New World, Simido Sea.
On the sea, two fleets were lined up facing each other.
On the eastern side was the Whitebeard Pirates.
The Moby Dick was positioned in the center, flanked by over a dozen medium-sized warships.
Whitebeard stood at the bow, his Cloud Cutter planted beside him.
On the western side was the Big Mom Pirates.
The Queen Mama Chanter resembled a moving castle, with Homies on board emitting eerie laughter.
Charlotte Linlin stood at the prow, wearing the Napoleon Hat, standing atop the thundercloud Zeus, with the sun Prometheus bouncing on her shoulder.
As the two forces confronted each other, even the sea breeze seemed to freeze.
Whitebeard was the first to speak.
"Linlin." His voice was deep and resonant, audible clearly even across hundreds of meters of sea. "Are we really going to fight?"
Linlin snorted coldly. "Save your breath, Whitebeard."
She stomped her foot, and the thundercloud Zeus carried her soaring into the sky!
The Emperor Sword Napoleon was drawn, instantly enveloped in black and red Haki!
"Might Country—!!!"
A single slash descended!
A massive Sword Qi, hundreds of meters long, tore through the sea, carrying a devastating Shockwave as it roared toward the Moby Dick!
"Gurararara! I'll keep you company to the end!"
Whitebeard laughed heartily, grabbing his Cloud Cutter and leaping from the bow!
The power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit condensed into a translucent white glow on the blade. Gripping the sword with both hands, he swung with all his might!
Boom—!!!
The two attacks collided violently in mid-air!
Black and red Conqueror's Haki Arcs exploded like a storm in all directions!
Every arc that fell into the sea stirred up waves dozens of meters high!
The energy Shockwave from the collision spread in a ring, pushing several nearby warships off balance.
The sea was forcibly torn open, creating a trench hundreds of meters long!
Both figures retreated several steps simultaneously before charging forward again!
"Might Country!"
"Space Rupture!"
Napoleon and Cloud Cutter clashed once more!
At the same time, the fleets on both sides began their charge!
"Charge!"
"Kill!"
Pirate Ships crashed into each other, hulls scraping together as gangplanks were laid down.
Members of the Whitebeard Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates began engaging in one-on-one battles!
In terms of numbers, the Big Mom Pirates held an absolute advantage.
Linlin's Soul-Soul Fruit ability allowed her to create countless Homies, giving life to Chess Soldiers.
Tens of thousands of Chess Soldiers were tireless, fearless of pain, and vast in number.
The ordinary members of the Whitebeard Pirates were quickly entangled by these Homies, plunging into a fierce struggle.
However, in terms of high-tier combatants, the Whitebeard Pirates were clearly stronger.
"Phoenix Seal—!"
In mid-air, the Phoenix Marco transformed into his blue flame form, diving toward a group of Chess Soldiers and tearing them to shreds.
"Diamond Rush—!"
Diamond Jozu charged like a steel tank, ramming through the Pirate Ships!
Wherever he passed, Homies were sent flying like bowling pins!
"Rose Wheel Slash—!"
Vista danced with his twin swords, Sword Qi transforming into a shower of petals that simultaneously sliced through over a dozen Homies!
On the Big Mom Pirates' side, Katakuri and Perospero were equally formidable.
Katakuri's trident darted out like a venomous snake, clashing fiercely with Marco's talons!
Though he had just reached adulthood, his prodigious talent allowed his Observation Haki to briefly glimpse the future.
Marco's repeated thrusts were all dodged in advance.
"Candy Prison—!"
Perospero trapped a Whitebeard Pirates commander in viscous syrup, the captive struggling desperately but unable to break free.
Both sides were evenly matched, the battle deadlocked.
And just then—
Ten nautical miles away, a massive fleet lay in silent ambush.
Twenty Marine Headquarters warships, each equipped with thirty-six heavy cannons, their decks filled with fully armed Marine elites.
In the flagship's command room, three men cloaked in "Justice" mantles stood shoulder to shoulder.
Marine Vice Admiral—Iron Fist Garp.
Marine Admiral—Sengoku the Buddha.
Marine Admiral—Black Arm Zephyr.
Behind them stood several other Headquarters vice admirals.
Fleet Admiral Kong's orders were clear: wait until Whitebeard and Linlin weakened each other, then the Marines would mobilize to eliminate the two most threatening pirate crews in the New World in one sweep.
"The battle has lasted three hours," Sengoku said gravely while reviewing incoming intelligence.
"Both sides should be nearly exhausted."
Zephyr nodded. "Haki and stamina have limits. They can still fight now, but in another hour, they'll be running on willpower alone."
Garp picked his nose and grinned. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's charge in now!"
Sengoku shot him an exasperated look. "Garp, could you be serious for once?"
"I am serious!" Garp retorted indignantly. "We swarm them while they're tired."
"Is that your tactics?"
"Why wouldn't it be?"
Sengoku took a deep breath and decided not to argue further.
He picked up the communicator and issued the command in a low voice:
"All ships, prepare to attack."
Twenty warships simultaneously raised sails and accelerated forward.
As the targets entered firing range, cannon muzzles slowly elevated, aiming at the distant pirate fleet.
"Fire—!!!"
At Sengoku's command!
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Hundreds of cannonballs screamed across the sky!
Black projectiles fell like a meteor shower, pouring down upon the battling pirate fleets!
Whitebeard and Linlin simultaneously halted their duel.
Whitebeard turned to gaze at the distant horizon, where the silhouettes of twenty warships were gradually becoming clear.
"Gurararara!" He laughed coldly. "Those persistent Marines!"
Linlin also ceased her attacks, fury flashing in her eyes. "Damn them! They must be waiting for us to weaken each other so they can reap the rewards!"
Whitebeard took a deep breath and looked at Linlin.
"Linlin, shall we call a temporary truce?"
Linlin raised an eyebrow. "What are you planning?"
Whitebeard tightened his grip on Cloud Cutter, grinning widely.
"Let's drive off these persistent Marines first. We'll settle our scores... later!"
Linlin stared blankly for half a second before breaking into laughter.
"Mamamama! Not a bad proposal!"
Both turned simultaneously to face the incoming artillery storm.
Whitebeard gripped Cloud Cutter with both hands, the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit wildly gathering along the blade!
A translucent white energy sphere expanded to half a meter in diameter, space fracturing into spiderweb patterns around the blade edge!
"Haa—!"
He swung downward!
A hundreds-of-meters-long shockwave swept across the ocean surface!
Wherever it passed, the sea was torn in two, howling winds roared, and space itself shattered!
The overwhelming rain of cannonballs crashed against the shockwave barrier, instantly ground into dust!
At the same moment, Linlin moved.
"Zeus! Prometheus!"
"Understood, Mama!"
Thundercloud Zeus and Sun Prometheus instantly merged!
Blue lightning intertwined with golden flames, forming a destructive Thunder-Fire Storm over thirty meters in diameter!