Onigashima!
The Beasts Pirates' stronghold.
The island's shape resembled a gigantic bull-horned skull. Even from far away, it looked terrifying.
Numerous ships were docked along the coast. Many pirates dressed like savages or Viking warriors, wearing armor, belts, fur and feathered cloaks, along with swords, gloves, trousers, and boots.
The Beasts Pirates weren't very powerful yet. Like the Big Mom Pirates, they were still growing.
The three calamities, the future-legendary All-Stars, and the Flying Six hadn't even formed yet.
There were many pirate crews stronger than the Beasts Pirates at this point in time.
The sky, which had been clear moments ago, had somehow become covered in clouds, and the entire world suddenly went dark.
Everyone on the island looked up at the dark, rumbling thunderclouds. The howling wind was clearly unnatural. A vast, mysterious, ethereal Buddhist chant was echoing across the surrounding sea.
Under countless gazes, a gigantic Buddha's head rose from the clouds, vast and boundless, as if the entire world revolved around it.
Slowly, the Buddha's full figure came into view. It sat cross-legged on a lotus platform, with an immense halo rising behind it. Its hands formed the Buddha's flower-pinch gesture. Amid the ethereal chanting, the Buddha raised its right palm and brought it down upon Onigashima.
In that instant, half of Onigashima was engulfed.
"Help..."
"What is this..."
Many Beasts Pirates were so terrified they collapsed to the ground. Some scrambled away on their hands and knees, utterly panicked.
Rumble!!!
The dark, thunderous palm kicked up howling winds. Even those who tried to resist were helpless.
The earth-shattering roar of collapsing mountains filled the air. Numerous peaks and buildings began to crumble. The weaker pirates were struck dead by lightning, while others were swept away by the wind. Amid a series of roaring explosions, the