Dammit—weren't you supposed to fire further away?! Barrett called out as he carried Fang Yi, coughing from collateral damage. The Flame Dragon Blast had blasted nearby guards, but it still knocked Barrett off his feet.
Sorry! I dodged someone into its path, Fang Yi grimaced. The arrow never targeted that guard, but his bad timing caused the blow.
Despite the explosion's destructive effect, their escape was not guaranteed. Without a clean getaway, reinforcements would quickly flood Mariejois.
Meanwhile, ahead of them—Shanks, Buggy, and Dini (the Surgery Fruit user)—heard the explosion echo behind.
"That has to be Fang Yi!" Shanks said, exchanging grim looks with Buggy.
"If he's using that move… they're in trouble," said Shanks.
"Don't worry about them. With Fang Yi and Barrett, they'll manage," Buggy replied, then looked at Dini: "You good?"
Dini gave a bitter smile. "Tiffany knows everything now."
Buggy clenched his new resolve. "That brat—if I ever see her again, I'll show her what a real pirate is."
They soon reached the pre-arranged escape point, and then arguments began.
Shanks wanted to wait for Fang Yi and Barrett. Buggy insisted on moving immediately.
"It's not the time to argue," Dini finally spoke. "Remember why we came."
"Shut up," Shanks snapped. He turned to Buggy: "Are you abandoning our partners?"
"No," Buggy replied firmly. "But I won't stay and wait to be captured either. The best plan is: you three go down, find safety. I'll head back and rescue them if I can."
Shanks paused, then nodded reluctantly. "Okay… but you stay close. Don't disappear."
Meanwhile, Fang Yi and Barrett were still fighting through expanding lines of guards.
"You sure you can shoot that move again?" Barrett asked, carrying Fang Yi.
"If I could, I wouldn't have you carrying me," Fang Yi muttered, gagged by motion sickness.
Barrett laughed. "Try jumping off now—maybe that's more fun."
Suddenly, they were nearly overtaken.
"Where's Shanks and Buggy?" Barrett asked, scanning ahead as guards surrounded them.
"They left already. If they didn't—their strength would've helped," Fang Yi guessed.
Just then, energy signatures appeared in front—masked figures descending. Fang Yi's face darkened. They were Cipher Pol agents.
Do you know them? Barrett asked.
World Government's secret agents. CP9 or CP0… whoever it is, they're deadly, Fang Yi replied quietly.
Barrett grinned, drawing in weapons to merge with his body. He spoke: Your opponent… is me.
A masked agent blocked all of Barrett's attacks effortlessly—until Barrett punched him mid-air, sending him flying.
That's… that's their version of Rokushiki? Barrett mused, wiping sweat. He soaked up the agents' attention.
The commanding agent ordered: He's not just a pirate—he's dangerous. Subdue him!