(Thanks to readers ~向上的人~ and ~荀掌柜~ for pointing this out. Sorry, this one's on me. I was so swamped with problems in the detailed outline last night that I missed such a huge bug. Thanks for the heads-up! Just pretend they were eating aboard Pipi Shrimp. My editor's off work now, so I can't change it even if I want to.)
As the warship stopped moving, pirate ships appeared on the horizon as though on cue. They stretched across the sea in a dense swarm, racing toward the Marines like locusts.
The pirates rolled out cannons, some crude and some finely made, and aimed them at the Marines from afar.
Then—
Boom!
A cannonball landed outside the warships' protective ring. The spray crashed onto a deck and knocked two careless soldiers off their feet.
"They aren't fighting each other?" Loa stared at the Pirate Ships in surprise. In his original plan, the pirates killing one another had been an important way to thin their numbers.
"Who do you think I am? They wouldn't dare!"
Aokiji glanced at Loa, then gave the order. "Fire!"
Boom, boom, boom!
Boom, boom, boom!
The Marines' Cannons were far more formidable than the pirates' old Cannons. Their range and accuracy were in another league, and the Marine gunners were well trained and numerous. A single volley dealt the pirates devastating losses.
But the pirates knew that if they failed to close the distance, they would remain sitting ducks for the fleet ahead. So even as water poured into their holds, they charged on with wild cries.
Those who surged ahead had the best chance of reaching the Poneglyph.
But those who surged ahead were usually cannon fodder.
"I'll leave these to you. The Fish-Men underwater haven't fled yet. I'll go catch them." Loa beat his