T/n: For Every 100 Power Stone 1+ Chapter ( I hope I don't regret it and get burned out!! XD)
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Seeing the Marines ready their guns below, murderous light flashed in Leno's draconic eyes. His massive jaws opened—and a pillar of fire cascaded from the heavens.
"BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!"
The harbor artillery, still being adjusted, were swept by the inferno and exploded one after another.
Smoke rolled across the plaza. Leno's gaze cut to Sengoku and Garp atop the platform; a plan formed in his mind. Then the colossal dragon hurled itself toward the square's center.
"Rumble—"
With a thunderous crash, Leno dropped into the plaza in his dragon-man form. Shockwaves blasted outward, hurling Marines through the air. Through the drifting dust, a tall figure slowly came into focus. Leno lifted his eyes toward Belle-Mère and her family atop the scaffold, remorse on his face.
"Sorry, Belle-Mère, Genzo—this mess dragged you in…"
"Big brother!"
"You finally came to save us—uu… uu…"
Aileen hadn't cried when they were captured. She hadn't cried in the holding cells, either—afraid of worrying her parents, she'd held it all in. Now, seeing her brother here to rescue them, the terror of these days finally found an outlet. She broke down, sobbing, tears streaming unchecked.
Belle-Mère and Genzo's eyes turned red when they saw Leno; they shook their heads gently at him.
"It's okay, Aileen. Don't cry. Your brother's taking you home—right now!"
Leno's heart twisted at the sight of her tears. He could only imagine what she'd endured. He spoke as softly as he could.
"Be brave, okay? I'll have you out in no time. Wait for me right there—just a little longer!"
Aileen bit her lip and nodded hard through her tears. "Mm! Big brother, I'll wait!"
Voices drifted from above.
"Belle-Mère! Genzo! We're here!"
"Aileen! Your sisters are coming to get you!"
A vast cloud-bank settled from the sky; Nami, Nojiko, and the others stood atop it. The moment Nami spotted Belle-Mère's family, she shouted, voice shaking with excitement.
They soon landed beside Leno and looked toward the scaffold.
"Nami! Nojiko!"
Seeing her two daughters, Belle-Mère panicked, crying their names in fright.
When Nami and Nojiko saw Belle-Mère and the others hadn't been mistreated, they finally relaxed.
"Belle-Mère, thank goodness you're okay! Just hang on—we'll get you down right away!"
"Don't be scared, Aileen! We're bringing you out now!"
Watching Leno's crew ignore the Marine lines entirely, Sengoku's face darkened.
"Don't talk about rescuing anyone. Today, all of you will remain here. Stop talking nonsense immediately."
"Old man Sengoku—your target is me. I'm here. Isn't it time you let them go?"
Leno turned to him, voice calm despite the taunt.
Vice Admiral Onigumo snarled from below. "Criminals don't bargain with the Navy. Surrender quietly, 'Thunder God'!" (T/N: if only he went and captured some Celestial Dragons to bargain with…)
Leno spared him a glance. The blade Huangquan slid free with a hiss.
"I see."
Swish—
In a flash of lightning, Leno vanished. A crimson arc cleaved the air before Onigumo could blink.
"Nani—dam—"
Slash.
Observation Haki had warned him, but Onigumo's body couldn't keep up. Cold bloomed in his chest; then his world went black.
"Ants like you don't even have the right to speak before me."
Leno flicked his blade. Blood pattered to the stones. To him, it was as trivial as brushing off dust.
"Vice Admiral Onigumo… one strike?"
"Impossible—how can he be that strong…"
Panic rippled through the Marines. They had gravely underestimated Leno.
"I had no intention of opposing the Navy. But you insisted on provoking me—so I'll oblige you."
A low hum swelled.
In an instant, abyssal Conqueror's Haki flooded the square. Black-violet arcs crackled over the plaza; Marines dropped in waves.
"Woah, woah, woah. Is this for real? Kowai ne."
Even Kizaru, lounging in his chair, broke into a cold sweat under the pressure. Akainu and Aokiji traded wary looks, eyes fixed on the figure standing like a god—or a demon—in the storm.
Since when did that brat's Haki grow this monstrous? Garp frowned, unsettled. Conqueror's isn't supposed to be this easy to advance…
Straining to withstand the crush of will, many Vice Admirals stared at Leno with bitter dread. The gap is too wide… we can barely stay conscious.
Sengoku's gaze slid toward the three Admirals. We can't let him run rampant any longer.
"That won't do at all, now will it?"
Kizaru's body burst into golden light as he streaked toward Leno.
"Ama no Murakumo!"
In a blink he was before Leno, a blade of condensed radiance already descending.
Clang—
Kizaru blinked. "Scaaarry~ 'Thunder God'!"
"Admiral, ordinarily, I'd be willing to chat a bit more, but right now, I'm not in the mood for your nonsense. Get lost!"
Black-violet lightning surged along Huangquan. A dark blade-beam roared forth.
Whoosh—
Kizaru shot away like a fired shell.
"Crash… CRASH!"
Buildings shattered; dust geysered skyward. At last a golden glow rekindled in the haze and Kizaru re-formed—ragged and grim. His yellow suit hung in tatters, face streaked with grime, a deep gash bleeding across his chest.
"Scaaarry… I really can't let my guard down with you, 'Thunder God'."
As they squared off, a vast emerald slash screamed in from the flank.
"Oi oi, Hawkeyes! Didn't expect you to jump in. Got a grudge?"
Doflamingo cackled, delighted at the new twist.
"No," Mihawk said evenly. "I want to measure the distance between us."
From those brief exchanges, he knew how laughable his earlier curiosity had been. That man had surpassed him—a sovereign among swordsmen. All that remained was to see how vast the gulf truly was.