The Navy Attacking

On the sea north of Tiger Shark Island, two warships plowed through the waves.

At the bow of the leading warship stood a tall Marine with a cigar between his lips. Thick smoke obscured his face, leaving only a pair of fierce eyes visible through the haze.

"Vice Admiral Onigumo, we're approaching Tiger Shark Island. Awaiting your orders!"

A Marine stepped forward and loudly reported to Onigumo, who stood at the front.

"I hear this island is a pirate's paradise."

Onigumo spoke as he coldly watched the island in the distance.

He was one of the Navy's most hardline hawkish officers, and he had always followed the principle of "better to kill the innocent than let the guilty go." He carried out his missions with ruthless determination. Even his own subordinates would receive no mercy if they interfered with his mission.

Although pressure from above had forced him to assist the Ernest Family with their mission this time, that didn't mean he would take orders from them.

Now that he was here, not a single pirate on the island would escape!

"Calling it a pirate's paradise might be an exaggeration, but since no country has clear jurisdiction over this island, there are indeed a lot of pirates staying here."

As Vice Admiral Onigumo's longtime deputy, Commodore Kasim Finney was also a staunch hawk. He immediately understood what his superior had in mind.

"Once we reach shore, take a squad of elite soldiers and come ashore with me. Don't let a single pirate escape!"

Watching the island draw closer, Vice Admiral Onigumo rested a hand on the hilt at his waist, a bloodthirsty smile curling his lips.

"It doesn't matter if we kill them all!"

"Understood!"

As they spoke, the warship gradually pulled alongside the shore. At the orders of their respective officers, the soldiers aboard quickly formed up.

At the same time, aboard the warship carrying the Ernest Family, not far from Onigumo's ship—

"Once we're on the island, you and I will split up."

Ernest Cooler gave the order to his son, Ernest Neo, who stood beside him.

"Though we used the influence of CP to get the Navy to send a warship to assist us, I never expected Vice Admiral Onigumo to be the one sent."

Cooler stared at the approaching island, his face stern.

"That man is a hardline hawk through and through. Knowing how he operates, he'll arrest pirates all over the island and show them absolutely no mercy."

"I'll go with them to make sure he doesn't kill Nia on sight when he sees her.

If he runs into other pirates, I'll go look for Nia.

Take a few of your men and find Nia as quickly as you can. Bring her back. If necessary, use any means you have!"

A cold glint flashed in Cooler's eyes.

Even if he had to break her legs, he would bring her back.

"Understood," Neo replied quietly. His face, so similar to Nia's, remained expressionless.

"Get ready to move!"

As the two spoke, the warship pulled alongside the shore.

"Lieutenant Colonel Mala Levi, take your men into Tiger Shark Island from the west. Major Regina Canter, lead your men in from the east. Captain Luan Yakub, take your unit and enter from the front with us. Major Kensha Kil, keep the warship patrolling offshore. If any suspicious vessels try to leave, you have my permission to open fire!"

As soon as the warship reached shore, Onigumo leaped down from it and strode straight ahead. Kasim Finney immediately began assigning tasks to the others.

The moment he reached shore, Onigumo let his senses spread out. His Observation Haki told him there were numerous pirates just ahead.

A moment later, Onigumo led dozens of Marines into the North District. The armed Marines immediately drew everyone's attention.

"The Navy... Why are they here?"

"I thought this place wasn't part of a country affiliated with the World Government. The Navy wasn't supposed to come here."

"Maybe they've got another mission. We don't even have bounties on our heads. The Navy won't come after us."

"That's true..."

Bang—

The next moment, several bullets pierced the pirates who had been shouting. Onigumo's fierce gaze swept across the crowd.

"I could smell the stench of pirates from a mile away!"

Onigumo waved his hand, and the soldiers behind him charged forward. The street's laughter and chatter vanished in an instant, replaced by curses and the sounds of fighting.

"And the most important lot—the Rod Pirates. You're not going anywhere."

Once the bystanders had scattered, Onigumo turned his gaze toward the three people in the distance.

Crazy Blade Rod, Black Spear Nerl, and an unfamiliar black-haired man. Was he their new recruit?

It didn't matter. He would kill them all.

The catwoman the Ernest Family wanted to capture alive wasn't here, anyway.

"Hey, hey! I haven't even officially agreed to join yet."

Hearing the Navy officer across from him, Genos couldn't help speaking up.

The answer was dozens of bullets flying straight at him.

"One Sword Style—Crimson Flower Thousand Slashes!"

Rod drew the Good Quick Blade Kashu he had just acquired. A dense web of flashing blades appeared in front of them, knocking away every incoming bullet.

Kashu was one of the 50 Great Swords. Its previous owner had been a somewhat renowned swordsman, and the moment Rod took hold of it, Knights Do Not Die Empty-Handed activated automatically, teaching him the swordsman's signature technique.

With Rod's solid foundation in swordsmanship, he mastered the former owner's sword techniques in an instant.

The moment Rod knocked away the bullets, Onigumo's towering figure appeared in front of him. The long sword in his hand came crashing down.

Clang—

Rod raised his blade to block Onigumo's slash. A terrifying force came crashing down from above, and the ground beneath his feet shattered.

At the same time Rod blocked Onigumo's attack, Kasim Finney appeared in front of Nerl and swung a vicious punch at his head.

Shave!

Nerl shifted his feet and appeared in the distance in an instant. As he put some distance between himself and his opponent, he aimed the Black Spear in his hand at him.

Bang—

Don't think a bullet could hit me!

A red glint flashed in Kasim Finney's eyes. Using his left foot as a pivot, he turned his body slightly to dodge the bullet Nerl had fired, then whipped out his right leg.

"Tempest Kick!"

As Kasim Finney swung his right leg, a crescent-shaped slash shot toward Nerl in the distance.

Nerl's eyes flickered. Rather than dodge the slash, he kicked out as well, meeting his opponent's attack head-on.

As he kicked, a force welled up within him, coating his foot in a faint layer of black.

Boom!

His powerful kick sent Kasim Finney's Tempest Kick flying. It sliced straight through the tavern beside them, and a faint smile appeared on Nerl's face.

It worked! Armament Haki!

He still wasn't familiar with it and could only use it to a limited extent, but at least he had managed to draw out that power.