Bang!
Fossa, captain of the 15th Division of the Whitebeard Pirates, was sent flying by two massive, pitch black figures. His body slammed hard against the deck.
Clang!
The impact was so overwhelming that his grip gave out. His weapon slipped from his hand.
Sizzle...
The flaming longsword hit the deck, its fire fading until only faint embers remained.
"To be beaten by trash like you… if the others saw this, they would laugh at me…"
Fossa forced himself upright, bracing against the shattered railing behind him.
"Cough… cough…!"
Smoke filled his lungs, making him cough violently as blood spilled from his mouth.
Though he refused to admit defeat, a deep shock settled within him.
These monsters… they are strong.
Their raw power rivals Jozu.
And that ability…
Fossa's gaze locked onto the creature ahead, its body shifting into sharp blade forms at will. A chill ran through him.
What is going on? Why would the Sky forces follow pirates?
That ability belonged to Daz Bones under Crocodile.
"Could it be… an alliance?"
He shook his head.
"No… Shirogai would never lower himself like that."
Shirogai, the God King, a man capable of overwhelming even Whitebeard, would never cooperate with ordinary pirates.
Crack… crack…
The two monstrous figures advanced, their heavy steps echoing across the deck.
"I will fight to the end…"
Fossa wiped the blood from his lips, picked up his blade, and steadied himself, glaring at them without fear.
Before he could move, the sea erupted.
More than a dozen figures burst from the water, charging forward with desperate cries.
"Don't touch our captain!"
"Captain, go! Find Pops and bring reinforcements!"
"Captain Fossa, forgive us! The other ships are gone! Warn the others, do not fall into this trap!"
"You idiots…!"
Fossa's eyes widened as he watched his injured crew rush toward enemies he himself could barely handle.
"At a time like this, you still are not thinking of yourselves? Do you think I would abandon you? Would I still be your captain then?"
A surge of strength rushed through him.
"Flame Blade, Burning Blood!"
He struck his lighter, reigniting the blade. Flames roared to life once more.
With a leap, he placed himself before his men and blocked a crushing strike.
Clang!
His blade, coated in Armament Haki, deflected the enemy's blackened weapon.
"Wright!"
Fossa grabbed a nearby subordinate and hurled him toward the sea.
"You must escape! Tell everyone, this is a trap! Do not walk into it blindly!"
"Captain! Brothers!"
The man's eyes trembled as he was thrown away, watching his comrades fall one after another as Fossa stood alone.
Splash!
He hit the water.
"Damn it… damn it!"
Wright clenched his teeth and dove deep, swimming with all his strength.
He had only one thought.
He must deliver the message.
Only then would their sacrifice mean something.
The Whitebeard Pirates would not forgive this.
Just as he neared the surface…
Puff!
A sharp spike pierced through his chest from behind.
"Ugh…!"
Blood spread rapidly through the sea.
He turned weakly.
"Captain… Namur…?"
Before him was Namur, captain of the 8th Division.
But something was wrong.
His body was covered in black scales, his eyes hollow and bloodshot, his teeth jagged like a beast.
"Why…? Aren't we family…?"
No answer came.
Wright's strength faded, and he sank into the depths.
…
Namur showed no reaction. After confirming the kill, he turned and shot back toward the surface like a torpedo.
…
Back on the deck, the battle had ended.
Only Fossa remained.
His body was drenched in blood, barely standing. Around him lay piles of fallen monsters.
His sword flickered weakly as he pointed it forward.
"You monsters… come… I will cut you down… The Whitebeard Pirates do not fear vermin…!"
A laugh echoed across the sea.
"Zehahahahaha… the Whitebeard Pirates… how terrifying…"
Fossa froze.
That laugh.
He looked up, eyes widening as a raft approached through the mist.
"It's you…!"
The flag became clear.
Three skulls.
"Marshall D. Teach… Blackbeard!"
Fossa roared with fury.
"You traitor!"
Standing proudly upon his ship, Teach grinned.
"Zehahahahaha…!"
Fossa's blade flared once more.
With a roar, he cut down the monsters before him and leapt into the air, flames blazing.
"I will execute you in the name of Pops and the Whitebeard Pirates!"
"Whitebeard?" Teach smirked, his eyes cold.
"Whitebeard is already dead."
His grin widened.
"You fools are still in the dark, aren't you?"
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