Bulwark thundered forward first, rolling heavy across the clearing. Panels snapped open along its armored back, launching bullet hoppers in a hail of fire. The projectiles streaked through the air before bursting in sharp detonations, scattering Bluejam's guards.
"Deploy Bee Shooters," Tessal ordered.
Hinged ports on Bulwark hissed open, releasing a swarm of mechanical bees, their wings buzzing like saws. They darted into the fray, stingers glowing with venom, striking exposed skin and leaving pirates writhing. A moment later, a heavier shadow skittered out — the Mechanical Scorpion, tail arching high. Its stinger pulsed with green light before spitting venom bolts, forcing Bluejam's men into panicked cover.
"Move in!" Tessal barked.
Crawler surged forward, carrying Ace and Sabo on its back. Rend ran alongside, blades raised, cleaving through a wall of startled pirates. Ace leapt off first, pipe in hand, smashing it across a man's jaw with a sickening crack. He followed with a fist to the gut, dropping another before they could draw steel.
Sabo spun his staff, knocking blades aside and sweeping legs out from under Bluejam's crew. He fought like the wind — quick, flowing, relentless. "Where's Luffy?!" he shouted, cracking another pirate across the skull.
Through the chaos, Tessal advanced, iron-plated steps shaking the ground. He fired his hopper gun in one hand, metal rounds exploding into the crowd, while his other hand swung a mechanized blade that extended from his gauntlet. Each strike cut through weapons, splintered shields, and sent men flying.
The battlefield became a storm of steel and fireless fury. Bee Shooters swarmed over rooftops, venom dripping from their stingers. The Scorpion stalked the rear line, spraying its toxins to keep pirates pinned. Bulwark rolled straight through barricades, crushing debris and scattering men like leaves.
Inside the hideout, Luffy dangled from ropes, bruised but still glaring defiantly. "Took you guys long enough!" he shouted, grinning even as Bluejam shoved him aside to face the intruders.
"You brats don't know what you've started," Bluejam snarled, raising his sword. He clashed head-on with Tessal, steel ringing against the iron-clad gauntlet. Tessal shoved him back with brutal force, then unloaded a hopper round into the ground at his feet, blowing him off balance.
Ace darted in, pipe swinging to drive Bluejam's crew away from Luffy, while Sabo cut through the ropes with a clean staff strike. Luffy dropped free and sprang up instantly, fists already flying into the nearest pirate.
"Family's back together," Ace said, panting, pipe slick with blood and sweat.
But Tessal's visor caught something beyond the fight — the glint of accelerant canisters stacked in the corner, a faint stench of oil on the air. His heart sank.
Sabo noticed too. "Tess… they've already made a deal." His voice dropped. "They're going to burn the Grey Terminal."
For a moment, the chaos around them faded into silence. The boys exchanged grim looks, realization hitting like a hammer.
Then Bluejam roared, charging again. Tessal snapped his gaze back, armor whirring as he blocked the strike. "No time to mourn," he growled. "We finish this, and then we fight the fire."
The brothers stood together — bruised, armed, and unbroken.
The rescue was complete. But the true disaster had already been set in motion.