A crisp bone-cracking sound rang out.
Knock couldn't help but spit out a mouthful of blood:
"Urgh..."
The pitch-black magma pressed down on him as he hurtled toward a small, desolate island below.
Knock fought down his panic and looked at the rapidly approaching ground.
He knew that if he hit it directly, he would certainly die.
Despite having his limbs restrained by magma infused with Armament Haki from Sakazuki, he paid it no mind.
Taking a deep breath:
"Explosive Steam Kill!"
Better to lose a limb than to lose his life.
His body turned red rapidly, swelling slightly.
At that moment, Sakazuki's indifferent voice came from within the magma:
"Magma Bomb."
The dark magma quickly turned red.
A hundred meters above the island, both men self-detonated at the same time.
Steam and magma instantly expanded to engulf the entire island.
White steam and red magma merged.
In less than three seconds,
The white steam collapsed instantly.
Massive magma surged into the area, scattering the steam.
The sky, once half white and half red, was quickly dominated by crimson.
Magma rained down from the sky.
The entire island turned into a hellscape of lava.
Knock rolled across the ground countless times after landing.
Only then did he manage to struggle to his feet:
"Cough, cough..."
Fresh blood poured from his mouth.
He casually formed a ball of steam and slumped onto it, panting heavily:
"Huff—Huff—"
He looked up at Sakazuki, who was slowly walking over.
But this time, there was no fear on his face—only a faint smile.
Sakazuki came to stand before Knock and saw his expression:
"Oh? Not afraid of death, huh."
Knock curled his lips:
"Heh—"
"I should've died the moment I hit the ground."
"But I didn't."
"Which means I still have value."
"Just not sure what I'll have to give up for it."
"Navy."
Sakazuki chuckled lightly:
"You're very smart."
"According to the latest intel—"
"The Golden Lion was killed in battle at the Edd War."
"In a few days, the news will spread across the seas."
"Right now, his territory is unclaimed."
Knock immediately recalled the photo from earlier.
He believed it about eighty percent, but didn't show any reaction:
"That really is big news."
"You're telling me this because you want me to take over Golden Lion's territory, right?"
"Since when is the Navy this kind?"
"Heh."
Sakazuki wasn't bothered by the sarcasm:
"Forget about Golden Lion's territory."
"Headquarters has already dispatched fleets to take it over."
"What you're going to do is attack Big Mom's territory."
"That's also the only reason you're still alive."
Knock understood the Navy's plan:
"Hiss—"
"You want me to go to war with Big Mom."
"While you seize the chance to re-enter the New World."
"Doesn't seem like there's any benefit in that for me."
Sakazuki replied coolly:
"At least you get to live, don't you?"
Knock was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed:
"Heh heh."
"Alright, you've convinced me."
As he spoke, Knock raised his hand and fired a plume of steam into the sky.
Boom—
White steam exploded in the sky.
Forming the skull emblem of the Steam Pirates.
This was the summoning signal of the Steam Pirates...
...
Aboard the Steam Pirates' ship.
Under Knock's orders,
Everyone remained in the lower deck of the ship—no one was allowed to leave.
On the massive ship, only Sakazuki, Knock, and his two trusted aides remained.
After hanging up the Den Den Mushi,
The disheveled Knock looked toward Sakazuki:
"Alright, the orders have been given."
"The agents planted across the islands have begun their attacks."
He rubbed his temples with a headache.
Big Mom, huh...
The fastest way to strike was through his spies; otherwise, it would take days of sailing.
He couldn't possibly wait that long.
And as for not having any spies... who'd believe that...
Sakazuki nodded:
"Very well. Let's go."
Knock took a deep breath:
"Let's go."
He handed the Den Den Mushi to one of his subordinates.
Then took off into the sky following Sakazuki.
Their flight path was aimed straight at Big Mom's territory.
Only after the two of them had completely vanished did the two subordinates finally breathe a sigh of relief.
They flipped over the Den Den Mushi to check it.
At some unknown time, a red line of text had appeared on the creature's belly:
"Golden Lion is dead. Seize his territory as quickly as possible."
That day... all of Golden Lion's territory was attacked.
Countless ships left the Steam Pirates' domain, sailing straight for Golden Lion's lands...
...
The New World, unknown seas.
Golden Lion's fleet and island flew steadily through the sky.
Two days ago, a massive tsunami interrupted his battle with Roger.
But thanks to their combined blow,
They broke through the massive waves, allowing both sides to escape.
Although the fleet took some damage, it wasn't too severe.
"Roger..."
Suddenly, a commotion broke out:
"Boss Shiki!!!!"
Golden Lion turned his head:
"Hm? What is it?"
A crew member rushed over, holding a Den Den Mushi in panic:
"Boss Shiki! Our territories are all under attack!!!"
Golden Lion furrowed his brows:
"What kind of joke is this? Who has that kind of guts?"
The crew member stammered:
"They... they..."
Golden Lion barked sharply:
"They what?!"
Swallowing hard, the crew member said:
"They're saying you died in battle at Edd War."
"So..."
Golden Lion instantly understood, and fury filled his face:
"Damn it! Who spread this?!"
The crew member wiped his cold sweat and replied:
"It... it was the Steam Pirates."
A vicious glint flashed in Golden Lion's eyes:
"Courting death!"
The entire flying fleet and island instantly accelerated several times over.
Even though it consumed a huge amount of energy, there was no choice.
He had to show himself in time to shut down the rumors.
A wave of murderous Haki burst out with Conqueror's Haki.
"Knock..."
...
Late night.
Aboard the Big Mom Pirates' ship.
Buru Buru~ Buru Buru~
A flash of rage passed across Charlotte Linlin's face.
Damn it, another island attacked?
This was already the seventh.
She picked up the Den Den Mushi and suppressed her anger:
"Speak!!!"
A frightened voice came from the other side:
"Mom, Oneill Island was attacked too."
"But this time we identified the attacker,"
A fierce gleam flickered in Charlotte Linlin's eyes:
"Who was it!!!!"
The sound of someone swallowing nervously came through, followed by a trembling voice:
"It was... Knock."
"They... they're probably heading to Tachis Island next."
Charlotte Linlin revealed a cruel smile:
"Very well."
She hung up the Den Den Mushi and summoned Zeus.
Mounting it, she flew directly toward Tachis Island.
"Knock!!!!"
...
The New World, Oneill Island.
Knock took a deep breath, completely numb inside...
There was no going back from this feud with Big Mom...
Just then, the subordinate who had just ended the Den Den Mushi call,
Stared in fear at the two towering figures:
"It's... it's over... Can I... can I go now..."
Sakazuki gave him a cold glance and gestured for him to leave.
The terrified pirate scrambled to his feet and ran off into the distance.
Sakazuki gave Knock a glance and nodded.
Knock raised his hand and fired a steam bullet.
It instantly blasted the fleeing pirate into a cloud of blood mist...
---
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