Chapter 169

### Chapter 169: Chapter 169

Akainu approached Kizaru, his expression as stern as ever.

"Why are you here?" he demanded.

Kizaru tilted his head slightly, a small smile playing on his lips. "Oh~ but it's not just me who's here..."

**Boom!**

A massive shockwave, shaped like a bear's paw, erupted across the battlefield. Countless pirates were sent flying, blood pouring from their eyes, ears, noses, and mouths as they collapsed, lifeless.

Standing at the center of the devastation, Bartholomew Kuma maintained his palm-forward stance, his unreadable gaze shifting toward Momonga and the others—locked in a desperate battle with Douglas Bullet.

The situation for the Vice Admirals was grim. Onigumo and Dalmatian had already fallen, their fates uncertain.

Bullet, wielding the power of the **Clank-Clank Fruit**, had fused his **Armament Haki** with his devil fruit ability, transforming into a monstrous, **devil form**. In this state, he was a living, breathing Tyrannosaurus Rex of destruction. Momonga and the others barely managed to hold their ground, their defenses crumbling under his relentless onslaught.

Of them all, **Onigumo** looked the most desperate. Seven of his eight swords had been shattered, leaving him clutching a single, chipped blade that had cracked when he tried to slice Bullet's back.

But before Bullet could land the finishing blow, Kuma suddenly **appeared in front of him.**

Bullet's instincts screamed at him, but before he could react—

**Smack!**

A massive paw struck Bullet across the face.

His Haki prevented him from being sent flying across the battlefield, but the impact was undeniable. A thunderous **snap** echoed across the war-torn field as Bullet spun several times before regaining his stance.

Momonga and the surviving Marines, who had been moments away from death, felt a surge of relief. Their bodies bore the bruises and welts of Bullet's brutal fists, but for the first time in what felt like an eternity, they had a moment to breathe.

But Bullet, rather than growling in anger, simply grinned.

"Good. Finally, a real opponent!"

Kuma's expression remained unreadable. He simply raised his massive hands, the soft pads of his **Paw-Paw Fruit** glowing faintly.

Bullet chuckled darkly. "Bartholomew Kuma… I know you. That fruit of yours is a real oddity."

Kuma ignored the taunts. Instead, he **vanished**—and in the next instant, reappeared above Bullet, his palm swinging down in a devastating arc.

But Bullet was ready. **Seven black blades**—stolen from Onigumo—extended from his back, intercepting Kuma's attack.

Kuma pulled back instantly, his large frame moving with surprising agility. Bullet, not one to let an opportunity slip by, retracted the blades into his fists and lunged, aiming both fists directly at Kuma's chest.

**Clang!**

Kuma raised his paws just in time to block, but Bullet's speed was overwhelming. His bladed fists pierced into Kuma's flesh, drawing deep, dark red blood.

Kuma gritted his teeth and retaliated with a powerful swipe, forcing Bullet back. Then, in a swift motion, he struck his own chest, releasing a **red bubble** from his body.

Bullet frowned, his instincts warning him.

And then—**whoosh!**

Dozens of bear-paw-shaped air bubbles shot toward Bullet at high speed.

Bullet smashed through them with his **iron-like fists**, the compressed air bursts shattering against his body. But among them, a single **red bubble** quietly merged into Bullet's skin.

At first, Bullet felt nothing.

Then his chest **seized with pain.**

Momonga and the surviving Marines seized the opportunity. They leaped forward, swords flashing as they aimed for Bullet's head and chest.

But Bullet… simply **laughed.**

His **skin darkened**, taking on a **metallic purple hue**. Momonga's sword struck, only to **shatter on impact.**

"Impossible!" Momonga gasped, wide-eyed in disbelief. Before he could react, Bullet **swatted him aside** with a flick of his wrist.

Momonga's body was sent flying, only to be caught midair by Kuma. The remaining Marines tried to regroup, but they were completely **outmatched**.

Bullet, now in a **full battle frenzy**, grabbed the unconscious **Onigumo** by the hair, lifting him off the ground. Dalmatian lay beside him, barely clinging to consciousness.

With the Vice Admirals down, Bullet turned his attention back to Kuma.

Kuma braced himself, using his **palm-pads** to deflect the incoming **flurry of fists**, but even his abilities had limits. Bullet's relentless attacks **pushed him back**, the sheer **force of the blows cracking the ground beneath them.**

And then, as if Bullet's monstrous strength wasn't enough—

**Clank! Clank! Clank!**

He **absorbed** weapons from the fallen Marines, fusing them into his body, his form growing even **larger and more armored**.

Now, he **towered** over Kuma like a steel **colossus.**

Momonga, struggling to move, could only **watch helplessly**. The battlefield had become a slaughterhouse.

Elsewhere, the Navy's forces were **spread too thin**. Each soldier was locked in battle, barely holding their own.

The **Whitebeard Pirates**—led by their elite commanders—were **dominating.**

**Lucia**, bruised and bloodied, was locked in combat against **Jozu and Thatch**, her movements growing sluggish.

**Ginny and Gion**, backs pressed against each other, were completely **surrounded** by Whitebeard's swordsmen, led by **Vista**.

Gion's **arm dripped with blood**, her pristine white sleeve stained deep crimson.

Ginny, glancing at her wounded comrade, clenched her fists. Guilt swirled in her chest.

Gion, despite her injury, forced a **smile**.

"Don't worry, Ginny. This injury… is nothing," she reassured, though her **trembling** fingers told a different story.

But the pirates didn't give them time to recover. **The attack came again.**

**Carl**, watching from a distance, saw Ginny and Gion in **grave danger.**

His instincts screamed at him to **rush to their aid**—but he couldn't.

Because standing in his way was **Whitebeard himself.**

The Pirate King's shadow loomed **over the battlefield**, an immovable **force of nature.**

Carl clenched his fists.

He needed someone to hold Whitebeard back—just for a moment.

Just long enough… for his allies to survive.

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**+115 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg**