Black-and-Red Afterimage That Tore Through Space!

Rubbing his brow, Ivan walked out of the captain's cabin with an annoyed look on his face. His gaze swept over the deck before finally settling helplessly on the figure in green.

For the past few days, Zoro had been blocking his path and demanding a challenge at every opportunity. It had practically become part of the warship's daily routine, and Ivan was sick of it.

If Zoro would only accept his invitation and join the marines as his subordinate, Ivan would have put up with sparring with him every day.

But when Ivan had formally extended the offer a few days ago, Zoro had turned him down without a second thought.

When asked why, Zoro had answered with a resolute look in his eyes:

"I have to fulfill my dream, so I need to challenge the world's strongest swordsman and keep honing my swordsmanship. The marines wouldn't let me challenge powerful swordsmen whenever I wanted.

"Besides, a swordsman's will is free. I can't let the marines tie me down!"

After hearing that, Ivan had immediately lost much of his desire to persuade him, leaving him both annoyed and helpless.

Ultimately, he was not a swordsman through and through.

He studied swordsmanship only to complement his ability and take his combat strength to the next level. He had never made the way of the sword his lifelong pursuit.

He had no habit of nurturing promising young swordsmen and letting them challenge him, unlike Hawk Eyes.

Ivan walked lazily out of the captain's cabin, yawned, and casually flicked his index finger. "One Sword Style: Blue: Horizontal Cut!"

A brilliant blue slash tore through the air with a howling blast of wind and struck Zoro in an instant!

Two cracking sounds rang out in succession. The two long swords Zoro had just bought from the marines shattered into pieces, and only Wado Ichimonji withstood the force without breaking.

At the same time, the powerful impact left a wound on Zoro's body. Before he could even grunt, he was sent flying, skidding several meters across the deck before finally falling into the sea with a splash.

The outcome had been decided in an instant!

Once the fight was over, Johnny and Yosaku rushed out from a corner and immediately jumped into the sea, shouting anxiously, "Boss Zoro, hang on! We're coming to save you!"

The other marines showed no reaction to the sight.

For the first two days, they had watched for the spectacle.

But after the past few days, Zoro challenging Ivan and getting sent flying in just a few moves had long since become a daily occurrence aboard the warship.

Everyone was already used to it.

Ivan pushed off lightly with both legs, leaped onto the uppermost deck, and lay down on the sun lounger beside Tashigi, narrowing his eyes slightly.

But he had not been basking in the sun for long when Nami suddenly cried out, "Ivan, there are lots of pirate ships ahead! They're attacking the Baratie Sea Restaurant... They look like the Krieg Pirates!"

Ivan tossed aside the hat covering his face, immediately got up, and appeared beside Nami, looking into the distance.

Dozens of pirate ships had surrounded a familiar vessel. The Krieg Pirates were attacking the Baratie Sea Restaurant!

At the sight, Ivan could not help laughing. "We finally found them. Full speed ahead! I'm going to kill that bastard Don Krieg!"

On the deck of the Baratie Sea Restaurant, Sanji and the others stared ahead with grim expressions.

Hundreds of cannons had been mounted on the dozens of pirate ships ahead. At Don Krieg's command, they would unleash a devastating barrage and blast the sea restaurant to pieces.

Don Krieg stood at the bow of the largest pirate ship, looking down on Sanji and the others. Somewhat impatient, he said coldly:

"I'll say this one last time. Stop resisting immediately, surrender, and swear your loyalty to me. Then I might spare your lives.

"Otherwise, you'll all be reduced to ashes today!"

Sanji looked at the many cannons before him, and sweat began pouring from his forehead.

The Baratie Sea Restaurant was strong enough to fend off an attack by a few pirate ships, but surrounded by dozens, they were helpless.

Even a single volley from hundreds of cannons would be enough to completely destroy the Baratie Sea Restaurant.

As things stood, they were no match for the Krieg Pirates!

Patty, the cook, wiped the sweat from his forehead. After a moment's hesitation, he suggested:

"Boss Zeff, why don't we surrender for now and find a chance to escape later? We can rebuild Baratie, but once people are gone, they're gone for good."

Some of the staff agreed with Patty, but Zeff shook his head.

"It seems that even now, you still don't know what Don Krieg really wants. What he wants is undoubtedly the Baratie Sea Restaurant and my logbook.

"On the Grand Line, the Baratie Sea Restaurant can provide logistical support for dozens of ships, and the logbook can help him avoid many dangers. But we cooks aren't necessary. They have plenty of replacements aboard their ships.

"If I'm not mistaken, the moment we surrender, they'll take over Baratie and quickly kill us!"

Sanji's face turned a little pale. He took a deep drag on his cigarette and said firmly, "Old man, let's fight them! If we surrender, we're dead for sure. Fighting is our only chance of survival!"

The other staff also realized that what Zeff had said was true. They immediately mustered their courage and shouted together, "That's right! Let's fight them!"

Don Krieg took in the response of everyone at Baratie, smiled disdainfully, and gave the order:

"So you still want to resist? Open fire! All I need is Baratie's wreckage. Our shipwrights can replicate the ship's design.

"As for the logbook, I can do without it. If even Zeff could do it, how could I, Don Krieg, possibly fail?"

Don Krieg's men all wore vicious grins as they shouted together, "Yes, sir! Open fire!"

Boom!

A continuous roar rang out as countless cannonballs fell like rain, blanketing the Baratie Sea Restaurant.

Faced with the rain of cannonballs, Sanji and the others immediately sprang into action, doing everything they could to intercept them.

But there were too many cannonballs. More than half still landed on Baratie, damaging the hull.

Amid the explosions, Zeff panted heavily, blood seeping from his severed leg. He gave Sanji a complicated look and said gently, "Sanji, you should leave first. Leave this to us..."

Sanji's expression changed. "Old man, what do you mean? How could I possibly leave you all behind?"

"Idiot!" Zeff's voice was hoarse. "If you stay here, you'll just get blown to bits along with us!"

"No, there has to be another way!" Sanji's eyes turned red, and he clenched his teeth.

Even knowing their chances of victory were slim, he would never escape alone. Even if he died, he would fight alongside his companions to the very last moment.

Don Krieg watched the scene with disdain.

In his eyes, pirates were ruthless predators by nature, and so-called feelings were nothing but an eyesore and a burden.

At a life-or-death moment like this, it was utterly ridiculous to let such things sway them.

Red-Leg Zeff? He was nothing but a crippled good-for-nothing!

"Keep firing everything you've got! Sink them for good!" Don Krieg said viciously.

But just as another volley of cannonballs was about to be fired to destroy the Baratie Sea Restaurant once and for all, a black-and-red afterimage suddenly tore through space and came hurtling toward them!

"Cursed Technique Reversal: Red!"