"Captain, look—warships ahead," said Riddle, who had been keeping watch at the bow. After sailing for the better part of the day, they had finally arrived at the location the Power Pirates had mentioned.
"So we've made it. White Silver Pirates, this time we will definitely bring you to justice."
On the island, a stern-faced marine wearing a marine cap and a red suit watched the approaching White Silver Pirates and spoke with solemn gravity.
"Looks like the Power Pirates were captured long ago."
In Shirakawa's line of sight, two warships now flanked the Power Pirates' vessel on either side, and the pirate ship itself appeared completely empty.
They had most likely already been locked up in the warships' brigs.
Meanwhile, the marines on the island were arrayed in full battle formation, waiting for the White Silver Pirates to walk right into the trap.
Seeing this kind of naval lineup, Shirakawa's expression grew extremely grim. He hadn't expected the marines to dispatch such overwhelming force just for him.
"Wind, you'll infiltrate those two warships and free the Power Pirates' crew."
Shirakawa entrusted the rescue mission to Wind, because as a user of the Storm-Storm Fruit, he became completely shapeless and colorless when he turned into his elemental form.
The marines likely wouldn't detect him at all.
"No problem." To Wind, the task Shirakawa had assigned him was child's play—simple and effortless.
"Once we've rescued them, we prepare to escape."
"Why?" Jora asked, bewildered. They hadn't even started fighting yet—was he already planning to surrender and retreat?
"Because this time, we're not their match. The marines actually dispatched an admiral just to deal with us."
Shirakawa's gaze remained fixed on the man opposite him in the marine ranks—the one with frog-like glasses and a long beard tied into a braid beneath his chin.
"What? An admiral?!" the crew cried out in shock. A marine admiral was the absolute highest combat power the navy possessed. That they would send one out for their sake was simply unthinkable.
"The only admiral still actively sailing the seas right now is the Resourceful General, Buddha Sengoku."
Yuristin had long since stubbed out his cigarette. Though he had never seen Sengoku in person, he often read reports about him in the newspapers.
Not only was the man a master strategist—he also possessed tremendously formidable strength.
"Shirakawa, surrender quietly. You won't escape this time."
Sengoku shouted directly at Shirakawa. Garp had already informed Sengoku in detail about Shirakawa's capabilities, conveying the impression that even two Shirakawas would be no match for Sengoku.
And to make absolutely sure, he had brought Sakazuki and Borsalino along as well. Even if the pirates tried to flee through the sky, Borsalino's ability would ensure they didn't get their wish.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that, Admiral Sengoku."
Shirakawa swept his eyes over the marines on the island. There were hardly any ordinary marine soldiers—just one admiral, two vice admirals, three rear admirals, and a number of captains.
"Operation: begin."
The moment Shirakawa finished speaking, they all surged toward the shore in a flash. Wind, meanwhile, simply scattered his body and flew straight to the two warships.
Shirakawa's opponent was, naturally, Admiral Sengoku—because aboard this ship, no one else could hold Sengoku at bay.
Kurokame's opponent was Sakazuki, because he felt Sakazuki suited his taste perfectly, and a fight with him might prove far more intense.
Yuristin's opponent was Borsalino. Originally, Saral had wanted to assist him, but Yuristin refused. The meaning he wished to convey was that he wanted to see where his own limits lay.
Jora's opponent was Rear Admiral Momonga—an old rival of his. He had lost to him last time; this time, naturally, he intended to even the score.
Saral's opponent was Rear Admiral Onigumo, a vicious-looking officer. Perhaps if Saral got serious, he might prove even more vicious.
Abro's opponent was Rear Admiral Yamakaji, a cigar-chomping marine who wore a constant grin. He looked like an exceedingly kind man, but it would be a grave mistake to underestimate an opponent based on that.
Riddle and Muto's opponents were the captains. After all the brutal training Shirakawa and the others had put him through for so long, Riddle's strength had long since advanced leagues beyond what it once was.
Dealing with a handful of mere captains posed no problem at all, especially with Muto providing support. This battle likely wouldn't present any major issues for them.
Looking at the marine lineup, perhaps everyone knew that this time, they were likely facing death or capture. Yet not a single one of them had the slightest intention of backing down.
Shirakawa went all out from the very beginning. The Sword of Damocles materialized in the sky the instant he made his move.
Shirakawa slashed straight at Sengoku, who blocked it with an arm clad in Armament Haki, though he was still forced back over a dozen meters. Then Shirakawa forcefully slid his blade downward—
cutting straight through his opponent's Armament Haki and carving a bloody gash across his arm. But it barely qualified as a wound.
"I underestimated your strength."
Sengoku glanced at his arm, wiped the blood away with his other hand, and the wound stopped bleeding at once.
From this alone, it was clear that Shirakawa hadn't inflicted any real damage whatsoever.
"Admiral Sengoku, are you planning to fight me with just your body, without using your Devil Fruit ability?"
"Hmph. I have no such intention."
With that, Sengoku flung his cape back, and golden light radiated from his entire body.
That burst of golden light instantly became the most dazzling presence on the entire battlefield, drawing the eyes of everyone present.
"Admiral Sengoku is getting serious?"
Borsalino spoke in his signature drawl while simultaneously dodging Yuristin's bullets.
"Hmph. About time, too."
That was Sakazuki speaking, though he quickly turned his attention back to his own opponent—Kurokame, a man who posed an enormous threat to the navy.
Kurokame, for his part, felt that Sakazuki truly made a fitting opponent. Back when he had forged his blades, he had spent years working with flames, magma, and the like, and had long since developed a powerful resistance to extreme heat.
As a result, the threat Sakazuki posed to him was a full tier lower than the threat he posed to others.
Jora and Rear Admiral Momonga were trading blows on fairly even terms. Momonga's innate talent could only be described as average, and his growth over this period had been limited.
Jora, however, was different. Possessing naturally high talent to begin with, combined with Shirakawa's relentless drilling over an extended period, his improvement had been nothing short of immense.
Saral, locked in combat with Onigumo, had already opened his eyes—it seemed he had entered full-seriousness mode.
Abro, meanwhile, appeared evenly matched with Yamakaji. Abro's weapon was a massive battle-axe, and his fighting style was wide, sweeping, and overwhelmingly powerful.
As for Riddle and Muto, they were arguably the most relaxed of the bunch. Riddle had already transformed into his lizard form. Whenever an enemy attacked, he simply coated the targeted area in Armament Haki.
He had been able to use Armament Haki since the moment they'd left Little Garden, and after two months of practice in the Kingdom of Alabasta, his Armament Haki had reached an ordinary level of proficiency.
The captains' attacks against him were utterly painless.
/-\
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