Chapter 291: The Army Approaches the Border
Chapter 291: The Army Approaches the Border
________
[Battle complete. Gained 350 experience points.]
[Congratulations on your upgrade!]
Aoki's eyes lit up.
"Here it comes!"
"Nature's Spirit" had leveled up, granting him one additional skill point. With the 8 points he already had, he now had 9 free skill points accumulated.
Without hesitation, Aoki immediately invested the points into learning level 4 Armament Haki.
A flood of new information poured into his mind, expanding his understanding of the skill.
Moments later, Aoki raised his palm, and a cherry-colored aura surrounded it, radiating power.
"So this is the pinnacle of Armament Haki," he murmured.
At level 3, Armament Haki allowed for controlled attacks from a distance, bypassing some defenses. Level 4, however, could directly penetrate surface defenses and inflict internal damage. This effectively added a powerful armor-piercing effect.
The transition from level 3 to level 4 didn't drastically enhance raw destructive power, but the internal damage it could cause was significantly amplified.
"Still," Aoki mused, "this alone isn't enough against the real monsters."
He thought of Luffy's struggle against Kaido. Even after mastering Ryuo, Luffy couldn't defeat Kaido. It was only after he mastered Conqueror's Haki entanglement, awakened his devil fruit, and achieved Gear 5 that he could break through Kaido's monstrous defenses.
Big Mom, Charlotte Linlin, posed a similar challenge. Although she wasn't an zoan-type user, her innate physique was extraordinary—her body likened to a steel balloon.
Aoki opened his system panel.
"Nature's Spirit" was now at level 33. Even if he maxed it out, it would only grant him 7 more free skill points.
To reach the maximum level for Observation Haki required 15 points, and for Conqueror's Haki, it demanded 18 points.
"The road ahead is still so long," he muttered.
Fortunately, his foundational attributes were already exceptionally strong. The cumulative effects of his multiple professions had begun to show their worth. In terms of pure physical strength, Aoki was confident he was the strongest in the world, surpassing even Kaido and Big Mom.
His black eyes shifted, locking momentarily with a pair of red eyes nearby.
"Aoki is distracted again," one voice said softly.
"Sister, I want to use the Thunder Fruit's power to transform the doll. Do you think it's feasible?" another voice asked.
The two began chatting among themselves.
Nearby, Esdeath rose from her seat and strode outside.
The area outside was vast and crowded with people, divided into two groups—one large, the other smaller. Some wore distinctive uniforms.
"Is that the Burning Heaven Suit?" Esdeath observed, her eyes narrowing.
Without hesitation, she walked toward the group, but her path was soon blocked by a figure.
"What are you planning to do?" Hancock's voice was cold as she stepped in front of Esdeath.
Esdeath stopped, her gaze fixed on Hancock. "I heard you're the vice-captain of the Burning Heaven Pirates?"
Hancock nodded. "Yes."
A mocking smile tugged at Esdeath's lips. "You lead terribly. You're completely unfit to command. Why not step down and save yourself the embarrassment?"
Though shorter in stature, Esdeath exuded a powerful and imposing presence. Her words, sharp and unyielding, cut through the tension.
Hancock's expression darkened, her tone frosty. "It's not your place to decide that."
Her earlier instincts were correct—she and Esdeath were destined to clash. They were like fire and ice, unable to coexist.
Their argument quickly drew attention, but no one dared to intervene.
The two women stared each other down, their gazes locked in a silent battle.
Neither was fond of arguing. They preferred actions over words, a philosophy they both understood.
In perfect synchronicity, a tremendous pressure began to radiate from both of them. The air grew heavy, and their powerful auras collided fiercely, shaking the ground beneath them.
Boom!
A muffled thunder echoed through the air.
Waves of air surged, and smoke and dust billowed in all directions. Black and red lightning crackled and intertwined between the two figures, a visual manifestation of their intense clash.
Everyone nearby felt an oppressive pressure on their chests, making it difficult to breathe.
Robin exclaimed, "It's Conqueror's Haki!"
Aoki emerged from the building, his gaze falling on the commotion.
"What's going on?"
Robin glanced at him and shook her head slightly. "I'm not sure. They exchanged a few words, and suddenly it escalated into this."
"Oh," Aoki responded, his expression showing more interest than concern as he watched the two women.
Robin raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to stop them?"
Given Aoki's position and strength, he was undoubtedly the best person to mediate the situation.
Aoki shook his head. "They haven't started an actual fight yet. What's there to stop?"
His tone was casual, as if he found the situation amusing. To him, it seemed inevitable.
Two women with such strong personalities were bound to clash. Communication was unlikely to remain calm for long.
Although Hancock was less arrogant than her depiction in the original tale, her growing strength had awakened her naturally domineering and assertive nature. Esdeath, on the other hand, embodied strength and dominance to her very core.
Suddenly, the two women charged at each other simultaneously. Their arms collided with a deafening boom, sending another shockwave rippling outward.
Robin looked at Aoki again. "Now the fight has begun."
Aoki observed for a few seconds before replying, "It's fine. They're not going all out. Consider this a form of communication—no fight, no bond."
Robin sighed and turned her gaze back to the scene. "If you say so."
Aoki shifted his focus to the group of soldiers nearby, all clad in uniforms. "Has the Burning Heaven Suit been distributed?"
Robin responded, "I was about to discuss that with you.
"Previously, the Burning Heaven Suit symbolized power and exclusivity. If we suddenly distribute too many, it could cause unrest and destabilize the Burning Heaven Pirates. But considering the looming battle with the BIGMOM Pirates, the additional strength is urgently needed."
Aoki nodded thoughtfully. "Stick to the plan. The BIGMOM Pirates are just a minor target for us. There's no need to disrupt the entire organization over them."
Managing over 200 people required more than rudimentary methods. Aoki had discussed this issue with Robin the previous night.
Currently, the soldiers of the Burning Heaven Pirates were organized into 10 teams, each with around 20 members. Each captain was equipped with a Burning Sky Suit.
Hancock served as the overall captain, while Alice and Robin held vice-captain roles.
However, Aoki knew this structure wouldn't be sustainable in the long term.
The solution was simple, with plenty of established examples to follow. The Navy's admiral and vice-admiral system, the Beasts Pirates' Flying Six hierarchy, the BIGMOM Pirates' general and cadre setup, and the Whitebeard Pirates' captain model all offered viable frameworks.
The world's top powers all adopted similar structures, so there was no need to reinvent the wheel. Aoki decided to leave it to Robin and the others to decide on a model, sparing himself the effort.
Suddenly, Aoki's expression shifted, his eyes narrowing as he looked toward the horizon.
"They're here."
---
At the same time, a ship flying a skull and crossbones flag slowly approached the island.
Several figures stood on the bow.
"Is this the place?" one asked.
"That's right," another confirmed.
The bearded man among them spoke cautiously. "Stay alert. If you spot any sign of the Burning Heaven Pirates, retreat immediately!"
As they neared the coast, a massive ship came into view.
"That's Lord Perospero's ship!" one of them exclaimed.
"So, the Burning Heaven Pirates really are here!"
The bearded man shook his head calmly. "Not necessarily. They could have already left."
As the ship pressed forward, another vessel came into view.
"I recognize that emblem! It's the ship of the Burning Heaven Pirates!"
The bearded man could no longer contain his excitement. "Great! Notify Lord Katakuri immediately! Hahaha, we've done it this time. After we wipe out the Burning Heaven Pirates, we'll—"
Boom!
Before he could finish, a massive bolt of blue lightning struck down from the sky, directly hitting the pirate ship. Two pirates were turned to charcoal on the spot.
The bearded man's laughter ceased abruptly, his eyes blank as he stared at the charred corpses at his feet.
"What… what's going on?"
"What just happened?"
Panic erupted on the ship.
At that moment, a faint blue light spread out, covering the pirate ship in an eerie glow.
The bearded man sensed something ominous and looked up. His face twisted in terror as he took in the sight above.
The entire sky was covered in a vast sea of blue lightning, crackling and shimmering as though a thunderstorm had been suspended in the air.
Under his desperate gaze, the lightning began to fall.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The bolts rained down like an unrelenting storm, striking the ship in rapid succession.
When the barrage ended and the lightning dissipated, there was no trace of the pirate ship left. Only a few charred pieces of wood floating on the water hinted at the destruction that had just occurred.
---
On the island.
Esdeath and Hancock paused their clash, turning their attention toward the commotion. Others around them also looked surprised.
Although it happened off the island, it was close enough for everyone to hear the dense roar of thunder echoing across the sea.
Since it was daytime, no lightning was visible, but the sound of the strikes was unmistakable.
Robin, standing closest to Aoki, narrowed her eyes.
"Aoki, what just happened?"
Aoki's gaze remained steady. "A group of pirates was approaching. They were likely scouts from the BIGMOM Pirates."
The atmosphere grew tense instantly.
Robin frowned, her voice serious. "Have the enemies arrived? Where are they now?"
Aoki replied calmly, "They're no longer here."
His mastery of natural forces, combined with the Thunder Fruit and Observation Haki, allowed him to launch precise, long-range attacks, much like Enel on Sky Island. However, unlike Enel, Aoki's control was far more advanced, allowing him to cover a wider area with greater precision.
"Gone?" Robin's thoughts turned to the thunder from earlier. "You mean… they're all dead?"
Aoki nodded thoughtfully. "Perhaps I should've left a few alive to return and report their failure."
The presence of scouts confirmed that the BIGMOM Pirates were starting to act, but it also suggested they were uncertain of the Burning Heaven Pirates' exact location.
Esdeath approached, her expression sharp. "Why are we passively waiting for the enemy to attack? Why not take the initiative?"
Her military instincts rebelled against the idea of sitting idle.
"Huh…" Aoki blinked, realizing the logic in her words. They didn't have to wait. If the BIGMOM Pirates were taking their time, they could strike first.
This approach was even better—it gave them control of the battlefield.
Aoki turned to Robin, Hancock, and the others. "Do you know the location of Totland?"
Robin replied confidently, "Of course. No one in these waters doesn't know where Totland is. When we first clashed with the BIGMOM Pirates, we scouted the area near Totland."
Aoki made his decision instantly. "Then let's head straight for Totland, to Cake Island!"
---
Everyone sprang into action.
A massive three-masted sailing ship, anchored along the shore, gently swayed with the waves as the crew prepared to depart.
Aoki and Robin stood at the bow of the ship.
Robin gestured toward the vessel. "We took this ship from another pirate crew and modified it."
Aoki ran his hand along the figurehead, a grin forming. "Looks like this was the focus of your renovations."
The ship's figurehead was a ferocious dragon head with four sharp horns, strikingly similar to Aoki's dragon-man form.
Robin covered her mouth and chuckled. "Yes, we spent millions of berries on it!"
Aoki laughed and shook his head.
Deng, deng, deng.
Alice approached, her hurried steps causing her ample chest to sway, tracing a mesmerizing arc.
"Boss, everything is ready!"
"Then let's go!"
Aoki lowered his hand, and the massive three-masted sailing ship began to move. Slowly lifting off the sea, it soared into the air, breaking through the clouds with speed and elegance.
---
Near Totland Waters.
The atmosphere was thick with tension, the scent of an impending storm hanging heavily in the air.
Ships bearing the BIGMOM Pirates' flag patrolled relentlessly, scanning for any suspicious activity.
As one of the rulers of the New World, the BIGMOM Pirates were now like an enraged lion, baring their claws and fangs at anyone who dared cross their path.
Everyone knew the reason.
Their fleet had been obliterated, several high-ranking officers slain, and the BIGMOM Pirates had suffered unprecedented humiliation.
Now, they sought not only revenge but also to restore their dominance and reputation.
Ordinary people and pirates alike trembled in fear, wary of accidentally provoking the wrath of this furious lion and inviting disaster upon themselves.
---
Deep within Cake Island, inside the palace.
Dong, dong, dong.
Heavy footsteps echoed as a massive figure slowly emerged.
"Well, well, haven't you found the Burning Heaven Pirates yet?"
Charlotte Linlin's voice was filled with rage. She was seething, eager to teach her enemies a lesson they wouldn't forget.
Katakuri shook his head grimly. "Not yet, Mom. We've searched everywhere but found no trace of them."
Charlotte Daifuku gritted his teeth. "They must have run away!"
The eldest daughter, Charlotte Compote, spoke coldly. "Let them hide. Let's see how long they can stay in the shadows. With our intelligence network, we'll find them sooner or later."
One pirate sneered, "Do you really think they'd dare attack Totland?"
Another laughed. "Hahaha, attack Totland? Are they trying to get themselves killed?"
"Totland is under Mom's protection. Even other Pirate Emperors wouldn't dare cause trouble here!"
"I actually hope they do come. It'd make things easier for us!"
At that moment, Katakuri's expression changed drastically.
Beside him, Charlotte Linlin reached out her hand. The bicorne hat on her head flew off, transforming into a massive sword that landed firmly in her grip.
"What's going on?" Daifuku and Compote looked around in confusion.
Boom!
The palace roof shattered as a powerful blue light burst through, cascading down in the form of thick lightning.
Charlotte Linlin's massive frame moved with unexpected agility. Leaping upward, she swung her enormous sword at the lightning.
Bang!
The bolt was cleaved in half, dissipating slowly.
Despite this, Katakuri's face grew even grimmer. He shouted, "Run!"
But before he could finish—
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Countless bolts of lightning descended like a storm of spears, striking everything in their path.
Buildings crumbled, the ground split apart, and pure destruction radiated outward in a brilliant blue light that engulfed the palace.
On Cake Island, the dazzling electric glow replaced the sunlight, becoming the brightest light in the area. But it only brought an icy chill to those who witnessed it.
---
Moments Later.
As the lightning dissipated, the palace deep within Cake Island had vanished, leaving behind only ruins, a deep crater, and a square red stone.
Charlotte Linlin and Katakuri stood in the remnants, their bodies charred and covered in burns.
Nearby, Daifuku, Compote, and others lay motionless on the ground, their fates uncertain.
Charlotte Linlin looked skyward, her eyes blazing with rage and murderous intent.
Crash!
A massive three-masted sailing ship descended slowly from the clouds.
Mist rolled around it, flags fluttering boldly in the wind.