For Justice!

Syrup Island, southern sea.

"BOOM!!!"

The sudden explosion jolted everyone in the Black Cat Pirates awake, making them think they were under attack by the Marines!

When the pirates rushed onto the deck, they saw that the flames were coming from the island in the distance, leaving them momentarily dumbfounded.

"What's going on?"

"Find Captain Kuro!"

"Captain Kuro isn't in his room!"

As usual, when in doubt, find the captain.

When the pirates realized Captain Kuro wasn't on the ship, and the distant island was ablaze with light and constant explosions, it was clear that a fierce battle was underway.

They had a bad feeling about this.

"Captain Kuro is in danger!"

Although the pirates' average IQ was close to zero, they could still piece together the truth of the situation.

Captain Kuro was fighting!

If they lost their captain, the Black Cat Pirates would inevitably fall apart - a common understanding in the Pirate World.

Jango didn't hesitate for a moment and immediately gave the order!

"Quick, bring the ship closer!"

"Aye!"

Syrup Village, southern forest.

"Shadow Strike!"

Right under the noses of all the Marines, Kuro vanished without a trace, and an aura of death instantly enveloped everyone.

"Defensive formation!"

The officers roared, their voices barely concealing their fear. Even though they were prepared, the Marines still had no way to counter Kuro's most terrifying technique.

Until Kuro stopped, all the Marines could do was defend and wait!

"Crack!"

Without warning, a large tree on the left side of the road splintered into pieces!

The next second, five sharp slashes appeared on the surface of a rock on the right!

Roya widened his eyes, trying to track Kuro's movements, but apart from the sudden attacks, he couldn't catch a glimpse of him.

"Shadow Strike" was Kuro's strongest technique, using high-speed movement and cat claws to launch indiscriminate attacks. Its most terrifying aspect was the speed, which was impossible to follow with the naked eye.

But because of the speed, even Kuro himself couldn't react and didn't know what he would hit.

"Aaaah!"

"Help me, save me!"

The screams of the Marines echoed in his ears!

Anyone touched by Kuro's cat claws would either be severely injured and collapse, or, in the worst cases, be brutally dismembered.

Roya gripped his long sword tightly, cold sweat dripping from his forehead. Facing death for the first time made his body tremble.

A figure stood in front of him.

"Don't be afraid, Roya."

Colonel Rhodes stood before Roya, using his body as a shield. His not-so-broad back gave Roya more reassurance than anything else could have.

Roya's heart was shaken. The fear that had gripped his heart gradually subsided, his body stopped trembling, and his breathing returned to normal.

Even if Kuro's blade could strike at any moment, he couldn't lose his composure. If he panicked and retreated, he would only put himself in greater danger.

Observe calmly and wait for an opportunity!

As terrifying as "Shadow Strike" was, it had one major flaw: continuous high-speed movement and attacks consumed a great deal of stamina and couldn't last long.

The moment Kuro stopped would be the Marines' chance to strike back!

One second, two seconds…

Time seemed to stretch out at that moment, each second feeling incredibly long.

"Clang!"

Suddenly, Colonel Rhodes raised his sword to block in front of him, sparks flying from the blade. At the same time, several bloody gashes appeared on his side!

He blocked it, but not completely!

"Colonel Rhodes!"

"I'm fine, maintain the formation!"

Colonel Rhodes clutched his bloodied waist, his eyes unwavering. Having been a Marine for over twenty years, he had faced more than a dozen life-or-death situations. This injury wasn't enough to make him back down.

"Fullbody!"

"Understood!"

Roya roared, standing guard to Colonel Rhodes's left. Fullbody also suppressed his fear and quickly moved to Colonel Rhodes's right, protecting him in the center.

Colonel Rhodes was the pillar and soul of the 153rd Branch. If the Colonel fell, morale would inevitably be affected, and they would likely collapse as quickly as pirates who had lost their captain.

Then everything would be over!

Roya's face was strained.

Even if he died here, he couldn't retreat a step. He came here not to be a burden.

30 seconds!

The slashes stopped!

The next moment, Kuro suddenly appeared on the right side of the battlefield, gasping for breath. Already seriously injured, using "Shadow Strike" had put a great strain on his body.

When he saw the results of "Shadow Strike," he couldn't help but be stunned!

The Marines' casualties were much lighter than he had expected - no, they were completely beyond his expectations!

"Shields?"

Kuro instantly realized the reason.

Each Marine on the innermost side was holding a huge wooden shield, forming a shield wall that firmly protected the Marines inside. The surface of the shields was also covered with a layer of iron.

The shield wall limited the carnage of "Shadow Strike"!

The Marines had even found a way to counter his ultimate technique.

Kuro felt a long-lost sense of fear. Everything was deviating from his expectations, leaving him at a loss.

Could he really die here?!

The officers raised their swords and roared!

"Assault team, attack!"

"For justice!"

"Ooooh!"

The Marines abandoned their shields and charged forward, roaring.

"For justice!"

Roya's eyes were also bloodshot as he charged at the very front. As he closed the distance with Kuro, he stomped hard on the ground and leaped into the air, wielding his long sword with both hands and bringing it down with all his might!

"Clang!"

The blade struck Kuro's cat claws with a heavy blow!

The powerful impact caused Kuro to stagger backward uncontrollably. Before he could regain his balance, the other Marines swarmed him!

There was nowhere to escape!

"Silent Step!"

Kuro moved his feet rapidly, dodging the Marines' attacks in a flurry. In his severely injured and exhausted state, he could no longer use "Shadow Strike", and the excessive blood loss made him feel dizzy.

If he couldn't change the situation, he would surely die!

"How can I die here! How can I die at the hands of the Marines!"

Kuro's eyes were bloodshot as he struggled desperately. However, the increasing injuries on his body made his movements weaker and weaker.

The Marines were like madmen, completely unafraid of death. Every time one fell, a dozen more would charge up to fight.

The fear of death gradually took over Kuro's heart.

"There's still hope!"

Kuro raised his cat claws and blocked another Marine's full-force swing. For the first time, he placed his hope in others.

He still had his men. Those fools must have noticed the battle here. As long as he held out until they arrived, he would have a chance to survive!

Suddenly, shouts of battle grew closer!

"Men, kill the Marines!"

"Protect Captain Kuro!"

"Charge!"

Dozens of brutal pirates charged from the coast!

However, the Marines couldn't care less about the pirates appearing from behind. As long as they could kill Kuro, the 153rd Branch would win this war.

To achieve the current situation, the 153rd Branch had risked everything.

"Bang!"

A brilliant firework suddenly exploded in the sky!

Jango, charging at the very front of the pirates, suddenly froze in place when he saw the brilliant firework in the sky.

Everything that happened on Glass Bead Island flashed through his mind.

"So that's how it is!"

He had betrayed Captain Kuro!

Seeing Captain Kuro surrounded by Marines, unable to fight back, Jango knew he had to make a choice.

Should he defect to the Marines and gain freedom, or save Captain Kuro!

"Black Cat Pirates!"

Jango turned around and took out his hypnotizing pendulum.

The pirates stopped immediately, staring intently at the pendulum. They knew that the Vice Captain was going to strengthen them.

Facing so many Marines, they had to become stronger.

Jango swung the pendulum.

"The enemies are very strong, so you must become even stronger!"

"Stare at this pendulum. When I say 'One, two, Jango,' you will forget everything, become stronger and stronger, and only have killing the enemy in your minds!"

"And one more thing to remember, your goal is to kill Captain Kuro!"

The pirates were stunned. Did they just hear that right?

"One, two, Jango!"

The pendulum was imprinted in the pupils of all the pirates.

The next moment, the pirates roared as their muscles swelled, and endless power surged out of them. Their brains, however, completely lost the ability to think.

"Aoooh!"

"Kill Captain Kuro!"