Paramount War (Twenty-One) / Paramount War (Twenty-Two) ...

A figure wearing a top hat and a blue cloak stood before the Whitebeard.

"Whitebeard Pirates Division Captain 'Flower Sword' Vista." Aokiji scratched his head and said helplessly, "Has the plan been discovered? This is troublesome."

"My mission is complete! Now it is time for the final battle between the Navy and the Sea King." Above the sky, the Holy Lance in Arthur's hand transformed into a golden light and vanished.

While recovering his Mana, he observed the situation in the plaza below from a third-person perspective.

In truth, we have to thank Akainu for his obvious attacks, which were the only thing that helped us escape Marco's clutches.

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The Three Admirals together, unleashing their most powerful attacks from the start, all in an attempt to force Whitebeard to use the Tremor-Tremor Fruit's power.

Marco, who knew Whitebeard's physical condition all too well, would never allow the Three Admirals to have their way.

So, in the balance between his Pops and Jozu, Marco ultimately put aside his grudge against Jozu for the time being and went to provide support.

Arthur is now the most relaxed person on the battlefield.

Having killed Jozu and shone brightly on the battlefield, Sengoku wouldn't be able to do anything to him even if he didn't participate in the war.

Regardless of how powerful that 'unknown Devil Fruit's is, Arthur's test score is already perfect.

They've already put in a lot of effort and been quite high-profile.

The next step is to gradually reduce your sense of presence.

Ultimately, he was never the protagonist of this battlefield.

With that thought in mind, Arthur gripped the reins and rode his King's Horse toward a corner in one direction.

"Not a single injury from start to finish, that's truly remarkable." Mihawk looked at the descending figure and sincerely praised him.

"Heh heh~ So, King of Knights! Are you ready to fight against the New World?" Doflamingo, sitting on a corpse, looked at Arthur on horseback and chuckled wickedly, his fingers twitching.

"Including you?!"

Chapter 107 The Paramount War (Part 21)

(Third update, writing all night tonight!)

"Including you too?" Arthur, who had just dismounted, looked at Doflamingo with amusement after hearing his words.

"Heh heh~ I'm a businessman. Without absolute profit, I naturally wouldn't make an enemy as powerful as you." Doflamingo chuckled wickedly. "I have to admit, Moria was right about one thing. A bounty hunter as powerful as you, once you enter the New World, unless you abandon your current identity, you'll face a siege far worse than those who coveted your famous sword and reputation in 'Paradise'."

"Back then, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say you were an enemy of the entire world! I'm just a little curious... at that time, will you choose to abandon your current identity '617' and join a faction or start your own? Or will you continue to uphold your Eight Knightly Virtues?!"

"If it's the former, my Dressrosa is ready to open its doors to you!"

"I see!"

Upon hearing this, Arthur suddenly realized that they were extending an olive branch to him.

He then gave a faint smile and stared at Doflamingo, asking, "What did you just call me?"

"Hmph~ I understand! Haha, this is so interesting... Well then, don't die, King of Knights!" Doflamingo slapped his thigh hard, as if he had discovered something interesting and wicked, and laughed almost maniacally.

The laughter was tinged with a mixture of admiration and mockery, though it was unclear whether it was genuine laughter or sarcasm.

"Let's spar sometime," Mihawk invited again, his eyes gleaming with fighting spirit.

"Die, you despicable bounty hunter..."

"If we meet again in the New World, I'll challenge you." Arthur replied with the same words, watching the giant axe leap before him, wielding its massive blade.

'Boom--Crack!'

An invisible aura spread out, and in an instant, the attacker was completely subdued.

"Wow~ That's an amazing Haki! But it's not hard to understand why he can wield that King’s Way Straight Sword." Doflamingo couldn't help but sigh as he sensed the fleeting power of that Haki.

Unlike the Two-Color Haki, Conqueror's Haki cannot be trained; it can only be activated when the user reaches a certain level.

At this level, physical strength is one part, and the other part is spirit.

At the same time, Conqueror's Haki also varies in strength.

To strengthen Conqueror's Haki, one must possess a powerful spirit.

Those who possess great courage and spirit are all powerful figures who have trampled over countless corpses and whose might has shaken all directions.

Despite both possessing the potential to be kings, Doflamingo had to admit that, at the same age, he wasn't even qualified to carry Arthur's shoes.

However, he also became more determined that this knight was no longer just a 'Knight of Knights,' but a King of Knights with enormous ambitions.

It's either for fame or for profit!

Eight Knightly Virtues? What a load of rubbish!

"I'll be gone for a while," Arthur suddenly said, and started walking in one direction.

"Wow~ They're all incredibly strong, but I won't lose! Coup de Vent..."

Boom!!

In the chaotic battlefield, a pervert wearing only his underwear unleashed a gust of wind from his hands, blasting a navy soldier away.

"The shipwright of the Straw Hat Pirates, 'Cyborg' Franky, bounty 44 million Beli! Let's stop here!" A Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral, holding a katana in both hands, looked at Franky and said in a deep voice.

"Rear Admiral? This is big trouble!" Franky said gravely, a bead of cold sweat appearing on his forehead.

After unleashing the Coup de Vent, he had very little cola left in his body, making him no match for the Rear Admiral of the Headquarters.

Let alone him, even with the Straw Hat Pirates' combat strength, they could barely escape the title of cannon fodder in the face of this greatest battle in history.

Swish--

Just as Franky was facing a perilous situation, a golden sword pressure suddenly spread out, slicing a straight, deep chasm in front of the Major Rear Admiral and Franky.

"'Knight of Knights,' what are you doing?" Following the direction from which the sword's pressure emanated, the major Rear Admiral's expression changed slightly, and he said with some astonishment...

"I will be his opponent!" Arthur stepped forward, Excalibur in hand, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

"Wow~ It's Knight!"

Upon seeing Arthur, Franky, in his excitement, unconsciously revealed his relationship with Arthur.

"Hmph! Bounty hunters and sea monsters know each other? I will report this matter truthfully to Fleet Admiral Sengoku." The major Rear Admiral suddenly realized why Arthur was here and why he was targeting this little sea monster.

It turns out they knew each other.

"Are you done talking? Can you leave now?" Arthur asked, tilting his head slightly and smiling.

That handsome and composed expression was tinged with deep contempt.

"Hmph!" The major Rear Admiral from headquarters snorted coldly and wisely left.

"Are you alright, Franky?" Arthur planted Excalibur in the ground, placed his hands on the end of the hilt, and smiled at Franky.

"Sorry, Knight, it seems I've caused you trouble." Franky scratched his head as he walked over, saying somewhat apologetically.

"Don't worry, the Navy won't fall out with me because of you," Arthur said with a reassuring smile.

His words were absolutely true; even if Sengoku knew this, he wouldn't say anything.

Although the construction of the "East Starlion" was kept secret, if someone really wanted to investigate, either the Navy or the government could easily find out who the father of the "East Starlion" was.

Sengoku wouldn't risk his life to arrest Arthur for saving Franky out of a past friendship.

Otherwise, he wouldn't be a wise general, but a fool.

"By the way, Franky, how did you join the Straw Hat Pirates? Why are you here, and why are you surrounded by so many criminals?" Arthur suddenly asked. He didn't believe Luffy was here because of the world's ability to fix the plot; there must be some other reason.

I'm sure Franky can answer this question for him.

Chapter 108 The Paramount War (Part 22)

[First Update]

Inside the square, a chaotic battlefield unfolded.

In a relatively remote location, Arthur and Franky chatted as they reunited after a long time, completely out of place with the atmosphere of fierce fighting around them.

Within a ten-meter radius, any navy or sea monster would be stunned by the Conqueror's Haki (B) emanating from the user.

As more and more people fell to the ground, and given that the opponent was the illustrious 'Knight of Knights,' apart from a few who wanted to avenge Jozu, no one else was interested in approaching.

"Aww~ Not long after you guys left, Luffy and the others showed up." Franky excitedly told Arthur about his experiences and observations during this time, "Because I built the 'East Starrion,' I've fulfilled my dream. However, because their ship is damaged to the point that it needs to be replaced, seeing the fight they started over it, I was moved by their love for ships."

"23 So that's how you met them?" Arthur listened impatiently, then nodded in realization and smiled, "And then?!"

"And then! I went up and greeted them. You might not believe it, Knight, but Luffy's ship actually has a legendary 'Klabautermann'! It's unbelievable!" Franky exclaimed with exaggerated surprise, then his expression changed abruptly, turning dejected. "But before I could even get to know Luffy and the others for long, a group of CP9 members showed up, and Iceburg got hurt too. They took me to Enies Lobby, the 'Island of Nightless.' I thought my life was over, but then Luffy, actually... actually... ugh~ what a bunch of endearing idiots..."

At the end, Franky covered his eyes, his voice choked with emotion.

"Sorry, Franky!" Due to the height difference, Arthur could only pat Franky's arm and say with some guilt, "I only found out afterward, and I couldn't help you."

"It's alright, I gained a group of good friends because of it." Franky shook his head, grinned at Arthur, and said, "Speaking of which, back in Sabaody Archipelago... thanks to your help, Knight, otherwise we would have been in trouble."

To avoid being overheard, Franky whispered the last sentence into Arthur's ear.

"You're welcome, it's the least I can do." Arthur shook his head, then asked, "So, how did you get here?"

"After leaving Sabaody Archipelago, we didn't return for several days. Just after Rayleigh finished coating our ship, we saw a newspaper falling from the sky announcing Luffy's impending execution. Luffy insisted on a prison break. Our ship, having been coated by Rayleigh, successfully infiltrated Impel Down via an underwater route with Rayleigh help." Franky exclaimed excitedly, "Speaking of which, Knight, you might not know, but Silvers Rayleigh, the Sea King's right-hand man, actually lives in seclusion on Sabaody Archipelago. That guy actually swam and pulled the Thousand Sunny into Calm Belt; those Sea Kings couldn't hold him back at all. He's incredibly amazing..."

"Silbaz Rayleigh, I see!" Arthur suddenly realized, and at the same time clicked his tongue slightly, not expecting that even after he had changed so much, Luffy still encountered Rayleigh.

"Then, why doesn't the sea lion come?" Arthur suddenly thought of something and asked.

"That old man took the Thousand Sunny to Impel Down and then left, saying it was Luffy's choice, and whether he lives or dies is up to us." Franky shrugged and said helplessly, "Luffy wouldn't listen to advice and insisted on going to save Ace. We're already very grateful that old man helped us like this."

"Is that so..." Arthur understood immediately, realizing why Rayleigh hadn't appeared.

Ace was a sea monster, and few people knew this, but Luffy was one of the people who knew. However, perhaps due to some mental issue, he didn't tell Rayleigh the truth.

Rayleigh helped Luffy infiltrate Impel Down out of respect for the straw Straw Hat and Shanks' sentiments, but in reality, he didn't believe Luffy's goal could be achieved.

After helping them, Rayleigh returned to the Sabaody Archipelago.

Ace's true identity was only recently revealed to the world by Sengoku.

So much so that Rayleigh was completely unaware.

Thinking about this, Arthur was speechless.

Was it Rayleigh's lack of persuasiveness, or Luffy's stubborn, bull-like persistence that left Rayleigh helpless?

Why not just join the war, but instead try to break into prison?!

However, Arthur admires the Straw Hat Pirates more.

Knowing full well that Impel Down is infamous worldwide, 320 still accompanied Luffy in this foolish behavior.

This spirit of facing death without fear is admirable, but it is also incredibly foolish.

"And then?" Arthur asked again, "Did you really manage to break into prison so easily?"

"If the prison break had gone smoothly, Luffy's brother wouldn't be here," Franky said with a wry smile. "Impel Down truly lives up to its reputation as the world's Impel Down. We just forced our way in and barely reached the second level before we were arrested. Because of our different bounties, we're all being held on different floors."

"Whoa..." Arthur opened his mouth slightly in surprise, then repeated like a broken record, "And then?"

"Then..." Franky said with a slightly shocked look in his eyes, "Another group broke into Impel Down, and their strength was simply astonishing. They not only defeated all the Jailer Beasts and the Chief Warden, but even the Deputy Warden was no match for them."

"Who is that person!" Arthur narrowed his eyes slightly, already guessing the identities of those people.

"The Shichibukai, 'Blackbeard' Marshall D. Teach." Franky, oblivious to Arthur's assertive tone, said in a deep voice, "One of the sparks that ignited this war, the one who defeated Luffy!"

Chapter 109 The Paramount War (Part 23)

[Second update, I can't hold on any longer!]