Pfft!
Fossa swung his blade cleanly, severing the head of a charging monster.
Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle...
The head flew through the air as a thick stream of green liquid burst from its neck. The fluid hissed violently the moment it touched the air.
"Watch out! That liquid is poisonous!"
Fossa reacted instantly, stepping aside as the corrosive fluid splashed across the deck.
Splat!
The wood beneath it smoked and melted, releasing a sharp, burning sound.
"No matter what they are! Follow me and cut them down!"
With a roar, Fossa clenched his cigar between his teeth and brushed it against his blade.
Boom!
Flames ignited along the sword's edge, wrapping it in a blazing inferno.
Whoosh!
His flaming strike carved through the air, leaving a trail of fire as it cut down three monsters in a single motion.
Boom!
Their bodies ignited as they fell, twitching violently while a foul stench filled the air.
"Kill!"
"What's there to fear? They're just ugly monsters!"
"We're the Whitebeard Pirates!"
Their commander's ferocity reignited their courage.
The pirates surged forward, weapons flashing as they met the grotesque creatures head-on. Steel clashed against bone, and the deck quickly turned into a battlefield soaked in blood and corrosive fluid.
Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!
One after another, the monsters fell. Limbs were severed, heads rolled, and their own poisonous fluids began corroding their bodies as they collapsed.
For a moment, it seemed like victory was certain.
...
"Shurorororo... too weak, far too weak."
Hidden within the fog, a figure floated above a pitch-black ship, watching the battle unfold with keen interest.
He scribbled notes while muttering to himself.
"These failures are only good for ambushes. Against seasoned pirates, they're nothing more than disposable trash."
A grotesque black Den Den Mushi suddenly burst into laughter.
"Gahahahaha!! Caesar, don't tell me this is all you have to show me?"
The voice was loud, mocking, and filled with arrogance.
"We didn't drag you away from Kaido just to watch you play with failed toys. You understand that, don't you?"
The floating figure trembled.
"Shurorororo... Captain Teach, this was just a preliminary test! I'll show you the real results immediately!"
His tone was submissive, but his eyes flickered with resentment.
Inside, his thoughts were far less respectful.
"That insane bastard... attacking Kaido just to steal me away..."
He gritted his teeth inwardly.
"If not for the ridiculous funding he provides, I would've escaped long ago..."
The man forced a grin.
"I'll release the successful subjects now. You won't be disappointed."
This was Caesar Clown, the infamous scientist and user of the Gas-Gas Fruit.
At his command, nearby pirates rushed to obey.
"Move it! Release the test subjects!"
"Yes, Master Caesar!"
Heavy cages were dragged onto the deck and shoved toward the sea.
Splash! Splash!
The cages opened, and massive, twisted figures dropped into the water below.
Moments later, they surged forward beneath the surface, racing toward the remaining ships.
...
"Gahahahaha! Now that's more like it!"
On Whitebeard's homeland, a massive figure sat atop a throne surrounded by blood and wreckage.
He devoured meat while watching the scene projected from a special Den Den Mushi.
"This is the kind of entertainment I was waiting for!"
His grin widened as he gestured wildly.
"Let's see if the world's most dangerous scientist is worth the investment!"
This man was Marshall D. Teach.
Blackbeard.
Around him, his crew drank, laughed, and reveled in the chaos.
But among them, one figure stood apart.
A tall man draped in a Marine coat sat quietly, sipping sake.
His expression was calm, almost cold, as he watched the projection.
His gaze lingered on two monstrous figures moving through the sea.
They still wore torn Marine uniforms.
The symbol of justice clung faintly to their backs.
Kuzan lowered his cup.
"Marine soldiers..."
His voice was quiet.
"I'm sorry."
He tilted his head back and finished his drink in one motion.
"Sakazuki... is this what your justice has become?"
Silence followed.
...
"Use blades! Don't waste time with guns!"
A pirate shouted as he fought.
"They don't react to bullets! Cut them down!"
"Yeah! They don't even dodge, just keep attacking!"
"Keep pushing, we've got this—"
Pfft!
His words ended abruptly.
His head separated from his body, flying into the air.
For a brief second, his eyes remained open, frozen in confusion.
Reflected in them was the attacker.
Boom!!
A massive figure burst from the sea and landed heavily on the deck.
The impact shook the entire ship.
The creature stood tall, its body covered in thick, blackened muscle that resembled armor.
Its arms had transformed into enormous blades, one of them still dripping with fresh blood.
The killing strike had been effortless.
Gurgle...
The severed head rolled across the deck, leaving a trail of blood.
"ROAR!!"
The monster bellowed, spreading its blade-like arms before charging forward again.
Crack!
As it moved, its foot crushed the fallen head into pulp, erasing any trace of the man who had just been alive moments ago.
The remaining pirates froze for an instant.