"The Spear of Elbaf: Ikoku Sovereign!!!"
Boom!
Above the storm-lashed sea, a fierce light erupted, swelling with immense power before exploding outward.
In an instant, overwhelming brute force tore a wound into the already turbulent ocean, driving the waves into even greater frenzy.
"Wrong, that's just pure brute force."
"The correct way should be like… pika! Then whoosh and boom!"
On the worn merchant ship, Saul, happily munching on a Sakura-brand grilled fish, offered 'wise' guidance to the girl.
"Ah! Saul, you bastard!"
Sakura frantically ruffled her own hair in frustration, a broken giant ice sword lying beside her.
She had hoped this guy could teach her Giant's techniques, but his teaching method... was beyond words.
'Was the Spear of Elbaf some kind of magical tool? Pika, whoosh, boom...?'
"Are you sure this move is used like that?"
The girl raised an eyebrow, looking at Saul with deep skepticism.
"Maybe Sakura-chan's brain isn't smart enough to grasp this technique!"
"Dereshishi, dereshishishi!"
Saul pointed a finger at Sakura, letting out his strange laugh.
"..."
Sakura, greasy from the fish oil, felt a string snap in her mind.
'This bastard!'
The girl raised her hands, emitting a crimson glow as the surroundings grew intensely hot.
"Eh, wait, what are you trying to do?"
Saul had seen those hands grill a live fish firsthand and naturally held them in awe and fear.
Fortunately, at that moment, the scholar in the crow's nest saved Saul as he shouted, "Ship sighted off the port bow!"
"Pirates?"
Olvia also pulled out a telescope to peer into the distance.
Sakura expanded her Observation Haki, piercing through the heavy rain to detect two large ships sailing side by side on the distant sea.
A common combination: one flying the World Government's cross flag, the other the Marine's seagull flag.
Standing at the bow of the Marine vessel was a spirited elderly woman.
She had been conversing with a man in a black suit on the Government ship but suddenly seemed to notice something.
She turned to look directly at Sakura and offered a faint smile.
"Government and Marine ships. Here to rescue you, kill us, or both."
Sakura withdrew her Observation Haki and glanced at Saul beside her.
The Giant Marine's eyebrows drooped, his teeth clenched tightly on his lips.
"Sakura-chan, what should we do?"
As the battleships drew closer, the scholars all turned their eyes to the petite figure at the bow.
"The Government ship is clearly targeting us. This old sailboat can't outrun battleships, so..."
Sakura planted a foot on the portside gunwale and shouted to the helmsman:
"Close in! Break through their blockade!!!"
…
"Ara ara, instead of running, they're charging straight at us?"
"Seems like a disobedient little brat. But she's still young, maybe she can be..."
The Marine Headquarters' Vice Admiral, standing at 203 cm tall, watched the approaching ship with interest.
Despite the raging storm around her, not a single hair on this legendary Marine was out of place.
"This time, the opponent is the World Government!"
Sakura looked down at her slightly trembling hands, feeling a fire burning in her chest, rising all the way to her throat.
"Come on! Fight me with everything you've got! World!!!"
Hum-!
A majestic aura instantly swept across the scene, dark lightning accompanying the will of a conqueror deeply imprinting on every soul that dared meet her gaze.
Countless Marines and World Government's agents collapsed, their eyes rolled back, unconscious. Even the officers who barely held on trembled, their legs weak.
"M-monster!"
The Marines and World Government's people gasped in horror.
"Good children shouldn't act like this. This calls for a spanking!"
The agile Tsuru had already used Geppo to leap from the distant battleship toward the merchant vessel.
Behind her, a CP Agent from the World Government's ship followed closely.
Sakura raised the giant ice sword in her right hand, her left forming half of the Ram hand seal, and charged into the air.
"Take this!"
Clang-!
A metallic crash erupted where the black fist met the icy blade.
Sakura immediately sensed a strange force seeping from the opponent's arm into her sword.
Though the raw power wasn't as overwhelming as hers, the giant sword began to dent under Tsuru's fist.
"Tch, a Devil Fruit's Ability?"
Sakura frowned, continuously using her power to reinforce the softening blade.
"Tsuru-san, let me help you!"
The CP Agent beside her arrived, thick Armament Haki condensing on his fingers as he thrust a Shigan toward the struggling Sakura.
At that critical moment, a roar accompanied by a massive fist slammed into the CP Agent.
Splash!
The CP Agent who was hit by the fist spat out a mouthful of blood, his body crashing into the sea like a cannonball.
"Why?"
Though she had foreseen it with Observation Haki, Tsuru was still shocked to see Saul's attack.
She was forced back by the flying slash Sakura unleashed while retreating, landing on the battleship not far away.
"Saul, you're not that kind of child. If that bad girl is forcing you, blink twice."
Saul's actions clearly violated Marine Code, but Tsuru didn't want to fight a comrade, so she tried to reason with him.
"Sorry, Tsuru-san, I can't. I won't help the Government kill these scholars anymore!"
Shadows obscured the Giant Vice Admiral's face, but large teardrops could be seen falling onto the deck.
"They just want to understand history! If you insist they're evil, at least show evidence!"
"Saul, you have a kind heart, child."
Tsuru sighed, removing her gloves. As her hands swept through the air, a shower of bubbles scattered around her.
"But this is the World Government's order. Let me cleanse your hearts, then bring you all back!"
The legendary Marine Headquarters' Vice Admiral, Tsuru, unleashed her full power.
"Bring it on!"
Sakura released the giant ice sword, settling into a fighting stance.
Blazing heat erupted like a tidal wave!
Particles of flame flowed like sludge, covering Sakura's body. Her black robes dyed crimson under her ability, as if draped in a scarlet coat.
The dazzling crimson ribbons swirling around her made her resemble a piece of charcoal burning with rose-colored flames.
High-Temperature Mode: Blazing Battle Form!
Simultaneously, by using Water Attribute Chakra to create evaporating water droplets under extreme heat, Sakura wove a suit of steam armor over her body.
In this way, when facing Tsuru's near-absolute Woshu Woshu no Mi's ability, she can avoid being washed away by the opponent's fighting spirit and losing the will to resist. (T/N: Wash-Wash Fruit.)
"How dangerous. Be a good child now!"
Tsuru stepped with Geppo, throwing a fist clad in Armament Haki.
"Never!"
Sakura met her head-on, throwing a punch in return.
Their full-powered blows tore through the air at terrifying speeds, colliding with devastating force.
A violent shockwave exploded outward, the thunderous roar shaking the very sea.
Boom-!!!