On the Navy's flagship.
"All of Endgame's top cadres are here. Such a luxurious lineup, it's really terrifying."
Kizaru sighed, "The fleet is surrounded. It's impossible to reach the shore. Hey, Sakazuki, what do we do now? Retreat?"
"Do you think that's possible?"
Sakazuki's face was indescribably grim, "The World Nobility are still on the island. If we retreat, how could we face headquarters? Straight to a military court!"
Besides.
The true Navy will never cower to pirates!
If he, Sakazuki, had retreated whenever facing pirates with stronger forces, how could he have climbed step by step to sit in the position of Navy Grand Admiral?
"Transmit my orders!"
Akainu viciously bit out the cigar in his mouth, his eyes boiling with murderous intent:
"Abandon the left and right flank defenses, concentrate all ship firepower to blast a path for me!"
"Also, have all school-level officers who can Moonwalk prepare to disembark for combat. At all costs, proceed with me to land and rescue the World Nobility!"
"As for you, Borsalino."
Akainu looked at Kizaru, taking a deep breath, and said word by word:
"Stop using that form. Give it your all! With everything you've got! Block Endgame's fleet! Not a single top cadre is allowed past!"
"Even if it costs your life, you must hold them! This isn't a command from the commander, but a request from a long-time friend! Do you understand!!!"
"..."
Kizaru was about to habitually put on his lazy expression,
but upon hearing this, his face twitched, and he ultimately sighed.
A request from an old friend? It's been a while since I heard that phrase…
When he looked up again, he nodded, revealing unprecedented seriousness: "Ah, I got it."
"But, Sakazuki."
Kizaru's gaze pierced through the cannon-fire-filled sea, toward the currently unknown situation on the shore:
"Don't act like all the problems are dumped on me. The biggest obstacle is still that man, waiting on the island right now. Sakazuki, are you really sure you can rescue those guys from his hands?"
Akainu was silent for a second, then spoke expressionlessly:
"The outcome is a matter for later, first we must fully carry out our superior's orders. Regardless, it is my duty as a Navy officer!"
With that said.
He suddenly leaped up, his legs elementalized, spewing rolling magma, and using the propulsion force, he dashed rapidly toward the shore!
Accompanying Akainu to the shore were twenty to thirty Navy officers skilled in Moonwalk.
"Duty, huh…"
Kizaru watched his back, sighed, and before turning away, murmured in a voice only the sea breeze could hear:
"Being stubborn is fine, but don't get yourself killed, old friend."
...
"Boom! Boom! Boom!
The explosive roar was continuous, Endgame's shells were getting denser, round after round, almost never stopping.
The most eye-catching among them was undoubtedly the captain of the fifth squad, Noah.
This white-haired youth dressed as a jungle native, with a gaping mouth, ceaselessly sprayed pea bullets wrapped with Armament Haki from his mouth.
Like a Gatling gun, the firing rate was extremely fast.
Single-handedly, he formed a terrifying firepower net, shaking the Navy's left flank defense to its core!
"Hey, you, isn't your fruit ability a bit bizarre?"
Nearby, the captain of the first squad, Shiryu, bit his cigar, his eyelids twitching as he watched, "But this firepower is truly terrifying, almost as much as half a fleet!"
"Hahaha, of course!"
Noah laughed heartily, continuing to spray bullets with full force:
"This is a new technique personally guided and developed by Lord Xiano, called 'Pea Rapid Fire'! It's not effective against strong foes, but for dealing with these Navy small fry, it's immensely powerful… hmm?"
His peripheral vision suddenly sensed something light up.
In the next instant.
Whoosh!
A blinding golden light illuminated the entire view, almost making eyes unable to open. In no time, Kizaru appeared in front of Noah, with the Ama no Murakumo sword in both hands.
"Huh? I don't recall a newcomer like you?"
Kizaru's gaze glanced over, "Hey, stealing the spotlight right away isn't a good thing, you'll be targeted first, you know."
Before he finished speaking, the Ama no Murakumo sword in his hand was already slashing down rapidly!
Shiryu snorted coldly, instantly drew his sword in Iaido style!
Clang!!!
Blades clashed, sparks flying!
Boom boom boom!
Though Shiryu grunted, retreated several steps before barely steadying himself. He ultimately managed to parry Kizaru's slash.
"Hey, Kizaru."
Shiryu bit his cigar, looking up with a sinister grin:
"Attacking my partner right in front of me… aren't you underestimating me as the captain of the first squad?"
"Rain of Shiryu from Impel Down?"
Kizaru raised an eyebrow in surprise:
"I heard you betrayed Magellan to join Endgame, didn't expect that was true… Tsk, opposing the Navy doesn't end well, you know~"
"Worthy of a Navy Grand Admiral, such high psychological resilience."
Shiryu exhaled a smoke ring, chuckling lowly:
"Instead of threatening me now, why don't you think about how they'll handle you after all three hundred Heavenly Celestial Dragons are dead!"
Saying that, he suddenly unleashed his full strength, forcing Kizaru half a step back.
At the same time, Noah seized the opportunity to activate his fruit ability again: