Chapter 111: Battle Against the Navy Admiral

Cherry blossoms fluttered like rain, drifting between the two figures.

In just a few seconds.

The stunned expressions on Akainu and Xiano's faces quickly faded.

Both of them narrowed their eyes slightly at the same time.

...

North Island, dock.

Dalmatian was puffing on a cigar, urging the marines to board the ship when the Den Den Mushi in his pocket suddenly started ringing with a "Bruru Bruru" sound.

"Hello?"

Listening to the orders coming from the other end of the line, Dalmatian's expression changed abruptly: "Yes! Mr. Sakazuki, we will definitely complete the mission!"

As soon as he hung up.

Another Vice Admiral, Bumaya, hurried over, full of anticipation: "What's going on? What's going on?"

"The Blade Swordsman Xiano and his crew are currently on South Island."

Dalmatian turned his head, his gaze fierce, "Mr. Sakazuki is already engaged in battle with that Xiano, and he should be able to capture him soon. We don't need to get involved."

"Our target is to capture all the remaining members of the Falling Stars Adventure Pirates. We need to move fast, and not let a single one escape!"

"Oh oh oh!!!"

Bumaya suddenly raised her arms, letting out an almost manic cheer. Her beautiful face twisted with excitement as her tongue licked her crimson lips:

"Fantastic! Long live Mr. Sakazuki, finally, we get to fight!"

She turned around abruptly, like a little girl who had just received candy, and rushed excitedly toward the deck.

"..."

Dalmatian glanced at her back and shook his head.

He wasn't very familiar with this colleague, but he had heard that she was a capricious and crazy woman who idolized Admiral Akainu and took pleasure in tormenting pirates. Her Devil Fruit ability was also quite bizarre.

If it weren't for the fact that they happened to be on the same mission this time, he wouldn't have gotten too close to her under normal circumstances.

Right now, the important thing was to focus on the task at hand.

He suppressed his distracting thoughts, turned his head, and barked out orders:

"Attention all! Marines who haven't boarded the ship, stop boarding now! Leave one warship here on standby. All other warships, set sail immediately and change course! Block the coastline near the South Island dock. If you spot any suspicious figures, surround them at once!"

"Yes, Vice Admiral!"

The surrounding marines responded with a resounding shout.

...

South Island, a cherry blossom grove.

"Brother?"

Nami looked puzzled at the Den Den Mushi in her hand, "Huh? That's strange, why did it suddenly go silent?"

"Let's go, Nami!"

Xiano's low voice came through, "Navy Admiral Akainu is on this island, and he's currently confronting me. His subordinates are also heading to South Island to hunt you all down."

"There's no time to waste. Tell everyone to evacuate immediately!"

Navy Admiral Akainu?!

Nami was stunned, and the others also turned pale, exchanging glances with each other.

"Hey, everyone can hear me, right?"

Xiano's voice came through again, filled with an unshakable resolve, "Make it clear to Nami. Don't even think about coming to support me. That would only get us all killed!"

"Only when you're safe can I focus on escaping, understand?!"

Click!

The Den Den Mushi was hung up, leaving only silence.

"Let's go!"

Smoker was the first to react, looking in a certain direction and growling through clenched teeth, "There are indeed several warships heading this way. We need to move now. This is no time to hesitate!"

"But my brother is still..." Nami was frantic, about to say something, but Zeff grabbed her.

"Don't be foolish, Nami!"

The old chef rarely raised his voice, but now he scolded sharply, "Didn't you understand what your brother said? That level of battle is not something we can assist with. If the Captain dares to say so, he must be confident in escaping!"

"Our safe retreat is the best help we can offer. Staying here will only burden him!"

"Exactly!" Nojiko also grasped her wrist, her voice firm. "Nami, trust your brother. He never does anything he's not sure of."

"But..." Nami turned her head to look in the direction of the stone bridge, still unwilling to give up.

Thud!

A precise chop landed on the back of her neck, and Nami's eyes rolled back as she collapsed limply.

Kuina retracted her hand, expressionless as she picked Nami up. "Sorry, but in this situation, there's no time to reason with a child."

"Let's go, everyone!"

She hoisted Nami onto her shoulder, took one last deep look to the north, and then sprinted toward the southern island's dock.

The rest of the crew quickly followed.

...

By the natural stone bridge.

Akainu and Xiano simultaneously put away their Den Den Mushi, their gazes locking once again.

"Did you notify your subordinates while I was informing my comrades?" Akainu spoke calmly. "Quite the loyal one, aren't you, kid? But... trying to hold me back alone to cover their retreat? Isn't that a bit..."

"—Too naive!"

Whoosh!

Before he could finish, Akainu suddenly launched an attack without warning.

In almost an instant, he vanished from the opposite bank, and the second half of his sentence rang out from above Xiano's head.

His right hand had already swollen into a massive magma fist, roaring down with terrifying force!

Boom!!!

The magma fist tore through the air, the intense heat instantly vaporizing the cherry blossoms drifting in the wind, turning them into a rain of fire.

Such terrifying speed!

Xiano's pupils contracted sharply, his back tensed, and he swiftly sidestepped. The molten rock grazed his cheek, exploding into a massive crater where he had just stood.

"Old man," he steadied himself, looking at Akainu who had landed opposite him, and grinned. "If you start a conversation, at least finish it before attacking. Sneak attacks don't exactly uphold the dignity of a Navy Admiral, do they?"

"Dignity? That word doesn't exist in my dictionary. The Navy captures Pirates—since when do we need to follow rules?" Akainu's expression remained cold, and this time he raised his left arm as well. The magma in both arms churned violently. "You dodged that pretty fast, but... how many times can you dodge?"

"Magma Blast Meteor!"

In an instant.

Akainu's fists transformed into countless magma cannonballs, crashing down like a meteor shower.

The ground beneath Xiano's feet cracked and crumbled. He leaped forward, his agility in the Paper Drawing Martial Body form fully unleashed!

Boom! Boom! Boom!—

The magma cannonballs slammed into the ground, each explosion sending up waves of fire dozens of meters high. The surrounding cherry blossom forest was instantly twisted and melted by the terrifying heat, turning into scorched earth.

Xiano's figure darted like a ghost through the rain of magma, explosions roaring past his ears.

Akainu's attacks grew fiercer and more relentless, the magma surging like a tsunami, engulfing everything in its path. Yet, Xiano managed to evade every single magma cannonball!

His mastery of Shave and Moon Walk was on full display, reaching the pinnacle of perfection.

Hmm?

Did he really dodge all of them?

Akainu's brow twitched slightly, momentarily surprised.

In terms of mastery of the Six Styles, this black-haired kid's level was even close to his and Aokiji's, surpassing Kizaru.

But—

Akainu shook his head slightly.

This is where it ends!

"Here."

A red light flashed in his eyes, and his Observation Haki precisely predicted Xiano's landing point. His figure flickered, and his right fist slammed out with full force!

"Magma Fist!"

The attack was as fast as lightning, appearing in front of Xiano in an instant.

Xiano had no way to dodge. He crossed his arms in front of him, instantly pushing Iron Body and Armament Haki to their maximum intensity!

Boom!!!

After only a few seconds, the Haki began to crumble. The terrifying impact force directly blasted him hundreds of meters away, crashing through several rock walls like a cannonball before he finally came to a stop.

"Cough…"

Xiano clutched his slightly numb wrist and slowly stood up from the rubble of the rock wall.

The clothing on his arms had already been burned through by the magma. Although the exposed skin was charred, it hadn't reached the deeper layers, and the surface was healing at a visible rate.

"…" Akainu narrowed his eyes.

That "Magma Fist" just now, though seemingly plain, was one of his close-combat techniques.

Its penetrating power was strong enough to instantly blow off the heads of some famous Pirates in the New World.

Yet, the other party had blocked it with his arms, suffering only superficial injuries.

He was just an ordinary person with no Devil Fruit abilities or special Bloodline, yet his physical strength was comparable to those thick-skinned guys from the Beast Pirates.

It was simply unbelievable…

How did he do it?!

"Hey."

Xiano's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Is that all you've got?"

Akainu expressionlessly looked up.

The black-haired youth opposite him casually wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, twisted his neck, producing a series of cracking sounds, and then grinned at him:

"Then my counterattack is about to begin!"

Boom!

As soon as the words fell, the ground beneath his feet suddenly exploded, and he shot out like a black lightning bolt, instantly closing in on Akainu!

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Their fists collided, the entwined Armament Haki rippling layer by layer. A terrifying invisible shockwave instantly radiated in all directions, centered on his fist!

"Six Styles Ultimate·Yamabuki-Colored Ripple Dash!!!"

——————

Southern Island, the southernmost tip.

"Hurry, move faster!"

Smoker urged in a low voice. The group, taking cover in the cherry blossom forest, quickly moved towards the coast.

Zeff and Smoker led the way, followed by Kuina, who was carrying the unconscious Nami, with Nojiko close behind.

Agin ran on the flank, with Mochi sitting on his head, constantly scanning the surroundings to guard against a sudden attack by the Marines.

They passed through the entire Southern Island without incident.

However.

When they broke through the last cherry blossom forest and saw the coast right in front of them—

The scene before them made everyone stop in their tracks, their faces darkening—

Damn it, they were still too late!

The dock was completely sealed off!

Three Marine warships were arranged in an arc, their cannons ominously aimed at the shore. Over two thousand fully armed Marines were already in position, waiting.

And in the center of the dock, two tall figures cloaked in white Justice coats were coldly watching them.

"So you've come after all…"

Vice Admiral Dalmatian puffed on his cigar and spoke calmly.

He had just arrived here with his team.

Fortunately, he had decisively ordered the marines who hadn't boarded the ship to stay behind and set off immediately. Otherwise, this group of pirates might have really escaped.

It had been a long time since he had faced a decent opponent. He hoped these pirates wouldn't disappoint him.

Beside Dalmatian, Vice Admiral Bumaya licked her lips with a grin.

"So, there are only these few people, huh? Hey, Dalmatian, how about leaving those two male pirates to me? I love hearing men scream…"

As she spoke, her entire right arm had somehow transformed into a thick metal syringe, its needle gleaming coldly.

A Paramecia-type Devil Fruit user: the Syringe-Syringe Fruit.

Over the years, countless enemies had screamed and wailed under her needle, wishing for death rather than enduring the torment.

And now, it seemed there were a few more excellent test subjects.

...

"Tch, troublesome!" Smoker frowned and looked at Kuina. "We'll stay behind to cover. You carry Nami and rush onto the ship. Once she's settled, start the ship, and we'll fight our way out while retreating."

"What nonsense are you spouting?"

Kuina glanced at him as if he were an idiot.

"The dock is surrounded like an iron fortress. Do you really think you can sail the ship away without defeating these guys? Besides, Nami is also a fighter at a time like this. How can we waste her?"

As she spoke, she grabbed Nami and shook her vigorously.

The earlier chop hadn't been very forceful, so Nami's unconsciousness was shallow. After a few shakes, she slowly woke up.

Huh?

Nami looked around in confusion, still not fully aware of the situation. Kuina patted her shoulder and said in a serious tone,

"Same as before, those small fries are yours, Nami!"

"Oh, okay…"

Though still groggy and not entirely clear on what was happening, Nami nodded instinctively.

"There are also two rear admirals… While the top-tier forces are more impressive than Vice Admiral Onigumo's guard, the mid-tier fighters seem weaker. Or maybe they've left some behind to guard the northern island."

Kuina scanned the surrounding encirclement and continued to assign tasks methodically.

"Agin, these guys are yours. This time, you'll have to go all out. No problem, right?!"

"Awooo—!"

Agin let out a resounding roar without hesitation.

Mochi, eager to join the fight, was stuffed into Kuina's waist pouch by her, and the zipper was pulled shut.

"As for those two vice admirals…"

Kuina turned to Smoker. "Smoker, do you know them? Which one's stronger?"

"...Where did this sudden vice-captain demeanor come from?" Smoker looked at her, puzzled.

"Is this the time for nonsense?!"

"I don't know the woman. She's probably a recently promoted vice admiral."

Smoker shook his head slightly. "But that Dalmatian guy is strong, with deep experience. Compared to Onigumo, they're about evenly matched."

"Got it."

Kuina gently pushed the tsuba with her thumb and slowly drew Wado Ichimonji.

"In that case, Dalmatian is mine. Nojiko, you support me and keep him occupied. As for the female vice admiral, Smoker and Zeff will handle her!"

"No problem."

Zeff grinned.

The rear admiral he fought in Loguetown last time was too weak. He had quickly been kicked into a disadvantage, and it hadn't been satisfying at all.

This time, it might be worth a try to see just how much stronger a newly promoted Vice Admiral of the headquarters really is.

"Don't worry, leave it to me!" Nojiko also put on her Mithril Gloves, clashing her fists together with a heavy thud, her eyes burning with fighting spirit.

Since there was no way to avoid it, they had to carve a path through...

So they would fight with all their might!

After more than a month of rigorous training.

Compared to the time in Loguetown, everyone had mastered Armament Haki, and their strength had risen significantly.

Now, wasn't this the perfect time to test their progress!!!

"Anyway, don't get too caught up in the fight. Breaking through is our top priority."

Kuina took a deep breath and issued the final order in a calm voice:

"We must break through the encirclement as quickly as possible and get away from this island. Only then can the Captain escape without any worries. Did everyone hear that clearly?"

"Understood!"

The surrounding crowd responded in unison.

"Let's go!"

With a clear shout, Kuina charged forward first, and the gunners, who had long been prepared, fired simultaneously as Dalmatian lightly waved his arm!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Dozens of heavy cannons fired in unison, orange flames flashing as dark cannonballs poured down like a torrential rain, instantly enveloping the entire coastline in smoke.

"Kuo Yan!"

Wado Ichimonji drew a bright arc, and a massive sword energy roared out, actually intercepting all the cannonballs and cutting them in half.

"Well done!"

Smoker growled, his body suddenly turning into smoke, like a giant white serpent, he weaved through the Marine formation and charged toward the female Vice Admiral, "Now it's my turn!"

"Stop him!" a Marine Captain roared, drawing his sword, but the next second—

"Shave!"

Smoker's figure suddenly appeared in front of him, and his Armament Haki-covered jutte smashed down!

Crack!

The blade shattered, and the Captain spat blood as he was sent flying, crashing into a whole row of soldiers, directly knocking him unconscious.

"Even though we're both Captains of the headquarters, it seems our strength isn't on the same level at all."

Smoker glanced at him sideways, biting his cigar and exhaling a puff of smoke.