The Navy Lieutenant Commander from before had actually escaped to Taro's ship as well. Seeing Taro appear, he immediately approached.
"Rear Admiral Taro, what should we do about arresting Nico Robin on the Bridge of Hesitation?"
The Navy Lieutenant Commander hesitated for a moment before asking Taro.
Taro was pondering how to speak when Vice Admiral Doberman, who had come over to check the situation, landed on the deck. He glared at his subordinate.
"Don't worry about her. Nico Robin's escort mission is being handled by CP9; there's no need for us to intervene."
"We only need to burn everything outside the Bridge of Hesitation to ashes."
Doberman spoke coldly. Taro felt a headache coming on; this guy was as cold-blooded as Akainu.
"Give the order, all ships begin bombardment!" Doberman checked the time and issued the final combat order.
"Yes, sir."
The Navy Lieutenant Commander saluted and left to carry out the order.
Taro's mouth twitched. This is my damn ship!
At that moment, another Vice Admiral landed on the deck. Looking at that zombie-like Face, Taro knew it was undoubtedly Vice Admiral Onigumo.
What are these guys doing, all crowding onto my ship?
"The time has come. Vice Admiral Doberman has ordered the bombardment to begin!"
"Begin bombardment!"
"Begin bombardment!"
The messengers began using den den mushi to contact each ship and relay the order.
"Whiz, whiz, whiz!"
As the order was given, the cannons of the eleven warships began to roar.
With just one volley, Enies Lobby was plunged into a sea of fire. This bombardment would continue until the entire island was destroyed.
"Two Vice Admirals, what a coincidence that you've both come to my ship?"
Amidst the rumbling of the cannons, Taro asked the two Vice Admirals their purpose. He didn't believe in coincidences.
Sent by Akainu to monitor me?
Doberman and Onigumo exchanged a look, then Doberman said in a deep voice:
"We just noticed chaos here and came to check. Once our flagships pull alongside, we will naturally leave."
It sounded somewhat reasonable. Although Taro still didn't believe it, he couldn't say anything more.
"What happened just now?"
Wearing a helmet with a red tassel and having a zombie-like Face, Vice Admiral Onigumo questioned a Marine Soldier on the ship.
"Reporting, the Straw Hat is currently in a fierce battle with CP9's Rob Lucci on Ship No. 4."
A Marine Soldier who had escaped from Ship No. 4 said after saluting.
Hearing this, Vice Admiral Onigumo took out a den den mushi. "Attention all ships, aim at Ship No. 4. Fire simultaneously in five seconds!"
The Marine Soldier said in horror, "Vice Admiral Onigumo, there might still be Marine Soldiers on that ship who haven't had time to escape!"
Onigumo didn't speak. He suddenly pulled out a pistol, aimed at the Marine Soldier, and fired with a "Bang."
Seeing Onigumo pull his gun, Taro realized something was wrong. Without time to think,
"Rankyaku!"
Taro kicked out a slash, knocking Onigumo's muzzle aside slightly. Only then did the Marine Soldier narrowly escape with his life.
"Taro, what are you doing?"
Looking at Taro standing in front of the Marine Soldier, Onigumo's zombie-like Face finally showed some change as he coldly questioned Taro.
Taro also stared at Onigumo, saying in shock and anger:
"Onigumo, I should be asking you what you're doing! Is your gun only meant for your own people?"
To his surprise, Onigumo didn't care at all.
"If we let a criminal escape because of a moment's hesitation, can such a Marine protect the future?"
Onigumo's cold tone made all the Marine Soldiers on the ship shudder.
Taro spat and said disdainfully, "Pah! Can a Marine like you, who kills his own people at will, protect the future?"
Taro's words completely enraged Onigumo. He placed his hand on his sword hilt, about to draw, but Vice Admiral Doberman quickly stepped forward, held his hand, and looked at Taro.
"Everyone calm down. Don't forget, we are still on a mission."
Taro naturally wasn't afraid of Onigumo fighting him. He also stared at Onigumo and said deeply:
"If you're not satisfied, you can come find me anytime. Now, please leave my ship!"
"You...! Hmph!"
Doberman hadn't expected Taro to show so little Face. He shouted angrily, but ultimately let out a cold snort and dragged Onigumo away by the arm.
Damn it, the Hawks of Akainu's faction are all out of their minds. Fuck!
Taro thought resentfully.
The rescued Marine Soldier didn't climb up from the deck until the two Vice Admirals had left, still shaken. He bowed respectfully to Taro.
Taro felt frustrated and waved his hand impatiently. "What are you all still standing around for? Get back to work!"
Although Taro's attitude was harsh, the Marine Soldiers were very moved. They all saluted Taro before quickly dispersing.
At that moment, a volley from the fleet struck Ship No. 4. After a roar, Ship No. 4 turned into a sea of fire, with thick smoke billowing up.
Luffy, whose Gear Third state had ended, was like a deflated balloon, tumbling through the smoke before finally falling back into the pillar tower of the Bridge of Hesitation.
Lucci used Moonwalk to follow him.
The final battle between the two was about to begin!
Having already fallen out with Onigumo, Taro no longer hesitated or feared exposure and followed them.
Lucci, in his Leopard Form, found Luffy lying in the ruins. Luffy had now turned into "Mini Luffy" due to the side effects of Gear Third.
Seeing Taro land right after him, Lucci was slightly surprised. "It's you? What are you doing here?"
"To see how the ace assassin of CP9 defeats a pirate. Are you satisfied with that answer?"
Taro scanned the scene and said calmly.
Lucci's gaze narrowed, and he snorted. "Then keep your eyes wide open and watch closely!"
Taro shrugged and curled his lips. "Please, begin your performance!"
Because a third person was present, Lucci spoke much less. He immediately attacked Luffy, grabbing "Mini Luffy" by the neck and slamming him into the wall.
Just as he was about to attack again, the punch from Gear Third Luffy earlier had injured Lucci's leg, making his movements a bit sluggish. "Mini Luffy" also recovered at this time.
Luffy also saw Taro. Just as he was about to speak, Taro spoke first:
"Straw Hat, although as a Marine I have my own standpoint, this is a battle between the two of you. I won't interfere."
After saying that, he winked at Luffy and then looked at Lucci provocatively.
"If the Straw Hat can defeat you, I'll let him go. How about it? You're the ace of CP9; you won't let me down, will you?"
"Hmph"
Lucci snorted and ignored Taro, his gaze locking onto Luffy.
"Rankyaku: Katori"
He kicked out a slash to initiate the attack, and the two then began to fight.
[Rankyaku: Katori learned successfully]
[Second Gear learned successfully]
[Gomu Gomu no Jet Pistol learned successfully]
[Gomu Gomu no Jet Twin Pistol learned successfully]
[Rokushiki Profound Truth: Rokuogan learned successfully]
...As the battle between the two gradually reached its climax, Taro learned more and more skills.
Meanwhile, the fleet, having already destroyed the main island of Enies Lobby and its gates, slowly began to assemble toward the Bridge of Hesitation.
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