CHAPTER 262- The Blade That Parts the Sea

"If you're planning to wait for the Navy to rescue you... that's harder than climbing to the moon."

"This kingdom of Dressrosa will ultimately belong to the Donquixote Family!"

Dressed in a crimson cape, Diamante let out a savage laugh.

In the next instant, his figure vanished like a phantom, reappearing directly before the brave Rebecca.

The longsword in his hand thrust forward like a venomous snake.

Relying on his Paramecia-type Flutter-Flutter Fruit, Diamante could switch any object between fluttering and solid states at will.

Rebecca's expression changed drastically. Her sword spun in a blur as she prepared to unleash her Water Dance Sword Style, aiming to deflect the incoming strike.

But the moment her blade touched Diamante's, the enemy's sword suddenly shifted into a fluttering state. Like a lashing serpent tongue, it slipped through her defense and darted toward her brow.

Rebecca's face went pale.

Bang!

A figure stepped in just in time—Kyros, slamming his blade into Diamante's with a loud clash.

Sparks flew as Kyros parried the soft sword, knocking it aside.

Without hesitation, Kyros used the momentum to crash straight into Diamante.

Boom!

Diamante was sent hurtling backward, flipping through the air before landing atop the pirate ship that had been pursuing them. Grinning maniacally, he spat:

"Kyros, still as stubborn as ever. But this time, there's no escape. I let you live once. I won't make that mistake again."

As the strongest gladiator of Dressrosa, Diamante had fought Kyros more than once.

Kyros stood tall on the deck, his face grave, balanced on a single leg.

"Rebecca... you've grown up. It's time for you to take up the burden of protecting your family. This time, our enemy can only be defeated... at the cost of life!"

"I'll board their ship and buy you time."

"Move out!"

With a roar, Kyros tensed his single leg, muscles bulging, preparing to charge.

But before he could move—Rebecca grabbed his arm.

"Father! The Navy... the Navy is here! If we just hold out, we'll be saved!"

Her voice trembled with joy.

Kyros and the others froze in disbelief.

They knew all too well what had been happening across the seas.

Since the formation of the Four Emperors Alliance and the 500-mile expansion of Totto Land's domain…

Even Dressrosa had become a forbidden zone to the Navy.

Setting foot here didn't just mean certain death—it meant all-out war.

Kyros never believed the Navy would come. He only mentioned them to keep morale up.

Yet now—a Navy ship had appeared out of nowhere.

Was it a mistake? A lost patrol?

Or... was it someone bold enough to risk total war with the Four Emperors?

"Navy ships?"

Diamante's eyes also locked on the distant vessel, its Justice flag fluttering in the wind.

He sneered. "Chased by those bastards half my life... but now, I finally get to stand tall. Way better than when I was a Shichibukai."

"Judging by its size, probably just a rear admiral's ship. Hah! Coming into these waters? I'll wipe them out to shatter your last bit of hope!"

"Turn the ship! We're going to ram them!"

His cruel voice echoed over the sea.

The pirates roared in laughter, raising the sails and steering straight toward the incoming ship.

From ten thousand meters away, the gap quickly closed.

In moments, only two or three thousand remained.

"Violet! Use the transponder snail! Warn the Navy to flee!" Kyros shouted in panic. "He has a 99 million bounty! You need to risk your life just to stand a chance against him!"

Kyros had no clue why a Navy ship would risk entering these waters—but their only hope was to fight together.

Yet Violet didn't move.

Thanks to her Glimpse-Glimpse Fruit, she had already seen who was standing on the bow of that warship.

That man…

He was the one whose mere presence had once overthrown the kingdom of Dressrosa.

"Sister's husband! We're saved! This time, the Navy sent someone extraordinary!" Violet's voice was almost hysterical.

"No... more than that," she said, voice trembling. "With the Four Emperors Alliance's new laws, only he would dare step into these forbidden waters."

Kyros and Rebecca froze.

One image burst into their minds—the day Doflamingo was effortlessly defeated with a single blow.

That figure, etched into their memories, surfaced once again.

"Diamante, get back here!!"

From a nearby Big Mom Pirates vessel, a massive figure bellowed in rage.

Snag's furious voice thundered across the sea.

Diamante hesitated—but then caught sight of the incoming mid-sized warship.

He laughed. "Relax, Snag. I won't steal all the credit!"

"Navy—DIE!"

Cackling madly, Diamante leapt straight toward the warship, determined to seize glory for their young master.

But he had barely launched a few meters—

When the waves parted, revealing the figure standing calmly at the bow.

Left hand holding a gourd of wine. Right hand holding a fishing rod-like blade.

Slim. Silent.

Like the embodiment of death itself.

"You…"

Diamante's face went ghostly pale.

His pupils shrank in horror.

A Marine Admiral, on a Rear Admiral's warship!?

That's not fair!

No… this was a death sentence disguised as an opportunity.

Standing atop the deck, Luoyu took a sip from his crude liquor bottle and stared down at the airborne pirate.

"I was just wondering how a Supreme Grade Swordmaster is forged… Didn't expect someone to offer themselves up."

"Alright then. Let's start with you."

His voice was soft. Lazy. Carried away by the wind.

Diamante screamed, panic overtaking pride.

"No—wait—I'm a—!"

BZZZZT!

A piercing hum rang out.

From Luoyu's fishing-rod-shaped blade surged a pitch-black wave of Haki—thick, suffocating.

No flourish. No wasted motion.

He brought the blade down in a single effortless slash.

A hundred-meter-long arc of darkness tore across the sea—cleanly slicing the ocean in two.

Diamante, still mid-air, had hoped to say a few words, to buy time, to survive.

But as the massive slash filled his vision—

There was no room for talk.

This bet… was far too big.