The air was thick with the pungent scent of blood and sea salt as the final battle reached its conclusion amidst desperate cries of despair.
A pirate captain wielding a massive axe had just mustered all his strength to parry Duke Inuarashi's slashing attack.
Before he could even catch his breath, a swift shadow darted toward him like lightning.
Nekomamushi's sharp claws, wrapped in dazzling electric sparks, struck directly at his heart without any fancy maneuvers.
"Thud!"
The claws pierced through his chest, the violent current instantly destroying his internal organs.
The axe-wielding captain convulsed violently, the last glimmer of light in his eyes swallowed by endless darkness as his massive body crashed to the ground.
Not far away, another pirate captain was being forced into retreat by Denjiro's flashing blade.
He realized in horror that no matter how he dodged, his opponent's sword followed him like a shadow, sealing off all escape routes.
"Who... who are you?!"
Denjiro's expression remained stoic, his eyes cold as he twirled his longsword into a dazzling flourish.
"Denjiro of Wano Country."
The moment his words fell, a blade flash streaked past.
The captain's body stiffened, a thin red line appearing across his neck before rapidly widening.
Elsewhere, the battle took on a bizarre and almost comical tone.
Perona, twirling her small red umbrella, floated ethereally in mid-air as giant Negative Hollows emerged from her body, passing through one pirate captain after another.
The next moment, these pirate captains fell to their knees in utter despair, begging for death and humiliation.
Meanwhile, the cunning Devil Child Nico Robin promptly activated her Devil Fruit ability to deliver finishing blows, helping these hopeless pirate captains achieve their wishes.
The last two remaining captains in the port, having witnessed their comrades die in various bizarre ways, were utterly terrified.
Exchanging a glance, they simultaneously turned and fled for their lives in opposite directions.
However, the moment they took their first steps, a slender green slash flew through the air, cutting across their waists.
Their running motions abruptly froze as their upper and lower bodies slowly separated and slid to the ground.
As the final pirate captain was eliminated, the training ship's anchor dropped heavily, securing its berth.
The last captain who had been cut in half used his final strength to lift his head, just in time to catch sight of a young figure leaping from the training ship's deck onto the pier.
The Fleet Admiral of the Marines—Orion!!
Watching that young figure, the captain closed his eyes forever, filled with resentment and regret.
The moment Orion landed ashore, Nami, Nojiko, and Koala quickly followed, anxiously surveying the port.
Hancock then gracefully stepped forward to naturally position herself at Orion's side, while Morgan led a squad of fully armed Fleet Admiral guards to catch up.
"Fleet Admiral!" Morgan stepped forward, hearing the ongoing battle sounds from the town direction, and eagerly asked.
"May the guard squad request permission to engage?!"
Orion glanced around at the pirates lying scattered across the pier, responding calmly.
"Before you join the battle, clear out the small fry here first. They're just knocked unconscious by Yamato's Conqueror's Haki. You know what to do."
Morgan snapped a crisp salute. "Yes! Mission will be accomplished!"
After speaking, he swiftly led the guards out and approached the pirates who had been knocked unconscious by Conqueror's Haki.
With practiced efficiency, he administered finishing shots—two to the chest and one to the head, a Marine tradition that must be upheld!
The muffled gunshots echoed over the harbor, each report marking the end of a sinful soul.
Amid the continuous gunfire, Orion looked up at Mihawk and the others nearby.
"Although this place is an excellent training ground for those youngsters, the number of pirates on the island is too large, including captains who have made names for themselves in the New World. Go and relieve some pressure from the trainees!"
Mihawk gave a slight nod in response.
He slung the Black Blade Night back over his shoulder and vanished from the harbor in a flash, heading straight into the depths of the town.
"Hey, hey, Hawk Eyes, wait for me!"
Yamato, carrying her spiked club, hurried after him, followed closely by Perona, Robin, Denjiro, and the others.
Without waiting for Morgan and his group, Orion leisurely made his way toward the town with Hancock, Nami, Nojiko, and Koala.
As soon as they stepped onto the first street, an overwhelming, nauseating odor assaulted them—a mix of blood, gunpowder, and the scent of charred corpses, the distinct stench of death unique to a battlefield.
Nami and Nojiko instantly turned pale, bending over as they dry-heaved.
Even Koala, who had more battlefield experience, immediately covered her nose and mouth, her pretty face tense.
Yet none of the three women stopped.
They endured the discomfort and followed closely behind Orion.
Just then, a roar filled with agony erupted from another street, causing the ground to tremble slightly.
Nami followed the sound and, upon spotting the terrifying monster with crimson, menacing eyes at the end of the adjacent street, her pupils contracted sharply.
Her body instinctively moved closer to Orion.
However, she soon recognized traces of Chopper in that frenzied figure.
"Fleet Admiral!" Nami's eyes widened, and she pointed a trembling finger at the massive figure ahead.
"That... that monster is Chopper?!"
Orion nodded. "These are the trials you must face in the future. Although my presence has altered many fates and changed the course of history, some hardships you must experience firsthand. Only then can you truly grow."
As he spoke, Orion gently patted Nami's head, his tone softening.
"Don't worry. Since I can change your destinies, I can also pull you back from the brink when you're in dire straits."
Orion's reassurance eased Nami's anxiety slightly, but she blinked her large eyes and, gazing at Chopper who seemed on the verge of leveling the entire street, couldn't help but timidly ask.
"But... is it really alright for Chopper to become like that?"
Before Orion could respond, Hancock sharply turned her head, her golden snake earrings swaying slightly, her beautiful eyes instantly turning fierce.
"How dare you! How dare you question your Fleet Admiral!!"
As she spoke, Hancock's long, slender leg lifted slightly, ready to kick Nami away!
Just then.
From around the corner of the street ahead came a chaotic and dense patter of footsteps, like a stampede of panicked beasts, accompanied by all sorts of ghostly wails and howls.
"Run! It's Hawk Eyes! The world's greatest swordsman is coming for us!"
"What? No, it's not Hawk Eyes—it's a crazy woman with a giant club! She smashed a dozen of my comrades into dust with one swing! It's terrifying!"
"I ran into two women! One floats in the air and summons ghosts that make you want to die if they touch you! The other makes hands sprout all over your body!"
"Idiots, that's the Devil Child, Nico Robin! Run for your lives!"
Amid the clamor growing louder as it approached, a staggering number of pirates scrambled out from the corner, cursing and looking utterly disheveled.
As they spilled into the street, they found themselves face-to-face with Orion and his group, who had just entered—
The noisy street fell deathly silent in an instant.