energy gathering on the two of them, Garp's expression became solemn. "Be careful. It looks like they're going to give us a show of force."
Hera also took out her saber, 'saikū,' and her red-black Conqueror's Haki manifested.
The collision of four top-tier Conqueror's Haki caused the entire sky to turn grey. Even the subordinates of the Four Emperors could hardly withstand the pressure.
Ace looked at the alliance of Big Mom and Kaido with a nervous expression. His body quickly transformed into elements, wanting to help Garp and Hera block this strike.
Shanks, standing nearby, stopped him. "Don't worry. Your grandfather and sister aren't that weak."
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