Boom!
The shockwave from the cannon blast caused the café's roof and the walls facing the plaza to collapse instantly!
In the blink of an eye, Shanu didn't hesitate—he positioned himself by the window, holding up the falling beams with one hand, shielding his companions from flying bricks and shattered glass.
At the same time, he shouted:
"Gin!"
"Awooo—!" Gin immediately understood. With a roar, his fur bristled, and sparks of electricity crackled across his body.
In an instant, a semicircular field of electricity spread outward, covering the entire area of the café.
This was an advanced version of the basic bloodline ability he had learned as a child: "Arc Shield."
The protective shield of the electric field could expand to a maximum radius of ten meters, safeguarding everyone inside from any physical harm.
Clatter! The collapsing bricks and walls were stopped at the field's edge. Meanwhile, explosions erupted throughout the plaza, accompanied by the screams of terrified townsfolk.
"Phew, phew, phew!" Nami wiped the soot from her face and rushed to the staircase. "Are you okay, Auntie?"
"I-I'm fine!" came the manager's trembling voice from downstairs.
Nojiko hurried over as well, helping check for any injuries.
Fortunately, the café was small, and both floors were within the protective field. All thirty-plus guests and staff were saved without a single injury.
"Whew." Nami finally exhaled in relief.
But those outside the café were far less lucky.
Through holes in the walls, they could see that many shops and houses on both sides had been struck by cannon fire, reduced to rubble, a scene of utter devastation.
"I'll go check it out!"
Kuina's face darkened. She left the words hanging and was the first to dash out through the hole in the roof.
Damn it!!
Which pirate crew had the audacity to openly bombard Logue Town in broad daylight?!
Pirates in the East Blue were mostly small fry—who could dare such recklessness?
Could it be another crew like Arlong's, returning from the Grand Line?
Swish! Kuina drew her sword, stepping using Geppo to reach to the top of the nearby clock tower, with a clear view toward the pier.
At first glance, her expression changed abruptly, showing genuine shock.
How could it be…
The ones firing the cannons were the Navy?!
At the pier, a massive luxury cruise ship floated.
Surrounding it, three Navy warships had all turned their cannons toward the plaza in front of the execution platform!
...
Five minutes earlier.
The bow of the luxury cruise ship.
A golden scepter encrusted with gems was held in a fat hand, pointing toward the execution platform.
"Hey, hey, hey! Someone tell me—who are all these people crammed into the plaza? So annoying."
King Altair turned his gaze, finally resting on Smoker's face. "If I'm not mistaken, you're in charge of the Navy on this island. You should know this, right?"
"Normally, most of them would be tourists, with a few pirates mixed in," Smoker squinted. Under the gaze of Onigumo, he coldly added, "But these are unusual times. I'd say more than half of them are probably pirates."
"Pirates?!"
Altai covered his mouth, letting out an exaggerated gasp. "Wow! All pirates? I've never seen so many! And right next to your base—how can they be so brazen?"
Isn't that because they're protecting you, you stupid pig?
Smoker's expression darkened.
When he stayed at the Logue Town base, pirates set foot on the island with their tails between their legs, careful not to reveal themselves. How dare they openly gather like this?
"I'll head back, Vice Admiral."
Smoker stubbed out his cigar and muttered to Onigumo, "I've reached my station. The rest of the journey doesn't need me."
In truth, Smoker had always felt the escort mission was excessively overkill.
Besides Vice Admiral Onigumo and himself, there were two rear admirals from the Grand Line G-Branch, and two vice-admirals under Onigumo.
One headquarters vice-admiral, four branch rear admirals, and him—strong enough to serve as a branch rear admiral.
It was clearly meant to emphasize the importance of the three allied kings' safety, one of whom was half a Celestial Dragon.
Okay, understandable if traversing the Grand Line.
But escorting from the South Blue to the East Blue?
There was no need to assemble such an extravagant lineup—it was almost wasteful.
Returning to the island to intimidate the gathering pirates was far more urgent.
East Blue pirates were harmless; the real threat was the pirates in the plaza who came from other seas—North Blue, West Blue, even the Grand Line. Many of them were dangerous.
He feared they might take advantage of his absence, and, with the island's defenses weakened, begin looting and harming the townsfolk.
"Planning to head back now?"
Onigumo raised an eyebrow, about to say something.
"Alright, alright!!"
King Altair clapped excitedly behind him. "The more pirates, the better! The bolder, the better! I've never seen the Navy fight pirates in person. Onigumo, fire the cannons! Fire!"
"As you wish, Your Majesty."
Onigumo glanced toward the execution platform, nodded, and leapt to his flagship with Geppo.
Smoker froze in disbelief.
"Are you insane, Mr. Onigumo?!"
He transformed into smoke and followed onto the warship deck, landing and shouting in shock:
"This is a civilian aristocrat who's never fought! You're obeying his reckless orders? Firing at the town center—how many innocents will be hit?! This is madness!"
"Don't get it wrong, Smoker," Onigumo said coldly, smirking. "I've tolerated his childish nonsense in minor matters because of his Celestial Dragon bloodline. But in military affairs, that pig has no right to command me."
"Then why are you obeying him!!!"
Smoker roared.
He saw the three warships slowly turning, raising their cannons over the pier, directly targeting the plaza. Furious and panicked, he shouted, "Do you even know what you're doing?! Stop immediately!!"
Unfortunately, the command of the three warships did not belong to him.
The rear admirals glanced at him, then nonchalantly returned to following Onigumo's orders, directing their gunners to load the cannons.
Onigumo flicked his cigarette ash and said coolly:
"I've known you a long time, but now I see—you really don't understand me at all, Smoker…"