New World, Tachis Island.
The base under the Big Mom Pirates' control had now vanished completely.
Most of the mountain that occupied half the island had been sheared away.
An enormous crater remained in the half-demolished mountain.
That was the power of Steam Execution.
But Hale Nock showed no joy. Standing at the edge of the crater, his eyes clouded over.
He had thought he could find an opportunity to escape.
That he would not have to face Charlotte Linlin head-on.
But Sakazuki had obtained something from who knew where that completely blocked Observation Haki's detection, and he was keeping a relentless watch on him.
Even now, when Charlotte Linlin's furious presence could already be felt.
He still had not left.
Looking at Sakazuki concealed in the distant shadows, murderous intent flickered through Hale Nock's eyes. Damn it...
A surge of violent Conqueror's Haki came from the distant horizon.
Charlotte Linlin's enraged voice rang through heaven and earth as she charged straight toward him, stirring the wind and clouds.
"Hale Nock!!!!!"
"Ikoku Sovereignty!!!!"
An enormous slash of sword aura tore across the sky toward Hale Nock.
Hale Nock snorted.
His entire body burst into steam that filled the air, splitting in two as the sword aura cut through it.
The sword aura carved a deep trench through the ground behind him before slicing into the sea and exploding.
It raised a wall of water hundreds of meters high.
The steam coalesced back into his body.
Charlotte Linlin was already upon him.
Hale Nock used his ability to form a steam longsword in his hand, coating it with Armament Haki.
Clang!
Their blades collided.
Hale Nock was forced steadily backward.
Charlotte Linlin fixed her blood-red eyes on him.
"You have a death wish!!!"
At the same time, she put more strength