At the entrance to the secret passage beneath the steep cliffs of the Red Line, the last group of slaves disappeared into the deep, dark passage.
Dragon and Karasu stood on either side of the secret passage entrance, one on each side. Fisher Tiger clutched his chest; the Fish-Man's powerful vitality allowed him to remain standing for the time being.
But there was no longer any confusion in his eyes, only a firm belief in the future and a deep gratitude to Roy and the others.
" Captain Roy!"
"The slaves are safe now, let's go!"
However, Roy did not move.
He stood on the open ground outside the secret passage, his back to the passage, using his Observation Haki to sense the direction that the Golden Lion Red had retreated in.
Bullet, Hawk Eyes, Tesoro also did not retreat, but stood quietly half a step behind him, their sharp eyes fixed on the same direction.
"Boss, the main naval force has arrived."
Golden arcs of electricity crackled in Tesoro's hands; his eyes held no fear, only an eager excitement.
Hawk Eyes, holding the Black Blade Yoru, his sword intent restrained yet seemingly capable of tearing the sky apart at any moment, calmly looked at Roy, awaiting his decision.
Bullet grinned, the ferocious aura of the white tiger orc faintly visible.
"Hey Roy, looking to pull off a big heist? I'm itching for a fight!"
Seeing this, Long frowned and instantly understood Roy's intention.
" Roy! Sengoku and Zephyr are leading the team themselves, with Kizaru and Aokiji following behind!"
This is not the time to be reckless! We must evacuate immediately!
Roy slowly turned around, the hem of his black trench coat fluttering gently in the lingering dust.
His gaze swept over the dragon, the Karasu, and Fisher Tiger, finally settling on his three companions.
A calm yet undeniable smile curved at the corners of his lips.
"Dragon, Karasu, Fisher Tiger, you escort the slaves to Sabaody immediately. Rayleigh and Shakky will meet them."
Ensuring their safety was part of our plan, wasn't it?
"And what about you?!" Long asked anxiously.
"I?"
Roy looked towards the pass, where a terrifying aura, a mixture of Buddhist majesty and iron-blooded ferocity, was rolling in like a tsunami, darkening the sky.
"I've just gained some new power and need a whetstone of sufficient weight to test its sharpness."
Roy stared intently at the three men, his gaze sharp and unwavering.
" The Marine Headquarters' top combat power, four Admiral- level opponents have gathered..."
Is there a better 'testing ground' than this?
Upon hearing this, even Bullet was slightly taken aback, and then an even more intense fighting spirit erupted in his eyes.
Hawk Eyes nodded slightly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Tesoro took a deep breath, suppressing his initial shock, and his eyes turned fanatical.
Yes, we have just completed the evolution of our bloodline, and it is time to test our results and solidify our realm through a thrilling and exhilarating battle!
Running away out of fear of battle—that's not the style of the Roy Pirates!
"Madmen! You're all madmen!"
Dragon gritted his teeth, but he knew that no one could change Roy's decision.
Moreover, strategically speaking, if Roy and his three companions can truly hold off or even severely cripple the Navy's top combat force here,
The removal of slaves and the future actions of the Revolutionary Army will have an immeasurable positive impact.
Dragon gave Roy one last, deep look.
Take care! We'll be waiting for you on Hachinosu to celebrate your victory!
Having said that, without further hesitation, he and the Karasu helped the seriously injured Fisher Tiger.
One last look at the four figures standing as firm as rocks.
He turned and disappeared into the secret passage, using his abilities to temporarily seal and hide the entrance.
Almost at the same moment the entrance to the secret passage disappeared, the figures of the Golden Lion and the Red Count appeared at the pass of the Red Line.
Behind them, golden and blue light followed closely, and the figures of Kizaru and Aokiji appeared, their expressions fixed on the distance.
Immediately afterwards, the earth rumbled, and Sengoku, draped in a Sengoku 'Fleet Admiral coat,
Beside him stood Zephyr, his eyes blazing with fury, his fists covered in black Armament Haki Zephyr.
Leading a massive, elite naval force, they completely sealed off the area!
"Hehehe! Roy!"
"The main naval force is here! We should retreat!"
The Golden Lion approached Roy and his companions and slowly came to a stop, floating above Roy.
Red Count also stopped beside Roy, brandishing his cane-sword with a slightly puzzled look in his eyes.
"Hehe! I have no intention of leaving just like that!"
Roy looked at the navy in the distance.
" Shiki, Red, we'll need your help to hold off the navy for a while."
After all, the slaves had only gone a short distance, and the navy could catch up with them at any time.
Upon hearing this, the Golden Lion looked at Roy with a sinister gaze.
"Kid, helping slaves or something?"
"This wasn't part of our plan, Roy!"
"Don't say that! Shiki! You and Red will cover for us. If things get bad, you can retreat on your own."
"Besides, with your abilities, if you wanted to escape, the Navy wouldn't be able to catch you!"
The Golden Lion took a deep drag on his cigar and snorted coldly.
Without saying anything more, his figure floated up and hovered quietly dozens of meters in the air behind Roy and the other three.
"If things go wrong, I'll leave first. Also, I've already repaid your favor."
"Certainly!"
Red Count gave Roy a deep look before slowly walking towards the back.
" Roy!!!"
Just as Roy finished his discussion, Sengoku's roar exploded like thunder.
A phantom image in the Buddha Form faintly appeared behind him, and terrifying Conqueror's Haki was released without reservation.
It merged with Zephyr's iron-blooded aura and crushed towards Roy and his group of four!
The air groaned under the weight, and the tiny pebbles on the ground silently turned to dust.
" Shiki, Red, Kaido, and Bullet, Dracule Mihawk, Gild Tesoro... Good, very good!"
The Sengoku's gaze was as cold as ancient ice, sweeping over the group of people.
"They dared to attack the Holy Land, liberate slaves, and loot treasures; now they dare to remain?"
Today, none of you are leaving!
The Navy will, in the name of justice, utterly annihilate you here!
Zephyr didn't speak, but his eyes, filled with rage, were fixed on Bullet.
Kizaru tilted his head, his gaze behind his brown sunglasses sweeping back and forth between Hawk Eyes and Roy.
"Oh my, what a terrifying lineup! Captain Roy, it seems you orchestrated this incident again?"
Who knows!
Roy shrugged indifferently.
Aokiji exhaled a breath of cold air, causing the surrounding temperature to plummet and ice crystals to begin to condense on the ground.
"... This time, you won't escape again."
Faced with the encirclement and overwhelming pressure of the Navy's four top combat forces, Roy took a deep breath and took a step forward.
With just one step, a vast yet destructive Conqueror's Haki erupted!
Buzz--!
Dark red arcs of electricity raged wildly, yet they coiled around him as if they were alive.
Solid and calm, yet carrying a violent pressure, it forcefully resisted the combined pressure of Sengoku and Zephyr, and even showed a faint tendency to push back!
Roy's gaze swept calmly over Sengoku, Zephyr, Kizaru, Aokiji. His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears:
" Fleet Admiral Sengoku Zephyr, Chief Instructor Zephyr, Admiral Kizaru, Admiral Aokiji..."
"This battle is not for breaking through."
Roy slowly drew the Black Blade Shusui, from his waist. The blade reflected the still-burning flames of Mary Geoise and the gradually brightening dawn, gleaming with a cold, eerie light.
"Just to test my... true limits!"
"Gentlemen, please don't hesitate to offer your guidance and serve as a whetstone for my Roy Pirates!"
As soon as he finished speaking, his fighting spirit soared to the heavens!
Almost at the same moment Roy unleashed his Haki and formally declared war, not far behind Roy,
One was unruly and mad, the other elegant and composed, both erupting simultaneously!
Golden Lion Shiki, hovering high in the air on the left side of the battlefield, stood atop floating rocks, laughing arrogantly.
"Hahaha! You little brats from the navy, trying to gang up on me? Did you even ask me first?!"
Red Count Redfield, was now standing on a section of broken wall to the right, his deep red suit spotless.
With a light tap of his cane, his red eyes swept over the CP0 remnants and the Holy Knights attempting to approach from the perimeter.
"Today's battle is their stage. All irrelevant personnel, step back."
The highest clouds suddenly parted, and Kaido, in his Azure Dragon Form, revealed his ferocious dragon head.
Its dragon eyes were crimson, its breath was gathering in its mouth, and its voice roared like thunder.
"Hehehehe! Sengoku! Zephyr! You want to mess with my allies? You'd better ask my spiked club if it'll allow it first!"
The three legendary powerhouses from the old era, though they did not directly Roy Roy's group of four,
However, by forming a triangular shape, they firmly occupied three key positions on the periphery of the battlefield, creating an invisible deterrent circle.
Their auras were firmly locked onto the CP0 Chief of Staff, the remnants of the Holy Knights, and the Marine Vice Admiral- level troops.
Any attempt to disrupt the central battle, or to ambush or gang up on Roy and his companions,
They will all face their Lightning strike!
The situation instantly changed to four people: Roy, Bullet, Hawk Eyes, and Tesoro, with three legends providing support.
A head-on showdown Marine Headquarters Fleet Admiral, a former Admiral, and two current Admiral!
Above the Holy Land Mary Geoise, several streams of Conqueror's Haki, arguably the most powerful in the world, clashed, intertwined, and tore at each other, distorting the air and creating visible ripples.
The thick clouds were completely torn apart, revealing the crimson light of the rising sun behind them, casting a somber and tragic glow upon the battlefield that was about to turn into a living hell.
The World Government's highest fighting force and the core of the fastest-rising overlord in the New World, stand atop this Red Line.
On the edge of the holy land, a battle destined to shake the entire world unfolded—a battle of epic proportions!