Before Ochoku could react, a deafening explosion came from outside the castle, followed by a second and a third.
Boom!
Rumble--
The entire castle shook violently with a huge explosion, and dust fell from the ceiling.
The hall fell into a deathly silence.
All the pirates stopped drinking and eating their grilled meat, and stood up in unison.
"What happened?!"
A muscular man with beast tattoos on his face frowned and asked. He was Grog, whose bounty was as high as 580 million, and who was famous for his superhuman strength that could tear apart warships.
"Isn't it obvious? The Navy Marshal has led a group of trainees to Hachinosu Island for training!"
Beside him stood a voluptuous female swordsman with a slender katana at her waist, her expression grave as she gazed toward the castle gate. She was Sylvia the Demon Blade, a notorious pirate with a bounty of 630 million. She had once challenged Mihawk, and although she was defeated, she had made a name for herself, renowned for her incredibly fast swordsmanship, and was famous throughout the New World.
Upon hearing Sylvia's words, many people present changed their expressions abruptly.
It's over!
The Navy Marshal is coming!
The reason they came to Hachinosu Island to seek refuge with Ochoku was because the Navy Marshal of Slaughter, the Fleet Admiral, had brought a group of trainees into the New World. They thought Hachinosu Island was their last safe haven, but they didn't expect that before they could even enjoy a few days of peace, the Navy Marshal and his trainees would come to kill them!
Some are afraid, but others are excited!
"Hehehe..." From the corner, a gaunt, lewd-looking man reeking of decay let out a strange laugh. He was "Ghoul" Vargas, with a bounty of 550 million, who loved to make a fortune in chaos.
Vargas glanced at Ochoku, then looked towards the gate, a smirk gradually forming on his lips. A mad voice inside him grew louder and louder. "Fight! The more chaotic the better! Let me see where Ochoku's treasure trove is hidden. Hahahaha~"
Unlike the pirates, who each harbored their own ulterior motives, the royal family members of the Kingdom of Portoria were utterly plunged into despair.
"It's over! It's all over!" The Chancellor of the Exchequer collapsed to the ground, tears streaming down his face. "We shouldn't have come to Hachinosu Island! If we had gone to the Holy Land, even if we were purged, at least we could have kept our lives! Now look what's happened, we're all going to die here!"
"It's all your fault!" the king's brother shouted, pointing at the king's nose. "I told you long ago not to believe the pirates' lies! But you wouldn't listen! Now look what's happened, we're surrounded by enemies, we're doomed!"
"Father!"
A clear, yet tearful, question rang out as the princess of Podovia, a sixteen-year-old girl, stepped forward, her eyes brimming with tears as she looked at her father.
Why did you betray the World Government? Why did you believe the promise of a pirate?
"Now Ochoku wants to kill us, and the Navy Marshal will certainly not let us go! You've led us all to our doom!"
The king's face was ashen, his lips trembled, and he couldn't utter a single word. He looked at his daughter's despairing face, then at the princes and ministers around him who wished they could devour him alive, and he was filled with deep regret.
Ignoring the commotion behind him, Ochoku released the collar of the messenger pirate and walked step by step toward the castle gate with a gloomy expression.
As he reached the doorway, the sight outside made even this seasoned pirate, who had followed Rocks and seen countless grand scenes, shrink in surprise.
At this moment, the war on Hachinosu Island had spread in full force. Soaring flames raged like giant dragons, engulfing buildings one after another. Clashing sword energies tore through the earth, slashing and overturning countless pirates. Terrifying shockwaves rolled in one circle after another.
What terrified him most was that in the sky, countless figures were being blasted away like dumplings being dropped into a pot, and then crashing down heavily. Screams, wails, and explosions came from all directions, making it a terrifying sight.
Damn it!
Ochoku clenched his fist tightly, and the huge wine barrel in his hand shattered with a crack, wine mixed with sawdust flowing through his fingers.
"Aren't they just a bunch of kids on the training ship?" He stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "How many of them actually came?!"
The subordinate who came to report the news scrambled up to catch up, his voice trembling, "Currently, only the trainees on the training ship have landed on the island!"
"But their strength is terrifying! That Fire Fist kid named Ace is not only Devil Fruit User, but he's also Awakening Conqueror's Haki! One 'Emperor of Flames' and our entire pirate crew of over a hundred was wiped out!"
"Oh, right! There's also a boy named Sabo, who also possesses Conqueror's Haki! The moment he landed, his sheer presence stunned hundreds of our brothers!"
"And then there's that Straw Hat Kid Luffy, the grandson of Marine Garp the Hero. His body is like rubber; he's practically indestructible!"
"And then there are the four cyborgs from the Vinsmoke Family family, the notorious killers of the North Sea, dressed in combat suits. Our Fire Pistol are completely useless against them!"
The subordinate became increasingly agitated as he spoke, almost bursting into tears. "And that swordsman with Three Sword Style, that cook who could kick out flames, that doctor who could slice people into pieces..."
"Enough!" Ochoku, increasingly annoyed, roared, interrupting him. "Even if they're strong, they're just a bunch of brats! There are nearly two hundred thousand people on Hachinosu Island right now, what are you afraid of!"
"But... but..."
The subordinate spoke nervously, "Besides these interns, there's another warship speeding towards Rocky Port! The leader... the leader is..."
"It's the world's greatest swordsman, Dracule Mihawk!"
"Rumor has it that he was ordered by the Navy Marshal to lead a warship in search of the fourth Road Poneglyph! Also on board are Nico Robin, the ' Child of the Devil '; Yamato, daughter of former Yonko Kaido; Denjiro, a samurai from Wano Country; and the two kings of the Zunesha Mokomo Dukedom, Boss Nekomamushi and Duke Inuarashi!"
hiss--
Even Ochoku, after hearing this long list of names, couldn't help but gasp.
Hawk Eyes, Nico Robin the Child of the Devil), Yamato (Kaido's Son), Denjiro, the Denjiro and Inuyasha...
With such a formidable lineup, coupled with Navy Marshal Akira, who used his iron-fisted methods to suppress all forces along the Grand Line, let alone 200,000 pirates, even if the number doubled, it would probably just be a string of numbers that could be wiped out at any time in front of these monsters.
Inside the hall, Grog, Sylvia, and the others, who had just been clinging to a sliver of hope, now had completely changed expressions.
If it were just the interns led by Akira, they might have a fighting chance, given their numbers and Ochoku's presence.
But now--
So what!
Just as everyone's hearts trembled and morale plummeted, Ochoku suddenly raised his head, his small eyes flashing with madness and ruthlessness. " The World Government and I have a prior agreement. No matter how domineering Akira is, he can't possibly try to wipe me out! Otherwise, he would be disrespecting the World Government!"
After a slight pause, Ochoku surveyed the room, his obese body ramrod straight, exuding the aura of a ruthless leader. He coldly declared, "Everyone, perk up! Today, I will lead you to meet this legendary Navy Marshal!"
--