"But Captain, according to the newspapers, that pirate named Luo Chen is incredibly strong. He managed to escape from both Garp the Hero and Admiral Akainu. Is it really wise for us to launch an attack so rashly?"
The pirate kneeling on the ground asking the question was a newbie who had just joined them and didn't yet understand Lucas's exact strength and bounty, hence his somewhat worried question.
"His strength is formidable?! Hahahaha, tell this newbie how much my bounty is, so this scared rookie can calm down."
Upon hearing that this pirate actually doubted his strength as captain, Lucas laughed loudly a few times, and then addressed the group of veteran pirates.
"Hey hahaha, let me tell you, our Captain Lucas has a bounty of 250 million Beli, and he earned that through sheer skill."
Unlike that guy named Luo Chen who caused a ruckus in the Navy and then got a 200 million bounty—that's just a ridiculous claim of strength. Hurry up and come with us! We can make a killing with the captain later, or we'll miss out!
After explaining to him, the veteran excitedly grabbed his weapon and charged forward with them.
Is it really that simple?
The rookie pirate hesitated for a moment before following afterward.
"Captain!! What do we do now? Should we fire the cannons?"
As Lucas and his large group walked onto the ramp, the gunner beside the emplacement turned to Lucas and asked him a question.
"Open fire, but don't destroy the entire ship, just force them to stop..."
Lucas's men opened fire on the Isel, forcing it to stop.
Bang...
Bang...
Bang...
The sound of cannon fire disrupted the ocean currents around the Isel, preventing it from continuing its journey downstream.
Clang...
A One Flash of sword light appeared, and several cannons that were about to bombard the ship were cut down by Catherine, who had rushed over upon hearing the news.
Bang bang bang...
The shells exploded in mid-air, billowing black smoke.
"Hmph, have you realized it yet? Keep firing, make sure those guys stop their ship."
Upon seeing this, Lucas snorted and continued to order his men to fire on the Isel.
"Yes!!"
The gunners obeyed and continued firing at them, the sound of cannons echoing endlessly.
"This is never going to end, is it? Take this... Flowing Light... Slash!!"
After deflecting the cannonballs once again, Catherine retaliated, gripping the hilt of her sword in reverse with her right hand, drawing it and swinging it in a whirling motion.
Clang...
The sword light flashed, and a bright white Flying Slash cleaved through the waves, slashing towards them head-on.
"Hmm!! Interesting, so there's another swordsman-level expert on board? However, this can't change your impending crushing defeat, Mian Mian: Absorption!!"
Lucas chuckled as he watched the undiminished power of the incoming slash.
Then, he took a step forward and rushed to the front of the pirate ship, using his ability to expand his body to its maximum extent to completely receive Catherine's Flying Slash, or rather, to completely absorb it.
"Is this... an ability user?!"
Just as he completely absorbed the slash, Luo Chen arrived and, seeing this, exclaimed in surprise.
"Hmm!! The main character has arrived, that's perfect... I was just about to go find you myself, but I didn't expect you to deliver yourself to my doorstep, Blasphemer... Luo Chen!!"
After absorbing the slash, Lucas returned to his original state and stood on the bow of the ship, addressing Luo Chen who had just emerged.
" Blasphemer? What's that? Is that a nickname you've given yourselves?"
Oh, right, you haven't answered my question yet. Was that your ability just now? Are you an ability user too?!
Luo Chen first asked a question with a puzzled expression, and then brought up the question from before.
"We didn't give you that nickname—no, no, we don't have the ability to give you that nickname. It was the Navy and the government who personally gave you that nickname. And judging from your expression, you probably don't know about that Big News Morgans that's been all over the world!"
Lucas directly denied what he had said and personally picked up the newspaper to explain for him.
"Ugh!! I actually have a bounty on my head from the Navy, and it's 200 million Beli! I never expected this!!"
Luo Chen opened his eyes wide and noticed not anything else, but the amount of his bounty. This caused Lucas, who was holding the newspaper and about to say something to him, to instantly become speechless. He looked at him with a dark expression and said...
"I didn't expect you to be focused on this, but it's okay, I'll just tell you frankly, the government and the navy have already released some very important news."
As long as I can bring your head to headquarters to claim the reward, I'll get your bounty and be awarded the title of Shichibukai. So, Pirate Luo Chen, just accept your fate. No matter how much you beg for mercy, I still won't let you go!
Lucas crumpled the newspaper in his hand into a ball and threw it into the water, then drew his large sword and spoke in a chilling tone.
"Really? Shichibukai? I didn't expect the government to hate me so much. You'll have to see how capable you are if you want my head!!"
Luo Chen's attitude became serious at this moment, and he stared at Lucas as he spoke.
"Hahaha, just what I wanted! Come on, I'm Devil Fruit User the Sponge-Sponge- Mushroom Fruit, I can absorb and release Impact. Whether you can make me give up depends on whether you can defeat me... Attack, you minions!!"
Lucas unleashed his full power, glaring fiercely at Luo Chen and the others as he spoke.
"Yes, sir! Charge!"
"Kill them!!"
His men had been itching to fight any longer. As soon as Lucas gave the order, they grabbed their weapons and prepared to charge onto the Isel to engage Isel and his Luo Chen in a decisive battle.
"We can't let them make the battle take place on the Isel, Catherine..."
Luo Chen frowned as he looked at the group of eager pirates and turned to remind Catherine.
"Understood... Geppo!!"
clatter...
clatter...
Catherine mumbled a reply, and then the two of them almost simultaneously used Geppo to step on the air and arrive at Lucas's ship.
"Hmm, choosing my ship as the battlefield? How dare you! Let's show them the might of the Lucas Pirate Ship!"
Lucas raised an eyebrow, understanding their intentions, and waved to the crew.
"Yes, Captain! Charge!"
"Charge!! Let us show you the power of the Lucas Pirates! Die!"
A large group of pirates, under Lucas's command, rushed towards them without regard for their own safety.
"I'll leave Catherine and the others to you. I'll deal with this guy..."
Luo Chen left the henchmen to Catherine to deal with, while he charged towards Lucas.
"Okay, be careful. That guy isn't as easy to deal with as you think."
After Catherine finished speaking, she gripped her sword and charged towards the soldiers.
"I remember they called you Lucas, right? Come on, your opponent is me, let's have a good fight..."
Luo Chen looked at Lucas with an eager expression and said...
"Hahaha... Ignorant... Let me show you your companion's attack!!"
After laughing, Lucas went to meet Luo Chen and punched him in the stomach.
Bang...
"What?! You don't even have any strength? You're not joking, are you, Captain Lucas?!"
Luo Chen crossed his arms in front of him to block the fist, feeling the almost zero force of the punch as he taunted him.
"Hehe... Sponge-Sponge... Release!!"
Lucas ignored Luo Chen's sarcasm, gave a sinister laugh, and then said softly.
"Ugh... This is bad!!"
boom...
Seeing his cold expression, Luo Chen knew he had been tricked and immediately activated his Armament Haki to protect his wrist.
Then he was struck by a huge Impact, his body flying backward like a bullet, crashing into the cabin, his condition unknown.