"Whew, they’re putting up a good fight. I didn't expect them to hold back Apsu and Lempargo.”

  Lucien whistled in admiration. He respected strength, regardless of who possessed it. It was his way of showing appreciation for a worthy opponent. Of course, he wouldn’t hesitate to eliminate them, as instructed, but he would do so with respect.

  He was a man who took pride in his work. Using the Den Den Mushi, he contacted the left fnk, which was suffering heavy damage.

  “This is the fgship. Left fnk, damage report.”

  ‘This is the Mad Pirates, left fnk! We’ve lost about ten ships in our sector! We’re under heavy fire!’

  “Understood. Are they using cannons?”

  ‘No, we can handle ordinary cannonballs… But these…’

  As expected, Lucien thought. Pirates who were defeated by simple cannon fire wouldn't have reached the New World. There had to be a trick. Likely a Devil Fruit ability of some kind. He contacted the right fnk, which was tasked with blocking the enemy ships’ paths.

  “This is the fgship. Right fnk, report.”

  ‘This is the Bulk Pirates, right fnk! Several ships are struggling to maneuver due to a massive whirlpool! We’ve successfully blocked the enemy ships’ paths!’

  “Good. Continue bombarding their fnks. One of them is a Devil Fruit user. Report any findings.”

  ‘Understood!’

  Lucien ended the call and observed the battle. They were pirates, after all. Even a fleet was a far cry from a proper military force. Issuing vague instructions and hoping they would adapt to the situation was the best they could do.

  In that sense, Lucien wasn’t suited for a pirate’s life. But he had chosen this path. There was no turning back.

  “Their fgship has multiple Devil Fruit users and a skilled navigator. It seems cannons are only effective for stalling them.”

  The situation was troublesome. He had been informed that they were a small but powerful crew, but their strongest members seemed to be concentrated on the fgship. The other two ships were focusing solely on intercepting their cannon fire.

  That was their weakness. Lucien stroked his chin thoughtfully.

  “Message to the left fnk. Change target from the enemy fgship to the central ship in their formation. Commence bombardment on my signal.”

  Pirate captains who were masters of combat were commonpce in the New World. But to survive in this sea, individual strength wasn't enough. Numbers had power.

  The Sombrero, their fgship, was heavily guarded. The crew on board had already repelled Apsu and Lempargo, indicating they were skilled fighters. Then, they had to target their weakest link. Lucien, mercilessly, directed their firepower.

  “Left fnk, fire!”

  “He’s getting serious now.” Apsu dodged an avanche of snow. He was using his chains to swing from one subordinate ship to another, maneuvering through the air.

  Avanches shouldn’t occur at sea, but common sense had no pce in the New World. There were isnds with perpetual thunderstorms and seas pulled towards floating isnds.

  Dragon and Junshi, having dodged the avanche with Geppo, continued their assault, deflecting Apsu’s chains and aiming to nd a blow.

  Apsu, however, was a master of combat. His Haki and his fighting style, honed in countless battles, were superior to theirs in this two-on-one situation. He was worthy of being a Golden Lion Pirate executive.

  “You’re doing well, but you’re slowly losing. Do you enjoy watching your comrades sink one by one?”

  “We’re more concerned with stopping you.”

  “Leaving you unchecked would be a far greater risk.”

  “…Hmm, I thought you were just mindless muscleheads, but you’re more perceptive than I expected.”

  Apsu chuckled, looking down at them. They had faced dangerous situations before. And they had survived, overcoming them all – regardless of the enemy or the odds.

  They had trained tirelessly, preparing their subordinates and honing their own skills, for moments like this. They wouldn't be defeated so easily.

  “Perhaps you should be more concerned with your own survival. We might not enjoy two-on-one fights, but defeating you isn’t impossible.”

  “Big words. Show me what you’ve got!”

  Apsu’s bck chains, imbued with Haki, shot towards Junshi, aiming to skewer him.

  Junshi, dodging and deflecting, focused his concentration on Apsu, ignoring the chains that threatened to bind his subordinate’s ship.

  Dragon, attacking from the side, was blocked by Apsu’s Haki-reinforced arm.

  Boom! Boom! Boom!

  A brief csh ensued, Dragon was losing in close combat and being sent flying.

  Junshi, intervening, skillfully maniputed his Six Harmonies Great Spear to parry Apsu’s attacks.

  Cng!

  “You’re still too weak. Don’t underestimate me.”

  One of Apsu’s chains wrapped around Junshi’s leg, lifting him and tossing him into the sea.

  As Apsu moved to pursue, Dragon attacked from behind. Apsu, countering with chains sprouting from his back, blocked the blow.

  “Guh!”

  Apsu still had the advantage. Even two skilled fighters couldn’t push him to his limits. But Kanata was fighting Shiki, a man even stronger than this boy. They had to protect their ship, their home. There was no room for weakness.

  “Don’t underestimate me!”

  Dragon grabbed the chains, ignoring the pain, and swung Apsu towards the ship, smming him into the deck.

  He charged, aiming to finish Apsu, who responded by creating a wall of chains to block his path.

  Dragon hesitated.

  (Calm down. Analyze his emotions, predict his next move.)

  He had to understand Apsu’s intentions, his emotions, his target. Facing a torrent of chains, Dragon twisted his body slightly.

  “What?!”

  He slipped through Apsu’s attack. While Apsu’s attacks were numerous and somewhat haphazard, they weren't easily avoided. And Dragon had been caught. If Apsu tightened the chains, it would be over.

  He began retracting the chains, pulling them inward – then Junshi, soaked from his brief dip in the sea, smmed his fist into Apsus’ face. He had crashed through the ship's interior, emerging unharmed.

  “He’s still standing…!”

  “…That hurt.”

  Apsu had a small cut on his lip and trickle of blood stained his chin. He wiped it away carelessly, gring at Dragon and Junshi.

  “You’re a nuisance. I don’t have time for this.”

  “Then defeat us. We’re not pnning on losing.”

  “You still think you can win? Why can’t you understand that defying us means your death?”

  The ship creaked, strained by the force of his Haki. And then, the ship itself began to transform, chains sprouting from the deck, their sharp points aimed at Dragon and Junshi.

  “I’m going to kill you. Your existence is an inconvenience.”

  “Junshi, focus! This is different from any enemy we’ve faced before.”

  “Kuhaha, this is as exciting as fighting a Marine Admiral! This is what I live for!”

  Apsu, ignoring Dragon’s warning and Junshi’s ughter, unched his attack.

  ***

  – “OOOOHHHHHHH!!!”

  A halberd swung down with a deafening roar. Its force was like a lightning strike. The bde, sharp enough to cleave a man in two, missed its target.

  “Zei!”

  Zen, with a burst of energy, thrust his spear upwards, aiming for Lempargo’s heart. His attack was blocked by Lempargo’s thick muscles. Without even flinching, Lempargo swung his halberd at Zen’s neck.

  Their Armament Haki cshed with a metallic cng, shockwaves rippled across the sea, shattering the hailstones.

  “Guh! He’s not even defending! This resilience is absurd!”

  He had nded several blows, but Lempargo remained unfazed. However, his attacks weren’t completely ineffective. There were scratches and bruises on Lempargo’s body. His durability was simply extraordinary.

  They had to knock him into the sea.

  “Hah!”

  – Suddenly, a Haki-infused arrow shot towards Lempargo’s eye.

  He dodged instinctively with Geppo, then swatted away another arrow that had been fired from the Sombrero.

  Zen closed the distance, swinging his spear downwards, aiming to knock Lempargo off the ship.

  Lempargo, finally sensing danger, blocked the attack with both halberds, then leaped towards a nearby ship, avoiding being thrown into the sea.

  “…You’re… strong?”

  “Oh, you can speak? I thought you were just a beast… But having intelligence makes you even more dangerous.”

  Lempargo was capable of conversation. He was more than just a mindless monster. While Zen’s comment might have confused him, Lempargo didn’t seem to notice.

  Brute strength was dangerous enough, but intelligence allowed him to use it effectively, making him even more formidable.

  Even with Gloriosa’s assistance, they couldn’t defeat him. This was the strength of an executive, one of the strongest members of a crew vying for supremacy in the New World.

  Zen’s blood boiled with excitement.

  “Fu fu fu, my blood boiled when I fought a Marine Admiral, but this… This is a different kind of thrill.”

  He had always trained with the same group of people. He had reflected on his battle against Zephyr, where he had only achieved a draw after using his Sulong form, and had trained relentlessly, honing his skills and his Haki.

  To become stronger, he had to face stronger opponents. This battle was a true test of his strength.

  “My captain is quite the warmonger. I can’t afford to sck off either –”

  His arms and spear, reinforced with multiple yers of Armament Haki, turned a dark red; different from Lempargo’s white fur and crackling lightning.

  He focused solely on Lempargo and ignored the other pirates on the ship.

  “────!”

  Zen attacked, his spear fshing, one strike, two strikes.

  Cng! Cng! Cng!

  His attacks cshed against Lempargo’s halberds, sending shockwaves across the deck, destroying sections of the ship as he aimed for Lempargo’s neck.

  Lempargo, sensing danger, blocked Zen’s attack head-on, pushing him back and swinging his halberd downwards.

  Zen dodged, then smmed his spear into Lempargo’s massive frame, lifting him off his feet.

  “Hah! Haa!”

  The impact sent shockwaves through Lempargo’s body. He stumbled, barely managing to stay on his feet. Zen pressed his attack, nding another blow.

  Lempargo slid across the deck, absorbing the impact. He countered as Zen charged, their weapons colliding.

  “Guh!”

  “Ooh!”

  Lightning, crackling with energy, illuminated the darkened sea. Its light pierced through the storm clouds.

  Lempargo wasn’t a Mink or a lightning Devil Fruit user. He was more than just a Zoan – a Mythical Zoan.

  “The New World is a dangerous pce! So many Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit users…!”

  Ancient Zoans and Mythical Zoans were incredibly rare. The tter were said to be even rarer than Logia Devil Fruits.

  “This isn't even his full power. Let’s see what you’re truly capable of!”

  “Hm? …Okay! I’ll give it my all!”

  Lempargo, reinforcing his body with Haki, cshed with Zen, their weapons colliding with explosive force.

  The shockwaves shattered sections of the deck and forced them to change their footing as the battle raged.

  They ignored the occasional cannon fire from the other ships. As long as Lempargo had his feet on the ground, he was practically invincible.

  His resilience was unlike any opponent Zen had ever encountered. It was exhirating. A smile pyed on his lips as he swung his spear, determined to defeat his opponent.

  ***

  – It was a disaster.

  The sea flowed upwards, defying gravity, as massive hailstones rained down from the sky. Sshing attacks tore through the heavens, splitting the ocean, their power shaking the very world.

  The two figures’ abilities were warping the environment and cshed in midair. Their every movement caused the sea to churn.

  “You’re a persistent nuisance…!”

  “We’re both in the same boat, Shiki. Don’t compin just because we’re fighting on your terms.”

  Shiki had the advantage in aerial combat. But even in this situation, Kanata was holding her own. This meant that if the weather was stable, she would have the upper hand, even if he had lured her to this chaotic sea. And if Shiki faltered because of the weather, then he wasn't worthy of being her opponent.

  A vein throbbed on his forehead as he swung his two swords to cleave her in two.

  “Lion Thousand Sshes!”

  A storm of sshes, powerful enough to shatter the sea into droplets, erupted.

  Deflecting each attack with her spear, Kanata closed the distance and reached Shiki in an instant.

  “Weak. You can’t kill me with that –”

  She swung her spear downwards, aiming to send him crashing into the ocean.

  Reinforcing his swords with Haki, Shiki blocked the attack. Their Haki collided, the force of the impact shattered the storm clouds overhead.

  Shiki, pushed back, dropped altitude, flying just above the waves.

  “Lion Intimidation – ‘Imperial Pace Wrap’!”

  The sea, sliced by his swords, transformed into a giant lion that lunged at Kanata.

  She calmly deflected the attack with a single swing of her spear and sent the lion crashing into the waves.

  “…Hmm. You’re weaker than I expected.”

  She had suffered numerous injuries during their brief encounter in Water Seven. But now, she was deflecting all of his attacks with ease. She had grown stronger.

  She hadn’t reached the level where she could drag him out of the sky, but she was closer than before.

  “Damn it… I should have killed you back then. That girl… I knew she would become a monster.” Shiki lit a cigar in frustration.

  The hailstorm and rain had subsided after their csh, then the clouds dissipated locally. The wind wasn’t strong enough to hinder his abilities, but Kanata had come prepared to fight him at full power. She wouldn’t retreat.

  Amidst the swirling smoke from his cigar, Kanata calmly observed Shiki, searching for an opening.

  “You’re not strong enough to defeat me yet… But I know you’ll become a threat eventually. Which means, I have no reason to let you leave this sea alive.”

  “You think you can kill me? Here?”

  “Of course. You’re the biggest problem, but your subordinates… they’re not that impressive.” Shiki’s gaze fell upon a burning ship. It was one of Kanata’s subordinate crews.

  “Lucien’s a capable fighter, but his true talent lies in commanding a fleet. He understands my intentions perfectly.”

  The central ship, targeted by their concentrated fire, had been destroyed and separated the other two vessels. Their decision to pce the Sombrero at the front to lead the charge, had backfired. This was the power of numbers.

  Their crew might be strong, but against a fleet of this size, they would inevitably crumble. Shiki’s true strength y in his fleet.

  “…You think this will break me?”

  “No. Octavia killed her own crew without batting an eye. She even killed her own comrades. I don’t expect anything less from you – But, reducing your numbers will weaken you.”

  While there were exceptions, like Patrick Redfield, who sailed the seas alone, a pirate's strength was often measured by the size of their crew.

  Weakening their forces would make them vulnerable to attacks from other pirates and the Marines.

  It was a slow, methodical approach, but it was the most effective way to deal with someone like Kanata.

  And he knew she valued her comrades. He could see her composure faltering, her emotions clouding her judgment. It was a perfectly rational strategy.

  “I see… I understand your methods perfectly.”

  And that’s why he had to kill her now. He couldn't afford to let her escape. Eliminating her here was the best option.

  He unleashed his Haki and his ability, which caused the temperature to plummet drastically.

  “Jihahaha! You’re finally getting serious!”

  Kanata charged and cshed with Shiki. Ice bdes formed, following the trajectory of her spear, forcing Shiki to defend, giving him no time to rest.

  His breath turned white as the temperature continued to drop. His body heat was being drained by the extreme cold.

  “Freeze –”

  “Don’t underestimate me!”

  Shiki reinforced his entire body with Haki to prevent his insides from freezing, the he swung his swords at Kanata’s neck.

  She countered without dodging. A deep gash appeared on Shiki’s cheek as her head rolled off her shoulders. Then, her head regenerated instantly.

  “You’re a Logia Devil Fruit user. A troublesome ability.”

  Armament Haki could damage even Logia Devil Fruit users. However, a master of Observation Haki could dodge even Armament Haki-enhanced attacks.

  Shiki’s Observation Haki was impressive, but Kanata’s was even more so, reaching the level where she could see into the future.

  The wound on her neck didn’t bleed. The blood that had briefly appeared froze instantly in the frigid air.

  Even Shiki, powerful as he was, couldn’t ignore the effects of the rapidly changing environment. He was expending energy simply to breathe, his lungs burning from the cold.

  Kanata, however, seemed unaffected. Her movements were as precise as ever – or perhaps, even more so.

  “Ssh Wave!”

  “Country’s Might!”

  Two crossed sshes erupted from Shiki’s swords.

  Kanata, after a brief pause, unleashed a massive single ssh. The attacks collided and cancelled each other out, then their figures blurred and began cshing in a whirlwind of bdes.

  The impact echoed like thunder across the sky and the sea.

  “Jihahaha! While you’re busy fighting me, your comrades are dying! Look! The burning ship has sunk! Two more to go, and you’re all finished!”

  Laughing triumphantly, Shiki pointed towards Kanata’s subordinate ships.

  Kanata narrowed her eyes – then, fueled by rage, swung her spear. She cshed with Shiki, which was causing their bdes to fsh in the light of the burning ship.

  “There, another ship sinks. How does it feel?”

  “You…!”

  They locked bdes, their Haki crackling with energy. Shiki, grinning, taunted her – then Kanata’s anger reached its peak.

  The temperature plummeted further, the surrounding area enveloped in a blizzard. Her abilities seemed to be going out of control. And then, another series of explosions erupted.

  Kanata only had three ships, including the one that had just sunk. While Shiki’s fleet was also taking damage, the explosions were too far away to be her doing. It wasn’t her counterattack.

  Then, who…?

  – The answer came quickly.

  “Wahahahaha! We meet again, “Golden Lion”!!!”

  A ship, adorned with two mermaid figureheads, appeared, its pirate fg billowing in the wind. It was a familiar sight for Shiki. It was smaller than the Sombrero, but rge enough for a small pirate crew like them.

  The Oro Jackson.

  Shiki became enraged at the sight of the pirate fg and the voice he heard.

  “Roger! What are you doing here?!”

  Gol D. Roger, the pirate captain with the cheerful smile, answered Shiki’s question without hesitation.

  “What am I doing here?! I’m here to save my friend, of course!!!”

  – The Roger Pirates had joined the fray.

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