There was a lot of discussion in Onigashima Square.
Some stared in astonishment at the massive Pluton Battleship, while others looked up and saw the sounds of the battle between Golden Lion and Kaido echoing in the distance.
Jin folded his wings and landed on the high platform in the center of the square.
He didn't speak, but simply glanced in the direction of the square entrance.
Everyone followed his gaze.
Roy walked from the direction of the cliff where Pluton had landed.
The pace was slow, and each step landed steadily.
But the murmurs in the square gradually subsided as he approached, eventually falling completely silent.
The members of the Beasts Pirates were no strangers to this man.
Over the years, through the business dealings with Seastone and the cooperation on Bloodline Transplantation, the two sides have become extremely familiar with each other.
He's an ally personally approved by Kaido, someone even King approves of, so none of the island's executives treat him like an outsider.
But Roy's usual carefree smile was gone.
That calm, ironically, made everyone unconsciously tense up.
Roy stood on the platform, looked around at the crowd in the square, and began to speak.
To make a long story short...
" Kaido and I unearthed Ancient Weapon, the Pluton Battleship, from the waters near Wano Country."
A collective gasp of astonishment filled the square.
Queen's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, his mouth agape, and he didn't even notice half a dessert had fallen to the ground.
Jack tightened his grip on the iron bar, his knuckles cracking.
One of the Flying Six instinctively took a step forward, only to be pulled back by those around him.
"Right now, Golden Lion Shiki, Charlotte Linlin the Big Mom, and the World Government are all on their way to take it."
Kaido has already blocked Golden Lion in mid-air.
Roy pointed towards the cliff.
The massive black warship stood there, its main gun muzzles gleaming coldly in the setting sun.
" Pluton is right there. Your task is to guard the ship and prevent anyone from getting close."
The atmosphere in the square changed.
The shock and curiosity from before vanished, replaced by a suppressed excitement.
The Beasts Pirates were a group of battle maniacs, and now that they knew someone was coming to steal their things, they were actually excited.
Jin walked to Roy's side, facing all the officers, his voice brief and forceful.
" With Kaido absent, from now on, Roy will command the defensive battle."
His words are the boss's orders.
A brief silence.
Who's-Who was the first to kneel down.
The mask concealed his expression, but his voice showed no hesitation.
"Yes, sir."
Queen grinned, slapping his thick hand on his belly.
"They're all allies anyway, so it doesn't matter whose opinion we listen to."
Jack slammed the iron bar down on the ground, sending spiderweb-like cracks through the ice.
"As long as we can fight, it doesn't matter who's in command!"
The other cadres all knelt on one knee.
No one raised any objections.
Their years of collaboration had given them sufficient trust in Roy's abilities and judgment.
Someone who can stand on equal footing with Kaido Yamato King is more than capable of commanding them.
Roy didn't waste any words and immediately began assigning tasks.
" Queen, your legions guard the front of Pluton."
Position all your firepower on both sides of the ship to block the ice in front.
Don't hold back your bullets.
"Leave it to me!"
Queen turned and waved to his men, his fat face jiggling.
"Men! Push all the cannons over there! Quickly!"
" Jack, take a group of men and block the port of Onigashima."
Big Mom's fleet will definitely come from that direction.
The port is their only route; hold it at all costs.
Jack slung the iron bar over his shoulder, his voice rough:
"Leave the port to Lao Tzu."
"Not a single one of them will get through."
The Tobiroppo were scattered around Pluton.
"Work in pairs, and do not allow any enemy to board the ship."
Roy's gaze swept over the five people, and he quickly called out their names.
" Sasaki, Black Maria, you two guard the left flank."
Ulti and Page One, right wing.
"Who's-Who, you're in a solo group, guarding the stern. The stern is the easiest position to be flanked. Can you manage alone?"
Who's-Who looked up, a slight smile curving his lips beneath the mask.
"Perfect."
Finally, Roy turned to Jhin.
You will remain on my warship.
Go and mend the lines wherever they break down.
Jin nodded, without saying anything more.
Instructions issued.
Everyone in the square responded in unison and rushed to their respective positions.
Queen's men pushed the heavy Gatling guns toward Pluton, sparks flying from the wheels on the cobblestones.
Jack led a group of his men, running in formation towards the harbor, their footsteps as rhythmic as drumbeats.
The Tobiroppo transformed into six afterimages, scattering around Pluton.
Roy closed his eyes, unleashing his full Observation Haki.
In his perception, Kaido and Golden Lion were colliding wildly in mid-air.
Dragon breath and golden slashing waves exploded continuously, each strike causing the clouds to churn.
Kaido's dragon claws tore apart two small floating Sky Island, Golden Lion's blade left several bloody gashes on Kaido's dragon body.
Neither of them held back; they went all out from the start.
Further away,
The Big Mom Pirates ' fleet has already outpaced Golden Lion's fleet and is heading towards Onigashima at full speed.
Dozens of warships were arranged in a wedge formation, the spray from their bows forming a continuous white line.
Meanwhile, ahead of the fleet, a figure as swift as Inazuma had already broken away from the main fleet.
Charlotte Linlin, riding Thundercloud Zeus wielding Napoleon the hat-knife, is charging headlong towards Onigashima.
Her laughter could be heard from a great distance.
"Mama--Mama! Pluton belongs to me!"
Roy opened his eyes and looked at Jhin.
" Linlin is faster than the fleet."
I'll go stop her first.
Jhin nodded. "Leave this to me."
Roy leaped into the air, his figure blurring through the air as he hurtled toward the direction from which Big Mom was attacking.
Below on the sea, the Thundercloud Zeus beneath Charlotte Linlin's feet left a trail of golden Inazuma.
The Napoleon in her hand had transformed into a giant scimitar, its blade wreathed in a purplish-black Conqueror's Haki.
Behind her, Prometheus transformed into a burning fireball, casting a long shadow.
Two auras of royalty collided violently between the sea and the sky.
"Mama--Mama!"
" Roy! Hand over Pluton behind you!"
Linlin's laughter exploded in the sky, shaking the sea.
Roy pulled out his Shusui.
The blade gleamed with a cold, dark purple light under the setting sun, and Conqueror's Haki danced on its edge.
"Give it a try."
In the air above the waters near Onigashima, two auras of royalty clashed head-on.
Roy hovered thirty meters above the sea, the tip of his Shusui Blade pointing diagonally downwards, the Conqueror's Haki on the blade emitting a deep hum.
Charlotte Linlin rode Thundercloud Zeus, which stopped a hundred meters away. Napoleon's sword had transformed into a serrated scimitar, and a ferocious face appeared on the back of the blade.
"Mama--Mama!"
" Roy! You've been making headlines enough these past few years. Today, Pluton is mine!"
Linlin's laughter shook the sea, creating fine ripples.
Zeus beneath her feet unleashed golden Inazuma, causing the surrounding air to crackle and ionize.
A slight smile appeared on Roy's lips.
" Linlin, when did you learn that Golden Lion trick?"
"They threaten you before even stealing your things?"
You're quite the smooth talker!
Wait till I twist your head off and use it as a wine glass, then let's see how you talk nonsense then!
Linlin clamped her legs around Zeus.
Thundercloud spewed out golden Inazuma, propelling itself forward and instantly reaching Roy, its speed leaving a trail of afterimages in the air.
Napoleon brought the hammer down on his head.
This strike was devoid of any fancy moves; it was pure, overwhelming power.
The blade was wreathed in purplish-black Conqueror's Haki, tearing the air apart wherever it passed, emitting a sharp whistling sound.
Roy parried with his sword.