Chapter 204: The Violent Giant Beasts Reappear
New World · Former Whitebeard Territory Waters
The azure sea shimmered under the sunlight. A small, specially modified warship cut through the waves, its bow flying a red and blue interwoven "Thunder Flame" flag, looking exceptionally conspicuous in the waters of the New World.
On the distant horizon, a mass of shadows approached rapidly!
Five pirate ships of varying styles, covered in iron spikes and skull totems, sails billowing in the wind, formed a fan-shaped encirclement. They charged aggressively toward the warship!
"Damn it! Just a single small warship, and they dare to be arrogant in front of the great 'Red Beard Pirates'?!!"
Standing at the bow of the flagship was a pirate with a bounty of 300 million Berry in the New World—Red Beard.
He wore a fiery red cape, holding a two-meter-long blade. His face, covered in transverse muscle and a red beard, contorted as he roared ferociously:
"Men! Open fire! Blast them into fish food!!!"
"YEAH—!!!"
Hundreds of pirates on the five ships cheered excitedly. Cannons turned, oil was loaded, war drums thundered. The muzzles on the ships aimed simultaneously at the lone warship!
But before they could pull the triggers—
The sky suddenly darkened.
"Hm?" Red Beard looked up abruptly, his face changing instantly.
The originally clear blue sky was suddenly covered by a roiling expanse of crimson!
"RUMBLE-RUMBLE-RUMBLE—!!!"
Dozens of scorching magma fists condensed from the clouds, descending from the heavens like a roaring volcano!
"No way... is that...?"
"Meteors?!!"
Before Red Beard's horror could fade, the flaming meteorites crashed down!
"BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM—!!!"
The five pirate ships were torn apart like paper. Hulls exploded, masts snapped, flames devoured sails and skeletons alike. The sound of explosions resonated through the sky!
In less than a minute—the entire fleet was reduced to ashes and sank to the bottom of the sea!
Charred wreckage and broken weapons floated on the blood-red sea surface. The wails of the pirates gradually faded into silence. The surroundings were deadly quiet, as if the entire sea area was trembling in shock.
At this moment, on the deck of the warship, Ace gripped the railing with both hands, eyes wide, roaring toward the bow: "ADMIRAL SAKAZUKI!!!"
"Please don't use 'Meteor Volcano' the moment you see pirates!!!"
"We haven't even made a move yet! Leave some for us to practice on!!!"
Law grabbed Ace's arm tightly, sweating profusely. "Calm down! Yelling louder won't help..."
Sakazuki, draped in his magma cloak, stood at the bow with his arms crossed. His face still held a trace of the scorching heat evaporating from his body.
Hearing Ace's shout, he paused slightly. The iron-blooded face of the Marine Admiral actually turned... slightly red.
"Ahem."
He coughed lightly, whispering awkwardly, "...Force of habit."
"PFFT-HAHAHAHA!!!" Enel laughed uncontrollably beside them, unable to stand straight.
"Ace! I told you before we left!!" He laughed while slapping his thigh.
"When you come out with Admiral Sakazuki, you have to 'steal' the pirates!!!"
"You didn't believe me! Hahaha!!!"
"This is kill-stealing, you bastard!" Ace scratched his head, veins popping on his forehead. "Next time I see a pirate, I'm blasting him with ten Fire Fists first!!!"
"You still have to be faster than Admiral Akainu to steal the kill," Law commented coldly from the side without looking up. "Last time you tried to capture a pirate alive, the Admiral steamed him in passing and called it 'collateral damage'."
Ace: "...I really thank you for the reminder."
Enel: "Hahahaha! Next time it happens, I'm recording it!"
Sakazuki turned around silently. The Justice cloak on his back fluttered slowly in the sea breeze, as if he carried a volcano on his back.
Even though he said nothing, an invisible pressure still permeated the air.
The small warship continued to sail forward, leaving behind only the sea surface where flames had yet to extinguish and a "cleared" sea area.
This was the scorched-earth hunting style of the squad led by Sakazuki.
Among the private rumors of pirates in the New World, a saying began to circulate:
—Better to provoke the Four Emperors than touch the Thunder Flame.
Loguetown · Marine Branch Training Ground
The scorching sun hung high, and a breeze brushed past the flags at the edge of the training ground, creating a fluttering sound.
A week passed in the blink of an eye. Under Roy's high-intensity special training, the two originally ordinary boys had begun to reveal a different kind of sharpness.
"BANG—!!!"
Sanji blasted out a high kick. The leg wind tore through the air, kicking the thick iron training stake until it bent and deformed!
Zoro stood aside with arms crossed, gaze sharp as a knife. After a moment, he nodded rarely. "Not bad. Finally... looking somewhat decent."
Sanji gasped for air, sweat sliding down his forehead, but his eyes shone with an unprecedented light.
"This feeling... it's like my body is actively getting stronger..."
He clenched his fist slightly, feeling the subtle changes in his muscles and nerves. "Speed, recovery, explosive power... it's almost like an awakening."
On the sidelines, Roy's gaze was deep as he muttered to himself, "The Lineage Factor of Germa 66... has it finally begun to slowly awaken under high-pressure training?"
"As expected... Sanji's potential far exceeds that of ordinary people."
On the other side, Usopp was prone on the ground, hands steadily supporting a modified sniper rifle.
His eyes were focused as never before, his breathing slow and even.
At Roy's suggestion, Usopp not only switched to a special sniper rifle but also fully utilized his talent for invention, developing various types of special ammunition.
"BANG!!!"
The bullet tore through the air, precisely hitting the bullseye of a high-speed moving target five hundred meters away!
"Too accurate! Usopp!" The veteran Marines of the branch watching couldn't help but cheer and applaud.
Usopp scratched his head shyly, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help but rise. "Hehe, it's all thanks to Vice Admiral Roy's guidance..."
Scattered on the ground beside him were samples of dozens of special bullets: Chili Stars, Shock Stars, Smoke Stars, Tracking Stars... each carefully designed.
Roy walked over slowly, placing his broad hand gently on Usopp's shoulder, eyes revealing approval. "Your Observation Haki has taken rudimentary form, especially in 'prediction.' Your reaction is quite sharp."
"The only thing you lack now..." Roy paused, "is the experience of actual combat."
Hearing this, Usopp straightened his back. His thin body looked exceptionally upright at this moment. "I will definitely prove myself! Even in a real war, I will never back down!"
Just as everyone was immersed in these hard-won results, the door to the training ground was pushed open violently.
"BANG—!"
Smoker walked in quickly, face dark. A cigar was clamped between his fingers, white smoke churning rapidly.
"Roy, something happened in the East Blue again."
Roy's eyes turned cold. "It's the 'Violent Giant Beasts,' isn't it?"
Smoker's face grew darker. "Three fishing boats lost contact. Only shattered wreckage was found at the scene. Nearby villagers have all been evacuated."
Smoker stared at him. "You guessed it long ago, right?"
Silent for a few seconds, Roy nodded slowly. "I've been waiting for it to expose itself on its own initiative... Now, it's about time to start the operation."
Smoker gritted his teeth, his tone rarely firm. "Tell me, you should know the origin of these things, right?"
"I want to help too!"
In an instant, the atmosphere in the room became heavy.
Roy looked at him, finally revealing a rare smile.
"...Alright."
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