"Tsk tsk, this aura... is this for real?"
Kizaru narrowed his eyes. "That brat's grown stronger since entering the New World... No wonder Sakazuki spent an entire night failing to capture him recently."
In his line of sight,
The young man named Xiano stood with arms crossed at the ship's prow, his black hair whipping wildly in the fierce wind.
The overwhelming pressure radiating from him felt almost tangible, thickening the surrounding air into a viscous heaviness.
As the distance closed and their gazes locked, Kizaru saw excitement ignite in the youth's eyes, his lips slowly curling into a grin—
"Arriving so early, old monkey!"
Xiano's right hand reached behind his head as he burst into laughter. "Two months since we last met—here's a welcoming gift for you. Catch!!!"
Hummm!
The moment Katana "Masamune" left its sheath, heaven and earth seemed to shift!
Black-and-red lightning coiled around the blade like serpents as Conqueror's Haki erupted violently, instantly depressing the sea within a kilometer into a massive spherical vacuum!
In the next instant, the greatsword swept horizontally—
"Divine Departure—!"
A crimson Sword Aura erupted from the blade, like an awakened primordial beast breaking free from its chains. Wherever the Sword Aura passed, seawater was forcibly split apart, carving out a vacuum channel hundreds of meters long!
"This is...!"
Kizaru's heart jolted violently, his usual laziness vanishing in an instant, replaced by solemn focus.
The blinding sword glare dyed nearly his entire field of vision crimson.
It was Red Hair's—no, the Pirate King Gol D. Roger's signature technique!
Kizaru's wrinkled face twitched uncontrollably. His first instinct was to activate Elemental Transformation and evade.
But then he realized—he was standing on a warship.
He could dodge, but could this entire fleet?
There was no choice but to block it head-on!
Taking a deep breath, Kizaru gathered dazzling golden light in his palms before leaping into the air, crossing his arms before his chest:
"Yata… Mirror Jewel!"
Countless radiant light bullets poured forth like a storm, colliding midair with the horizontal slash of crimson Sword Aura!
BOOOOM—!!!
The deafening explosion shook the heavens, the shockwaves churning up monstrous waves that sent tremors through the entire sea surrounding Dressrosa.
The sheer terror of this spectacle not only made King Riku and the others watching from the giant rocks of Dressrosa gasp in unison—
But also alerted those lurking in nearby waters, who had long been monitoring the island's situation—
...
Northwest, several dozen nautical miles away.
A red airship emblazoned with "WE NEWS" drifted leisurely over the sea.
This was Morgans' personal vessel, equipped with an editorial office and a small printing press... ready to transform at any moment into the mobile headquarters of the World Economic Journal.
Right now,
On the airship's deck, a white albatross in a suit and top hat was peering through binoculars, excitement brimming as he observed the distant commotion.
"Big news! This is huge news!"
Morgans trembled with excitement, his feathers quivering. "To actually catch these two clashing—this trip was worth making in person!"
The Marine fleet had surrounded Dressrosa, a minor incident that initially spread slowly. But after five full days of escalation, all major factions in the New World, including the Four Emperors, had received the news.
The World Economic Journal, without a doubt, had been the first to learn of it—three days prior—and Morgans had immediately begun speculating.
King Riku had held out for five days without compromise?
Why?
What gave him the confidence?
Morgans keenly sensed something unusual. For a mere king of an allied nation to stand so firm against the World Government, he must have formidable backing.
But...
He had expected one of the Four Emperors to intervene. Instead, the arrival of Xiano took him completely by surprise.
—And that suited him even better!
Human nature craves novelty. That young man named Xiano was now the most captivating figure in the public eye. With him as the protagonist, audiences would be far more enthralled than if it were one of the old Emperors!
And his newspapers would sell even better!
"Move closer! Closer! This distance is nowhere near enough for a satisfying close-up!"
Morgans turned his head, laughing heartily as he issued the command.
He was an emperor of the underworld, a notorious miser, but above all—a true journalist!
As a journalist, how could he not deliver the best photos to repay his readers' support?
...
Meanwhile.
Further out at sea.
A massive pirate ship shaped like a white whale sailed leisurely across the calm waters.
"Pops!"
Marco hung up the Den Den Mushi and strode quickly to the center of the deck, addressing the man seated on the enormous chair with a grave tone:
"Urgent news from Dressrosa—Marine Admiral Kizaru has suddenly mobilized, accompanied by the Warlord of the Sea, Enel."
"And the reason they've escalated to this level is because that man... the World's Greatest Swordsman, Xiano, is heading straight for Dressrosa with his crew."
"Oh?"
Whitebeard raised his eyes slightly, a trace of surprise flickering in them.
As a remnant of the old era, he had always been the most vigilant toward the Marine Headquarters' expansion into the New World.
Dressrosa's strategic location made it impossible for him to tolerate it falling entirely into the World Government's hands, becoming a Marine outpost.
So for the past few days,
Whitebeard had been waiting for King Riku to make his choice. If the king yielded, so be it. But if he intended to resist to the end, Whitebeard wouldn't hesitate to make a personal visit—to remind the Marines of their place.
—The New World was no playground for the Marines!
"Gurararara!"
Whitebeard burst into laughter, his voice rumbling like thunder.
"No wonder King Riku held out for five days without compromise. So he secretly secured himself such an extraordinary backer!"
He rose slowly, his towering figure casting a vast shadow.
"Pops, should we...?"
Marco hesitated before tentatively asking.
"No."
Whitebeard shook his head, his gaze distant as it fixed on the horizon.
"I know you have ties with him, but... foolish son, this is his battle. We need not interfere, nor should we."
"However..."
Whitebeard's voice grew solemn once more, "While we won't intervene, no one else shall either... Keep a close watch on Marine Headquarters. If they send more forces into the New World... Marco, you know what to do."
"Yes, Pops!"
...
Outside Dressrosa.
The crimson sword light and the golden radiance filling the sky gradually dissipated.
Thud!
Kizaru landed from mid-air, staggering back several steps before steadying himself. His expression darkened as he turned to look behind him.
As expected...
The terrifying impact of that slash had been barely blocked by him, sparing the Marines beneath.
Yet.
The spread of Conqueror's Haki was something he couldn't negate no matter what.
As far as the eye could see, across the dozen or so warships arranged in a wing formation from east to west, all the Marines and low-ranking Lieutenant Officers had collapsed, unconscious with their eyes rolled back.
Like a field of harvested wheat, they now lay strewn across the decks.
As for the Rear Admirals, Vice Admirals, Captains, and Commanders—though they swayed unsteadily, they remained standing and conscious. But this wasn't due to any extraordinary willpower; they had merely endured the aftershocks.
"So this is the power known as Conqueror's Haki..."
Enel's face paled as he surveyed the fallen Marines around him, sweat trickling down his temple:
"Even I, a god, have yet to master it... How can mere mortals of the Blue Sea possess such might?"
O heavens...
How unjust you are!
Doberman gritted his teeth—this fool was spouting nonsense again...
But there was no time to dwell on it. Drawing his sword, he leaped up and barked orders:
"All hands! Anyone still conscious, take the helm! Bring the ships ashore, then split into two groups—one will use Moon Walk to scale the cliffs and hold off attacks from Dressrosa! The rest, follow me and capture the officers of the Falling Stars Adventure Pirates!"
"Yes, Vice Admiral!"
Responses echoed from across the fleet before the warships surged forward, charging full speed toward Dressrosa.
...
Aboard the Sunset.
Xiano sheathed his sword, observing the shifting formation of the warships.
"Trying to seize the high ground and split the battlefield?"
He sneered. "Wishful thinking... Nojiko, freeze this sea! Lock those ships in place! Then, take Nami with Robin and secure the high ground on Dressrosa. The three of you will defend that position and protect the civilians in the town!"
"Got it, big bro."
Nojiko was the first to nod. As Logia users, she and Robin excelled in wide-range control and suppression—perfect for holding the cliffs from above.
It would also free up Kuma, allowing the more combat-capable fighter to join the frontlines.
After responding, she glanced at Nami, who was slumped over Agin's back, her face pale and on the verge of passing out. Nojiko sighed and lightly smacked her awake.
Xiano's gaze swept over the others:
"Nuomici, you lack combat experience, so stay with Zeff and guard the ship. If the battle shifts, use your judgment on whether to reinforce."
"Agin, and the rest of you, follow me into battle. I'll handle Kizaru. As for the other Marines, pick your own opponents... Understood?!"
"Understood, Captain!" The crew responded in unison.
"I'll go first!" Nojiko vaulted over the railing, diving headfirst toward the ocean. Just before hitting the surface, she let out a sharp cry, thrusting her arms forward as the frigid power stored within her erupted violently—
"Ice Age!"
Boom!
A torrent of icy wind and snow surged from her palms, sweeping across the sea with overwhelming force.
Crack! Crack! The deafening sound of freezing echoed as the once turbulent waves instantly transformed into an endless frozen plain, shimmering with a cold silver glow under the sunlight.
"Damn it, the warships are immobilized!"
"Wait, isn't this Admiral Aokiji's signature move? How does that female Pirate know it?!"
"Idiot! It's the Logia-type Snow-Snow Fruit! I heard it's even superior to Admiral Aokiji's fruit!"
"Seriously?! Damn it, why does every member of the Falling Stars Adventure Pirates have such troublesome abilities..."
"No choice. We'll have to abandon the warships and attack using Moon Walk!"
...
"The freezing is complete. Nami, time to move!" Nojiko returned to the deck and hauled Nami up from where she lay sprawled, fast asleep.
"Huh?"
Nami flopped weakly like a fish stranded in a dried-up pond. "No, no! I just rested for a bit... Let me sleep a little longer..."
For the past five days, she had been forced to act as the ship's fuel source, accelerating it for over eight hours daily—eight hours!
Since when had she ever suffered like this?!
If not for Zeff's meticulously prepared feasts replenishing her energy, she would've been completely drained by now!
"Can't handle a little hardship? This is what happens when you slack off on training..." Nojiko sighed, then unceremoniously slung Nami over her shoulder.
"Relax, you can rest once we're up there. You won't need to lift a finger—just keep an eye on the other side for me. I'll handle the rest!"
Amid Nami's wails, Nojiko unleashed a burst of cold air beneath her feet, instantly forming an icy path leading straight to the towering cliffs of Dressrosa.
Robin chuckled softly and followed, stepping lightly with Moon Walk.
In the blink of an eye, they reached the city walls, reuniting with King Riku and the others.
Kuma, having already grasped Xiano's battle assignments, gave Nojiko and Robin a firm nod before launching himself off the ground with a burst of compressed air, hurtling toward the frozen battlefield below.
"Thank you for your efforts, all three of you!" King Riku hurried forward, his eyes brimming with gratitude. "If not for your timely arrival, the Marines would've launched their assault without hesitation. Even with Mr. Bear here... the consequences would've been unthinkable!"
"No need for formalities." Nojiko set Nami down, who plopped onto the ground in a daze, her eyes glazed over—until she spotted Violet and jolted awake.
"Eh?! Another Robin?!"
She swiveled her head between Violet and Robin, eyes wide, then burst into laughter.
"No way! Look at this! The resemblance is uncanny—hair, figure, facial structure... Robin, she could be your twin sister!"
Robin and Violet exchanged glances, both mildly surprised.
They... really did seem just as Nami had described.
"There is a bit of resemblance," Robin chuckled. "But it's still quite limited. In comparison, Nami, I actually think the little princess next to you looks even more like she was carved from the same mold as you."
Little princess? What little princess?
Nami was baffled, instinctively turning her head—only to meet the curious gaze of twelve-year-old Rebecca.
Huh?
She stood there, stunned and speechless.
...
Boom—Crash!
Kuma's body plummeted from the sky, flickering several times before slamming onto the icy surface, sending spiderweb-like cracks radiating outward.
He raised his head, scanning his surroundings.
On the frozen sea, the battle had erupted in full force.
Far to the north, in the most open area, Lord Xiano was locked in a fierce clash with Kizaru, their figures darting and weaving.
Black-red Haki lightning collided violently with golden beams, staining the sky in an eerie blend of dark crimson and gold.
Meanwhile, elsewhere.
The renowned female Master Swordsman and Marine Admiral candidate, Peach Rabbit, had engaged Kuina in combat. Their razor-sharp Sword Aura carved deep trenches across the icy plains.
That left his opponent to be...
Kuma narrowed his eyes slightly, but suddenly—
Crack!
A bolt of azure lightning struck the ground right before him!
As the lightning dissipated, Enel's figure hovered in the air. He tilted his head, sizing up Kuma with a disdainful smirk before speaking:
"Hey, mortal of the Blue Sea. You're that so-called 'Tyrant' Kuma, right? I sensed your presence from the start. Compared to that Xiano... you don't seem like much."
So he had come looking for trouble.
Kuma slowly straightened up, brushing off the ice shards from his coat, and met Enel's gaze. "The new Warlord of the Sea... Enel, the one they call the Thunder God?"
"That's right, your god!"
Enel spread his arms wide, laughing arrogantly.
"To think you'd recognize me. Seems accepting that curly-haired man's invitation wasn't entirely pointless... Listen well, mortal. Dying by my hand today will be the greatest honor of your pathetic life!"
With a sudden swing of his golden staff, he pointed it at Kuma. The Thunder Drums on his back pulsed with blue light, rumbling ominously.
"Divine Punishment!"
Crack—!!!
A terrifying lightning pillar, several meters in diameter, descended from the heavens!
The blinding blue light turned everything around them into a stark white void. The thunderbolt tore through the clouds, carrying the force of absolute destruction straight toward Kuma's head.
All the while, Kuma had been silently listening, slowly removing his gloves.
Now, as the lightning approached, his gaze remained calm. He didn't dodge or flinch—merely raised his right hand, revealing the soft paw pad on his palm.
Thud!
In the next instant, the azure lightning was deflected straight back toward Enel, whose eyes widened in disbelief.
What?!
Enel's pupils contracted sharply. How was this possible? Such power existed?!
The thunderbolt struck Enel head-on, erupting in an ear-splitting explosion.
His figure was completely swallowed by the searing blue light, violent currents of electricity raging through the air.
As the smoke gradually cleared, Enel reappeared.
His body bore no substantial injuries, but his hair was disheveled and smoking. His once-arrogant expression twisted into fury, flames of rage burning in his eyes.
He gritted his teeth, words forced through clenched jaws:
"Mortal! How dare you—"
Before he could finish, Kuma's figure vanished from sight.
So fast!
Enel's heart skipped a beat as his Observation Haki screamed warnings, but before he could react, a massive palm was already pressing against his chest.
"Pressure Cannon."
Kuma's gentle, magnetic voice rang out as a white transparent bubble suddenly formed on the meat pad of his palm. In an instant, it adhered to the skin of Enel's chest and abruptly expanded—
BOOM!!!
(End of Chapter)