Push forward to the sea outside the city!
A hijacked Navy warship sped toward the Gate of Justice.
Several Navy warships chased and encircled them from behind, their shells raining down like a relentless tide.
On the battleship, a conflict broke out.
Some vicious criminals, angered by Victor threatening to throw Buggy overboard, began rioting. They didn't dare attack Victor directly but verbally harassed him to show loyalty to Buggy.
Buggy the Clown acted indifferent—it wasn't his fault, after all.
Besides, Victor looked in bad shape now. These criminals could conveniently avenge themselves for the trouble Victor had caused.
"Hehe! Ungrateful people! If it weren't for Victor blocking Magellan, you wouldn't have made it to this ship so easily!"
Ivankov spoke up for Victor. The moment these annoying criminals targeted their companions, they were really targeting Victor, who had held off Magellan!
Ivankov didn't know that Buggy had just revealed he was once a crew member of Pirate King Gol D. Roger, shocking the escaped criminals.
Naturally, they felt obligated to follow Buggy, their new captain.
Who dares oppose Captain Buggy?!
"Did Victor really block Magellan's poison all by himself?"
Crocodile ignored the noise of the quarrelsome criminals. He was more concerned about Victor. Magellan was strong, and the red venom covering Victor made him shiver in fear.
Victor did look unwell. Poison immunity had saved his life, but it had taken a huge toll. Magellan's Poison Giant Soldier wasn't to be underestimated.
Even with immunity, repeated exposure could overwhelm him. That's why Victor had immediately distanced himself after breaking the venom cage.
The talkative criminals were annoying, but Victor had no time for them. His mind was already on what he'd do upon reaching Marineford.
His Hancock would be worried when she saw him like this…
[Ding, select trigger!]
Choice 1: Throw all the talkative criminals into the sea. Reward: One recovery pill (instantly restores full health!)
Choice 2: Ignore their words and act generously. Reward: A powerful heart-saving pill specially made by the system.
Victor smiled. The system finally triggered!
Because of his silence, the criminals who had hoped to impress Buggy now cursed him even more harshly.
"You're just a nobody! How dare you speak rudely to Captain Buggy?!"
Victor walked toward them. Instantly, they fell silent.
They had dared to scold Victor because they assumed Buggy would back them up—not because they thought they could beat him.
But Victor had moved in the air—a feat beyond their capability.
Fear overtook them as Victor stopped in front of them.
"Thank you all for the rewards!"
Buzz!
An evil light erupted, a slash cutting half the criminals off the warship and into the sea. The sword's sharp energy even cleaved their calves as they fell.
Shrill screams filled the air. Even without Devil Fruit powers, these criminals couldn't escape the sea and would eventually become food for Sea Kings.
"Hey! There's still half left!"
Victor, in poor condition, intentionally dealt with only half first. The remaining criminals were of mediocre strength. Those with any real ability wouldn't have needed to show loyalty in such a way.
"Captain Buggy, save us! Save us now!"
"Captain Buggy, you were in Pirate King's crew! You won't ignore us, right?!"
The remaining half pleaded desperately. A big shot like Buggy could defeat Victor easily with one move—or so they thought.
Victor turned to Buggy, sneering. He didn't mind tossing Buggy into the sea too.
"Hey! You guys are too self-righteous! When did I ever say I'd save you? Victor, Straw Hat, and I are all life-and-death friends!"
Buggy broke into a cold sweat. Victor was terrifying—he wouldn't risk himself for these idiots. He'd had no involvement from start to finish.
The remaining criminals were chopped down and thrown into the sea.
[Ding, mission completed. Reward: a recovery pill stored in system space!]
Victor quickly took the reward while no one was paying attention.
Meanwhile, Luffy, Crocodile, Jinbei, and the others intercepted incoming shells from the Navy ships.
"Sand Explosion!"
"Rubber Balloon!"
"Fishman Karate: Five Thousand Tiles Punch!"
The three pirates used their abilities to block and even bounce back the naval bombardment.
But there were too many pursuing ships. Luffy and his friends were overwhelmed and couldn't launch attacks—they had to ensure the safety of their warship.
The situation was critical.
"Luffy! Step back and let me handle this!"
Victor, recovered and holding the Second-Generation Kitetsu, flashed to the front. His eyes burned with intensity.
At this moment, the skills of a great swordsman mattered more than even Devil Fruit powers.
"Huh!? Victor, are you thinking…?"
Luffy's eyes gleamed gold. He remembered Dracule "Hawkeye" Mihawk slicing a giant ship in half with a single strike. That was Zoro's benchmark.
Could Victor… do the same?
"Just a few Navy ships? You think you can stop me from reaching Marineford?!"
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
Victor's slash spanned a thousand meters, creating massive waves on the sea.
Wherever it passed, pursuing naval ships were sliced in half. The cross-sections were impossibly smooth.
The secret of a great swordsman: Swordsmanship revealed—nothing in the three thousand worlds can resist the cut.