After half a day of sailing, the Groudon Ship arrived at Punk Hazard. From a distance, the island was shrouded in thick purple Poison Mist.
Such a harsh environment made survival impossible.
The group rowed small boats to the island.
Gurd spoke solemnly, "Yamato, I leave this place to you. If the Navy shows up, hold them off for me. I'll be back soon."
"Got it!"
Yamato nodded firmly, though her gaze at the Poison Mist over the island betrayed a hint of fear.
Her sense of smell was sharp, and even now, breathing was uncomfortable. If she inhaled too much of the toxic gas, she'd definitely get a stomachache.
She decided to stay right by the shore—no wandering off!
"Caesar, let's go."
Gurd donned a Protective Suit and Mask.
Though he believed he could resist the poison, it was better to be cautious. There was a big battle ahead, and he needed to stay in peak condition.
Aokiji had personally come to warn him—there was no way the Navy wouldn't notice his movements. The fleet might already be on its way.
Punk Hazard had once been the World Government's most important research facility, hiding countless scientific secrets. His actions here would undoubtedly provoke the Navy.
But giving up was out of the question.
He was no small fry now. Even if he chose another time to come, escaping the Navy's surveillance would be nearly impossible.
So the sooner, the better.
"Shurorororo~~"
Caesar fawned obsequiously, completely unaware of the impending battle. "Lord Gurd, would you like me to purify the Poison Mist here?"
"Not yet."
Gurd shook his head slightly.
If the Navy noticed the Poison Mist disappearing, they would surely send people to restore the research facility and put it back into operation.
That would halt SMILE production.
Meanwhile, at Marine Base G-1.
"Ara ara, seriously… I even went out of my way to warn him."
Aokiji scanned the intelligence report, his eyes icy.
Gurd's presence in these waters was no coincidence, but he never expected Punk Hazard to be the target.
The audacity!
Other places might have been manageable—if the disturbance wasn't too great, he could turn a blind eye. But Punk Hazard was an absolute red line.
Not only did it house vast amounts of critical research data, but it had also once held Kaido. Gurd's actions might very well be connected to him.
At all costs, he couldn't let them succeed!
"Set sail immediately!"
"Yes, sir!"
G-1 sounded its highest-level alarm. A massive fleet—comprising several large battleships and numerous smaller vessels—mobilized.
"Full speed ahead!"
In just over half an hour, the Navy fleet arrived near Punk Hazard, its overwhelming presence nearly terrifying the Beasts Pirates.
"Why are there so many battleships?!"
"That's… Admiral Aokiji!"
"Why is an Admiral here?!"
The pirates panicked.
Not only was the fleet enormous, but even a Navy Admiral had appeared. This level of force wasn't even necessary to destroy an entire country!
Was there something special about the island behind them?
Yamato drew her Spiked Club and shouted, "Speed, I'll handle this! Get the ship to the other side of the island—now!"
"Understood!"
Speed teleported onto the ship, barking orders to the crew. If the Groudon Ship was sunk by the Navy, they'd have no escape.
The Navy quickly noticed the Groudon Ship's movement.
An officer reported urgently, "Admiral Aokiji! The enemy ship is trying to flee!"
"Sink it!"
"Yes, sir!"
The warships advanced at full speed, and upon nearing the island, half of them changed course to pursue the fleeing Groudon Ship.
All cannons were ready. As soon as the enemy ship entered firing range, they could unleash a carpet bombardment—there was no way the enemy could escape.
"Boom!"
Suddenly, the warship violently shook.
Sailors on the deck were thrown into disarray.
"What happened?"
"Report! The ship has hit a reef!"
"Impossible! There are no reefs near Punk Hazard!"
The officers quickly rushed to the side of the ship, leaning over to look below, and soon discovered the truth.
It was a massive sheet of ice!
The warship hadn't hit a reef—it had collided with thick ice.
"Where did this ice come from?!"
It was incomprehensible.
"Your opponent is me!!!"
"Kabura Arrow!"
A girl's fierce shout came from the shore, followed by a pillar-like shockwave tearing through the sea and striking the side of the warship!
"BOOM!!!"
A violent explosion erupted on the warship's flank, flames leaping into the air!
"Waaahhh!"
"The ammunition depot's been hit!"
"Put out the fire!"
The sailors were thrown into chaos.
Spotting Yamato on the island, the officers immediately barked orders.
"Take her down!"
"Show no mercy!"
"That girl's a pirate!"
The warship was close to the shore. Some officers who had mastered the Six Styles used Moonwalk to charge swiftly toward Yamato, while the rest leaped off the ship onto smaller boats.
"Moonwalk!"
Commodore Kibin led the charge, using Moonwalk to soar directly above Yamato. His muscles tensed instantly, his fist infused with Armament Haki as he dove downward!
"Iron Body: Shatter!"
Yamato sensed the attack and swiftly leaped back. A split second later, Kibin's fist smashed into the spot where she had just stood!
"BOOM!"
The rocks within several meters caved in and shattered!
Regaining her footing, Yamato immediately lunged at Kibin, swinging her spiked club wreathed in lightning toward him.
"So fast!"
Kibin's pupils shrank. There was no time to dodge. At the critical moment, he crouched and channeled all his strength.
"Iron Body: Steel!"
"Thunder Bagua!"
Yamato roared, her spiked club, crackling with black lightning, slamming into Kibin with devastating force. The Iron Body shattered instantly, sending him flying.
"Gyaaaaaah!!!"
Kibin's screams faded as he vanished into the sky.
On the warship's gun deck.
"Ara ara, what an absurdly strong and beautiful young lady!"
Aokiji, who had witnessed the attack, was stunned.
Another unknown powerhouse!
Gurd's sudden emergence had already forced the Marines to reassess the threat of the Beasts Pirates. Now, another incredibly strong girl had appeared.
"Everyone, fall back! That girl isn't someone you can beat with numbers alone. You're no match for her!"
Aokiji leaped into the air, extending his right hand forward as twin ice tridents materialized at his sides.
"Ice Block: Twin Thorn Spears!"
An opening salvo!
Sensing the danger, Yamato turned to face the sky, swinging her spiked club to bat the incoming ice spears aside.
"Clang!"
The spears embedded themselves in the ground, ice crystals rapidly spreading outward.
"Ice?"
Yamato shivered as the biting cold from the spears seeped into her, her muscles relaxing involuntarily.
This feels amazing!
"Admiral Aokiji has made his move!"
"Get back!"
"We'll get caught in the crossfire!"
Seeing the admiral take action, the Marines immediately scattered. Aokiji was a Logia Type User—his attacks covered vast areas. Staying here would only get in the way.
"Ara ara, you're quite persistent!"
Aokiji landed in front of Yamato.
The previous attack had just been a test. More than the girl's strength, he was curious about her position among the Beasts.
"Little girl, who are you?"
"Me?"
Yamato hefted her spiked club onto her shoulder, her face brimming with confidence.
"My name is Yamato!"
"I'm Kaido's daughter!"