"Tsk tsk tsk… how interesting! A war like this comes once in a millennium. Fufufu, exhilarating! Kill, kill, and forge so-called justice," Doflamingo laughed maniacally as he manipulated pirates to fight each other, strolling through enemy ranks with wild excitement.
"Corpses… I want more corpses. Kill them all, my zombies…" Moria controlled fallen bodies, transferring shadows into new corpses to fight. The sheer horror overwhelmed anyone unfamiliar with his power.
"Kuma Paw Impact!" Kuma unleashed his compressed air cannon, striking everything before him, then fixed his gaze on Oars.
Hawkeye was decisive, slicing through foes effortlessly, clearing many pirates before being challenged by Bastille.
With the Shichibukai active, vice-admirals and Whitebeard's captains clashed. Marine Headquarters was transforming into ruins, had it not been for Aokiji creating the temporary ice battlefield. Otherwise, much of Marine HQ would have already collapsed.
Only Sengoku and Garp had yet to act, controlling the overall strategy and intervening only at critical moments.
After Little Oars' defeat, many Marine officers began falling, and some captains were wounded. The war burned fiercely, scorching all life in its path…
Survive, and you are reborn. Fail, and become nothing but dirt.
Then, the unexpected occurred.
"Dad!!"
"Squard, you idiot! What foolishness have you done?!"
Squard, the giant spider, successfully wounded Whitebeard. The boiling, lava-like war fell briefly into an eerie silence.
"This is the Whitebeard Pirates… so strong! And the world's greatest swordsman!" Hathaway watched from afar, unafraid, her own madness itching to erupt.
Countless strong fighters, many stronger than her, filled the battlefield. If not for Rosen's orders to wait, she would have charged forward to duel the world's greatest swordsman. As a swordswoman, fighting Hawkeye would be a rare opportunity for growth—if she survived and maintained her composure.
"Boss, you seem to have anticipated many changes. Should we stay put? Will the Blackbeard Pirates really come?" Robin asked, terrified despite the distance.
Not that Robin lacked courage—the battle before her was terrifying. Powerful fighters abounded, and even the strong could die if caught by a stronger foe. She saw a giant vice-admiral struck down by a single punch from Whitebeard, instantly losing combat capability.
Her own strength was far from vice-admiral level. Anyone would fear feeling helpless, like an ant.
"They will come. No matter what, the Whitebeard Pirates are not our target. Wait," Rosen said patiently. The war had begun; what mattered now was Blackbeard's desire for the Gura Gura no Mi.
"Unimaginable!" Daz Bones and others stared at the battlefield. Those in the war might not notice, but observers could feel the oppressive, deadly aura formed by concentrated battle intent.
"Boss, someone's approaching," Enel said, opening his eyes. He had been observing closely with his closed eyes to focus.
Suddenly, a Marine ship carrying Luffy, Sabo, Jinbe, and the Newkama King descended, drawing attention instantly.
The battle shifted from Whitebeard's assassination to renewed morale and tension…
Rosen, however, had no time to focus on the frontlines.
"Are they heading for us?" he asked. From their high vantage point, their presence should be concealed, and ordinary people shouldn't sense them with Observation Haki.
"No, they're moving toward the battlefield, passing near us. Justice Gate just opened—it's likely the people we've been waiting for," Enel deduced.
Rosen and his group hadn't used the Impel Down currents, so they didn't need Justice Gate, unlike those coming via the currents.
"Go confirm. If combat erupts, Hathaway and Enel, handle their officers. Blackbeard is my responsibility," Rosen decided to act. From this position, Blackbeard's chances of landing were near certain.
"What? The Marines here are neutralized? Have we been exposed?" Blackbeard's crew arrived at the Marine HQ shore, surprised to find incapacitated Marines.
The war wasn't supposed to reach here yet. This wasn't what Blackbeard wanted. He bared his broken teeth in a frown.
Sabo's involvement at Impel Down had distracted Magellan, allowing the Straw Hats to escape easily. Blackbeard's departure was far easier than expected.
He thought, the heavens favor me, hahaha…
Now, if he eliminated Whitebeard and claimed the Gura Gura no Mi, his rise to Pirate King would be within reach.
Blackbeard, Marshall D. Teach, had strengthened his crew: Avalo Pizarro, Jesus Burgess, Rain Shiryu, Hunter Catarina, and the giant ship San Juan. All were notorious criminals from Level 6, with bounties averaging 700–800 million Beli. Some were even stronger than their bounties suggested.
Though some were older, having just been freed, they could recover and fight at admiral level. A force capable of shaking the world.
"Saint Juan, your size is huge. Stay concealed. The real show is just beginning—don't rush," Blackbeard smiled, advancing toward the battlefield with his original and new subordinates.
"Someone's coming… oh…" Doc Q hiccupped drunkenly.
"What? Marines? No matter. Kill them all—no one can alert reinforcements." Blackbeard remained unfazed. Any Marine reinforcements would be minimal, given the ongoing battle with Whitebeard.
Suddenly, lightning and sword energy struck Blackbeard's sides.
"Powerful attacks!" His subordinates dodged frantically. Only Blackbeard could withstand them unscathed; it was a surprise assault.
"ROOM! Meat Grinder!" Law's voice rang out. Blackbeard's expression changed—Crocodile appeared before him like teleportation, striking with a palm.
"Dark Water!" Blackbeard reacted instantly, using his Dark-Dark Fruit. Black mist engulfed his palm like a black hole, ready to devour all.
Bang! Rosen's fist transformed into sand, drawn into the black mist. His other arm condensed Haki, striking Blackbeard's chest and sending him flying.
"Captain!" Doc Q and Basilisk shouted. Even a surprise attack had sent their captain flying. Was it an admiral?
"Damn… that hurts… which bastard… pain kills…" Blackbeard steadied himself, enduring extreme pain.
"Meat Grinder!" Rosen readied his power again, appearing before Blackbeard but not attacking further. His display was enough—further action would attract Marine HQ's attention.
Doc Q, Daz Bones, and others arrived, confronting Blackbeard's crew. Hathaway and Enel intercepted Blackbeard's officers.
"Oh, the kids are strong. Need help, Teach?" Avalo Pizarro asked Hathaway and Enel calmly.
Individually, Daz Bones, Valentine, and others couldn't match them, but together they could hold one or two of Blackbeard's officers. Enel and Hathaway could handle any single opponent.
Still, Rosen's overall force was weaker than Blackbeard's crew at this moment. But they weren't here solely to fight, and Rosen believed they would grow stronger soon.
(End of Chapter)
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