Plundering Pano Kingdom

The Rocks Pirates headed south, dividing their fleet among other officers and sending them to plunder different kingdoms.

This would allow them to seize more Treasure more efficiently and quickly.

Li Yuan led a fleet of nine ships toward Pano Kingdom.

This non-World Government Affiliated Nation had been forced to withdraw from its original affiliation because it could not afford the Celestial Gold.

It could no longer receive the protection of the Marines or the World Government.

As the weakest of the officers, Li Yuan naturally could not be sent to plunder a World Government Affiliated Nation.

Those were the spoils reserved for Rocks, John, Ochoku, and Silver Axe.

Even within the Rocks Pirates, there were distinctions between those close to Rocks and those distant from him.

Not only Li Yuan, but also Whitebeard, Golden Lion, and Charlotte Linlin had been assigned to plunder non-World Government Affiliated Nations.

This left Li Yuan and the others dissatisfied.

Yet they could only accept it, because they had no ability to oppose Rocks.

"Senior Brother, Pano Kingdom is up ahead."

Kano spoke excitedly. Having just obtained the Dice-Dice Fruit, he could not wait to show what he could do.

"It looks like Pano Kingdom still intends to resist us."

Li Yuan glanced toward Pano Kingdom.

There, rows upon rows of soldiers stood in formation, protecting the royal palace.

At the very front of the more than thirty thousand soldiers stood Pano Kingdom's general, a powerhouse at the Vice Admiral level.

He was also Pano Kingdom's strongest general.

He was leading every soldier in Pano Kingdom to face the pirate assault.

"Soldiers, the vicious pirates are about to attack. Behind you stand the kingdom's countless civilians, including your family and friends. We absolutely cannot allow the pirates into the kingdom!"

"Protect the kingdom, protect our homes, drive out the pirates!"

General Pami raised the Longsword in his hand and shouted passionately.

"Protect the kingdom, protect our homes, drive out the pirates!"

"Protect the kingdom, protect our homes, drive out the pirates!"

"Protect the kingdom, protect our homes, drive out the pirates!"

General Pami's impassioned words resonated with the more than thirty thousand soldiers. They were soldiers of the kingdom, and residents of the kingdom.

As soldiers, even if they died, they could not retreat. Behind them were their friends and family, their homes!

"What a touching sight. Unfortunately, you are too weak. The weak have no rights in the New World!"

Seeing this, Li Yuan spoke coldly and mercilessly.

He believed in the law of the jungle. He had little sympathy for the weak, nor was he deeply moved by the heroic sacrifice of those protecting their companions and families.

Bzzzzzz!!!!!

Just as Pano Kingdom's soldiers indignantly prepared to resist the pirate fleet led by Li Yuan, a domineering and razor-sharp Blood Red Conqueror's Haki surged into the sky.

In an instant, the war clouds gathered overhead were forcefully torn apart, revealing the sunlight they had concealed.

Yet beneath that sunlight, Pano Kingdom did not reveal a peaceful scene.

Instead, more than thirty thousand soldiers who had sworn to defend their homes to the death were all knocked unconscious and collapsed to the ground.

"Conqueror's Haki? How is that possible!!!"

General Pami planted his sword into the ground with both hands, forcing himself not to bow under the pressure. But when he saw the more than thirty thousand soldiers behind him, not a single one remained standing.

Even his deputy, a former Marine Rear Admiral, was kneeling on the ground. This filled him with fury—fury at his own helplessness, and helpless fury at the pirates' overwhelming strength.

"Nothing is impossible. In the New World, you do not even have a Marine Admiral-level powerhouse. How dare you resist the Rocks Pirates?"

Li Yuan leaped down from the fleet, used Geppo to rush through the air, and landed before General Pami. Holding the Zanfeng Sword, he looked at him coldly.

"Even if I die, I will not let pirates enter Pano Kingdom!"

After Li Yuan withdrew his Conqueror's Haki, General Pami gripped his sword with both hands and pointed it firmly at Li Yuan.

"Then I will grant your wish and let you die fighting to protect your kingdom."

Limitless: Half-Moon Slash!

Li Yuan flashed before Pami in an instant. The Zanfeng Sword curved like a half-moon as a cold Half-Moon Slash burst forth.

Clang!!!!

The moment General Pami sensed Li Yuan's attack, he immediately raised his sword with both hands before his chest.

Boom!!!!

Although Pami blocked Li Yuan's slash, the tremendous force drove his own sword into his chest.

He was blasted backward more than a hundred meters by the impact.

Seizing the chance, Li Yuan charged after him. Before Pami could land, Zanfeng slashed at him once more.

Seeing that he had no time to defend himself, Pami hardened his resolve, covered his body in Armament Haki, and thrust his Longsword toward Li Yuan's chest.

Crack!!!

Li Yuan's Zanfeng Sword cleaved through Pami's Armament Haki defense, slicing through his muscles and severing his ribs.

Clang!!!!

When Pami's Longsword struck Li Yuan's chest, it was like stabbing a diamond. It could not penetrate Li Yuan's Armament Haki defense at all.

Boom!!!

Pami was sent flying by Li Yuan's slash once again, crashing into the city wall.

"It seems the effect of Haki Tempering has shown itself."

Li Yuan looked at the white mark on the muscle beneath his torn clothing.

With his Armament Haki and his Tempered skin, he could already defend against ordinary Vice Admiral-level attacks. Ordinary Vice Admiral-level attacks could not break through his defense.

"Your battlefield Slaughter Sword is quite good. Let me experience it a little more."

After exchanging two blows with Pami, Li Yuan had already seen through him. This Pami was also a Swordmaster.

Though he was merely an ordinary Swordmaster, he was indeed a fine whetstone for Li Yuan at his current stage.

Kill!!!

After getting back to his feet, Pami ignored his wounds and charged Li Yuan again. The sword in his hand became even more violent, completely abandoning defense in favor of attack.

He already knew he could not defeat the young monster before him. But even if he could not win, he had to make the other party pay a price!

He had dedicated his entire life to this nation. Protecting it was his lifelong wish; even if it cost him his life, he would not hesitate.

"Good!"

Seeing Pami charge at him, Li Yuan eagerly rushed forward with Zanfeng in hand and clashed with him.

Though Li Yuan possessed the strength to kill his opponent, he did not strike him down immediately. He wanted to see what the other man's swordsmanship was capable of.

Bang bang bang!!!!

Clang clang clang!!!!

With every clash, devastating Sword Qi slashes erupted, and cracks continuously spread across the battlefield.