"Should I go check the situation, Fleet Admiral?" Aokiji pondered for a moment before speaking.
"You just escorted a batch of prisoners there and are still near Impel Down, right? Even traveling day and night, it would take three to four days. Too far." Sengoku shook his head slightly and turned to Tsuru, "Where's Borsalino?"
"Still at Research Institute No. 8." Tsuru mused, "Even if he rushes there alone, it would take at least two days. Probably won't make it in time."
"Sakazuki!"
Sengoku massaged his temples, his headache returning.
About five or six hours had passed since the battle officially began. He didn't think Sakazuki would lose to that Xiano—both sides were likely still locked in a bitter stalemate.
But... could those vice admirals from the branches combined handle the other officers of the Falling Stars Adventure Pirates?
They probably wouldn't last long.
If monsters like Kuina and Jack managed to free themselves and join the fight against Akainu, Sakazuki might—if lucky—have a chance to escape.
If unlucky... Sakazuki would become the first admiral in decades to be captured alive!
Where would the Navy's dignity be then?!
Sengoku and Tsuru exchanged glances.
With all Three Admirals away from headquarters and unable to provide timely support, and that unreliable old fool Garp having taken leave to go to the East Blue a few days ago...
At this point, it seemed...
"We have no choice but to ask that organization for help." Sengoku waved his hand, dismissing the lieutenant and others before speaking with a grim expression.
"Once again, we'll have to endure the mocking laughter of those high-and-mighty individuals." Tsuru sighed softly. "But there's no alternative. We can't just watch Sakazuki fall into danger... The consequences of losing an admiral are something headquarters can't bear, and the Holy Land won't stand idly by either."
"I'll make the contact." Sengoku took a deep breath and picked up the Den Den Mushi, dialing a number he normally wouldn't dare disturb...
...
Swish!
Under the night sky, Kuina's figure descended gracefully, landing on the bow of the warship.
Looking around, the G-1 branch fleet was severely damaged, reduced to wreckage.
Some ships were desperately fleeing into the distance, while others—less fortunate—had their masts severed by Sword Aura. Marines abandoned ship, swimming frantically as if wishing their parents had given them extra limbs.
Kuina watched the fleeing marines calmly, making no move to pursue them.
Turning a blind eye to low-ranking marines who posed little threat was the Curtain Closer's consistent approach.
But the leaders weren't so lucky.
Her gaze lowered to the deck, where the corpses of two vice admirals—Red King and Steelers—lay.
The three vice admirals had initially fought her to a standstill, but over time, she found openings and defeated them one by one.
Only the strongest among them, Flying Squirrel, managed to escape with his life thanks to his superior Moon Walk—though not without losing an arm.
As for these two...
Kuina ignored Red King's corpse but cleanly severed Steelers' head with her blade, placing it in a cloth bag.
Then, stepping onto the air with Moon Walk, she leaped across the sea's surface, returning to the Sunset.
On the Sunset, most of the crew had already returned.
Three directions, three Marine branch fleets—all had been repelled by them.
Among them, at the G-14 branch, Base Commander Vice Admiral Duo Er was easily defeated by Jack, ultimately jumping into the sea in a desperate escape to save her life.
As for the G-5 branch…
Vergo's luck was clearly far worse. After a prolonged battle with Smoker, the two were so evenly matched that neither could gain the upper hand.
But just then, Nojiko and Agin finished off the remaining warships and had time to join the fray…
The outcome was predictable.
Vergo was brutally overwhelmed on the spot, collapsing from severe blood loss.
Smoker was visibly annoyed that his duel had been interrupted, insisting that with just a little more time, he could have settled the fight himself. He grumbled about demanding a rematch.
With the situation fully under control, the crew happily obliged, sparing Vergo's life and hauling him back to the Sunset, bound and gagged, under the watch of Jack and Agin.
To summarize:
Of the five Marine Vice Admirals, two had fallen in battle, one was left disabled with a severed arm, one had fled by diving into the sea, and the last was kept as a sparring prisoner.
Now, only Xiano and Akainu remained locked in combat.
The crew stood by the railing, silently watching the two distant figures clashing on the sea, none of them interfering.
"I don't get it," Smoker muttered under his breath. "You all know better than to interfere with the Captain's fight, so why not show me the same respect?"
You and the Captain are in completely different leagues.
The crew rolled their eyes.
"No one's stopping you if you want to jump in," Kuina said dryly. "You and Sakazuki are old acquaintances, right? I'm sure he'd love to see you join."
"Uh…"
Smoker glanced at the earth-shattering battle in the distance and fell silent, quietly lighting two cigars instead.
He wasn't exactly close with Sakazuki.
But Sakazuki would definitely love to get closer—permanently.
...
BOOM!
A massive shockwave tore the clouds into countless streaks as two figures plummeted onto the molten sea.
Akainu slowly rose from the wreckage, panting heavily as he wiped blood from his lips. His right arm hung unnaturally—clearly fractured from the impact.
Opposite him, mirroring his state, Xiano was also gasping for breath, his left arm twisted at an unsettling angle.
"Twelve hours! From dusk yesterday till now—it's almost dawn!" Xiano grinned wildly, completely unfazed by his injury. "Looks like this duel won't be settled for days! I don't mind, but someone here might not last that long!"
"..."
Akainu's expression darkened. He didn't respond.
He knew exactly what Xiano meant. During brief lulls in their battle, he had glimpsed the outcomes of the three naval clashes in the distance.
But what could he do?
In a fight of this caliber, there was no room for distraction. He could only watch helplessly as each branch fleet fell, his frustration mounting.
This operation… had truly been reckless.
Never had he expected the Falling Stars Adventure Pirates to have grown to such an extent, nor that each of their officers would possess such formidable strength...
Most crucially, he never anticipated that Xiano's power would reach such heights—so much so that he could only manage to fight evenly, unable to gain even the slightest upper hand!
"Don't get too carried away with yourself!"
Magma once again enveloped his right arm as Akainu roared, his face twisted in fury. "This time, the losses are indeed severe, but as long as I can take your head, every sacrifice will have been worth it!"
"What a cold-blooded bastard."
Xiano shook his head. Before his words even faded, his figure vanished instantly. Akainu's instincts screamed danger, and he hastily activated his Elemental Transformation to evade—but it was already too late!
Sssshhh!
A fist imbued with Conqueror's Haki slammed violently into his shoulder. With a grunt, Akainu was sent crashing into the sea, coughing up a mouthful of blood.
"You couldn't even block that punch—you're distracted, old dog."
Xiano's voice carried a hint of mockery. "Losing focus at a time like this? Could it be that while your words sound tough, you've actually been scheming how to retreat with dignity this whole time?"
"Don't measure me by the despicable standards of Pirates, brat!"
Akainu's gaze turned icy as he threw a punch toward Xiano.
Had he been seen through?
At fifty years old, he was no hot-blooded fool who would throw his life away without a second thought.
The officers of the Falling Stars had already freed themselves up. Though they didn't seem inclined to interfere now, what about later?
If this battle dragged on, Akainu didn't believe these Pirates would remain mere spectators.
Even if those bastards couldn't pose any real threat to him, just forcing him to split his attention would give Xiano the opening to gradually press him into a disadvantage.
So, he had to find a way to retreat!
But leaving outright would be far too humiliating—something he could never bring himself to do. He had to...
"Hmm?"
Akainu suddenly frowned, lifting his head to the sky.
Almost at the same moment, Xiano abruptly halted and looked up as well.
"This is..." Xiano narrowed his eyes. A chilling sensation crept over his skin as he detected an unsettling aura.
This presence...
It felt as though it had crawled straight out of hell—twisted, brimming with malice and desire, something that had no place in this world or upon these seas.
CRACK!
The next instant, a massive black bolt of lightning struck the ocean's surface. Amid the towering waves it stirred, intricate black patterns seemed to flicker into existence.
But they vanished just as quickly, as if it had all been an illusion.
An illusion?
No. The three figures now walking slowly toward them across the water confirmed this was no trick of the mind.
Cloaked entirely in black robes, the trio exuded that same discomforting aura, though it had diminished significantly—yet traces still seeped from their forms.
"Tch, tch, tch."
Akainu clearly recognized the newcomers and snorted coldly. "What's this? Did HQ think I couldn't hold out until reinforcements arrived? To think they'd drag these freaks into this."
"Watch your tone, Sakazuki."
A cold, indifferent voice rang out. The lead figure reached up and pulled back his hood, revealing a face all too familiar to Xiano.
"Red Hair?"
Xiano blinked in surprise, but realization dawned a second later as his eyes narrowed.
No, it wasn't Red Hair.
Although he hadn't caught up with the latest manga chapters before crossing over, having accumulated quite a backlog, he was still aware of some important developments.
It's that guy, right?
The son of Figarland Garling, leader of the God Knights, and Red Hair's twin brother—
Figarland Shamrocks.
Apart from lacking the three distinctive scars on his face, his appearance was identical to Red Hair's, without the slightest difference.
But their demeanors were worlds apart. Missing Red Hair's carefree boldness, Shamrocks carried an air of cold arrogance, looking down upon the world from on high.
With Saturn still alive, Garling remained the leader of the God Knights, so this guy before him should still be the deputy leader?
"To think such an important figure would come personally," Akainu said, clearly surprised upon seeing the other's face. "Hah... Do I deserve such an honor?"
"I owe Sengoku a favor. This was his request, which is why I came personally," Shamrocks said indifferently, his gaze lingering briefly on Xiano before turning to Akainu. "Sakazuki, you may withdraw. Leave the rest here to us."
"Withdraw?"
Akainu's expression darkened. "What kind of logic is that? Since you're here personally, wouldn't the most beneficial course be joining forces with me to eliminate this man?"
"That would serve the Navy's interests. What concern is it of mine?" Shamrocks remained expressionless. "A soldier's duty is to obey orders, Sakazuki. I'll say it again—withdraw immediately. You have no right to question me in my presence."
This guy!
Akainu's breathing grew noticeably heavier, his fists clenching and unclenching before he finally snorted coldly and turned away, departing with Moon Walk.
Before leaving, he shot Xiano a deep, resentful glance.
Xiano returned the cold stare but made no move to stop him.
This Shamrocks... his aura was incredibly strong. Dealing with Akainu alone was already pushing his limits—there was no way he could handle these three unpredictable opponents simultaneously.
"Finally, the nuisance is gone. Now then..." Shamrocks turned to Xiano, resting his right hand on the sword at his waist as he spoke calmly, "You're Xiano? The brat who's caused quite a stir in just half a year since setting sail?"
"That's me."
Xiano grinned, flexing his fully recovered left arm. "What, you here to take Akainu's place and give me a good fight?"
"I have no such interest."
Shamrocks shook his head. "I advise you to calm down and stop jumping to conclusions. Though I told Akainu I came to repay Sengoku's favor, that alone wouldn't have warranted my personal involvement."
"Then what's your real purpose?" Xiano narrowed his eyes.
"To invite you."
Shamrocks spoke plainly. "Our names are irrelevant. All you need to know is that we're members of the God Knights. We've come to recruit you—to join us, to become one of the God Knights."
"To put it precisely, this would also make you a Celestial Dragon."
Behind him, a petite figure coldly added, "The God Knights are an internal organization of the Celestial Dragons, standing above ordinary Celestial Dragons. If you're willing to join, even without the divine Bloodline, you'll automatically become one of them."
The voice was icy yet playful. Though her face was obscured by the black robe, she sounded like a young girl.
"Got it."
Xiano listened attentively, then smiled cheerfully. "This young lady explains things so clearly. So, what benefits can I get?"
"You really understood?"
The girl named Gunko raised her head, staring at him in disbelief. "Still don't get it, mortal? The benefit you'll receive is becoming a Celestial Dragon!"
(End of Chapter)