And along with that terrifying magma and rage, an overwhelming pressure surged toward the Straw Hat crew.
In an instant, the expressions of the Straw Hat Pirates changed. Facing this terrifying scene, they did not hesitate any longer. Some drew swords, some pulled out clubs, and some wielded whips before charging toward Sakazuki.
Even Luffy, the captain, was the same. Ever since leaving Enies Lobby, he had already understood that defeating such a powerful opponent was temporarily impossible. But even when facing such a terrifying enemy, he would not be afraid.
He believed that sooner or later, he would definitely become stronger, stronger than everyone!
Second Gear!
Luffy did not hesitate at all. His legs compressed like air pumps, and steam immediately billowed from his entire body.
Even his skin turned bright red. But this was not the end. Immediately afterward, he raised his hand, placed it to his mouth, and blew into it.
Third Gear!
In the blink of an eye, his right fist became incomparably huge.
"Gum-Gum Giant Pistol!"
Carrying an incomparably firm will, Luffy charged forward together with his companions.
However, in the face of so many attackers, Sakazuki did not care in the slightest. He did not even move his feet.
With a look of disdain on his face, as if watching a group of children playing house, he sneered, removed the glove from his right hand, clenched it into a fist, and raised it.
In an instant, his entire fist was wreathed in flames, as if it had transformed into magma.
Without the slightest mercy and the slightest hesitation, Sakazuki swung his magma-like right hand toward the Straw Hat Pirates.
"Great Eruption!"
In a sudden instant, before the Straw Hat crew could even get close to Sakazuki, a gigantic magma fist formed of molten rock surged toward them like an erupting volcano.
Before the flames even arrived, the scorching heat and terrifying impact had already caused the Straw Hat crew's expressions to change.
Everyone understood... Just like last time, this time as well, they were no match for this guy.
Merely the scorching flames and impact alone were enough to crush them.
In the blink of an eye…
"Boom!"
The volcano finally erupted.
But just as the magma was about to engulf the Straw Hat crew...
"Blade Cleave!"
A sharp flying slash instantly split the scorching magma.
Immediately afterward, a figure holding a sword stood before the Straw Hat crew, causing looks of excitement to appear on their faces.
"Rayleigh!"
"What terrifying magma."
Rayleigh said with a smile as he nodded to the Straw Hat crew. Then he turned his head and looked at Sakazuki in front of him. "There's no need to be so irritable, Sakazuki. These young people are still children, and besides, aren't the Celestial Dragons fine? How about we let it end here?"
Sakazuki: "...?!"
Let it end here?
Did this guy know what he was saying?
Sakazuki glared angrily at Rayleigh in front of him, but still suppressed the fury in his heart.
"Silvers Rayleigh, don't forget your promise to the World Government!"
"I haven't forgotten, I haven't forgotten."
Rayleigh, with silver hair and wearing glasses, chuckled when he heard Sakazuki's words. "I just can't bear to see young people pursuing their dreams die in front of me."
"Leave this place. I can pretend I didn't see anything."
Looking at Rayleigh playing dumb, Sakazuki took a deep breath and said in a gloomy tone: "Or... Die!"
"This really is a headache!"
Seeing that Sakazuki still refused to back down, Rayleigh rubbed his forehead, clearly quite troubled by the situation.
Sakazuki directly ignored him and swept his gaze across the Straw Hat crew again. He saw the one who had inherited Rocks' blood. Finally, his gaze landed on the blue-haired girl, and he snorted coldly. "The princess of the Kingdom of Alabasta. I didn't expect that you would also run off to become a pirate. Leave here now and get back to the Kingdom of Alabasta. I can refrain from arresting you!"
Vivi: "..."
Hearing Sakazuki's words, Vivi, who was struggling to stand up, revealed a faint, bitter smile on her face, but still said firmly: "No need. Although I am the princess of the Kingdom of Alabasta, I am also a member of the Straw Hat Pirates!"
"In that case..."
Seeing that the princess of an affiliated country was so uncooperative, Sakazuki's anger flared up again.
Without further hesitation, he roared: "All of you, stay here!"
As his voice fell, flames instantly exploded, the surroundings seeming to transform into an about-to-erupt volcano.
A destructive aura immediately enveloped everyone.
Even Rayleigh's expression changed.
Gritting his teeth, he cursed loudly: "This madman!"
Without saying anything further, he directly raised the sword in his hand, just about to break through the attack in front of him…
Suddenly, the ceiling... was blown open at that very moment.
Everyone: "...?"
Everyone froze, and even Sakazuki stopped his attack, looking up at the roof that had been torn open.
They saw a gigantic claw, pink in color and covered with scales.
…
Marine Headquarters, inside the emergency conference room.
After the news that a Celestial Dragon had been beaten was transmitted to Marine Headquarters, Sengoku did not hesitate and immediately notified the officers within Marine Headquarters to convene an emergency meeting.
Sitting in the main seat of the conference room, Sengoku swept his gaze across the marines before him, whose expressions were grim, and he could not help but sigh inwardly.
One had to know that when Umbrella Corporation landed on the island, it had not even convened an emergency meeting.
Of course, at that time, there was not enough time. The marines had to resolve the matter before the Celestial Dragons descended to the lower world, so he decisively dispatched Garp and Sakazuki to negotiate.
And the result had been quite smooth. In the end, Umbrella Corporation did indeed give Garp face and left.
Never would he have imagined… he had anticipated that Umbrella Corporation might cause trouble, but he had not guessed that there would be other pirate crews whose guts were this big as well!
One had to know that it was in the Sabaody Archipelago, and that's a Celestial Dragon!
They really dared to do it!
Now it seemed that this was something that could not be avoided.