The roar of Buggy's men shook the plaza as they dragged a bound Luffy toward the execution stand. "Let's make him a showpiece for the captain!" one sneered, raising a cutlass.
But the square trembled before steel could fall.
The cobbles cracked apart as the Bulwark Beetle Tank rumbled forward, cannons hissing steam. From the shadows poured Tessal's swarm, not dribbling in piece by piece but descending like a tide: the Crawler Carrier split open its armored back, and waves of drones, trappers, and shield beetles spilled into the street.
Panic struck the pirates. "What—what are these things?!"
The answer came in the form of Tessal's champions:
Rend, mantis arms splitting into whip-blades that lashed three men off their feet.
Carabus, beetle knight fists smashing through a wall of pirates.
Stinger, its tail lancing through blades and splintering them like straw.
Brawler, arms moving so fast they blurred, a storm of venomous strikes.
Anubis, stepping with regal calm, its massive scimitar carving arcs of steel through the mob.
Pirates scattered as the constructs stormed forward. Chouchou barked furiously at their side, a tiny defender among giants.
Through the chaos Tessal walked, his eyes fixed on the execution stand. "Shields," he ordered, and two Iron Shield Beetles clamped together, interlocking over his forearms. A pair of Mantis Blades clicked into place along his gauntlets, their edges gleaming as they folded into striking form.
With mechanical precision, his swarm carved a path. Tessal reached Luffy just as a blade swung down. He raised his gauntlet — clang! — the scarab shield locked into place, catching the cutlass and shattering it.
"Sorry I'm late," Tessal muttered, snapping the chains with the Mantis Blade.
"Shishishi! Tessal, you're awesome!" Luffy laughed, springing free.
The tide turned.
Cabaji whirled into the fray on his unicycle, juggling blades in a glittering blur. "You think bugs scare me?" he spat. His path was met by Zoro, swords already drawn from the Stag Holster.
"Let's see how you balance against me."
Steel clashed as Zoro and Cabaji dueled, sparks scattering across the square.
Buggy himself split apart, limbs flying as he bellowed: "My show's not ruined yet! Chop-Chop Festival!" His pieces slashed at Luffy — but the rubber boy only laughed, stretching around each blow.
"I don't care if you're in pieces," Luffy said, winding back a fist. "I'll still smash you!"
Beside him, a slim figure darted between strikes — Nami, the orange-haired thief from earlier, hurling a staff strike at Buggy's arm before it could swing.
"Don't forget about me," she snapped. "I've got a grudge with you, clown."
Buggy's eyes bulged. "You—traitor thief!"
"Navigator," Luffy corrected, grinning wide. "She's my navigator now!"
Nami hesitated at the title, but didn't deny it. Instead, she raised her staff again, standing firm at Luffy's side.
Above them, Tessal's swarm drove the last of Buggy's crew into the alleys, the mechanical constructs forming a living wall around the square. Chouchou barked once more, triumphant, as the pet shop behind him stood untouched.
The battle lines were drawn:
Zoro vs. Cabaji, blades flashing.
Luffy (with Nami) vs. Buggy, rubber fists against Chop-Chop tricks.
And Tessal, his swarm looming, ensuring no pirate dared interfere.
The true fight for Orange Town had begun.