"Hydrological Shock!!!"
A massive surge of seawater erupted from the vase in Shirahoshi's hands, forming a colossal wave. The Kurozumi serpent-ship, caught in the torrent, was hurled backward.
Boom!
The enormous vessel slammed into the ruins of the skull fortress, tearing it apart instantly.
"Huh… cough… cough!"
Kurozumi Orochi collapsed halfway, coughing violently, pain twisting his features.
"Master Orochi! Be careful!!!"
Fu Lushou, leader of the imperial court, froze mid-drink. His elongated earlobes twitched in alarm as he sensed the attack.
The royal ninjas and warriors—including Hotei—formed a protective circle around Kurozumi Orochi, erecting a barrier against the incoming magic.
"You… so-called general… the reason this country became hell!" Erza's voice cut through the chaos as she descended from the sky. "People like you are unfit to lead!"
"Shut up!" Kurozumi Orochi bellowed, fury distorting his face. "I am the general of this country! I decide everything here! You have no right to lecture me!"
As he spoke, his body swelled against the wind, shifting into full Zoan Snake-Snake Fruit mode: the Phantom Beast form of Yamata no Orochi, eight grotesque heads writhing like demons from myth.
Erza's eyes gleamed—not with fear, but with excitement.
This was exactly why she hadn't wasted time with Plague Quinn. Her target had always been Kurozumi Orochi, collaborator of the Beast Emperor Kaido.
Eighteen years ago, Orochi had allied with Kaido to slay the legendary samurai Kozuki Oden.
If someone was capable of joining forces with the Beast Emperor, their strength had to be considerable.
Perfect. This was a worthy opponent.
"Let me try." Erza smiled faintly.
A surge of mental focus, a flash of flying magic swords—one struck, slicing through one of Orochi's heads.
It was a basic test, nothing fancy, yet even Orochi could not block it.
A snort, a spurt of blood shooting more than a meter into the air. One of Yamata no Orochi's heads collapsed.
"Ah… so weak!" Erza's usually composed face broke into a grin.
In the blink of an eye, her swords whirled, and the heads of the eight-headed Orochi fell one by one, leaving only the final head.
"Ahhh!" The beast's scream echoed. Orochi dared not show further arrogance.
"Fu Lushou! Hotei! Kill this woman at once!"
"Following orders!"
The imperial ninjas and samurai surged forward—but even Goro, the Flowers' soldier, could not match Erza.
To face her at Admiral level was beyond their dreams.
The Skywheel Armor alone decimated the royal family's troops and the patrol team within minutes.
"Ah…" Orochi's screams ended abruptly.
Meanwhile, Wendy faced Plague Quinn.
"Beasts Pirates, Plague Quinn, you're in my way—prepare to be defeated!" Wendy's voice rang firm.
Quinn sneered, dismissing her entirely. He feared only Yuuto—the one who annihilated twenty thousand troops in a single strike.
That arrogance cost him dearly.
"Dragon's—Roar!!!"
Wendy exhaled, summoning a storm tornado infused with Dragon Slayer magic. Though not as destructive as Yuuto's forbidden magic, it was deadly against dragons and massive beasts.
Quinn, unprepared, was flung violently.
"It… it hurts! No wounds, but why does it still…?" he screamed.
"Wendy! Press the advantage—push for victory!" Mikan shouted.
"Got it!" Wendy's hand glowed as she activated additional magic: Knight of God! Strength, speed, agility, and defense all heightened.
"Dragon's Wing Strike!!!"
She struck Quinn, now transformed into an ancient Brachiosaurus, with a cyclone of air and lightning. Spells from the Sky Dragon Slayer rained down, and Quinn cried for his parents.
"As expected of a miko of the sky!"
"As expected of Fairy Tail!"
Sabo and Ace exchanged impressed glances. Senior cadres of the Revolutionary Army and White Regiment had prepared for the Beasts Pirates—but now their intervention was unnecessary.
"Ace, let's see who can take out more enemies in less time!" Sabo grinned.
"Come at me! I'll win in the end!" Ace's body ignited with elemental flames as he surged into the air.
As Sabo struck down foes one by one, Ace landed a Fire Fist, obliterating grotesque artificial Devil Fruit users.
"Hey, Ace! They're all after me!" Sabo shouted, frustrated.
"Hahaha! Winners don't argue! Admit defeat while you can!" Ace laughed.
Sabo ignored him, racing forward again. His Observation Haki sensed a formidable opponent approaching—one he wouldn't let escape again.
"Dragon Claw Fist!!!"
Sabo's right hand became a claw, infused with armored thunder of Xiantian, striking a towering figure in Yamato armor and a Hannya mask.
The enemy didn't dodge. With a backhand, he swung a pitch-black mace.
"Thunder, Ming, Ba, Gua!!!"
Boom! Rumble!
The Dragon Claw Fist clashed with Yamato's Thunder Eight Trigrams. Shockwaves rippled, tearing up the ground.
"Stop, Sabo! Yamato! Enough!"
A massive Fire Fist fell, separating them.
"Ace… do you know him?" Sabo asked.
"Sabo… don't forget. I told you on the way here that I came to Ghost Island two years ago and made a friend," Ace said calmly.
"Your friend?" Sabo repeated.
"Ace! It's so good to see you again!" Yamato called, stepping forward happily.
"Ace, let me introduce—this is my younger brother!"
Sabo blinked.
"Yamato…" he stammered.
"He's your brother, Luffy!"