The Phoenix Breaks Free, Hachi's Choice
"Boom!!"
Jozu's Diamond body forcefully stopped his retreat, sending debris flying and cracking the ground.
He looked up at the center of the Battlefield, his pupils suddenly contracting—
Luffy's Dragon-Shaped Fist Wind, like a roaring raging wave, slammed into Andre's chest!
"Bang!!"
Andre's massive body exploded under the pressure of the fist, blood and bone fragments splattering everywhere like a torrential rain, before his mangled body crashed to the ground!
"Andre!!"
Jozu's eyes were bloodshot, the rage in them almost burning through his pupils!
"You bastard! I'll make you pay with your life!!"
With a deafening roar, he suddenly turned around, his Diamond- covered fist brimming with overwhelming killing intent, and charged wildly towards Luffy!
Meanwhile, beside the prison van.
Marco had just been released and weakly struggled to his feet, his body still covered in wounds, the blood still fresh.
He watched helplessly as Whitey Bay was blasted into the tree trunk, his blood Mangrove;
Watching Andre being punched to pieces, his mangled body falling like tattered cloth...
His eyes suddenly went vacant, his chest heaved violently, and grief and anger coalesced into a low growl, "Navy!!"
"Boom!!"
The next second, the Phoenix Flame burst into flames!
Blue flames shot into the sky, Marco's wounds healed at a visible speed, and the flames condensed into two huge Phoenix Wings behind him!
"Jozu, I'm here to help you!!"
Marco spread his wings and soared high, heading straight for Luffy!
On the other side, Luffy slowly turned around, his dragon eyes reflecting two former Whitebeard Pirates rushing towards him, their fighting spirit erupting like a volcano.
"Come on!!"
"Dragon Bone - Twin Dragons Fangs!!"
"Boom!!"
With an aura of Haki, his fists transformed into two intertwined dragon shadows, meeting Jozu's Diamond fist and Marco's fiery wings head-on!
Three terrifying forces collided in mid-air with a deafening roar!
The Shockwave exploded from the point where the three met, and a fierce wind swept outwards like blades, causing the entire island's surface to tremble violently, with cracks spreading across the ground like a spider web!
Jozu was sent flying backward by the shock, and Marco, exhausted, also tumbled dozens of meters in the air, the Blue Flames violently shaking!
On the other side - prison van area
Nami quickly pulled Usopp up, glanced at the earth-shaking tremors in the center of the Battlefield, took a deep breath, and suppressed her panic as she said:
"Marco is for Luffy, we'll coordinate with Sanji to take down that caterpillar first!!"
Usopp picked up the Sniper Rifle again with trembling hands, but after hearing Nami's words, his eyes narrowed and he nodded emphatically.
"Clear!!"
Nami's Clima-Tact suddenly transformed, steel wings unfolded, and the power of her Swallow-Swallow Fruit was instantly activated, turning her into a silver streak of light!
"Swift - Shadow Strike!!"
"Whoosh!!"
She charged forward like Inazuma, aiming straight for Aipoita's throat!
Just as Aipoita regained her footing, she wildly lashed out with her insect legs, only to have them precisely blocked by Nami's steel wings, sending sparks flying!
"Cough... kid... don't think you can--"
Before the words were even finished, a whirlwind carrying scorching flames suddenly attacked from the side!
"Diable Jambe - Mouton Shot!!"
"Bang!!"
Sanji's fiery kick landed squarely on Aipoita's chest, the flames scorching his flesh, and the powerful Impact sent him flying back several meters, crashing into a large tree and smashing it to pieces!
"Now!! Usopp!!" Nami shouted.
Usopp had already found his position and taken aim, his eyes sharper than ever before.
"Ultimate Move: Green Star - Demon Vine!!"
"Bang!!"
The bullet struck Aipoita precisely in his old abdominal wound, Vines instantly burst forth, piercing the ground and frantically coiling around his limbs, firmly securing him!
Sanji leaped into the air, his right leg engulfed in flames like a raging inferno!
"Diable Jambe - Collier Coup de Vent!!"
"Snap!!"
Like a fiery meteor falling, accompanied by the loud crack of a broken spine, Aipoita coughed up blood, his eyes rolled back, and he completely lost consciousness!
When Vista saw Aipoita fall from a distance, his expression changed drastically!
"Aipoita!!"
He roared and suddenly suppressed Ace, attempting to return to his aid!
"Boom!!"
A wall of raging fire suddenly rose up, blocking his path.
In the firelight, Ace held a flame in one hand, a cold smile playing on his lips:
Your opponent... is me.
Vista's eyes were bloodshot, and he was furious. "Bastard! Get out of here!!"
"Flower Sword - Sakura Rumble Slash!!"
Hundreds of petal-like sword energies erupted instantly, pouring out like a torrential rain!
Ace advanced instead of retreating, flames rising like a raging tide!
"Fire Ring· Fire Pillar!"
"Boom!!"
Flames and sword energy clashed head-on, a blinding light illuminated half the island, and a fierce wind and its aftershocks swept across the Battlefield once more!
Everywhere on the Battlefield, things were boiling over!
Shakky's Rip-off Bar in Sabaody Archipelago
Outside the window, the entire Island 13 was swaying amidst the flames of war.
Flames and sword energy intertwined, Diamonds and dragon scales collided wildly, and explosions rang out one after another.
Rayleigh, holding a wine glass, stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, seemingly able to see through the wind, rain, and smoke to every detail of the Battlefield.
He gently swirled the wine in his glass, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Roy... these are using their lives as whetstones for the navy's fresh blood..."
Shakky was taken aback by his words, her cigarette pausing at her lips, her brows furrowing slightly. "What do you mean?"
Rayleigh slowly turned to look at Shakky: "Haven't you noticed? It's been going on for so long..."
Not only was no one there to watch on Island 13, but even bounty hunters and Pirates were nowhere to be seen.
Shakky paused slightly, her gaze sweeping out the window.
The streets surrounding the Battlefield, ablaze with flames and with buildings crumbling, were eerily silent—a silence that should have filled the air.
There were no Pirates watching, no civilians fleeing in panic, not even the usual patrolling marines. Only the distant roar of the Battlefield could be heard.
Shakky slowly put down her cigarette and exhaled a puff of smoke. "I see... this area has been deliberately isolated..."
Rayleigh chuckled, "Hmm, it's like they deliberately cleared the stage for them."
Roy, that guy, wants them to transform themselves in this real 'Shura'.
In a corner of the bar, under the dim yellow light, Hachi sat motionless.
His six arms trembled from his clenched fists, his nails digging deep into his palms.
He stared intently at the fiery figure outside the window, Ace, who was engaged in a fierce battle with Vista.
Amidst the flashing flames and sword light, the bloodshot veins in Hachi's eyes grew even more pronounced.
"The one who killed Arlong and the others... was that navy officer..."
"Kuroobi... also died on the way..."
In my memory, scenes of my former comrades falling in pools of blood flashed before my eyes.
The suppressed rage in his chest felt like it could tear him apart at any moment.
Hachi was breathing rapidly, his teeth clenched so tightly they were making a grinding sound.
Finally, his eyes turned bloodshot as he abruptly stood up, clenched his six arms into fists, and walked heavily toward Rayleigh.
"Rayleigh..." His voice was hoarse and trembling, filled with endless anger and struggle.
Rayleigh slowly turned his head, his gaze calm yet sharp, as if he could see right through Hachi's heart.
"Um?"
Hachi gritted his teeth, his knuckles turning white. "Can you do me a favor?"