"Hey, hey, this momentum—is it real..."
Kizaru narrowed his eyes. "Has that kid gotten stronger since entering the New World…? No wonder Sakazuki couldn't take him down even after a whole night."
In his field of vision, the young man named Shano stood at the bow with arms crossed, black hair dancing in the wind.
The oppressive aura around him was almost tangible, making the very air feel heavy.
As the distance closed, their eyes met. Kizaru saw the excitement flashing in the other's gaze, and the corners of Shano's mouth curled into a wide grin—
"You came early, old monkey!"
Shano touched the back of his head with his right hand and laughed heartily. "It's been two months since we met. Here, let me give you a gift—catch!!"
Buzz!
The moment the sword Masamune was drawn, the sky and earth changed color!
Black and red lightning wrapped around the blade like dancing dragons. A wave of Conqueror's Haki burst out. The sea within a kilometer radius sank, forming a massive spherical vacuum!
The next moment, the blade slashed horizontally!
"Divine Departure—!!"
Red sword energy erupted, like a prehistoric beast breaking free of its chains. Wherever it passed, the sea parted to both sides, creating a vacuum channel hundreds of meters long!
"This is—!"
Kizaru's heart pounded. The laziness vanished from his face, replaced by a solemn expression.
That sword light... It dyed the whole sky red.
It was the technique of the Red-Haired… no, of Pirate King Gol D. Roger!
Kizaru's old face trembled, and instinct told him to dodge via elementalization—
But then he realized: he was on a warship.
He could dodge, but could the fleet?
He had no choice but to withstand it!
Kizaru took a deep breath. Dazzling golden light gathered wildly in his palm. He shot into the sky and crossed his arms in front of his chest:
"Yasakani no Magatama!!"
Countless golden light bullets rained down in a storm, colliding midair with the incoming red sword energy!
BOOM—!!!
A deafening explosion tore through the sky. The shockwave stirred up huge waves. The entire sea around Dressrosa shook violently.
This terrifying shock made King Riku and the others watching from the cliff gasp—and it didn't go unnoticed in the surrounding seas.
Northwest, dozens of miles away—
A red airship bearing the words WE NEWS floated above the water.
It was Morgans' ship, outfitted with a mobile editorial office and printing press—the headquarters of the World Economic News Agency.
On the deck, a white albatross in a suit and top hat clutched a telescope, feathers trembling with excitement.
"Big news! Big news!" Morgans was ecstatic. "I'm witnessing these two fight firsthand—worth every second!"
At first, the navy's siege of Dressrosa spread slowly. But five days in, all major New World powers, including the Four Emperors, had caught wind of it.
Naturally, the World Economic News Agency got the scoop early. Morgans had been observing for three days.
Why had King Riku held out for five days?
Who gave him the confidence?
Morgans sensed something unusual. For a mere king to defy the World Government, he had to have powerful backing.
And it wasn't a Four Emperor as expected—it was Shano.
Even better!
People love the new and exciting. Right now, Shano was the hottest topic. As the protagonist of this conflict, he'd draw more attention than even the Four Emperors!
And the newspaper? It would sell like crazy.
"Closer! Get us closer! We're too far to capture the perfect shot!"
Morgans barked orders, grinning.
He was a notorious miser and underworld mogul—but above all, he was a true journalist.
Farther out to sea—
A giant whale-shaped ship sailed calmly.
"Dad!"
Marco ended a Den Den Mushi call and walked toward the center deck, addressing the giant seated man:
"Emergency update from Dressrosa. Admiral Kizaru personally deployed—alongside Shichibukai Enel."
"And the reason? Shano is heading there with his crew."
"Oh?"
Whitebeard raised his eyes, slightly surprised.
As a relic of the old era, he always paid close attention to Navy movements in the New World. Dressrosa's position made it strategically vital.
In recent days, he'd been waiting. If King Riku resisted, he'd help. The Navy had no place acting freely in the New World.
"Gurararara!"
Whitebeard laughed thunderously. "No wonder King Riku lasted five days. Turns out he had such a monster backing him!"
He slowly stood, casting a massive shadow.
"Dad, should we—?"
Marco asked cautiously.
"No."
Whitebeard shook his head and looked to the horizon.
"I know you're friendly with him. But, my foolish son... this is his battle. We don't need to interfere—and we shouldn't."
"But—"
Whitebeard interrupted firmly, "We won't interfere, but others can't either. Monitor the Navy closely. If they send more forces into the New World... Marco, you know what to do."
"Yes, Dad!"
Outside Dressrosa—
The red sword light and golden light faded.
Bang!
Kizaru fell from midair, stumbling back before regaining balance. His face was grim as he looked around.
Just as expected—
That monstrous sword strike, he'd barely blocked it. The warships were safe...
But Conqueror's Haki could not be neutralized.
From east to west, across over ten warships fanned out in a wing, the low-ranking marines and lieutenants had rolled their eyes and collapsed.
They lay across the decks like flattened wheat.
The higher officers—majors, colonels, brigadiers—were only upright because they received the aftershocks.
"This is Conqueror's Haki..."
Enel looked around at the collapsed marines, his face pale and forehead drenched in sweat.
"I'm a god, and yet I can't control it. How can a mere mortal from Blue Sea possess such overwhelming power?"
God... this isn't fair.
Doberman grit his teeth. This guy again…
But there was no time to argue.
He drew his sword and shouted:
"Everyone still conscious, take the helm! Land the ships! Split into two teams—one takes the cliff via Moon Step to guard against Dressrosa's defenses! The other follows me to engage the End Pirates' cadres!"
"Yes, Vice Admiral!"
The fleet surged forward at full speed.
On the End—
Shano sheathed his sword and observed the navy's changing formation.
"Trying to seize the high ground and split us up?"
He sneered. "Wishful thinking... Nojiko, freeze the sea! Trap all warships! Then, go with Robin and Nami to the Tokushima highlands. You three defend the civilians there!"
"Yes, brother."
Nojiko nodded. As a Snow-Snow Fruit user, she had superior large-scale control.
It also freed Kuma to join the frontal assault.
She glanced at Nami, who was lying pale on Gin's back, about to fall asleep. Nojiko unhappily woke her.
Shano looked at the rest.
"Nuomizi, you lack experience. Stay and guard the ship with Uncle Zeff. Adjust if the battlefield changes."
"Ayin, everyone else—attack with me. Kizaru is mine. Pick your own opponents. Clear?"
"Understood, Captain!"
"I'll go first!"
Nojiko vaulted over the railing. As she neared the sea, she thrust her palms forward—
"Ice Age—!"
Boom!
A snowstorm burst outward. In moments, the sea transformed into a frozen silver plain.
"Damn it! The ships can't move!"
"Wasn't that Admiral Aokiji's move?!"
"No, idiot! It's the Snow-Snow Fruit. Superior to Aokiji's!"
"For real?! Everyone in the End Pirates has broken abilities!"
"No choice. Moon Step to engage!"
"The sea's frozen. Nami, time to move!"
Nojiko returned and hoisted Nami up.
"Huh?"
Nami squirmed weakly. "Just five more minutes..."
She'd worked nonstop the past five days, speeding the ship eight hours a day. Zeff's meals were the only thing keeping her alive.
"You're soft because you don't train."
Nojiko sighed and slung Nami over her shoulder.
"Don't worry. Just spot for me once we're up there. I'll handle the rest."
As Nami wailed, cold mist formed an ice path to the clifftop. Robin moon-stepped behind.
They joined King Riku and the others on the wall.
Kuma nodded to Nojiko and Robin. Without a word, he blasted off with an air burst and headed to the frozen battlefield.
"Thank you, all of you!"
King Riku rushed forward, eyes full of gratitude. "Without your help, once the navy launched its assault—even with Mr. Kuma—we would've been finished."
"You're welcome."
Nojiko set Nami down. She sat blankly, until she saw Violet—
"Eh? Another Sister Robin?"
She pointed between Violet and Robin.
"They're like twins! Same hair, figure, even their faces!"
Robin and Violet exchanged surprised glances.
She's right…
"They really do resemble each other."
Robin chuckled. "But Nami, I think the little princess beside you looks even more like you."
Little princess?
Nami turned to meet Rebecca's curious eyes.
"Huh?"
She was stunned.
Bang!
Kuma landed on the ice, spiderweb cracks forming beneath him.
He looked around.
To the north, Shano and Kizaru's battle raged—their clashes staining the sky with black, red, and gold.
Elsewhere, Taotu and Kuina clashed with blinding sword slashes carving into the ice.
That left…
Click!
A bolt of blue lightning struck before him.
Enel hovered above, long earlobes swaying, golden staff in hand.
"Hey, mortal from Blue Sea. You're the tyrant Kuma? I sensed your aura earlier. Compared to that Shano… you're nothing special."
He came to me?
Kuma stood slowly, brushing off ice. "The new Shichibukai... Enel, the self-proclaimed Thunder God?"
"That's me!"
Enel spread his arms and laughed.
"Being recognized feels good. Accepting that curly-haired man's offer wasn't a mistake. Now, mortal, feel honored to die by my hands!"
He raised his staff. The thunder drums surged.
"Judgment of God!"
CRACK—!!!
A massive lightning bolt thundered down!
The blue flash turned the world to daylight. The lightning crashed down on Kuma's head—
He calmly removed his gloves.
Even as the lightning descended, his expression was still, and he raised his right palm, revealing the flesh ball.
Bang!
The lightning veered off—reflected back at Enel!
What?!
Enel's eyes widened. How!?
The bolt struck him head-on. Smoke and static danced.
When the dust cleared, Enel was intact—but scorched, hair frazzled, expression furious.
"You damned mortal! How dare—"
Boom!
Kuma had vanished.
Too fast!
Warning bells rang in Enel's Haki. But before he could react, a giant palm slammed into his chest.
"Pressure Cannon."
Kuma's voice rang out.
Transparent bubbles expanded from his palm and burst—
BOOM!!!