God Valley Incident · Thirteen

Celestial Dragon gathering site.

Inside the hastily erected defensive perimeter, the air seemed to have been clenched tight in someone's fist, heavy enough to suffocate.

A marine, his face covered in dust and armor shattered, staggered into the perimeter and nearly collapsed to the ground. Terror had completely distorted his voice. "R-report—!!!"

His throat was dry, but he still screamed out the intelligence—

"The Rocks Pirates... are advancing from the southeast!!"

"The Roger Pirates... are also charging in from the northwest!!!"

In an instant, deathly silence fell over the defensive perimeter before panic erupted like a tidal wave.

"W-we're—"

"Getting sandwiched between them!!!"

This place had become the last line of defense, cobbled together in desperation.

Marines and Cipher Pol agents were packed together in layer upon layer, gritting their teeth as they raised a formation of guns and built a fragile defensive ring, keeping the Celestial Dragons firmly at its center.

To the right, wild laughter and flashing blades drew closer at the same time.

"Move!!!"

"Give Shakuyaku back to us!!!"

The roar was like thunder. Gaban charged ahead, his massive body like a battering ram. His twin axes came crashing down, smashing the gun formation apart on the spot.

Rayleigh followed close behind, his steps calm and deadly. A flash of sword light cut through the defense as though it were paper.

The Roger Pirates were like a sharp blade driven straight into the heart.

On the left, Shiki tumbled down from the sky as gale-force winds swept up rubble and wreckage.

He crashed into the formation like an out-of-control beast, forcibly crushing open a breach. Gloriosa led her people in a surprise attack, murderously fierce.

Captain John grinned wildly as the Magnet-Magnet Fruit activated. Scattered metal from the surroundings crazily gathered together, forming a savage mechanical arm