These Guys, I'll Send Them Flying

He and Shuzo were old friends, and he had once acknowledged Shuzo.

Unfortunately, their paths differed, and they could not work together. "Onigumo, your Marines' brand of justice is useless. We of Neo are the true justice!"

"Enough nonsense! We may be old friends, but how can I allow you to do something like this right under my nose?!"

The two traded blows even as they shouted angrily.

Panz Fry was a pirate, so it would not have mattered if Shuzo killed him. But Onigumo was a Marine with his own sense of justice. How could he allow others to commit such acts under the Marines' banner?

The Marines and Neo were two entirely different things!

However, their strength was evenly matched, and it would not be easy to determine a winner anytime soon.

Over the past two years, Onigumo's strength had improved immensely.

The two battled fiercely in every direction, their fight reaching a fever pitch.

"Is this the place?"

At that moment, guided by Lily, Luffy and the others chased all the way there. Under Franky's control, the Thousand Sunny sped forward like an arrow.

From afar, they saw Onigumo and Shuzo locked in fierce combat, as well as Panz Fry, trapped aboard Shuzo's ship.

"Dad!"

Lily cried out in alarm and anxiously tried to rush over.

"Don't panic. Something's wrong."

However, Nami immediately stopped her and looked ahead.

The two sides were fighting, and the battle had already reached its most intense stage.

"That's Marine Vice Admiral Onigumo, right?"

"The Marines and Neo are fighting?"

"Perfect. Let's watch from the sidelines!"

Seeing this, everyone laughed.

This was far too unexpected!

The Marines and Neo were actually fighting each other!

"Maybe we can rescue the old man without lifting a finger."

Usopp clapped his hands excitedly, instantly coming up with a perfect plan.

However, his plan had barely taken shape before Luffy's earth-shaking shout obliterated it.

Luffy shouted from afar:

"Hey, old man! We're here to save you!"

His voice was so loud that anyone in the surrounding waters who was not deaf could hear it.

"Luffy!"

Usopp immediately flew into a rage.

"Hey, hey, Captain, isn't that a little too blatant?!"

Franky's eyes twitched wildly. They were pirates—shouldn't they be running when facing the Marines? "Idiot!"

Zoro curled his lip and scoffed.

"You're not much better!"

Sanji exhaled a puff of smoke, and haze immediately filled the air before him.

"Perverted cook, want to fight?"

Zoro looked at Sanji with a chilling gaze.

Sanji matched his intensity. Facing a great enemy, the two seemed ready to fight each other first.

"Both of you, behave yourselves!"

However, with one fist to each of their heads from Nami, the two obediently settled down.

Nami was still Nami. After two years of growth, she had become even more terrifying!

"Careful. They've already noticed us!"

At that moment, Moonlight spoke.

They had been noticed the moment they arrived aboard the Thousand Sunny.

Luffy's shout had merely interrupted their fierce battle.

Neither Neo nor Onigumo's side was easy to deal with! "The Straw Hat Crew? That is... Moonlight!"

Onigumo was the first to pull back. His gaze swept across Luffy and the others before finally landing on Moonlight, and his pupils suddenly contracted.

He had participated in the Marineford War and witnessed Moonlight's terrifying strength!

With this man present, things would probably be difficult.

"Here to rescue someone?"

Shuzo also withdrew his hand and looked at Luffy and the others.

He was no stranger to the famous Straw Hat Crew.

But this was the first time he had seen them in person.

Especially Straw Hat Kid Luffy and Vice-Captain Moonlight—these two were the ones who had turned Marineford upside down.

They absolutely could not be underestimated! Especially the latter. According to the intelligence he had received, that man was evenly matched with Hawkeye! And upon seeing Lily, he already understood their purpose.

It was nothing more than a rescue!

Buzz!

However, just as they looked over, a crescent-shaped Sword Aura suddenly slashed out, carving a massive chasm between the two sides.

The next moment, Moonlight stood upon the sea, calmly looking at Onigumo and the other Marines. "Are the Marines planning to make a move?"

Moonlight spoke, but his gaze was directed at Luffy and the others.

His words were brief, but his meaning was clear.

He would deal with the Marines, while Luffy and the others would handle Neo.

It was somewhat arrogant for one man to face the Marines alone, but he had the strength to back it up!

Onigumo and the others were left utterly speechless.

Even if they had ten times as many men, perhaps they could have gone head-to-head with the man before them!

As for now, it was better not to humiliate themselves.

Marine Vice Admirals were both brave and resourceful; they knew when to advance and when to retreat. They were not reckless fools.

Moreover, he did not dislike the Straw Hat Crew's actions.

He even somewhat admired a group like theirs. Unfortunately, they stood on different sides and were destined to be enemies! Onigumo immediately began considering retreat.

"This guy!"

"He beat us to it again!"

Zoro curled his lip. Seeing Moonlight attack without even saying hello, he could not help feeling dissatisfied. He had originally planned to make a move himself.

"Great!"

Luffy, on the other hand, cracked his knuckles. His arm stretched out as he grabbed directly toward the ship Shuzo was on.

The moment he decided to act, he acted without hesitation! "It's Straw Hat Kid!"

"Hmph, he actually came at us alone? Don't look down on us!"

Seeing Luffy charging toward them by himself, the Neo members sneered and readied themselves for battle! "Straw Hat Kid Luffy!"

Shuzo also sneered and prepared to strike.

He had heard plenty of rumors about Straw Hat Kid, and now he wanted to see what kind of person he really was! At once, led by Shuzo, the Neo members tensed up as if facing a great enemy, coldly watching Luffy and the others.

Whoosh!

However, Luffy's arm stretched out, bypassing everyone and grabbing Panz Fry by the hair. The next moment, he crossed several dozen meters and landed on the man's shoulder.

Looking at the immensely curious Panz Fry, he asked:

"Is your Volcano Cuisine really one of a kind in the world?"

"Oh, I suppose so."

Hearing that, Panz Fry nodded seriously on instinct.

Though he was extremely curious about Luffy's group appearing, seeing Lily with them told him they were not enemies. He immediately gave a carefree smile.

He was a Giant Tribe chef. While he did not dare claim that his cooking was the best in the world, being able to bake rice with a volcano meant calling it one of a kind was hardly an exaggeration.

"Great! Help me make Volcano Cuisine."

Luffy immediately said excitedly.

"Sure, but not right now."

Seeing how straightforward Luffy was, Panz Fry nodded and readily agreed.

Though they had only just met, the two had the feeling of meeting a kindred spirit, as if they had known each other for a long time.

However, the current situation was not suitable for that. It would have to wait until later.

"These guys, I'll send them flying!"

Luffy nodded and looked at the Neo members with swaggering confidence!

The two conversed as if no one else existed, and the sight immediately ignited Shuzo and the others' fury.

Luffy's final sentence in particular lit the fire of anger in their hearts! They wished they could erupt at once and tear Luffy apart!

Zoro and the others, meanwhile, held their foreheads and sighed, looking utterly speechless and helpless in the face of Luffy.

Their captain really was far too arrogant! Little giant Lily was dumbfounded. Luffy was just too...

"Don't underestimate us!"

At that moment, Shuzo exploded in rage. He immediately unleashed the Six Powers, blinked in front of Luffy, and threw a punch.

Luffy was immensely powerful now. He reacted the instant Shuzo moved, coating his arm in Armament Haki and throwing a punch of his own.

Bang!

The two clashed instantly, and a powerful force erupted from between them.

The surrounding masts immediately snapped apart.

Both men retreated at the same time, neither gaining the upper hand! Clearly, as a Neo officer, Shuzo possessed extraordinary strength.

"Straw Hat Kid Luffy, you truly live up to your reputation!"

After that exchange, Shuzo immediately understood Luffy's strength. His pupils contracted as he spoke in praise.

"Gear Second!"

Luffy, meanwhile, activated Gear Second. His opponent was incredibly strong; without going all out, he would not be able to gain even the slightest advantage.