Black-red lightning twisted and darted forward at an unbelievable speed.
Even more astonishing was the terrifying reach of Alex's punch.
From nearly a hundred meters above the pirate ships, he threw a single strike downward. The overwhelming force crossed the distance instantly, landing directly between two pirate ships before erupting violently.
The pirate captains and officers' faces transformed into pure terror.
Boom!
A deafening explosion rang out.
The two massive pirate ships cracked apart and shattered instantly. Countless wooden fragments blasted outward as the sea beneath them caved inward at incredible speed.
But that was only the initial impact.
The shockwave continued expanding, spreading toward the remaining three ships.
Crack—crack—!
Their sturdy hulls fractured like glass. Unconscious pirates were hurled into the air before crashing into the distant sea, splashing waves everywhere.
The collapsing ocean, shattered ships, and pirates crushed into bloody mist formed an unforgettable scene in the eyes of Simbu and the other Marine officers.
When the fluttering white Justice coat came back into view and the slender young boy landed once more at the stern.
Eeryone felt as if a god had descended.
That single punch would become a miracle they would remember for the rest of their lives.
Alex slowly exhaled.
He looked at the violently churning sea ahead, filled with drifting debris and bleeding pirates floating among broken planks. The sharpness in his eyes gradually faded.
This punch was naturally far inferior to Garp's techniques. It was merely his crude attempt at using Conqueror's Haki coating, given a random name on impulse.
"I'm still far from enough…"
Alex sighed softly.
Looking toward the distant battlefield, the aftershocks of the two pirate crews' clash and the changing heavens filled him with awe. From afar, he could clearly sense several other overwhelming Conqueror's Haki presences.
Each one was no weaker than his own.
Judging from the flashes of light and the violently shaking sea, every attack they unleashed far surpassed his current power.
"Strength… technique… experience…"
"All of them are gaps between me and them."
His gaze trembled slightly.
Even from this distance, the destructive power of those monsters was unmistakable.
At that moment, a powerful ambition surged within him.
"One day… I will stand at that level too."
He clenched his fists tightly, staring at the sky.
Facing Golden Lion Shiki and the overwhelming Flying Pirate Fleet had made him feel true helplessness for the first time.
The fall of his comrades—especially Rear Admiral Jerry's death right beside him—left a deep mark on his heart.
The distant battle continued.
Lightning grew brighter and denser as dark storm clouds swallowed the entire Ed War Sea.
"So terrifying…"
"Their battle split the sky and tore apart the sea!"
"Golden Lion Shiki… Gol D. Roger!"
"This is the strongest battle in the world!"
The officers behind him murmured in awe.
They were shocked by Alex's devastating punch, yet even more overwhelmed by the clash between the two legendary pirate crews.
Suddenly,
A flying slash howled overhead.
Crack!
The mast snapped cleanly in half and collapsed onto the deck.
Alex inhaled sharply.
He knew clearly that this was only the residual shockwave of a slash from over ten kilometers away.
"Let's leave this area immediately!"
"The ship has heavy damage, the mast is destroyed but the auxiliary propulsion and hull paddles are still intact. We can barely keep moving!"
The surviving Marines quickly inspected the ship and spoke with relief.
Even far from the center of battle, the aftershocks alone were nearly unbearable.
Alex walked to the bow and picked up the Den Den Mushi from Jerry's hand.
At that moment, it rang.
"Rear Admiral Jerry, report your situation immediately!"
Alex froze briefly at the voice.
"Vice Admiral Garp," he replied.
"Rear Admiral Jerry has fallen. This is Alex."
There was a pause on the other end before Garp spoke quickly.
"You're safe that's good. We're heading toward Area A13 right now."
"We've temporarily escaped danger. The Flying Pirates encountered the Roger Pirates and are currently engaged in battle. We were fortunate," Alex said.
"Roger?!" Garp's voice rose instantly.
"Good! I'm coming to support you!"
The call ended.
"Alex… what should we do next?"
Saul, supported by others, leaned against the ship's railing and asked in a deep voice.
The fire at the stern had been extinguished, and for the moment, they were out of immediate danger.
Alex paused slightly and looked around.
Every officer was watching him expectantly including Simbu.
There was no doubt.
That world-shaking punch had earned their complete recognition.
They were ready to follow his command.
"Move the ship as far from the battlefield as possible," Alex said calmly after taking a breath.
"Vice Admiral Garp is on his way to support us. Our mission now is to ensure our survival while continuing to monitor the battle between Golden Lion Shiki and the Roger Pirates."
"Yes!"
Simbu acknowledged immediately.
The others followed without hesitation and began working at once.
The auxiliary power could not sustain long travel the primary propulsion of Marine ships still relied mainly on sails but it was enough for emergency movement.
Soon, the warship drifted farther from the battlefield.
Boom!
Even from afar, thunderous explosions rang clearly, making their ears buzz as violent winds roared overhead.
At the center of battle, countless flashes of lightning filled the sky.
This was a clash at the very peak of the world.
The Flying Pirates possessed overwhelming numbers and elite forces, while the Roger Pirates were composed entirely of monsters.
"Rumble!"
The battle raged on until, suddenly.
Torrential rain poured down, obscuring the battlefield.
Alex narrowed his eyes, staring into the blurred storm.
Gradually, the commotion weakened.
Then silence fell.
A pirate ship rode the waves through wind and rain. At its bow stood a man laughing boldly despite the raging storm.
"Hahahahaha!"
"I told you, Rayleigh this isn't our end!"
"Even the heavens are helping me!"
The laughter carried clearly through the rain despite the distance.
Alex raised his binoculars and focused on that figure.
"Gol D. Roger."
He softly spoke the name.
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