A mechanically amplified voice boomed across the waves, reaching every ship in the standoff.
— After the recent request, we of the World Government have found the missing king of the non-allied Mopuchi Country, along with his first prince.
The broadcast continued, the tone sickeningly polite.
— The World Government is now protecting them, but because they wish to return home and want Mopuchi to join the alliance, they have agreed that Mopuchi's first princess, Princess Chantilly, will marry Saint Camael of the Celestial Dragons.
On the deck of the Silent Step flagship, faces darkened.
— Because of this, Mopuchi will become a World Government member state and a direct territory. The pirate group Silent Step must release the royal family they are holding and surrender at once.
"Never did I think…" Boa Hancock hissed, her knuckles white as she gripped the railing. "That even the navy would boldly pull something so shameless…"
Beside her, Dracule Mihawk adjusted his hat, his eyes sharp. "They speak of 'protecting' them, but they were the ones treating them like slaves."
Near the waters of Mopuchi Country.
Here, in the sea where they once fought smugglers working with the local mafia, the Silent Step fleet forms up under Vice Captain Daz Bones, facing the navy ships that once stood beside them.
"And they even speak of a marriage with the princess. How dare they…" Hancock trembled with rage, "We spent half a year rebuilding until the country could stand again, and now they plan to take the whole royal family for themselves. Quite a pirate-like move, I must say."
Mihawk glanced at her sideways. "Oh? So even you feel anger like this, Boa Hancock."
She shot him a glare. "You feel the same, Mihawk. Your sword spirit is sharper than usual today."
On the deck of the First Fleet's flagship—Silent Step's main force—two of their strongest warriors look toward the enemy.
They are the greatest reason Silent Step gained top-class power not only in the West Blue, but across the world.
Boa Hancock, born with great talent for Haki and a user of the Love-Love Fruit.
And "Marine Hunter" Dracule Mihawk, one of the strongest swordsmen even in the New World, who helped train Silent Step's fighters—especially the Guard.
"It may be only a hobby," Mihawk said quietly, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "But I did put care into that land. If they want to take it by force, of course I'm angry."
Hancock blinked. "A hobby?"
"Yes. The small plants I tended in my spare time are growing well."
"...Plants."
"They will be planted in Mopuchi and the Kanan Kingdom," the world's strongest swordsman continued with a straight face. "I picked the seeds myself this time. You can expect a better harvest than last year."
"…It is reassuring, yet somehow strange to hear such words from you." Hancock swallowed all the things she wished to say and turned her eyes back to the enemy fleet in the distance.
"But if this is a Buster Call, then it should be ten battleships with at least five Vice Admirals," she analyzed. "They only have eight ships, but…"
"Admiral Akainu is here," Mihawk noted, spotting the figure on the distant deck. "And so is that 'Black Arm' Man. I don't know what Kuro did, but it must have frightened the Government a great deal."
"Hmph. He has become quite the symbol."
"If we take those two out, the fight is as good as won."
— Commander! There is movement in the enemy flagship!!
Hancock's expression hardened. "…But first, we have work to do."
Mihawk drew his blade. "Yes. Let's begin."
–
"Taking Mopuchi… protecting the royal family… and capturing Nico Robin and the other officers…"
Admiral Akainu muttered the objectives with distaste, his cap pulled low. "In short, the Government wants to turn them into hostages against Kuro. How low can they—"
"Do not say it, Akainu," Zephyr warned, stepping up beside him. "You lead soldiers. They must not hear doubt."
Akainu scoffed, looking around the deck. "…There are a lot of soldiers here I do not recognize."
Normally, the powerful forces used in the New World would have many skilled officers. But since many left the navy—enough to match the numbers of a large branch base—the ones who replaced them were fighters raised directly under the Government.
"How useful can these CP rejects be…" Akainu grumbled.
"They're facing Silent Step's elites," Zephyr replied grimly. "In group combat, they may even be stronger than the navy. That is why the first strike decides everything."
"I know."
One of the strongest fighters here on this battlefield—
A man with the Magma-Magma Fruit, whose attacks are among the most destructive of all Devil Fruit users.
His right arm glows red, bubbling and rumbling like a volcano. The soldiers around him quickly step back, understanding what is about to happen.
Then—
"Meteor Volcano!!"
It explodes, sending countless blazing fireballs into the sky. Even the smallest one could burn a ship to ashes. They rain down toward Silent Step—
–
"I knew you would try that first, Admiral Akainu."
Even though there is nowhere to run on a ship, and he cannot swim because of his Devil Fruit, the Vice Captain of Silent Step calmly watches the fireballs coming toward them.
A pirate shouted from the lower deck. "Vice Captain, pumps are running normally. Compression is complete just like in practice!"
"And cooling?" Daz asked.
"It is lower than room temperature, but still too warm to call cold water."
"That's fine," Daz nodded. "It is enough to weaken the first strike. All hands, to your positions."
On the deck, Nico Robin and Perona use their powers to judge the navy's attacks. Even Perona, who normally laughs "horohoro," wears a serious expression. She blends her scouting ghosts into the many drifting around them.
"Tch, this better work!" Perona hissed. "Five… four…"
"Daz! Three seconds until the front ship is in range!" Robin called out.
"Good," Daz ordered. "Begin water discharge."
–
"—Huh?"
Akainu frowns, annoyed by the sudden action of the Silent Step ships.
Zephyr squinted. "…Each ship has several hose-like lines reaching into the sea. Are they spraying seawater?"
"They dare mock me," Akainu growled, smoke rising from his shoulders. "Do they think my magma will disappear from a simple water spray?"
The magma balls continue forward without stopping. The heated water explodes into steam, small bursts echoing in the air—but the attack does not weaken enough. If they hit the ships, they will still set everything on fire.
"We need to finish this fast and capture Nico Robin," Akainu said. "The higher-ups want her for two reasons."
Zephyr makes a displeased face beside him but says nothing as he watches the blazing fireballs—
Until, suddenly, they are sliced apart in midair and fall harmlessly into the sea.
--
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