"Rumble!"
The usually quiet Desolate Island erupted into turmoil. Shockwaves from the fighting swept outward, dark clouds blanketed the sky, thunder roared, and fierce winds howled.
"I-it's started!"
"They really started fighting!"
"This is unbelievable!"
Even from far away, those aboard the Marine warships that had followed felt their hearts tremble. They were some distance from the battle on the Deserted Island, but the terrifying commotion was still unmistakable.
Enormous waves surged through the sea one after another. The people aboard the warships could barely keep their footing as they stared ahead in shock.
"How long is this battle going to last?"
Someone swallowed, filled with dread.
"Boom!"
Soon, another deafening blast rang out. They looked up to see the dark clouds overhead split in two.
"The sky's split open!"
Someone murmured.
"Look over there! What a terrifying sandstorm!"
A moment later, another shocked cry rang out.
The Marines shifted their gaze and immediately saw a sandstorm blotting out the sky. It rose from the island's southwest, forming a curtain of sand shaped like a hand.
"It's Crocodile!"
"With a spectacle like that, his strength probably isn't inferior to an Admiral's!"
"River's men are far too strong!"
"Red-Hair is one of the Four Emperors, and he's no ordinary man either. Until it's over, nobody knows who will win!"
Then brilliant flashes of lightning emerged from the dark clouds and crashed down with thunderous roars, turning the entire Deserted Island into something resembling a prison of lightning.
All manner of terrifying sights appeared on the Deserted Island. From them, it was easy to imagine how fierce the battle between River and Red-Hair was.
Time ticked by. It had already been sunset, and before long, the orange-red sun sank beneath the horizon as night fell.
Even then, the tremendous commotion on the