There was no command, only strained breathing, followed by a deafening volley.
Shells trailed flames as they rose into the sky. Rather than striking directly, they burst early as they approached the hovering figure.
No flames shot skyward. Only a grayish-white cloud of dust rapidly spread, enveloping Dragon.
Within the dust, the figure seemed to move slightly.
Beneath bare brow ridges, his gaze swept over the swirling dust, a trace of cold annoyance flashing through his eyes.
This stuff again.
The shells were packed with fine Seastone powder-a secret weapon the Vinsmoke Family had prepared for ability users.
Yet as the cannons roared and the dust swallowed that figure, not a trace of relief appeared on Vinsmoke Judge's face.
The enormous whirlwinds connecting heaven and earth all around them were still spinning wildly.
Whoosh-
Violent air currents tore through the drifting smoke, revealing a spherical wind barrier wrapped in distorted air.
Within the wind barrier, Dragon raised his gaze toward Vinsmoke Judge, who was charging straight at him.
Jets of air erupted beneath Judge's feet, and the lightning-wreathed spear in his hand had already thrust forward like a venomous snake.
"For your own ambition, you started this war..."
"Shut up!"
Vinsmoke Judge's roar was swallowed by the shrieking wind and thunder.
He leveled his spear, a feverish obsession in his voice. "Only when I control the North Blue will peace truly come!"
At almost the same instant, another figure suddenly leaped up from below.
A metallic sheen covered his entire body, and dense Armament Haki stained his hands pitch-black.
"Adamantine Force: Flying Current!"
It was Xiaofeng.
Wherever he passed, even the intangible wind was violently torn apart.
He clamped both palms forward, and Dragon's elusive figure abruptly stalled, as though seized by invisible hands.
Rossi had also closed in silently.