"Shiki! You're going up against me!"
Roger's eyes blazed with determination as he drew Ace in a swift motion. A powerful slash erupted, the sword's energy slicing through the air and instantly dispersing Shiki's twin blade attacks.
"Shiro, go and make sure Shanks and Buggy are safe!"
Roger's voice carried firmly to Shiro.
Shiro nodded without hesitation, rushing to Shanks and Buggy's side. He understood Roger's intent—they were facing an enemy ten times their number, with control of the skies above, ready to bombard the Oro Jackson. At their current level, Shanks and Buggy could not withstand such an onslaught—they needed Shiro's protection.
Roger and Shiki's duel had already lasted for over ten exchanges. Sparks flew with every clash, each strike sharp and fierce.
Suddenly, Shiki threw back his head and let out a primal roar. His golden mane whipped wildly in the wind as he soared upward. His hands moved with a ritualistic rhythm, and the ten massive warships of his fleet, glowing with an eerie light, lifted into the sky, hurtling toward the Oro Jackson. The cannons gleamed with ominous red light.
"Roger! No matter how strong you are, can you survive a barrage from the skies? Wahahaha!"
Shiki's wild, unrestrained laughter echoed across the sea, full of arrogance and menace, making the crew flinch.
The strongest of Roger's crew gripped their weapons tightly, blades catching the dim light, faces set in grim determination. Every muscle tensed, ready to intercept every cannonball that fell.
Yet even they knew it was nearly impossible.
Shiki had spent countless resources building these flying warships. Each vessel bristled with the most advanced cannons, firing with devastating density. The rain of cannonballs alone could obliterate any ship instantly.
Buggy's face had gone pale. His legs shook uncontrollably. Fear and despair filled his voice as he whispered to Shiro:
"Shiro… those flying ships… they're terrifying! Are we… going to die?"
Shiro placed a reassuring hand on Buggy's head, a confident smile on his face.
"Relax. Flying ships? No problem. I'll send these junkers straight into the sea!"
Shanks widened his eyes in disbelief.
"Wait, Shiro… are you serious?"
"Watch closely! Spatial Bind!"
Shiro shouted, slapping his hands toward the air. Invisible waves rippled outward as a mysterious field slowly took shape around Shiki. The glow was strange and mesmerizing.
Suddenly, Shiki's Float-Float Fruit connection with his ten ships was severed.
"What?! I'm… trapped?!"
Shiki's eyes widened in shock. His hands clawed at the air, trying desperately to break free, but it was futile.
"Look! The ships are falling!"
Shanks shouted, barely containing his excitement.
Everyone watched as the ten massive ships, suddenly losing their levitation, plummeted toward the sea.
"This is bad! All those ships falling… we'll be crushed!"
Buggy collapsed, covering his eyes, unable to face the looming disaster.
At that critical moment, Shiro's eyes hardened. He gathered the power of the Paw Paw Fruit and slammed a palm down on the deck.
A dazzling flash erupted—the Oro Jackson vanished from its spot. Ripples danced across the water's surface.
When it reappeared, the Oro Jackson was a kilometer away, safely out of the falling ships' path.
Shiro had used the Fruit's repel ability. Normally, it could fling a person anywhere in the world, but moving a massive ship like the Oro Jackson was extremely taxing—currently, he could only send it about a kilometer.
It was enough. It had saved everyone from certain doom.
"Shiro… once again, you saved us all!"
Roger's face lit up with admiration.
Shiro gave a small, tired smile, relieved and proud.
But the battle was far from over. Even submerged, the flying fleet's firepower remained formidable. Cannons recalibrated, ready to target the Oro Jackson once more.
Shiro's Spatial Bind had only temporarily restrained Shiki. The Golden Lion, using his overwhelming strength, broke free and restored the ships' levitation, turning them upright again. The fleet prepared to unleash another deadly barrage.
"Roger! You think you can escape? I'll flatten the Oro Jackson! Wahahaha!"
Shiki laughed arrogantly, signaling all ships to fire simultaneously.
Shiro had no choice. Standing at the bow, he shielded Buggy and Shanks behind him, determination burning in his eyes. He leaned forward slightly, hands tightly gripping, ready to face the oncoming storm of cannon fire.
Suddenly, the wind howled. Dark clouds rolled across the sky, and a massive hurricane surged over the sea, devouring everything in its path.
Shiki's fleet bore the brunt of the storm. Ships were tossed wildly, colliding with one another with screeching metal cries. Soon, the ten expensive warships were wrecked, their debris scattering across the ocean. Crew members of the flying pirates fell into the water, screaming amidst the chaos.
"No… this can't be! How is there suddenly a hurricane?!"
Shiki screamed in disbelief, impotent rage surging through him.
As if mocking him, a loose rudder swept by the hurricane struck him squarely on the head.
"Ahhh!"
A pained scream tore from Shiki's throat as blood ran down his face…
T/N: If you would like to read up to 20 chapters ahead for all my works, check out my P@treon: patreon.com/GhidorahWriter
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