– Marine Headquarters.

  A piercing arm bred, its urgency causing everyone to pause and look around in confusion.

  Conversations halted, reports were interrupted, and all attention turned towards the source of the arm, a signal indicating a critical situation.

  ‘Emergency report to Fleet Admiral Kong! Contact confirmed between the “Golden Lion” and the “Witch” in the Maubeugemour Sea!’

  ‘The Golden Lion has mobilized his entire fleet, including all known subordinate crews! Three executives confirmed – and the Grand Duke as well!!’

  Kong, hearing the report, pressed his hand against his forehead, attempting to quell the rising headache. But menting wouldn’t solve anything. He had to decide on a course of action.

  He hadn't anticipated Shiki’s obsessive pursuit of Kanata, but a conflict between pirates was a welcome distraction.

  However, a battle of this scale could easily cause colteral damage to nearby isnds. Deploying a few warships would be necessary. He immediately contacted Sengoku.

  “Sengoku! I’ve entrusted you with handling Shiki. Can you mobilize?”

  ‘Yes, leave it to me. I have a score to settle with the “Witch” as well. I won’t lose this time.’

  “There’s no need to force a confrontation. Capture them if possible, but only if it can be done without causing excessive damage.”

  ‘Understood.’

  There was no need to prioritize their capture. But this was undeniably an opportunity.

  They were both formidable pirates, headaches for the Marines. Letting them csh and weaken each other was a tempting proposition.

  The ideal outcome would be for them to annihite each other, but… wishful thinking wouldn’t solve the problem.

  Just as he was about to end the call, another voice spoke.

  ‘Hey, Garp! Don't you dare–’

  ‘Kong-san, I’m going too!’

  “What? I thought you were only obsessed with Roger…”

  ‘I have my own reasons! I’m going, even if you forbid it!’

  Kong realized it wasn't about Garp and Kanata, but Garp and Dragon.

  Capturing him personally, even if it meant death, was Garp’s twisted way of showing fatherly love.

  And realistically, facing Shiki's entire fleet, even Kanata’s chances of survival were slim. It was only natural for Garp to want to witness the outcome, to offer a final farewell.

  “…Fine. You have my permission.”

  ‘Thank you! Let’s go, Sengoku!’

  ‘Hold on, Garp! Kong-san, we’ll prepare and depart immediately!’

  “Yes, I’m counting on you.”

  He ended the call, took a sip of his now cold tea, and pondered the situation.

  “…Fatherly love, huh?”

  Even Garp, the Marine hero, was a parent. The man who seemed like a demon to pirates, a symbol of hope for the Marines… Beneath it all, he was just a father.

  Kong was about to return to his paperwork when another report arrived.

  ‘Fleet Admiral Kong, another report.’

  “What is it? Make it brief.”

  ‘————’

  “What?!’

  Kong, shocked by the report, stood abruptly.

  ***

  – The New World, Maubeugemour Sea.

  The Grumpy Sea, as it was also known, was a strange, unpredictable region where the weather shifted constantly.

  Serpent Currents, Sea Slopes, Avanches of Snow – storms and turbulent seas battered those who dared to sail its waters, a harsh welcome for rookies entering the New World.

  And it was in this very sea that Shiki, the “Golden Lion”, and Kanata, the “Witch of the Dragon Syer”, now faced each other.

  One, a pirate Grand Fleet, dozens of ships strong.

  The other, a small pirate crew, with only three vessels.

  Even facing a fleet that had swelled to its rgest size since the fall of the Rocks Pirates, Kanata remained unfazed.

  “You’ve caused quite a mess in my territories, Kanata,” Shiki growled.

  “You were lured by such a simple diversion? You underestimate me, Shiki.”

  For several days, they had been raiding Golden Lion Pirate territories on their way to the Maubeugemour Sea, weakening his forces and leaving a trail of destruction.

  It was a btant provocation, and Shiki, recognizing her handiwork, had followed her trail, determined to crush her.

  He had intended to mobilize his entire fleet anyway. Knowing her location was a convenience.

  “You’ve challenged me openly. You don’t expect to leave this sea alive, do you?!”

  “Leave this sea alive? I’ll return those words to you. Don’t think you can defeat me with sheer numbers.”

  Amidst the chaotic weather, the two pirate captains gred at each other. Both were ready for battle. Words were meaningless. Only steel could settle this dispute.

  – The war that would ter be known as the “Battle of Maubeugemour” had begun.

  “Kill them all!” Shiki commanded.

  “Focus! We’re going to crush them!” Kanata shouted.

  Shiki and Kanata cshed in midair as the battle commenced, their Conqueror’s Haki colliding.

  Boom! Boom! Boom!

  Shiki, wielding two swords. Kanata, with her single spear. Their bdes didn’t touch. The Haki surrounding their weapons cshed, creating shockwaves powerful enough to churn the sea.

  “Your Haki’s grown stronger! How much stronger are you pnning to become?!”

  “I’ll become as strong as I need to be! There are many like you who seek to take me down!”

  Kanata, unfazed by the turbulent weather, engaged Shiki in a fierce sword fight, their bdes fshing in the stormy sky. She had honed her Haki since their encounter in Water Seven, pushing her strength to new heights. Shiki, a grimace on his face, dodged her attacks, maneuvering through the air.

  He should have killed her when he had the chance. She was growing stronger at an arming rate.

  Her talent was terrifying. “Like mother, like daughter,” he muttered.

  “I’ll sink you and your crew to the depths of the ocean! Ssh Wave!”

  Shiki, swinging his two swords, unleashed a barrage of flying sshes, then distanced himself from his fleet, preventing Kanata from assisting her own ships.

  He, like Roger, was a powerful captain, but their overwhelming strength could also be a weakness. His subordinates tended to rely on him too heavily. Shiki had capable commanders, but Kanata's crew… She had no one to rely on but herself.

  Shiki had the advantage in a naval battle. He wouldn’t hesitate to exploit it.

  – And his subordinates understood this perfectly.

  ***

  “Ooh ! Our captain seems rather enthusiastic. It's a shame to kill such a beautiful woman, don’t you think?”

  “He seems smitten with her. What should we do? Sink them?”

  “Right… He said not to underestimate them. Let's take the safest approach."

  Lucien grinned mischievously. He was the man entrusted with commanding the fleet who had a tricorne hat perched precariously on his head to avoid being swept away by the wind. He issued instructions to each ship through the Den Den Mushi.

  “This is the fgship! Right fnk, obstruct the enemy ships’ course! Left fnk, prepare for bombardment! The weather is unpredictable, keep the gunpowder dry!”

  ‘Understood!’

  Their voices echoed through the receiver. Lucien, observing the enemy ships’ movements, smiled.

  The New World was a sea of monsters, but cannons were still effective. Even a single hit could cause significant damage, and if the enemy was a Devil Fruit user, a single spsh was all it took to win. His fleet, blocking the enemy ships’ paths while maintaining a parallel course, prepared to fire.

  “All hands, prepare to fire! Fire!”

  Boom! Boom!

  A barrage of cannon fire erupted, aiming to sink Kanata’s ship, the Sombrero, and the two vessels accompanying her – but they were all deflected.

  They had anticipated this. Kanata wouldn't be defeated by simple cannonballs. But at least, they were distracted.

  “Maintain bombardment! Don't give them a chance to rest! …Now’s your turn.”

  “You want us to board their ship in this rain of cannon fire?”

  “You’ll survive, won’t you?”

  He seemed confident in their abilities. Setting aside whether it was truly confidence or blind faith, Apsu, the green-haired boy, shrugged and set his sights on the Sombrero.

  “Le, I’m going ahead,” he said.

  “Okay. I’ll follow soon,” Lempargo, the horned young man, replied with a nod.

  Leaping from the ship, Apsu dashed through the sky, chains sprouting from his arms. He was unaffected by the turbulent weather.

  “Let’s see what you’re made of,” he said with a grin.

  Chains, cnking ominously, shot towards the Sombrero, only to be deflected by Junshi, wielding his Six Harmonies Great Spear.

  Dragon charged at Apsu, who effortlessly dodged his attack.

  “Hmm, you’re not bad.”

  “Apsu the ‘Bck Bind’… I’m in charge of protecting this ship. I won’t fall easily,” Dragon said.

  “Then try to stop me! If you can!”

  Apsu, imbuing his chains with Haki, turned them bck, living up to his epithet. He unched a barrage of attacks, aiming to restrain Dragon.

  Dragon dodged and deflected, closing the distance. He smmed his fist into Apsu’s chest, only to be effortlessly blocked and sent flying.

  Apsu was a Paramecia Devil Fruit user, the Chain Chain Human, capable of creating and maniputing chains at will.

  His control and precision were the result of years of training. He was a formidable opponent, despite his age, which was simir to Kanata’s.

  It was no surprise that someone who relied solely on a Devil Fruit ability wouldn’t become an executive under Shiki.

  “You’re still too inexperienced. I could skewer you like a kebab.”

  “Guh… I guess it won’t be that easy.”

  He hadn’t expected to defeat Apsu alone. They were outnumbered. If Apsu rampaged on the Sombrero, it would be a disaster. They had to force him off the ship, even if it meant fighting him multiple-on-one.

  “Junshi!”

  “Understood!”

  Dragon and Junshi, coordinating their movements, attacked from both sides.

  Apsu, parrying their blows with his Haki-reinforced arms, defended with chains, compensating for his ck of limbs.

  He was a master of his Devil Fruit, using it to his full advantage. Even against two skilled fighters, he had the upper hand in terms of sheer number of attacks.

  “This is… troublesome!”

  “Get out of the way, you two!”

  Scotch, having observed the situation, charged, lowering his body and aiming a tackle. But a simple tackle wouldn’t work.

  “More More Hundredfold – Iron Mass Cannonball!”

  Scotch, reinforcing his body with Armament Haki, unched himself at Apsu with explosive speed.

  Caught off guard, whether due to carelessness or arrogance, Apsu was unable to dodge. He blocked with Armament Haki, but the sheer force of the impact sent him flying off the ship.

  “Whoa… You’ve become quite reliable after eating a Devil Fruit.”

  “Can you handle him alone with that power?”

  “Don’t be ridiculous! That initial attack was a fluke! I know my limits!” Scotch retorted, ignoring Dragon and Junshi’s banter.

  He wasn’t idle either. Aside from deflecting cannon fire, he was using his More More ability to enhance the mass of their own cannonballs, unching counterattacks.

  “But to think it took three of us to force him off the ship…”

  “Junshi and I will make sure he doesn’t return. Leave the ship to us.”

  “Got it! I’ve become a hundred times more reliable after eating that Devil Fruit!”

  Scotch, half in jest, sent Dragon and Junshi off, then called for David, preparing for their counteroffensive.

  They had a few tricks up their sleeves.

  “Let’s use it, David!”

  “Okay! But… isn’t that our secret weapon? Is it really alright to use it now?”

  “A useless pn is pointless! We’ll use everything we have to crush them!”

  David nodded, understanding Scotch’s reasoning. He began pumping air into the cannons.

  David was a Bomb Bomb Fruit user, his breath a votile explosive. They were using it as ammunition, filling the cannons with his explosive breath, turning them into invisible bombs.

  And then, they would enhance the mass of the bombs with Scotch’s More More ability.

  With Their destructive power unmatched, the invisible cannonballs would be difficult to detect, even for those with refined Observation Haki.

  “Eat this! Hundredfold Breath Cannonball!”

  The invisible cannonballs were fired.

  They expanded in midair, their mass multiplied – and one of Shiki’s ships, part of the left fnk, was obliterated. Even a rge galleon was no match for this destructive power.

  “Next, next! Don’t just stand there! We can’t afford to fight a fleet that size head-on!”

  The crew scrambled to reload the cannons, David dashing from one to another, filling them with his explosive breath.

  Even without David’s ability, Scotch could enhance the mass of ordinary cannonballs.

  The weather, as unpredictable as ever, shifted from snow to hail – massive hailstones, the size of a human head.

  – And amidst the hailstorm, a monstrous beast crashed onto their ship.

  “What the hell is that?! One of Shiki’s executives?!”

  George stared in shock as a white beast nded before him. It was covered in white fur, crackling with electricity. It wielded halberds in both hands, its sharp eyes exuding an aura of dominance.

  It was too te.

  “GAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!”

  The beast swung its halberds. George blocked with his sword, but the sheer force of the blow sent him flying off the ship.

  He wasn’t a Devil Fruit user, so falling into the sea wouldn’t kill him. And he had blocked the attack, so he was likely conscious.

  Zen, moving before anyone else could be attacked, cshed with the beast, his lightning-cd spear meeting its halberd.

  “Heehin, a Zoan Devil Fruit user… Troublesome, indeed!”

  Its brute strength was immense. Especially against a Zoan Devil Fruit user, whose physical abilities were enhanced, Zen couldn’t afford to rex for a moment.

  He reinforced his spear with Haki, barely deflecting the beast’s attacks. Each blow, amplified by Lempargo‘s massive frame, threatened to crush him.

  They couldn't fight on the ship. They had to force Lempargo off, just like they had done with Apsu. But…

  “I’m outmatched against such monstrous strength…!” Zen was struggling to defend. He couldn’t counterattack against Lempargo’s relentless assault.

  “His back’s wide open!” Samuel, seeing an opportunity, charged in his hybrid form, sshing at Lempargo’s back with his sharp cws.

  …But the attack barely left a scratch. There was no blood. Lempargo’s muscles were too dense. The cws couldn’t penetrate. Without Haki, it would be difficult to inflict any real damage.

  “Damn it… I messed up!”

  “Get down!”

  Samuel, instinctively obeying Zen’s command, ducked as a halberd swung past his head.

  It had been a close call.

  He quickly retreated. Zen intercepted Lempargo as he attempted to pursue.

  “UUUOOOOOHHHH!!!”

  Lempargo, blocked Zen’s attack with a Haki-reinforced halberd then swung the other, aiming to decapitate him.

  Zen dodged the attack, then thrust his free hand, unleashing a burst of Haki.

  “Guh!”

  “Even this isn’t enough…? His resilience is astonishing!”

  He had managed to stagger Lempargo, but not enough to knock him off the ship. His Haki wasn’t strong enough. If Zen’s attacks couldn’t do it, they either needed to use brute force, like Scotch, or… the strength of a giant.

  Feiyun, seeing their struggle, reinforced her fists with Armament Haki and charged at the enemy.

  “Take this!”

  “GAAAAAHHHHH!!!”

  Feiyun’s fist cshed against Lempargo’s halberd with a deafening roar.

  She had realized that she couldn't overpower him, so she swiftly transformed into her giant form, grabbing Lempargo and tossing him off the ship.

  He had used Geppo to reach them, so he would likely return. They had to be prepared to fight him in midair.

  “Feiyun, I’ll handle him! You protect the ship!”

  “But –”

  “It’s alright. It seems we have backup.”

  Zen gnced towards the mast.

  Gloriosa stood there with a bow, firing arrows at Lempargo as he attempted to regain his footing in the air.

  He would ignore ordinary arrows, but Haki-infused arrows were a different matter. Especially in midair, where he had no escape route.

  Of course, the distance was too great to hit him directly. She could only intercept the cannon fire.

  They had a limited number of arrows as well. A prolonged battle wasn't ideal, but…

  “….”

  The situation was grim.

  They should be boarding the enemy ships and sinking them, but they were struggling to defend, and their executives were occupied with Shiki's Grand Duke.

  The battle had just begun. Their fate rested on the shoulders of Scotch and David.

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