The southern waters of Banaro Island, which should have been quiet under the night sky, were now torn apart by smoke and fire.
"What's going on? Only Momonga made it here?"
On the deck of the Marine flagship Hunter, Vice Admiral Onigumo stood with his spider-like black hair whipping wildly in the wind.
His cold, predatory gaze swept across the empty sea on both sides.
"Report, Vice Admiral!"
A guard knelt on one knee, voice trembling slightly.
"The other three Vice Admirals assigned to this sector were suddenly redirected by CP0."
"They've all moved to reinforce the operation to capture Fire Fist Ace."
"The line… has been torn open."
"Those masked rats from CP0… reaching too far."
Onigumo snorted coldly.
His eight strands of hair each wrapped around a blade, metal scraping softly in the tense air.
"…But this works in our favor."
"Momonga. This is our chance to earn merit."
On another flagship nearby, Vice Admiral Momonga exhaled a thick cloud of cigar smoke, his calm eyes half-lidded.
"Since we've encountered them…"
"Then we carry out justice."
"All ships—open fire. Full coverage!"
"BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!"
Dozens of heavy shells screamed through the night sky.
Their fiery tails streaked across the sea like death itself—
All targeting the Golden Merry.
"We're gonna get blown to pieces!!"
Usopp ran in panic, dragging Chopper along as he shook uncontrollably.
But at the bow—
Ronan stood firm, like a spear planted into the earth.
"You think this kind of bombardment can stop us?"
"Naive."
His eyes sharpened.
Golden internal energy surged through his body, flowing into his spear.
Dark red veins flickered along the weapon.
"Xingyi Thirteen Spear—Thousand-Pound Sweep!"
With a roar, he spun the spear in a full arc.
A crescent-shaped shockwave shot forward—
Slicing through the incoming shells.
"BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!"
Explosions lit up the sky.
At the same time—
On the opposite side—
Zoro drew Wado Ichimonji.
"One Sword Style—Thirty-Six Pound Phoenix!"
A precise blue slash cut through the next wave of shells.
The shattered fragments fell harmlessly into the sea.
"…Impossible?!"
The Marines aboard Onigumo's ship were stunned.
Intercepting dozens of shells midair—
With blades alone—
That was the domain of true masters.
"…So there are at least two monsters at swordsman level."
Onigumo's expression darkened.
"Stop the bombardment."
"Prepare for boarding!"
The order spread instantly.
Long-range attacks were useless.
Only close combat—
With numbers and Vice Admiral-level force—
Could crush the Straw Hats.
"WHOOSH—WHOOSH—!"
Flares shot into the sky.
The night turned into day.
Under the blinding light—
The Golden Merry shone brilliantly, its gold-plated hull glowing like a divine warship.
"…They stopped firing?"
Luffy rubbed his eyes, then grinned.
"They're coming."
Ronan leveled his spear.
The next moment—
Dozens of grappling hooks shot through the air.
They slammed into the Merry's golden railings.
Ronan raised his spear to cut them—
But Luffy stopped him.
"No need."
He pressed down his straw hat.
His eyes burned with kingly resolve.
"If they want a close fight—"
"Then I'm all for it."
"Before we go help Ace…"
"I need to knock these guys out first."
Zoro smirked and pushed his sword back into its sheath.
"If the captain says so… we play along."
"Justice will prevail! Charge!"
With Onigumo's command—
Hundreds of elite Marines surged forward.
Running across the ropes—
Like wolves charging their prey.
Their shadows flickered across the waves under the flare light.
"Let my debut as the Thunder Queen… be your curtain call!"
High atop the mast—
Nami stood surrounded by silver lightning.
Her entire body resonated with the sky itself.
"Thunder Shock!!"
Instead of striking directly—
She sent electricity through the ropes.
"ZZZZT—!!"
"AAAAHHHH!!"
The first wave of Marines—
Were instantly electrocuted.
Screams echoed as bodies fell into the sea.
Their formation collapsed in an instant.
"…Monsters… they're monsters…"
Fear spread among the remaining Marines.
On the deck—
Ronan slowly assumed his stance.
He could feel it—
From the two warships ahead—
Two powerful auras locking onto them.
Vice Admirals.
"Luffy."
Ronan spun his spear, the air cracking with force.
"The one with the cigar is mine."
The tip of his spear gleamed—
As the battle truly began.
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