Chapter 25

In the waters near the Island of Amazon Lily, aboard the ships of Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel from the headquarters of the Marine Guard, a tense silence reigned. The decks were littered with stone statues of marines, frozen in silent anticipation.

Time dragged on endlessly, and Flying Squirrel's impatience grew with every passing minute. He had summoned the Seven Warlords not just for a routine mission, but to increase the chances of destroying Whitebeard's pirates.

Most of the Seven Warlords could match the strength an emperors strongest subordinate . Even Hawk Mihawk alone, a renowned swordsman, was capable of fighting Shanks, one of the Four Emperors. His true strength remained a mystery to the World Government.

The presence of the Seven Warlords in the war—even without their full mobilization—was a significant factor. Moreover, two of them were incarcerated in the deep-sea prison for different reasons.

Only six Warlords remained. According to the World Government's policy, only five were to participate in the war. Such a situation would deal a serious blow to the morale and prestige of the Marines.

Suddenly, a marine entered the room and reported:

"Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel, the ship of the Kuja Pirates is heading our way, their intentions unknown."

At the mention of the Pirate's arrival, the Vice Admiral sprang up immediately. The Snake Queen had finally arrived.

He had waited so long that the days seemed like years. He couldn't fulfill the mission; all his officers had turned into stone statues. If news of this reached headquarters, his colleagues would ridicule him. Even if the World Government would eventually destroy the Island of Amazon Lily, the stain on his reputation would remain forever.

The red pirate ship of the Kuja Pirates was pulled alongside the naval vessel by two massive snakes. Hancock, dressed in a white cloak and a long red dress, stepped onto the deck like a heroine out of a legend. "Marine, I agree to participate as one of the Seven Warlords. Before we set out, I want to meet with the one who ignited this war, Fire Fist Ace."

"Queen of the Nine Snakes, I'm glad you agreed. We need to report this to headquarters."

With Hancock's ability lifted, all the marines under Flying Squirrel's command returned to normal. He sighed in relief. But before they could go to Ace, Marshal Sengoku needed to give his consent.

Flying Squirrel wasn't afraid that Boa Hancock would try to break into the prison. According to the World Government's intelligence, there were no contacts between Boa Hancock and Whitebeard's pirates. Moreover, even a single Warlord wouldn't be able to free a prisoner from Impel Down. The only exception was the Golden Lion, who escaped from prison, losing two legs in the process. Impel Down, impenetrable for many centuries, was a guarantee of the World Government's confidence.

Times were changing, and the high-ranking officers of the Marinea didn't notice it. During the war, the majority of the Marine's forces were mobilized at Marineford headquarters and couldn't ensure the protection of Impel Down.

One of the two pillars of Impel Down, prison warden Shiryu, was imprisoned by Magellan for killing too many prisoners. They had almost become enemies.

When the war broke out, the defense of Impel Down was weaker than in a hundred years. Even with Magellan and the director of Impel Down on guard, it was vulnerable enough to draw the attention of those who were interested in it.

Flying Squirrel put down the phone. Marshal Sengoku approved the request of the Snake Queen. "Pirate Queen, the marshal has given permission for your request. Board the ship. We need four days to reach the ocean current and enter Impel Down through the Gates of Justice."

"Thank you, Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel, you have satisfied my curiosity."

Hancock boarded the naval ship alone, with Luffy following her unnoticed. As they passed by Flying Squirrel, Sal, who was hiding on the Kuja Pirates ' ship, felt slightly nervous.

If Flying Squirrel discovered Luffy, it would be a major issue. They might even have to silence him for good. Fortunately, the Marines headquarters' vice admiral, as anticipated, did not have an advanced level of Observation Haki.

Seeing the naval ships leaving the area, Sal and the others also started to set sail.

"Sandersonia, give me a lift."

"Alright, Sal... no, now it's brother-in-law... b-b-brother-in-law."

Sandersonia found it challenging to call someone her brother-in-law.

Sal was also embarrassed by such a term, so he said indifferently, "Don't worry about it, just call me Sal. We're friends, after all."

The Nine Snakes pirates also set sail, aiming for the Sabaody Archipelago, which Sal wanted to visit again.

The distance was small, and it was estimated that the journey would take 4-5 days. From the Sabaody Archipelago to the Watch headquarters in Marineford, one could reach in a day via the standard route.

As the ship was preparing to leave the calm belt, a huge black spot appeared at the bottom of the sea. The shadow slowly grew, enveloping the pirate ship. Even the sea snakes, capable of frightening ordinary Sea Kings, were confused.

This sudden change immediately alerted all the pirates, including Sal. The sea level around them rose sharply, and an enormous beast's head emerged from the water, lunging at the two sea snakes, clearly seeing them as prey.

The difference in strength was so great that the sea snakes could not resist. The shadow of death loomed over them.

— Whoosh!

Sal's figure suddenly appeared in front of the beast's head. A dark fist struck the enemy squarely on the head with great force. The beast flew back from the impact of the powerful punch. Its enormous body fell back into the water, stirring waves tens of meters high.

The beast's head emerged from the water again, glaring at Sal malevolently. Despite the previous hit, it wasn't seriously injured but was offended. It decided to take revenge and swallow this human.

Sal took a closer look and realized that this white monster, resembling both a dog and a fish, was a gigantic Sea King. For the Marines and pirates, it was a real nightmare.

Its body was over 4000 meters long, inspiring terror with its very appearance.

With such a length, it made him one of the larger Sea Kings. He even possessed the intelligence of a six-year-old child. Aside from the super-giant Sea Kings dwelling in the ocean depths, he had no natural enemies. With such a massive body, even if a Vice Admiral from headquarters were against him, they would likely struggle to cope.

Sandersonia was shocked to see the Sea King.

— This is a large Sea King. Not just big, but enormous. What should we do? My elder sister isn't here.

The Nine Snakes pirates would encounter a Sea King over 3000 meters long only once a year, but in such cases, the Warlords handled them.

Unexpectedly, on the very first day after departure, they faced such a monster.

Sal waved his hand, urging them not to panic. — Sandersonia, leave this to me. Instruct the ship to keep its distance. I'm afraid this beast will shatter it to pieces.

Sal's body began to emit an aura of Conqueror's haki. When the higher level of Conqueror's Haki spread, the Sea King's pupils dilated, and its muscles tensed instantly.

The Sea King hesitated—doubts arose in its "human" brain. Then it abruptly reverted to its beastly nature. The enormous body lunged into another attack, its bloody maw seeming capable of swallowing the pirate ship whole.

"Are you kidding me? It's rare for one of them to even remember a grudge."

Sal was shocked. Normally, when facing a powerful person with Conqueror's Haki, giant Sea Kings would automatically retreat. After all, humans don't have much meat; it's not worth the risk.

But this monster, standing before him, attacked again despite the advanced level of Conqueror's Haki. It made him wonder how it would fare against the Four Emperors.

Sal drew his long sword and leaped, instantly appearing before the Sea King. He looked into its enormous eyes. The long sword in his hand turned dark red, cloaked in thunder.

"Hero, Sea Splitter!"

Armament Haki doesn't always deal a fatal blow, so only the strongest method would do.

A massive dark red slash cut across the Sea King's head, effortlessly ripping through the tough fish scales, slicing from jaw to tip.

The Sea King couldn't ignore the attack; blood sprayed from the deep wound, and it cried out in agony.

With a flick of its tail, it tried to escape into the sea.

Sal was determined to finish the fight. He had secretly learned Moon Step from Garp in Roger's memories and used it, stepping through the air in pursuit of the Sea King. He swung the dark red slash again.

"Wave Breaker!"

The sounds of battle created waves hundreds of meters high, continually battering the pirate ship a thousand meters away. Soon the sea calmed, and on the surface floated a body that could be compared to an island. The water nearby was stained with blood. Using Observation Haki, Sal realized that another Sea King was approaching from the depths, hundreds of meters away. After all, the carcass of such a giant Sea King would make an excellent meal.

[Creatures of A-rank evoke negative emotions in the host - high level of fear, experience increased by 500 points]

[[Alterations in the fate of intelligent A-rank beings, reward of 500 points]]

Using Moon Step, Sal returned to the Pirates of the Nine Snakes' ship. He didn't expect that killing Sea Kings would yield experience and points. He had tried killing ordinary animals before, but the system didn't issue any notifications.

Perhaps, in the eyes of the system, a Sea King with the intelligence of a six-year-old child is also considered an intelligent being?

However, this Sea King was only rated A-rank. The system underestimates it. This thing is much more difficult to handle than Luffy. If the battle had taken place at sea, it's uncertain who would have won.

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