A week later, in the waters off Hachinosu Island in the New World...
Relentless explosions dyed the azure sea crimson. Thick smoke rose from the island, blotting out the sky.
"Damn it! We're still too late!" Tesoro stood on the warship's deck, his binoculars fixed on distant Hachinosu Island, his knuckles white from his grip.
"Just what you'd expect from the World Destroyer!" he growled through gritted teeth, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
Through the binoculars, he could clearly see the town collapsing under bombardment, houses razed to the ground and flames soaring from the streets.
Most chilling of all, those attacks weren't coming from a pirate ship, but from pistol bullets.
Some power had enlarged them dozens of times over, turning them into terrifying, massive shells that blasted the entire island to pieces.
"The More-More Fruit's power..." Tesoro lowered his binoculars, his expression grim.
"Full speed ahead! Circle around the flank and prepare for battle!" He turned and shouted at the petty officer.
But before the petty officer could respond, a calm yet unquestionable voice rang out.
"No need."
At some point, Gern had taken his place at the bow. Black Blade: Eight Desolations hung at an angle from his waist, and his Justice cloak, its cuffs edged in black, snapped in the sea breeze.
His icy gaze rested on distant Hachinosu Island as he said evenly, "Bring the warship in."
Tesoro froze. "But the bombardment on the island..."
"I said, bring us in." Gern glanced sideways, his gaze as sharp as a blade.
"And raise the flag!"
"Tell the civilians on that island that justice has arrived!!!"
"Yes, sir!!" Tesoro immediately fell silent, then turned to the petty officer. "Carry out the orders!"
The warship's engines roared as it raced toward burning Hachinosu Island at full speed.