West of Iron Shield City, cannon fire roared relentlessly, shells screaming toward Shakky, Redfield, and Bra Kara.
"Shakky, you two get outta here! I'll hold off this Navy Admiral!"
Redfield, crackling with lightning, wove a Thunder Net that detonated the barrage mid-air. But a terrifying figure loomed closer—a Navy Admiral, his presence overwhelming.
Who'd have thought a simple cash grab with Shakky would draw an Admiral's attention? Worse, this juggernaut had arrived on a lowly Rear Admiral's ship, catching them off guard.
By the time Redfield noticed, the muscle-bound Admiral was already on them. In a flash, he'd sent Redfield flying and freed three captives.
If not for the Admiral's sense of honor, prioritizing rescue over pursuit, Shakky and Bra Kara might've been critically wounded and clapped in Navy irons!
Shakky didn't waste words. She knew she'd only be a liability here. Grabbing Bra Kara, she bolted, yelling for Brook and the crew to hurry with backup.
"Hell Pirates, not a single one of you scum will escape my Iron Fist of Justice!"
Admiral Kong soared through the air, each Geppo bursting the sky like a sonic boom, propelling him at breakneck speed.
Redfield gawked at Kong's muscles—gleaming like polished steel, reflecting a sheen of unyielding strength.
Kong, a master of physical combat, unleashed a punch from the sky. The sheer force compressed the air, creating a massive shockwave that roared toward Redfield with earth-shattering power.
Redfield's eyes widened at the monstrous strike. He couldn't tank a hit like this—not now—and he could feel Kong's terrifying Armament Haki emission radiating from the blow.
Without a second thought, he transformed into lightning, zipping out of the shockwave's path. He was too young, too green to face Kong head-on. Maybe in a decade or two, he'd stand a chance, but for now, escape was his only play.
BOOM!
Kong's fist cratered the earth, carving out a blackened pit over a hundred meters wide. The ground quaked, ripples toppling nearby buildings in a cloud of dust and rubble.
"Hmph, the Thunder Fruit's speed lives up to its hype—on par with the Glint-Glint Fruit for sheer velocity!"
Kong pivoted, chasing Redfield. His gaze flicked to the opulent Golden Asteroid floating above. Capturing the Hell Pirates and seizing that island would fund the Navy for years—assuming the Celestial Dragons didn't snatch it first!
...
Elsewhere, Brook couldn't fathom why an Admiral had zeroed in on them. Was it pure bad luck? Did the Navy ship lack a Den Den Mushi spy?
No time to speculate. He had to rescue Shakky and the others, then decide whether to fight or flee. Clashing with an Admiral wasn't ideal, but it'd be a chance to gauge the gap between the Hell Pirates and a true overlord's might.
Charlotte Linlin carried Brook through the sky, with Golden Lion Shiki and Whitebeard Newgate hot on their heels. Thankfully, the island was small, and they soon spotted Shakky and Bra Kara.
The two had only been grazed by the shockwave from Kong's attack while he freed Viscount Nasu. Minor scrapes, nothing serious.
"Captain Brook, it's Admiral Kong! Hurry and back up Redfield!"
Shakky knew Redfield was no match for an Admiral yet. The Hell Pirates had been thrust into the spotlight as overlords by the World Government, but they weren't ready for this level of heat.
"Got it! You and Stussy get everyone back to the Golden island. Tell Tom to prep the Golden Ark for immediate pickup!"
Brook wasn't sure how many Navy forces were out there. If a second Admiral showed up, they'd have to bolt. For now, they could maybe hold their own against one.
"On it!"
Shakky, a seasoned crewmate, understood Brook's concerns. She grabbed Stussy, who was perched on Zeus the Thundercloud, and raced back to clear the way for the captain and their top fighters.
They passed Shiki and Newgate, exchanging quick nods before speeding off to find Fishman Tom and the others. With new recruits Kaido and the little mermaid in tow, they boarded the Golden Ark, piloted by Tom, and headed for the Golden island.
The Golden Ark, equipped with lightning storage and Thunder Shells, could sail for a while without Redfield's Thunderbolt Fruit.
The Golden island, however, relied on Shiki's Float-Float Fruit to stay airborne. With Vegapunk's future upgrades, maybe someone else could take the helm someday.
On the Golden island, sniper Silva and scientist Vegapunk tweaked the island's advanced cannons, ready to rain destruction on the Navy's ground and sea forces.
After dropping off Kaido and the mermaid, Tom and a small team piloted the Golden Ark toward the battle zone. Don't underestimate the Ark's firepower—it rivaled the Golden island's!
...
Redfield, under relentless assault from Admiral Kong, could only dodge, frustration boiling over.
"Kong, I'll never forget this humiliation! One day, I'll crush you myself!"
For the first time since his debut, Redfield was hunted like prey, unable to strike back. Even facing Dawei felt less oppressive than this!
"Hmph, kid, you won't see another day. Today, you're headed for Impel Down!"
Kong's face darkened, annoyed by Redfield's speed. He loathed fighting slippery Devil Fruit users like this. Real men faced off head-on, steel against steel!
Kong's fist shattered Redfield's lightning form, forcing him to rematerialize in the distance, blood trickling from his lips.
That raw, domineering Armament Haki emission had wounded him from afar—terrifying power.
"Ha! You're not escaping, kid!"
Kong lunged forward, but a fierce sword slash, crackling with lightning and flames, barreled toward him, forcing him back.
"The Hell Pirates, huh? Perfect. I'll lock you all up today!"
Kong's demeanor shifted, his earlier attacks mere warm-ups. Those strikes were child's play—nothing could breach his defenses.
"Admiral Kong!"
Brook eyed the muscle-bound titan, his body radiating unyielding Haki, muscles gleaming like forged steel.
Shiki and Newgate arrived, flanking him. This was another all-out clash for the Hell Pirates, their full might on display.
A kaleidoscope of Devil Fruit powers erupted, a terrifying aura blanketing the island. Civilians fled in droves, panic spreading like wildfire...
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+188 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg