— — — — — — —
Perospero wasn't relaxing for even a second in this messy war.
Relaxing in a situation like this? That's just asking for death!
With all these powerhouses fighting, who knows when someone might suddenly turn their attention this way?
Shing!
At that moment, Amande suddenly made her move.
A sharp gleam sliced through the air. Wielding her sword, Amande blocked the incoming attack.
"Hmph!" Chinjao grinned excitedly. "As expected from that kid's sister, your strength is truly impressive! But—"
His eyes flashed with determination, his aura growing even more intense.
"Do you think just this level of power is enough to stop me? That won't be so easy!"
"Ink Tiger! Appear!"
At the same time, Perospero moved as well, attacking Chinjao.
He swiftly pulled out his brush from the family crest. With a flick of his wrist—A fierce tiger materialized instantly.
"Roar!"
The beast let out a thunderous growl, its entire body wrapped in Armament Haki.
"Hasshoken~ Shock Wave Fist!"
Boom!
Chinjao took a step back and threw a punch.
The sheer force shattered the tiger instantly.
But—At that very moment, Amande's blade was already slashing toward him.
"Slow Nut Waltz!"
Her sword traced a slow yet graceful arc through the air, scattering what seemed to be a barrage of nuts.
Nuts? This was just a general term. Many foods could be classified as nuts. And Amande's Nut-Nut Fruit...Was a Devil Fruit that allowed her to create all kinds from thin air.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Chinjao was ultimately forced to retreat.
"Second Brother!" x5
"Third Sister!" x5
The others quickly rushed forward to provide support.
Perospero, his gaze sharp, commanded, "Stay put! The Devil Fruit is our priority. Understood?"
"Yes, Second Brother!" Everyone nodded seriously, immediately moving into action.
There was no denying it—If they worked together, they could defeat Chinjao fast, but now they had to find the Devil Fruit.
"Five Pastry Generals, handle anyone else who interferes! The rest of you, find that Devil Fruit immediately!"
Perospero knew that even if they defeated Chinjao, what would that accomplish? Profits are the key.
"Heh heh heh—"
Chinjao smirked. "Interesting! A decisive move. After all, while I may not be particularly interested in the Sand-Sand Fruit, there are plenty of others who are. And those people won't hesitate to act."
"Hmph—"
Exhaling a wisp of smoke, Amande replied coldly, "Pointless talk! Chinjao, are the Happo Navy also planning to join the fight for the Sand-Sand Fruit?"
Chinjao declared proudly, "I'm a pirate! Since when do pirates need a reason to take what they want?!"
Clearly—The Happo Navy and the Big Mom Pirates...were essentially the same kind of force.
To put it bluntly—Everyone understood the reality of the situation. They were pirates nurtured by the Kano Country and the Charlotte Family to operate in the shadows.
If a formal military force were sent instead...wouldn't that mean the Kano Country was declaring war on the Charlotte Family?
"Brats! Enough with the pointless chatter!"
"This is meaningless!"
"Hasshoken~ Shock Wave Fists!"
"Hah!"
With a mighty shout, Chinjao's eyes flashed with a terrifying killing intent.
In an instant—The old man charged forward.
His fists crossed—Each punch was like a cannonball, filled with devastating power.
Boom!
One after another, his blows rained down like artillery.
But in reality—Each punch was far more powerful than any cannonball could ever be.
Amande remained calm, as serene as ever.
Swish!
Her sword glowed with an elegant brilliance as it moved.
Clang!
A crisp sound echoed as each of Amande's swings created a layer of hardened nut shells, effortlessly blocking Chinjao's attacks.
She remained cold and composed as she remarked, "Such ferocity! Hasshoken truly is an impressive technique passed down in the Kano Country. Its sheer strength is astonishing."
Chinjao laughed heartily. "Little girl! Not bad! Not bad at all! Your attacks are quite impressive."
There was no denying it—Amande's movements were extremely slow.
However—Even though she seemed unbearably slow, her attacks always appeared exactly when they were needed.
It felt as if—No matter where you moved—Amande's strike would still find you.
That eerie sensation...Was unsettling, to say the least.
"Black Ink~ Cloud Rainstorm!"
At the same time, Perospero acted again.
Dark clouds rapidly gathered in the sky.
Crackle!
Lightning and raindrops poured down. Infused with Armament Haki, they streaked straight toward Chinjao.
"Hmm?"
Chinjao's eyes narrowed as he sensed the tremendous power within the attack.
He swiftly retreated.
However—Since the storm was Perospero's creation, it obeyed his control.
The relentless barrage continued to chase after Chinjao, striking at him without pause.
Chinjao thought to himself, "The Brush-Brush Fruit... Definitely a troublesome Devil Fruit! The best way to deal with this is to eliminate its user! If that's the case..."
"Hasshoken~ Head-Arms!"
Like a meteor, Chinjao shot straight toward Perospero.
"Hmph!" Perospero smirked.
"Chinjao, do you really think you can hurt me that easily?"
As his voice trailed off—Perospero simply took a step back.
Clang!
Once again, Amande intercepted Chinjao's attack, blocking his path.
Crack!
More nuts materialized, tracing a graceful arc along Amande's blade.
That arc...Seemed capable of slicing through anything in its path.
Chinjao reacted swiftly.
But it was too late—The nuts had already entangled him.
"Ink Dragon!"
"Ink Cloud!"
"Thunder Ink Annihilation!"
Seizing the moment, Perospero unleashed a flurry of attacks.
One scroll after another appeared. Dragons and tigers pounced forward, and bolts of lightning rained down in endless waves.
It was clear that Perospero wasn't weak at all.
Together with Amande, he was keeping the mighty Chinjao completely suppressed.
To know, Perospero and Amande were both solidly at Bronze Level 9 in strength.
In the Charlotte Family, excluding Joey and Linlin, Katakuri was the strongest!
Following closely behind were Perospero, Compote, Amande, and Cracker.
Now, two of them had teamed up. Facing Chinjao head-on, despite him having reached Silver Level 1.
Yet, the two of them were actually suppressing Chinjao.
— — —
"Heh..."
Joey chuckled lightly. "Chinjao, Hana! So, you're planning to join in as well? Too bad! Have you really thought this through?"
"Hana, Adam, and Songfen, they all must have incredibly dark expressions. Hehehe!"
And that was true. They had never imagined this.
Everything had been within their expectations—thinking that those so-called Navy dogs or those so-called pirate scum...Would simply obey orders?
Their positions had made them forget. They really believed they could control people's will? What a joke!
No one could truly control another's will. That was impossible.
"Huh?"
At that moment.
Joey noticed another figure and muttered curiously, "His Devil Fruit..."
Clang!
"Thunder Bagua!"
Opera and the newcomer clashed in an instant. It's clear, the newcomer was Kaido!
"So, he actually came here... Interesting! I wonder how he has reached that level after leaving the Rocks Pirates."
After leaving Rocks Pirates, Kaido had formed the Beasts Pirates.
Of course, compared to the other great pirate crews, the Beasts Pirates were pretty pathetic.
In terms of strength and numbers, they were weak. They weren't strong at all.
However, Kaido's potential was undeniable. This man had terrifying talent.
"Hmph!" Kaido stared sharply at Opera. "Get out of my way! Hand over the Devil Fruit, or I'll kill you!"
Opera raised an eyebrow and said arrogantly, "Kill me? Go ahead and try! No one has ever taken anything from the Charlotte Family!"
Kaido snorted. "You're asking for it!"
Boom!
Kaido stomped the ground.
His speed was incredible. He was a Silver Level 1 fighter after all.
However, Kaido was fast! But the others were not slow either!
Counter, Cadenza, Cabaletta, and Gala—the four brothers were just as quick.
They immediately transformed into their hybrid beast forms.
To put it bluntly! They were about to grind Kaido into the dirt.
Boom!
Boom!
Each of the five brothers was at Bronze Level 8 in strength.
Five Bronze Level 8 fighters versus one Silver Level 1.
Who do you think would win?
Either way! They weren't playing fair.
As warriors, the most important thing was victory—don't give me that nonsense about sneak attacks or ganging up being dishonorable.
Their mission was to protect their country. To protect their family. To safeguard everything that was theirs.
And in the end—To win!
That was all that mattered.
Everything else? Who cared?
That was exactly how the five brothers thought!
"ROARRR!!!" Kaido let out a terrifying roar.
His body started twisting and transforming.
Crackle!
Wind and thunder raged together.
"Huh?"
Joey narrowed his eyes and murmured, "A Mythical Zoan power? I see! So Kaido got the Gryphon Fruit... What a shame. I was quite interested in that fruit myself. It was the perfect match for Cabaletta."
Though he said that. Truthfully, he remained completely indifferent.
If he lost it, so be it!
If he got it, great!
Joey was indifferent. The Sphinx Fruit wasn't weak either. The ability to control sandstorms was also quite significant.
Now, with the Sand-Sand Fruit about to fall into their hands... The Sphinx Fruit was the best choice!
"ROAR!"
With a bestial cry, Kaido transformed into a bizarre creature—eagle wings, a lion's body—retaining his hybrid form.
Cat-Cat Fruit, Mythical Zoan: Gryphon Model!
"Huh?"
Opera murmured, "A Mythical Zoan?"
Kaido's eyes flashed sharply. "DIE!"
"Thunder Bagua!"
"Hurricane Ragnarok!"
Kaido moved in an instant.
The Gryphon Fruit granted him control over thunder and wind. Moreover, he could generate them naturally.
Lightning and storms engulfed the battlefield.
"Hmph!" Counter sneered. "So what if you're a Mythical Zoan? You think you're special?"
ROAR!
With a deafening roar, Counter transformed into his full beast form.
A massive Yamata no Orochi emerged, clashing directly with Kaido.
Seeing this. The others also revealed their beast forms.
Kaido showed no fear. He fully transformed as well.
In that moment, the battlefield fell into a brief silence.
Like an arrogant standoff.
Who was afraid of whom?
A battle of titans—Azure Dragon, Yamata no Orochi, Western Dragon, Sphinx, Phoenix, and Gryphon—all six Mythical Zoan fruits clashing.
Honestly, this battlefield had gathered seven Mythical Zoan users. Including Sengoku's Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Buddha Model!
These were Devil Fruits that were incredibly rare to encounter.
And yet, seven had appeared at once.
It was truly shocking.
But regardless of the shock. The battle raged on!
---
Compared to others, Oven and Zuccotto were swiftly searching for the Devil Fruit.
The battlefield didn't need them to intervene.
The others had it under control.
The real objective—The Sand-Sand Fruit!
That was the core of this entire conflict.
As long as they got the Sand-Sand Fruit...Everything would be over.
.
.
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