Our Cannons Can't Reach Them!

His gaze then turned cold and sharp, sending chills down Sengoku and Zefa's spines.

"Looking to die? Sengoku, you got it right. I came here either to beat the two of you to death, or be beaten to death by the two of you."

Seeing how arrogant Golden Lion was, Sengoku wasted no words and immediately transformed into a Buddha.

With a chime, Sengoku instantly became a towering golden Buddha Form.

"A Mythical Zoan Human-Human Fruit, Buddha Form?"

"Now that I've seen it again, let me find out just how capable you are, Sengoku!"

At Marineford Harbor, as Sengoku and Golden Lion began fighting, every cannon opened fire. Deafening roars shook the heavens as what seemed like thousands of shells were launched at Golden Lion's Floating Island. Yet the island was too high up, and at least half of them failed to reach their target.

"This won't work! Our shells can't reach them!"

"What do we do?"

"Our cannons can't hit them! How are we supposed to fight this?"

All the Marines cried out in disbelief. At the same time, the cannons on both sides of the Floating Island refused to be outdone and began bombarding the Marines on the ground.

Hundreds of shells came hurtling down from the sky, as though it were raining cannonballs.

The Marines below watched the massive shells descend. The ordinary soldiers felt certain they were about to die.

However, there were quite a few powerful figures among the Marines. Every rear admiral leaped into the air, unleashing sword strikes, Rankyaku, Armament Haki, ice blocks, and explosive blasts. As everyone displayed their abilities, half of the hundreds of shells were instantly dealt with. But the other half remained, and cold sweat broke out across everyone's faces. If those shells landed, the Marine casualties would certainly be severe.

Just then, Great Eruption! A massive fist of magma suddenly appeared in the sky, sweeping over everyone's heads toward the densely packed cannonballs.

Seconds later, the enormous magma fist exploded, breaking apart into countless smaller volcanic bombs.

A chain of explosions erupted one after another, and the entire sky looked as though it had been blasted apart. Everywhere one looked was red.

Amid the explosions, Sakazuki, draped in a coat of justice, slowly walked into the center of the battlefield.

"Sakazuki?"

"Vice Admiral Sakazuki? One of the Marine monsters, Sakazuki?"

"Now we have a better chance of winning!" The Marines hurriedly stepped aside, opening a path for Sakazuki.

Among the passing Marines, Kuzan watched Sakazuki go by with a deep frown. He did not know why, but he felt absolutely no goodwill toward the man before him.

Above them, the winds and clouds shifted as Golden Lion Shiki's battle with Sengoku entered its most intense stage.

The fierce battle made everyone below raise their heads to watch, their hearts surging with excitement.

The great Buddha shot upward as Sengoku let out a thunderous roar.

His huge golden Buddha Form radiated dazzling light, like a blazing sun hanging high in the sky.

He swung his mountain-like arm, carrying the force to destroy heaven and earth, and hurled it at Golden Lion with all his strength.

The sheer power of that blow whipped up a violent gale, instantly scattering the surrounding clouds.

Though Golden Lion Shiki possessed extraordinary strength, he did not dare take Sengoku's overwhelmingly powerful attack head-on. But with things having come this far, he had no choice but to receive it.

His eyes widened, a trace of gravity appearing on his face as he swiftly raised his two renowned blades before his chest.

Even so, he was struck by the shockwave and sent flying hundreds of meters away like a kite with its string cut.

As he flew backward, the air behind him was forcibly torn apart, letting out a howling roar as though proclaiming the terror of that attack.

"Zefa, why aren't you joining in?"

"I'm still waiting to fight you!"

"Just fighting Sengoku is no fun. He's too weak!"

"Your Marines are this weak—how did you even capture Sister Luo?"

After steadying himself in midair, Golden Lion shouted his mockery at the top of his lungs.

His voice rang through the surroundings like a great bell, filled with boundless arrogance and disdain.

A flash of anger crossed Sengoku's face at those words, and his golden fists unconsciously clenched.

"Arrogant!" At that moment, he swore to make Golden Lion pay for his wild words.

Zephyr stood quietly in place, his blazing gaze fixed on the battle in the sky.

Having personally witnessed Golden Lion's clash with Sengoku, Zefa had no choice but to admit that Golden Lion was indeed powerful.

"Zefa, ignore him. Follow the plan!"

Sengoku roared at Zefa behind him.

In truth, Sengoku and Zefa had planned this from the beginning. One would hold Golden Lion back, while the other would head for the Floating Island and, if possible, silence it.

Zephyr knew Golden Lion was strong, but he also believed Sengoku was no weaker. So he chose to trust him and, without looking back, used Moonwalk to swiftly head toward the Floating Island.

When Golden Lion saw this, his expression tightened. He knew Zefa's strength. If Zefa entered the Floating Island, the consequences would be unimaginable.

"Don't even think about it!"

Lion's Cross Slash!

As everyone's thoughts raced, Golden Lion Shiki launched another attack.

He raised his two swords high. Armament Haki swiftly covered the blades like black flames, making them hum. Then Golden Lion raised both swords over his head and violently slashed downward. A massive golden cross-shaped slash tore through the sky like lightning, carrying a fierce aura as it shot straight toward Zefa.

Wherever it passed, the air seemed to be sliced apart by a sharp blade, producing a hissing sound and leaving behind a deep scar.

Seeing this, Sengoku's eyes sharpened. "Golden Lion, I'm your opponent!"

He swiftly adjusted his position and blocked the slash's path.

Sengoku focused completely on the golden cross-shaped slash screaming toward him.

His massive golden Buddha body lowered slightly, his feet rooted in the air as his raised cassock snapped wildly in the gale.