The shell trailed fire as it crossed the sea in an instant, aimed at the Black Emperor's port side. Yet midway, it changed direction, arcing sharply upward before flying over the Black Emperor's deck and splashing down on the other side of the dark sailboat, sending up a column of water.
"I knew it wouldn't be that easy!" Sifa turned and shouted, "Hard to starboard! Prepare the cannons!"
Upon hearing this, boatswain Nelson immediately spun the wheel, turning the Explorer so that its bow no longer faced the Black Emperor. The sailboat swung right, bringing its port-side cannons to bear on the enemy.
Of course, the Black Emperor could not possibly just take the hits. It launched its attack even faster than the Explorer. Cannon fire roared out like a hundred guns firing at once, deafeningly loud. Shell after shell whistled toward the Explorer. Some struck the sea, blasting up columns of water; some were intercepted by Sifa's Fire Crows and exploded midair; some hit the Explorer, but the outer layer of Phantom Armor prevented any major damage.
Furthermore, the Explorer was not the only sailboat participating in the interception, so the Black Emperor did not focus all its firepower on Sifa's ship.
The sailboats commanded by captains such as Quincy, Edward, and Watt also launched fierce attacks against the ruler of the seas, the flagship of Nast, the King of the Five Seas. Cannon fire rang out endlessly across the ocean. Flames, water columns, and thick smoke were like powerful notes composing a battle symphony.
After having Mr. X, Nefi, and the others help intercept the shells, Sifa raised both hands and condensed the flames between them into a great bow. He drew the string, and orange-red flames formed an arrow. Layer upon layer, the arrow collapsed inward. After