Naval Battle at Twin Cape (I)

"The Hell Pirates will 'flip over' the Red Line tonight."

As the sky outside the ship grew darker, a communications soldier soon came to report.

When the three from the Sengoku learned of this, they were all deeply saddened.

Under the cover of night, the outcome of this great battle will undoubtedly become even more unpredictable.

At night, the vast sea appears as an abyss, almost invisible, making it extremely difficult for all participants in naval battles, whether they are attacking, defending, or pursuing.

"The news was released by the news agency, not through newspapers. It was probably sent to media outlets across the country via Den Den Mushi... There wasn't enough time. It's likely Oboro's doing... Announcing the time and location minimizes outside attention... It's also sending a clear signal to the Yonko and other powerful forces. Now that we know... Kaido and the others have probably received the message too." Tsuru said calmly, then looked at Sengoku, "What's the situation in the seas outside the blockade?"

"There are many... Besides the various factions God Slayer, there are also numerous news agency ships of all sizes, including some just there to join the fun. There are at least several hundred... This makes clearing the surrounding 'environment' extremely difficult, and those bastards... can also use these unrelated ships to temporarily 'hide'." Sengoku rubbed his temples. "We can't use force against these people..."

"By leveraging the momentum... he achieved his goal."

He glanced at the scenery outside the window and said softly, "Don't worry about those things... The great battle is imminent, there's nothing we can do, and we don't have time to think about anything else... The core of this incident is the God Slayer! In other words, as long as we capture him... no matter how many tricks he has up his sleeve, it won't matter."

However, there was one more thing that He thought about but didn't say.

He had a vague feeling.

The God Slayer had planned everything... so did that include her premonition and reaction?

In other words, she anticipated the God Slayer's plot.

But the God Slayer foresaw... her foresight.

If that's the case, it means that what she saw wasn't the 'full script' of the Hell Pirates' impending 'development,' but probably only a small part.

Tonight, the sea under the night sky, for some reason, exudes a suffocating sense of oppression and tranquility.

The crew of the Hell Pirates' flagship had all shed their black clothes to conceal their faces, revealing their 'ferocious' appearances. They were all sharpening their knives, their eyes gleaming with menacing light.

A group of people, led by Oboro, stood on the second-floor deck. Captain Oboro bent over, his arms resting on the railing, looking down at the eager faces below.

To one side was Dorans, holding a torch.

The firelight illuminated half of his dimly lit face.

"Tonight... is not only their test, but everyone's test."

Oboro spoke.

He was referring to Yingge and the other two.

"The name of the Hell Pirates will resound throughout the world, and every one of you here will become Hungry Ghost makes history."

"Fight with all your might... Take down those Marines who claim to be champions of justice, take down everyone who stands in our way... Survive and join me in the New World, becoming a true member of the Hell Pirates! The stage has been set for you... Only the truly strong are worthy of the banner that flies above my head."

"After becoming partners, I will bestow upon you even more dazzling and powerful strength..."

As she spoke, Oboro opened her arms and embraced all the One Piece.

His voice, though gentle, was full of power.

The system's cards have usage restrictions for individual targets; each card can only be used once.

So... Oboro is clearly lying, but others don't know it.

Power... is merely a 'fantasy dessert' that accompanies death.

"Oh!"

"For our king!"

"Kill all those marines!"

Below, the crowd erupted in an incredibly enthusiastic shout, each person acting as if they had been injected with adrenaline.

"..."

Rob Lucci glanced at Oboro, and he had to admit that the God Slayer was indeed very charismatic... like a 'performance artist' who knew how to stir up emotions.

These One Piece, whose minds have been manipulated by him, are completely unable to see the 'true situation'.

They are sending themselves to their deaths.

"Set off!"

Immediately afterwards, Dorans shouted.

"Rush!"

The three Hell Pirates' ships immediately set sail, hoisting their sails and cutting through the waves towards the Red Line.

Imminent arrival at the battlefield.

The darkness limited visibility, but that wasn't a problem for Oboro.

Before long, he manipulated the airflow, adjusting the hull and speed of the boat, and easily merged into the turbulent current where the Four Blues met. He stabilized the boat, preventing it from being swept away by the surging waters, thus avoiding a collision with the wall and the loss of life.

It descended from the sky with remarkable stability along the 'waterfall'-like flight path of the Reverse Mountain.

It crashed into the sea, creating huge white waves, and landed safely.

The fact that they could so easily "cross" Reverse Mountain and enter the Grand Line excited the One Piece even more.

It's worth noting that countless One Piece lost their lives just trying to "climb" the Reverse Mountain.

However, despite everyone's excitement, no one made a fuss.

The atmosphere became even more tense.

On this side of the sea... an endless expanse of darkness and gloom, with no sign of the 'navy'.

The enemy is not here.

Without Oboro's command, the three One Piece ships sailed straight ahead and soon spotted a faintly lit lighthouse on the distant horizon. It was very weak, but exceptionally clear on the dark ocean. It seemed like a guiding light of destiny... or perhaps a welcome.

Welcome to all One Piece who have come to the Grand Line; let us guide them on their way.

Twin Cape.

It's located at the bottom of this side of the Red Line.

There... is a former crew member of the Roger Pirates.

Ship's doctor Crocus.

But Oboro has no interest in contacting him right now.

As the ship moves, the turning point of fate... has arrived.

At this sensitive time, the lighthouse at Twin Cape carries an even stronger sense of warning or reminder.

It is the first glimmer of light on the vast ocean.

But once the One Piece ship was far away and the lighthouse's light disappeared...

Soon... on the once pitch-black sea, at the far end... one 'firefly' after another lit up.

Those were not real fireflies, but rather the beams of light emitted by naval warships.

The dark sea suddenly became 'bright' as countless points of light appeared.

This quantity...

Upon seeing those points of light, even Dorans and his two companions couldn't help but change color.

There are too many! So many that it's impossible to count them all at once!

The Navy actually sent such a force to deal with a newly formed One Piece crew? Under the brim of his hat, Oboro smiled.

"Everyone... begin your performance... dye the sea tonight a vibrant red... let everyone know your names."

A sudden gust of cold wind swept across the sea. Long stretched out his long arms, tilted his head back, and immersed himself in the atmosphere, coldly issuing the final order before the great battle.

"Kill them!!"

"Rush!"

Three ships hurtled toward the 'stars' without hesitation.

The great battle has begun!