The Marines' first defensive line soon began to buckle under the pirates' frenzied charge.
The Vice Admiral-level officers sprang into action, blocking the charging division commanders. Momonga, Onigumo, Strawberry, Yamakaji... These elite Marine Vice Admirals, who had spent years guarding the Four Blues, were all top-tier fighters proficient in the Six Powers and Haki. Acting together, they finally managed to barely halt the Whitebeard Pirates' charge. (I think I killed off a few Marine Vice Admirals during the decisive battle in the West Blue, but I can't remember which ones. I spent ages looking and still couldn't find it, so for now, let's assume it wasn't these ones.)
Vice Admiral Onigumo wielded eight swords and instantly activated Six Powers: Soru, engaging Vista the Flower Sword. The sharp clash of blades rang out without pause. Vista's swordsmanship had reached its pinnacle, and even with eight swords, Onigumo was completely suppressed. He could barely defend himself, with no room to strike back.
Vice Admiral Momonga engaged Marco the Phoenix with his long sword. Marco assumed his Phoenix Form, blue flames enveloping his entire body. The cuts Momonga landed on him were instantly healed by the Phoenix's flames of regeneration, leaving not even a trace of injury. Marco lashed out with a kick wreathed in blue flames, slamming it into Momonga's chest and sending him flying backward, smashing through the defensive barrier behind him.
The Whitebeard Pirates' division commanders were far stronger than ordinary Marine Vice Admirals, and the balance of the battlefield was gradually tipping toward the pirates.
Just then, a burst of crazed laughter suddenly rang out.
"Fufufufu! How interesting! Aren't you Marines just useless? You can't even stop a bunch of pirates?"
Doflamingo appeared in the middle of the battlefield in an instant. With a slight twitch of his fingers,