The Dark King's Silence
"Boom!!"
Lightning struck from the sky, its deafening roar Quake-Split eardrums.
Just as Whitey Bay was about to be engulfed by the lightning, a massive, mountain-like black shadow suddenly pounced forward!
"Sizzle!!"
The electric current raged violently across his muscular back, charring and cracking his skin, and filling the air with the smell of burning.
He did not back down, but spread his arms wide to protect Whitey Bay, his teeth clenched so tightly they made a grinding sound.
A deep growl rolled from the depths of his throat, "Quick... quickly go save Marco!!"
Whitey Bay's pupils contracted sharply, and his voice trembled. "Andre!!"
"Bang!!"
A sharp gunshot ripped through the Battlefield!
Whitey Bay instinctively shoved Andre's shoulder away; the bullet grazed his ear but still pierced her left shoulder with pinpoint accuracy!
"Pfft!"
Blood blossomed, instantly staining the ice-blue uniform crimson.
In the distance, Usopp steadily set up his Sniper Rifle, his eyes sharp and cold, his voice resolute. "Mr. Roy taught us our first lesson upon entering the Navy..."
"Don't give the enemy time to talk nonsense!!"
"Well done, Usopp!"
Nami let out a sharp shout, and the Clima-Tact in her hand suddenly transformed!
"Stick Beast Form: Raid!"
"Buzz--!"
The staff head transforms into a streamlined swallow's head, and the steel wings on both sides of the staff unfold completely with a "whoosh," the wings gleaming coldly in the sunlight, sharp as knives!
Nami pushed off with her toes, unleashing a burst of Geppo!
"Whoosh!!"
Her figure skimmed along the ground, the edges of her steel wings slicing through the air with a piercing whistling sound!
"Vacuum Blade!!"
Whitey Bay clutched his bleeding shoulder, straining to hold his sword across his chest, his breathing rapid.
"Clang!!"
The steel wings and the ice sword collided violently, and the Impact instantly sent surrounding debris flying into the air!
Whitey Bay was jolted back several steps, his body slamming heavily against a Mangrove root, a look of horror flashing in his eyes:
"Is this woman... really just a navigator?!"
"Boom!!"
The ground suddenly cracked open, and a giant black fist, accompanied by a terrifying shockwave, slammed down!
Despite the excruciating burning pain, Andre's arm muscles bulged, and he charged forward like a raging beast, his Armament Haki covering his body!
"Whitey Bay! I'll hold them off!!"
"Don't underestimate the veterans of the Whitebeard Pirates!!"
"Bang--!"
The giant fist slammed down, shattering the street into a spiderweb of cracks. Nami was forced back rapidly by the Shockwave, sparks flashing across her steel wings!
Usopp quickly adjusted the muzzle of his gun and Shot continuously. The bullets splattered blood on Andre's body, but they couldn't penetrate it at all!
Whitey Bay staggered back, clutching his bleeding shoulder with one hand, and muttered through gritted teeth:
"Andre bought me time... I have to go save Marco!"
She suddenly looked up, gazing at Jozu and Vista, who were still locked in fierce combat ahead—
"Jozu! Vista!"
Whitey Bay roared telepathically, "Don't linger in the fight!!"
Flames, sword energy, and frost intertwined, and the flames of war raged across the entire Island 13, with explosions and roars echoing everywhere.
Marco lay in the prison cart, firmly bound by Seastone chains.
His originally dull blue eyes trembled violently at the sight he saw through the iron bars.
Jozu transformed into Diamond, desperately clashing with Luffy's Iron Fist, Luffy scales. With each collision, blood seeped from the gaps in the Diamonds.
Vista wielded his twin swords, his sword energy crisscrossing, yet he repeatedly faced perilous situations due to Ace's Fire Fists, his shoulder already charred and stained with blood.
Despite being shot in the shoulder, Whitey Bay still managed to parry Nami's Thunder Swallow Attack with her sword, buying Andre time to rush towards the prison cart.
Andre's back was charred black, his muscles burned by electric current, yet he still gritted his teeth and charged toward the prison van, sliding through pools of blood with every step.
Marco gripped the cold iron bars tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force, and tears streamed down his face.
"Why..."
His voice was hoarse and trembling, like a candle flickering in the wind.
"Why would you all waste your lives for me?!"
His fingernails dug into his palms, and blood dripped down the Seastone Handcuffs.
"Pops's gone... we've lost too many brothers..."
"Why continue... why not run away...?"
His figure trembled, like a phoenix with its wings broken in a cage. His mournful cry was almost drowned out by the roar of the war, yet it seemed to penetrate the hearts of every Whitebeard Remnants.
"You... should have had a new sky long ago..."
"Don't sacrifice yourself for me anymore!!"
Jozu and Luffy's fists collided again with a thunderous roar, sparks flying as Diamonds and dragon scales flew together!
Vista and Ace clashed amidst the flames, their swords flashing and Fire Fists exploding in mid-air with a deafening roar!
Vista's eyes flickered, and his fingers subtly sent a signal.
Jozu let out a heavy groan, a resolute glint in his eyes.
The two looked at each other in silence.
The next moment, the same thought simultaneously arose in their minds:
--Proceed as planned and bring the fighting to Shakky's Shakky's Rip-off Bar!
The battle intensified, with sword energy clashing with flames, and a fierce wind whipping up rubble and dust.
While fighting, Vista and Jozu retreated continuously, gradually leading the battle line towards Shakky's Bar.
"Dragon Bone - Dragon King Spear!!"
Luffy roared and charged forward, his fist covered in dragon scales, and with a burst of Dragon Flame tearing through the Sky Splitter, he slammed into Jozu's chest!
"Bang!!"
Jozu crossed his arms and transformed his entire body into Diamond to take the hit head-on. He was blasted back several meters and his back slammed heavily against the bar door!
"Boom!!"
The heavy wooden door shattered instantly, and the door frame flew off!
"Explosive Flame Pillar!!"
Ace followed closely behind, unleashing a torrent of flames that Fire Pillar straight at Vista!
Vista's gaze sharpened, and he flipped his sword to block the attack.
"Whoosh!!"
Suddenly, an extremely sharp sword aura shot out from the depths of the bar, instantly tearing through the flames!
What followed was a terrifying, soul-suppressing Conqueror's Haki swept Battlefield like an invisible giant wave!
"Boom!!"
Luffy and Ace suddenly stopped moving, their pupils contracted sharply, and their hair stood on end!
"Whose Haki is this?!"
"Squeak--"
A figure slowly walked out from the broken bar entrance.
His silver hair was slightly disheveled, and the marks of time etched a weathered look on his face. He casually held Cane Sword, the blade still bearing the aftershocks of his previous strike.
--Pluton Rayleigh.
Jozu seized the opportunity to rush out of the broken door frame and stand side by side with Vista.
A flicker of surprise crossed their eyes, and a hope instinctively rose in their hearts:
"Mr. Rayleigh... will you help us stop them?"
However--
Rayleigh merely glanced at them, his gaze as cold as stars, his voice low and deep. "Don't fight in front of the bar."
After saying that, he sheathed his sword as if nothing had happened, and slowly walked back into the bar.
"..."
Jozu and Vista were instantly dumbfounded, inwardly cursing, "What... is going on?"
Luffy and Ace both froze on the spot, staring at each other wide-eyed, almost simultaneously exclaiming, "Huh???"
Inside the bar, Shakky stood behind the bar counter, looking at the battered and wrecked entrance. She finally couldn't help but frown and speak:
"Rayleigh... they've already come to our doorstep, aren't you going to do anything about it?"
Rayleigh sat back down at the bar, picked up his glass, and acted as if nothing had happened.
He spoke slowly, but it sent chills down Shakky's spine.
"He... is watching."
Shakky was taken aback by what she heard, and followed Rayleigh's gaze to look out the window into the distance.
At the very top of the tallest Mangrove canopy, a tall and imposing figure stood silently.
The wind howled, Justice Coat Hunting Roar in the wind.