The Melee Begins
Three days passed in the blink of an eye. During these three days, the aftershocks of the World's Number One Martial Arts Tournament gradually fermented, stirring up a huge wave in the world.
Reverence for the strong is human nature, and the emergence of the World's Number One Martial Arts Tournament has provided people with a platform to unleash their nature. Countless people are chasing after the 253 Finals, and then in the Dream Domain, they argue endlessly about who will become the true number one in the world, even triggering several chaotic battles between gangs and guilds, successfully bringing the wars of the real world into the peaceful and harmonious Dream Domain.
However, what they didn't know was that a great war that would rewrite the course of the world had already begun!
Standing amidst the ornate and magnificent Royal City, even Zoro couldn't help but exclaim, "Nightmare is truly extravagant!"
"This... how many Beli could this be exchanged for!" Luffy was also dumbfounded. He didn't care about money, but this Royal City, carved from gold and jade, was beyond the concept of money.
"If we exchanged them for an equivalent amount of Beli, we could probably fill this entire Royal City with money." Sabo clutched his chest, feeling a deep sense of heartache. If these things could be taken out, how many poor civilians could be saved? Unfortunately, they were destined to be destroyed in today's war.
Zoro and Luffy couldn't help but gasp, thinking that if Nami saw this scene, she would probably be so excited that she would have a heart attack.
At that moment, the host's familiar voice once again resounded through the sky.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the exciting moment is about to begin! The strongest individuals from all corners of the world are about to compete to determine the true World's Strongest!"
"The rule for this Finals is... there are no rules! True champions should not be bound by rules. No matter the endless schemes and tricks, or the countless difficulties and obstacles, the last person standing on the field... is the number one in the world!"
As the host's voice faded, the entire continent... or rather, the entire world, erupted in a frenzy. This level of ultimate melee undoubtedly sent everyone's adrenaline soaring to its peak. Compared to the more rational two-on-one combat, this mode of battle was more likely to ignite the wildness within humanity!
Although they were prepared, Zoro Luffy couldn't help but get excited when they heard the declaration. That's the magic of "Number One in the World"—just four simple words can inspire countless people to follow!
However, unexpectedly, the increasingly rapid breathing of the crowd could be faintly heard, yet no one chose to make a move. The atmosphere was oppressive, like the calm before a storm, so heavy that it was hard to breathe.
Because there are no rules in this battle, it means that any means can be used, including ganging up on others. Nobody wants to be the first to stick their neck out and be targeted.
Just then, Luffy pressed down on his Straw Hat, stepped out of the crowd, and walked straight to the other side, instantly attracting everyone's attention.
"Hey, masked man, let's continue the battle that wasn't finished half a month ago today!"
The masked Masked Man, shrouded in a black robe, remained silent for a moment before approaching Luffy: "Since you've chosen to die, I have no reason to refuse!"
Immediately after, Kid, wearing Dark Red Coat, also came out. "Hahahaha, Luffy, interesting. It seems I really underestimated you before. A timid person has no right to roam this sea. Now, who wants to be my opponent!"
As if the first Domino had been pushed over, triggering a chain reaction, the scene instantly descended into chaos. The sounds of fighting and shouting filled the sky, and brutality and slaughter became the only theme under this sky!
With his jet-black iron arm wreathed in Armament Haki, Luffy swung it horizontally to the right, easily knocking away a pirate who had been unlucky enough to fly backwards to his side in the melee. Luffy didn't even bother to look at who this unlucky guy was, but instead stared straight at the Masked Man in front of him.
"Who are you...? This familiar feeling... there's no mistake, you must be someone I know, answer me!"
"Familiar? Ridiculous! I have no recollection of ever having any dealings with a weakling like you!"
"You..."
"Enough with the nonsense, just die!"
A dazzling sword light suddenly flashed, Luffy's pupils contracted sharply, and without thinking, he retreated to the side, sliding a long ditch in the ground before stopping with one hand on the ground.
The two unlucky guys behind Luffy couldn't avoid it and were cut in two by the flying slash. The sword light, still powerful, continued to fly backward until it blasted down a section of the city wall before gradually dissipating.
"This guy is indeed terrifyingly strong!" Luffy took a deep breath. If he hadn't seen a glimpse of the future at the last moment, he would probably be beheaded by now!
"However, I am not so easily defeated. Let me show you the results of my training over the past two years, Fourth Gear·Great Ape King!"
Hawkeye, on the other side of the Royal City, looked over with suspicion and muttered, "This aura seems... but something's not right. Is it just my imagination?"
"Hawkeye, you dare to be distracted while fighting me? Do you want to die?!" Shiryu was in the middle of a fierce battle with Hawkeye, saw that his opponent was looking at another battlefield and was naturally furious, so he rushed over.
"What a ferocious Sword Intent! It's like a raging storm! I never expected that Nightmare would have a swordsman like you under his command!" Hawkeye also became serious for once. The opponent's strength had almost reached the peak of the Great Sword Master, and he was wielding Supreme Grade Sword. Even he had to be careful.
After all, ever since the Black Blade Yoru was broken in that battle two years ago, he hasn't been able to find a second Supreme Grade Sword. The Black Blade he's currently using to fight is also ranked among the Twenty-One Great Grade Swords, but it's really not very effective in battles of their caliber.
"So strong! I didn't expect that besides Shiryu, Nightmare would have a second Great Sword Master of this caliber!" Momousagi's heart sank slightly. Based on her understanding of Nightmare, she felt that today's operation would not go as smoothly as the Navy and the government had imagined.
"Admiral Momousagi, if there is no one else, then I shall be your opponent!" After five years of training, Augustine was able to unleash ninety percent of the body's strength, and even against a true Marine Admiral like Momousagi, he was capable of putting up a fight.
"This guy is... Augustine Knight of War under Nightmare's command!" Momousagi did not underestimate him because his eyes could not be opened. After all, his abilities were quite troublesome for a swordsman.
"I've heard that your swordsmanship is most effective Press-Press Fruit. I'm quite curious about that!"
"Heh, why don't you experience it for yourself, Admiral Momousagi? Hell Blade·Fierce Tiger!"