346-350

Chapter 346: Naruto, Who Wants to Be the Pirate King 

Uchiha Hikari and her crew had no idea that a vast net, woven by the World Government, was slowly closing in on them. 

Of course... 

Even if they did know, it wouldn't really matter. 

After all, they'd pretty much already duked it out with the Marine Admirals and the Four Emperors. At this point, besides the enigmatic Im-sama, whose true power remains unknown, and the mythical Ancient Weapon "Uranus" (which Hikari might glance at with a bit of interest), everyone else simply isn't a threat to her, Esdeath, or even Yamato. Knowing the general type of abilities they possess is enough; there's no need for specific battle plans. 

If Im-sama could actually force Hikari to go all out... 

Uchiha Hikari might even be pleasantly surprised. 

It's been a while, ever since the "World Martial Arts Tournament," that she's been able to fight with everything she's got. 

That being said, though. 

The "Dimensional Pirate Crew" isn't entirely made up of monsters like her and Esdeath. 

For people like Bulat, Eriyi, Tanjiro, and even the Whitebeard Pirates next door, the Marines and the World Government are still pretty formidable opponents. 

So, during this time, Bulma whipped up a few small inventions. For instance, she created the "Dimensional Battle Suit 2.0," drawing inspiration from the Imperial Arms of the Akame ga Kill! world and Uchiha Hikari's "Strike Freedom 2.0." 

Tests showed that its defensive capabilities could withstand Yamato's "Raimei Hakke" (Thunder Bagua). However, it couldn't fully withstand Esdeath's freezing attacks or wide-range impacts like flames or earthquakes. Luckily, not too many powerhouses can dish out attacks of that caliber. 

Then, Bulma, along with Kikyo and Lady Tamayo, developed several "Cell Activation Potions" and "Skin Hardening Potions." 

Add to that the multitude of nano-robots and high-precision drones she'd deployed to monitor the World Government's movements... All these things provided an extra layer of protection for Tanjiro and the others. As long as they didn't actively seek trouble, they could at least ensure their own survival. 

As for the other layer of protection... 

That came from a certain individual. 

"Even though I'd heard about Ms. Bulma's inventing prowess in the chat group before, seeing these things with my own eyes now, I realize just how astonishing they are. Even if Ms. Hikari's world and mine developed for another hundred years, it would be hard to reach this level of technology." 

Minato Namikaze praised for a moment, then spoke seriously, "Don't worry, Ms. Bulma. If the 'Paramount War' that appeared in that manga truly breaks out, I will do everything in my power to help you achieve victory." 

"It's 'us,' actually. Mr. Minato, you're a member of the 'Dimensional Chat Group' now too, you know," Bulma corrected him with a cheerful smile. 

Minato Namikaze silently acknowledged this. 

Little Naruto, standing nearby, excitedly pumped his fists, shouting, "Oh! In the future, I want to be like Big Sister Hikari and Big Sister Bulma, becoming a Pirate King who roams the seas!" 

"Huh? Didn't you say you wanted to be Hokage before?" 

"Being Hokage feels kinda boring. You just have to stay in the village all day, can't go anywhere..." 

"...Ahem." 

Hearing Naruto's innocent, unfiltered words, Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, couldn't help but crack a bit. He quickly coughed a few times, cutting off his son. 

But to be fair, that statement wasn't wrong. Becoming Hokage means taking on the responsibility for an entire village, which is completely at odds with the role of a pirate, or rather, a traveler. For Naruto, who had seen a much wider world and met friends from different dimensions, the Hokage position he once dreamed of, and the approval of the Leaf Village residents, no longer held much appeal. 

At this point, Bulma asked with a hint of curiosity: 

"By the way, Mr. Minato, once things calm down... what do you plan to do? Will you go back to the Leaf Village and resume your post?" 

"...Let's see. I haven't decided yet." 

Minato Namikaze at this moment hadn't fully transitioned from his "deceased" status. 

While he couldn't help but worry about the Leaf Village where he grew up, he also hesitated about whether to influence it as a former Hokage. He was still a bit uncertain about his own future. 

If it weren't for that, he wouldn't have remained in the Pirate World after being resurrected. 

Another week passed in a flash. 

As the new week began, the World Government finally announced to the entire world, via broadcast and newspaper, the news of Ace's public execution at Marine Headquarters. 

This news stirred up a massive storm. 

Most pirates and some civilians had heard of "Fire Fist Ace," but few knew he was Roger's son. Upon hearing the World Government's decision, everyone was shocked, with all sorts of reactions. Many people started traveling from all four seas to the Grand Line, wanting to witness the Pirate King's son's downfall firsthand. 

The most intense reactions, of course, came from Whitebeard and Yamato. 

[Oni Princess @No_Name: Ms. Hikari, this is serious! Ace is really going to be executed this time!] 

[No_Name: Oh... I see. Did the World Government say when exactly the execution will be?] 

[Oni Princess: Looks like early next month, so in about ten days...] 

[No_Name: Got it. I'll head back in a few days. Everything alright on Amazon Lily?] 

[Bulma: Yes, everything's fine. It's just that the Marines seem a bit suspicious of Ms. Hancock. They recalled her to Marine Headquarters for questioning a few days ago, but she's been in contact with us via nano-communicator, so she should be alright for now.] 

[No_Name: Good.] 

After a few more exchanges, Uchiha Hikari temporarily shifted her attention back to what was in front of her. 

It was the modified spaceship that Kami (God) had first arrived in on Earth. 

According to Dr. Brief, the ship's functions had basically been fully restored, and it had undergone a short test flight in the wilderness near West City. Theoretically, flying it to Namek was no longer an issue, though the flight time might be quite long, possibly around a month and a half. 

—This was a bit slower than in the original story, likely because the current timeline is earlier, nearly a decade before the "Dragon Ball Z" era of the original plot, so the scientific theories regarding interstellar travel are still in the deduction phase and haven't fully matured. 

"Once this Ace situation is resolved, and I confirm the Leaf Village's status with Minato... I'll pick a day to head to Namek." 

Uchiha Hikari finalized her decision. 

After staying in the Dragon Ball world for several days, Uchiha Hikari finally returned to the Pirate World three days before the "Enhanced Paramount War" was set to erupt. 

Chapter 347 It's the Marineford War 2.0, and it's starting now! 

On Amazon Lily, the Kuja Island, the scene was a gathering of all-stars. 

The "Dimensional Pirates," led by Bulma, were all there. 

Whitebeard himself, along with division commanders like Marco and Vista, were also present. Minato Namikaze had used his "Flying Raijin" Jutsu to bring them directly from the outside, including the Moby Dick, without anyone noticing. This was the superior part of the "Flying Raijin" compared to "Shangri-La." In theory, as long as he had enough chakra, Minato could even teleport a Tailed Beast Bomb, so moving an entire pirate ship was no big deal. 

This feat stunned Whitebeard and his crew, and they immediately asked Minato for his help in rescuing Ace. 

Minato, of course, happily agreed. 

In addition, Rayleigh and the three main members of the Straw Hat Pirates had also sailed over from Sabaody Archipelago. Luffy and Zoro had been training with Rayleigh during this time. Uchiha Hikaru originally intended to keep them out of the plan, but since the World Government had publicly announced Ace's execution, they came running. 

All in all, the pirate side of this battle was at least three or four times stronger than in the original story. 

As for the World Government... 

"Over the past few days, I've deployed dozens of drones and hundreds of nanobots to various parts of Mariejois to gather intel. From what I've found, the Marines have called in a large portion of their mid-to-high-level forces, and even some retired officers, from all over the world. Along with the Seven Warlords of the Sea, they're all gathered near Mariejois." 

"Also, the World Government seems to have secretly mobilized a few special forces. Based on what Mr. Whitebeard suspects, these are likely the 'Holy Knights,' the Marine Science Unit, the Marine Giant Squad, and those secret CP organizations..." 

"Even the Five Elders, who act as representatives of the World Government, might join the fight." 

"That's the basic rundown of the enemy's situation." 

This was Bulma speaking. 

After some time apart, the "Dimensional Captain's" intelligence network had clearly become quite formidable. 

She had even created a 3D projection of the troop distribution in their temporary conference room, leaving Marco and the others, who had never seen such high-tech methods, completely speechless. 

Uchiha Hikaru watched for a moment and then asked, "What about Imu-sama? Has that person made any moves?" 

Bulma shook her head. "I'm not sure... If you hadn't specifically brought it up, I wouldn't have even known they existed. And I haven't found any trace of them during my reconnaissance." 

"Fair enough." 

It was true. Imu-sama in the original One Piece manga was a very mysterious figure. Even in the 2024 version of One Piece, their true appearance and abilities had not been revealed, let alone in the 2009 version that Bulma saw from the Dragon Ball world. Even if Imu appeared, Bulma probably wouldn't recognize them. 

"...Gurararara, looks like it'll be a tough fight," Whitebeard said with a hearty laugh. "When I was on Rocks' ship, I got a glimpse of the Five Elders' power. But thanks to Miss Kikyo and Miss Tamayo, I'm almost as good as I was in my prime. So, I'll be the one to clear a path for you all!" 

That was a bit of an exaggeration. While Kikyo and Tamayo had indeed used the "Demonization Serum" on Whitebeard, it was a diluted version since the clinical trials were still new. So, while it had restored his condition, it only made him three to five years younger, a far cry from his prime when he was rivals with Roger. 

But still... this level of power was more than enough to give opponents like Akainu and the Five Elders a run for their money. 

"Then it's settled." 

After a quick discussion, Uchiha Hikaru stood up and gave her concluding remarks. 

"The Five Elders will be handled by Esdeath and Yamato. Akainu will be Whitebeard's opponent. Luffy will take on Garp, and the rest of the Vice Admirals and Warlords will be left to Mr. Rayleigh and the Whitebeard Pirates... Oh, and Hancock is one of us, an inside agent. She'll turn on them and help us." 

"I'll be in the center, ready to intervene and guard against Imu-sama if they decide to show up in person." 

"...Got it." 

Rayleigh, Marco, and the others who were named had no objections. 

Only two people had a strange look on their faces. 

One was Luffy. "Huh? I have to fight my grandpa?" 

At this point, Luffy was probably only at a Marine Vice Admiral's level, or maybe even less. If he had to face off against a power like an Admiral in a one-on-one fight, lasting even ten minutes would be a huge overachievement. But Garp would likely hold back for his grandson, so they could probably stall for a while without much trouble. 

The other was Bulma. 

"Hikaru, what about me?" Bulma looked left and right, cautiously raising her hand. "I might not be able to help with the big fights, but I can handle some of the regular Marines!" 

"Ah, well..." Hikaru cleared her throat. "This kind of minor battle doesn't require the Captain to get her hands dirty... Just leave it to us." 

"Oh..." Bulma replied a little dejectedly. 

As a final preparation for the battle, Uchiha Hikaru and Bulma opened up the Gravity Training Room on the Blue Planet for the Whitebeard Pirates and Rayleigh. Hikaru herself took Esdeath out to the deep sea to test the combat capabilities of the "Strike Freedom 2.0." 

Early on the third day, the group gathered once more and sailed toward Marine Headquarters on the Blue Planet and the Moby Dick. 

On the other side, Marine Headquarters in Mariejois was already a sea of people. 

Thousands of elite Marines were stationed throughout the city. The Five Elders and the Seven Warlords were also present. This scene was broadcast to the rest of the New World via countless reporters' photos and television broadcasts, with Mariejois as the center. The World Government's main goal for this public execution was to assert their power over all pirates and the entire world. Because of this, the media's importance was even greater than that of the Marine officers. However, this was a double-edged sword, as a failure to assert power could lead to unimaginable consequences. 

Since Kizaru and Aokiji's injuries had not fully healed, the three Admiral positions were now filled by Sengoku, Garp, and Akainu. These three were essentially the highest-level fighters the Marines had to offer at the moment. 

Garp was reluctant to be in this position and fight to prevent the death of Ace, whom he considered his grandson. But due to the repeated pleas from Sengoku and former Fleet Admiral Kong, along with pressure from the World Government, he had no choice but to comply. 

As for Sengoku, now over sixty, he was still in his prime and fulfilling his duties as Fleet Admiral. His role of overseeing the big picture from inside Marineford was taken over by the former Fleet Admiral and current Commander-in-Chief, Kong. 

"...It's almost time," Sengoku said. "Those two pirate crews should be appearing soon." 

Sengoku glanced at Kong, who was seated on a high platform, then at his grim-faced old friend, Garp, next to him. He picked up his Den Den Mushi and said slowly, "All units, be on maximum alert starting now. The moment the 'Blue-Haired Witch' and Whitebeard appear, initiate capture immediately..." 

Just as he finished speaking, a powerful aura erupted from the sea in front of Marine Headquarters. 

It was Haoshoku Haki! 

The Conqueror's Haki from an Emperor-level fighter was even more astonishing than the one Yamato unleashed against Aokiji earlier. Even from miles away, most Marines felt their bodies tremble. While the Vice Admirals and higher-ranking officers were mostly fine, some of the more timid soldiers dropped their weapons in fear, earning angry reprimands from their superiors. 

On the execution platform, Sengoku and Akainu both took a step forward. Akainu's face showed an eager expression. 

"Is that Whitebeard and the 'Blue-Haired Witch' who defeated both Aokiji and Kizaru? I can't wait to deliver justice to them. Pirate crews like these have only one path: death!" 

As he spoke, Akainu leaped off the execution platform and strode toward the coast. 

Under the watchful eyes of Sengoku, Garp, and everyone else present, a grand spectacle unfolded. Two large ships—one in the air, one on the sea—seemed to drop from the sky, appearing directly in their line of sight. As the distance closed, Whitebeard suddenly flexed his arm and swung his bisento. The power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit erupted, turning into a towering tsunami that surged toward the shore! 

"...Everyone, enemy attack!!!" A Marine officer shrieked. 

Whitebeard had used this very tactic—creating a tsunami with the Tremor-Tremor Fruit to get the jump on the enemy—in the original story, but it was thwarted when Aokiji froze the sea. 

Now, Aokiji wasn't there. 

Instead, Akainu leaped from the crowd, unleashing a "Great Eruption" from his fist. Flames burst forth, turning into a barrage of volcanic bombs that spewed forward and collided with the immense waves on the sea! 

BOOM!!! 

In a deafening roar, the scorching flames and surging tsunami crashed into each other with the force of a meteor impact. 

In just a few seconds, fire and water merged, and huge clouds of steam were whipped up by strong winds, exploding in all directions. Some water that wasn't completely evaporated fell as drops, creating a pouring, hot rain. 

This "rain" of seawater would weaken most Devil Fruit users. However, for powerhouses like Whitebeard and Akainu, there were many ways to avoid it. 

"...Hmph!" Whitebeard snorted and swung his blade again. 

He had no idea that the man in front of him was the one who had brought him to the brink of death in another timeline. He just saw Akainu's murderous expression and instinctively felt annoyed. So, he put his full power into this strike. 

Instantly, a brilliant slash tore through the air, heading straight for Akainu! 

"Die!" 

Facing a strike even more powerful than the one in the original story, Akainu didn't dodge. He used his Armament Haki to resist with all his might. 

On another high platform, Mihawk narrowed his eyes. The motion of him drawing his sword to attempt a slash paused for a moment. 

"...Is it my imagination? Whitebeard seems even stronger than the last time I saw him." 

Doflamingo, wearing his sunglasses, grinned from ear to ear. "Fufufufu, a showdown between a Marine Admiral and a Yonko... what a wonderful show. I wonder where those 'Dimensional Pirates' are. I'd love to see the fifth Emperor of the Sea with a 4-billion-Beli bounty with my own eyes." 

Within moments, the distance between the two sides had closed to about a hundred meters. 

At that point, Whitebeard stomped forward, leaping from the bow of the Moby Dick like a mythological giant who could split mountains and seas, charging toward Akainu on the shore. 

Marco and Jozu quickly followed. Marco went to support his "father," while Jozu engaged in a chaotic battle with Vice Admirals like Doberman and Onigumo, as well as the remaining officers. 

Moriah tried to join the fray but was stopped by Rayleigh. 

In all this chaos, Uchiha Hikaru activated "Shangri-La" mid-air. A teleportation array appeared and directly sent Esdeath, Yamato, Minato Namikaze, and Luffy—who was specifically prepared as the "Garp killer"—to the execution platform in front of Marineford. 

"?!" 

This sudden turn of events left even Garp and Sengoku, both Admiral-level fighters, stunned and unable to react immediately. 

Then, Minato grabbed the shoulders of a bound Ace and activated the "Flying Raijin." 

With a "whoosh," their figures vanished from the execution platform and reappeared on the Blue Planet in the sky. 

"?!?" 

Garp and Sengoku were flabbergasted. 

That fast? 

They hadn't even gotten a clear look at Minato's height or appearance. All they saw was a cloak similar to a Marine Admiral's, with a few large characters written on it. It seemed to say... "Fourth Hokage"? 

What in the world did that mean? 

Crack— 

Uchiha Hikaru stretched her neck and casually glanced at Garp and Sengoku. She then spoke softly to the others. 

"The rescue mission has been completed ahead of schedule. So now... let's get ready to cause some chaos here!" 

Chapter 348: The "Blue Witch" Continues to Impress! 

"Alright!" 

Yamato was the first to strike. The Princess of Onigashima immediately activated her Dog-Dog Fruit, Model: Okuchi no Makami form, transforming into a white wolf maiden. She swung her massive club and charged at Sengoku, who was closest: "Armament Haki: Lightning Bagua!" 

Sengoku, a battle-hardened veteran, instantly activated his Human-Human Fruit, Model: Daibutsu form. He braced his golden Buddha arms in front of him, blocking Yamato's direct assault. Then, the two clashed, soaring away from the execution platform and erupting into a fierce battle, loud clangs echoing continuously. 

Meanwhile, Luffy, having activated Gear Second of his Gum-Gum Fruit, confronted Garp. 

Then... 

Boom! 

A figure was sent flying far away. 

In the original Marineford War, that flying figure would have been Garp. After all, he secretly hoped Ace would escape and had deliberately held back. However, with Ace already rescued this time, Garp wasn't as conflicted as he was in the original storyline. So, facing Luffy's assault, he straightforwardly unleashed his usual "Fist of Love," sending Luffy flying over ten meters with a single punch. He then continued to swing his fists, charging towards Uchiha Hikari and Esdeath. 

Facing the incoming iron fist, Esdeath scoffed. A massive surge of ice immediately erupted around her and Uchiha Hikari, like a pristine white snow lotus blooming, blocking Garp. Then, as Garp shattered the snow lotus petals with his punches, a thick pillar of ice, acting as the "pistil," shot up into the sky. It swiftly carried the two figures high above, soaring into the clouds. 

"...Those old men over there, are they the so-called 'Five Elders,' the supreme rulers of this world?" Esdeath looked down towards Marineford from her elevated position. There, the Five Elders had already stood up, their expressions grim as if facing a formidable enemy. 

"Yep, that's them. You can think of them as five Honest Ministers. As for this world's 'Emperor'... I'm still looking," Uchiha Hikari replied casually. She then floated slightly off the ice surface, ascending higher to search for Imu's location from above. 

It seemed that Imu hadn't revealed themselves openly. So, Uchiha Hikari couldn't immediately determine if they were present, observing her movements from somewhere, or if they weren't even here at all, watching the situation from behind some sort of live broadcast screen. 

Just then, another thunderous roar erupted. It was Garp on the execution platform, his punches shaking the ice pillar violently. 

"What a troublesome old man..." Esdeath, standing atop the ice pillar, glanced down. She then snapped her fingers, rapidly condensing a hundreds-of-meters-wide meteorite of ice in mid-air, which plummeted downwards. With a tip of her toe, she shot off like a cannonball towards the Five Elders' location. Even mid-flight, hundreds of ice spears and swords had already materialized around her, firing towards her targets! 

"Ice Grave!" 

At that moment, a Conqueror's Haki more ferocious and chilling than Whitebeard's, like ancient ice, erupted from Esdeath, sweeping in all directions! For a moment, it was as if a domain of ice and snow had suddenly unfurled, bringing howling winds and swirling snowflakes wherever it spread! 

Some Marines, overwhelmed by the Conqueror's Haki and unable to escape, were instantly enveloped by the ice and snow, frozen solid from head to toe into ice sculptures. This icy spread extended outwards, transforming the surroundings into a world of silver and white ice and snow in mere moments. 

On the other side, the massive ice meteorite continued its descent. Even with Garp's full power, swinging his iron fists multiple times, he only managed to crack it in a few places. The ice meteorite, now broken into three or four pieces, remained colossal, like several small mountains falling in succession. It directly crushed the execution platform, causing it to collapse. 

Rumble! 

Deafening roars accompanied by swirling dust filled the air. Large amounts of exploding ice shards further drew away the surrounding heat, instantly pulling Mariejois from late summer into the dead of winter! 

"This is..." The reporters gathered in a corner of Mariejois were stunned. Many of them had been brought there by the World Government, originally intending to photograph the World Government's victory over the "Dimensional Group" and the "Whitebeard Pirates" for reports. Their goal was to deter the increasingly arrogant pirates and re-establish the government's authority. Therefore, they had been placed in a relatively safe location, with limited exposure to the chaotic battle. 

But... even the reporters with the highest hopes for the "Dimensional Group" couldn't have imagined their strength would be this immense. 

And... challenging the Five Elders alone! This was something even the Four Emperors wouldn't dare to do, something that hadn't happened in a hundred years! It was simply... insane!! 

"Big news, this is big news!" Morgans, flapping his albatross wings, frantically pressed the camera's shutter button, letting the film spool through at dozens of frames per second. Due to his camera's superior performance, he could even precisely capture the full faces of the Five Elders from several kilometers away. 

As the top journalist on this vast sea, Morgans had a vague premonition: Perhaps... the inviolable myth of the World Government and the Celestial Dragons might finally come to an end today! 

Meanwhile, the Five Elders were also stunned. They had investigated Esdeath's information, but... 

At this very moment, neither the mountain-sized meteorite in the sky nor the astonishing Conqueror's Haki had been displayed by Esdeath when she fought against Kizaru, Whitebeard, and others previously. Even for powerful individuals of their caliber, they felt a tremendous shock, as if enveloped by a murderous aura. 

"This is impossible..." 

"Did she not even use her full power when she defeated Kizaru?!" 

If even a Marine Admiral couldn't force her to use her full strength... then just how powerful was the "Ice Queen"? Was she above the Four Emperors, on the same level as Imu-sama?! 

If even the "Ice Queen," who was merely the third in command, was like this, had the "Witch of Light," the vice-captain of the Dimensional Pirate Group, also hidden her true strength? 

And what about the captain, the "Blue Witch," who had never been seen fighting and was even more mysterious than Imu-sama? How terrifying could she be? 

Chapter 349: Armored Susano'o Cloud Dragon! 

Though a little uneasy, the Gorosei didn't have time to ponder too much with such a formidable enemy before them. 

Immediately, Saint Mars and Saint Saturn were the first to move. One used the "Itsumaden Fruit" to transform into the Mythical Zoan "Garuda God-Bird" form, charging straight at Esdeath. The other used the "Ushi-Oni Fruit", turning into a terrifying monster, as massive as a small mountain and resembling an eight-legged spider, shielding the others. 

The next second, a storm of ice spears, swords, and blades crashed into Saint Saturn's body. 

Most of them were blocked by his iron-hard skin, while a few pierced his epidermis like sharp swords, turning the Saturn Saint into a porcupine. 

Meanwhile, Saint Mars clashed with Esdeath's ice throne. As he tumbled, he spewed massive flames from his mouth and wings, attempting to melt the ice. 

"New Mythical Zoan Fruits, huh?" 

"That's all you've got!" 

Esdeath snorted, enveloping herself in Conqueror's Haki. With a "Divine Steps: White Snake Drive," she kicked Saint Mars back onto the high platform, then landed there herself. 

— She learned that move from Yamato. 

As Esdeath landed, the Gorosei revealed their combat forms, surrounding her as an Ushi-Oni, a Sand Worm, a Hoko, and a Horse Bone. At this moment, Esdeath also gathered immense ice around herself, forming a nearly twenty-meter-tall "Ice Demon King," and swung a punch forward. 

There was no warm-up. 

Their battle was white-hot from the very beginning. 

Esdeath's strength was already above that of a Yonko. During her time on the "Blue Planet," she spent three to five hours almost every day in the "Gravity Training Room." She also repeatedly sparred with Yamato, Master Roshi, Kami, and others, so her strength was far beyond what it once was. 

When fighting all out, practically none of the Gorosei could withstand two of her punches. 

However... 

The most powerful ability of Mythical Zoan Fruits was their regeneration. 

Even if their heads were crushed or their bodies were torn to pieces, the Gorosei could recover in a very short time and continue fighting. Plus, it was a five-on-one围攻 situation, so despite being badly beaten, they kept fighting back, showing no signs of losing their combat ability in the short term. 

By this time, the entire plaza in front of Marineford was in utter chaos. People were fighting in every corner. 

Uchiha Hikari, suspended in mid-air, was somewhat at a loss for what to do. 

She formed a single hand seal, casually releasing a few Shadow Clones that descended to help Tanjiro and the others relieve pressure below. 

Her main body remained in mid-air, observing the movements around her. 

Well... 

After she and Esdeath left the main battlefield to engage the Gorosei, the allied forces, composed of the "Dimensional Group," "Whitebeard Pirates," and "Roger Pirates remnants," gradually started to lose ground. 

There was no choice. 

The numerical disparity between the two sides was simply too vast. 

The high-tier combatants were fine; whether it was Whitebeard against Akainu, Yamato against Sengoku, or Rayleigh against Moria, they all held a clear advantage. They even managed to occasionally unleash large-scale AoE attacks into the surrounding crowds during their fights, helping to relieve pressure on their allies. 

But it was different for the mid and low-tier fighters. 

Whether it was Marco and Diamond Jozu from the Whitebeard Commanders, or Brand and his group, along with the Straw Hats, they were essentially fighting two to three opponents of equal or slightly lower rank. 

The numerical disadvantage became even more apparent, especially after the "God's Knights" and CP0 joined the battle. 

Because of this, even Minato Namikaze and the recently rescued Ace had to re-enter the fray, blocking the attacks of the God's Knights. 

It wasn't until Uchiha Hikari's dozen or so Shadow Clones joined the battle that this slight decline was finally reversed. 

Although these Shadow Clones only had a fraction of Uchiha Hikari's chakra, each possessed Five Nature Transformations and Dojutsu abilities like Tsukuyomi and Amaterasu. Their physical recovery ability was also the same as her main body's, not to mention the Three Haki types she had trained in the "Gravity Training Room" during this time... 

Essentially, it was like a dozen or so Warlord-to-First Commander-level powerhouses joining the fight. 

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it was "a single person forming an army." 

And as Uchiha Hikari stood with her arms crossed, surveying the entire situation from above, a subtle warning sign suddenly flickered in her mind. 

"Hm?" 

Uchiha Hikari frowned slightly, sharply turning her head, as if sensing something, and glanced in a certain direction. At the edge of her vision, she saw a person shrouded in a black cloak, standing in a hidden corner, looking up at her. 

Their eyes met. 

Before Uchiha Hikari could even confirm if it was the elusive "Im-sama," she saw the person raise their right hand and make a decapitating gesture. 

"?" 

In that instant, Uchiha Hikari caught a faint glimmer of starlight appearing not far from that person. 

It was as if someone had just lit a match. 

The next moment... 

That faint light rapidly expanded, transforming in an instant into dozens of towering pillars of light, forming a giant beam sword that engulfed Uchiha Hikari's figure! 

SWISH—!! 

Everyone present ceased fighting for a moment, turning their heads to look at the sky above. 

Under the gaze of thousands of pairs of eyes, the "light sword" rapidly expanded to nearly a hundred meters wide and over ten kilometers long in an incredibly short time, extending from Mary Geoise up into the stratosphere. Everyone and every structure in the path of this "light sword" were instantly pulverized, and the clouds were directly scattered. 

The end of the "light sword" had formed a massive sphere of light, melting everything around it with tens of thousands of degrees of heat, creating a perfectly spherical vacuum! Even the sun temporarily dimmed in the face of this incredibly brilliant light. 

"...Hikari!" 

Bulma, on board the "Blue Planet," sprang from her seat. Along with Eriyi and Naruto beside her, she looked up at the sky, her face filled with anxiety. 

And Esdeath, on the high platform, also violently swung her giant ice sword, cutting down two Gorosei, then pressing down on two others with both hands, slamming them to the ground. She then took a moment to glance up, frowning slightly. 

But soon, Esdeath relaxed. "'Ki' hasn't weakened, so she should be fine... Hey, can you five still dance? This kind of battle isn't satisfying at all!" 

The "light sword" in the sky remained for nearly a minute before gradually dissipating into particles and vanishing into the surrounding air. 

At this point, a slender, snake-like, bluish-purple shadow gradually appeared in the sky, visible to everyone. 

"Is that...?" 

"She's still alive?!" 

Everyone on and off the battlefield, especially Sengoku and Garp who had experienced the "God Valley Incident" years ago, stared in shock at the scene above, their hearts pounding. 

This wasn't the first time Im-sama had attacked. 

More than thirty years ago, he had displayed a similar technique once, wiping the entire island of "God Valley" off the world map with a single strike. That astonishing sight was unforgettable for Sengoku and the others; they couldn't imagine anyone surviving it. 

If someone could survive such an attack, then... 

"Is she even human anymore...?" 

Sengoku swallowed hard. In his decades as a Marine Fleet Admiral, he felt fear for the first time. 

In the sky, nearly ten thousand meters high, a graceful, seven-to-eight-meter-long dragon-like figure slowly stretched its body. Its greenish scales were enveloped in a deep red skeletal shell. The shell around its dragon head, in particular, was incredibly sturdy and comprehensive, containing the figure of a black-clad, black-haired girl. She now stood with her arms crossed, coldly looking down. 

— Armored Susano'o Cloud Dragon!! 

Originally, Uchiha Hikari intended to simply dimension jump to another world to dodge this attack. 

But at the last moment, she changed her mind, deciding to take the hit head-on and personally experience the true power of the One Piece world's ceiling. 

For this, she pushed her Mangekyo Sharingan to its limit, activating Perfect Susano'o. At the same time, she summoned the East Sea Cloud Dragon and merged it with her Susano'o. 

Although it was her first attempt, the principle of "Armored" (威装) isn't complex. Even if it couldn't be 100% perfect, simply stacking two layers of defense to achieve a "one plus one is greater than one" effect was no problem at all. 

To be safe, Uchiha Hikari also added a layer of three Haki types and activated the Blood Jade Barrier. Counting the external Armored Cloud Dragon, the "Dimensional Protective Suit" and "Cloud Dragon Inner Armor" she wore, and her inherent regenerative physiology, she had a total of six layers of defense. 

It could be said that she showed Im the highest level of respect. 

The result was... 

Although there were a few minor damages on the surface of the "Armored" form, and even the East Sea Cloud Dragon's skin showed signs of scrapes and bleeding, it was at most a minor injury, the kind that would heal on its own without needing a Senzu Bean. 

As for Uchiha Hikari herself, at this moment, only her hairstyle was slightly messed up; otherwise, she was essentially unharmed. 

Of course... 

The people below couldn't see this. 

Because compared to the scale of ten thousand meters in the sky, both Uchiha Hikari, who was less than 1.6 meters tall, and the seven-to-eight-meter-long East Sea Cloud Dragon, were too tiny. From the ground, only a tiny black dot could be seen. Only Esdeath and Tanjiro on the spaceship, having diligently trained in the Dragon Ball world, could sense Uchiha Hikari's condition through their "Ki." 

However... 

For most people, whether they could clearly see the human figure in the sky no longer mattered. 

Because surviving such a cataclysmic attack and not directly falling from the sky was already astonishing enough. The psychological impact this had on the surrounding Marines was even greater than Esdeath fighting the Gorosei alone. 

This could only be described as a "miracle"! 

"...Is that the power of 'Uranus'?" 

"Not bad, a little stronger than I expected." 

Uchiha Hikari nodded slightly. 

Then, she sat down where she was, stroking the dragon scales beneath her. "You've been cooped up for a long time, Rayquaza? Don't worry, I'll let you stretch your limbs now... You took a hit from this guy's sword, so you've got to return the favor, right?" 

As she spoke, Uchiha Hikari casually snapped her fingers, using her "Ki" to remove the specially made "Enhanced Mini Bracelet" from the East Sea Cloud Dragon's claw, which Bulma had created. 

At this moment, it was as if a seal had been broken. 

The East Sea Cloud Dragon opened its mouth and let out a long, echoing roar towards the distant sea of clouds, its body growing larger against the wind. 

From its initial seven to eight meters long, it grew to dozens of meters, then hundreds, then thousands... In less than half a minute, its massive body, undulating like a mountain range, unfolded above Mary Geoise, casting an immense shadow that blotted out the sky. 

Even a casual roll of its body caused the high-altitude air currents to surge wildly, unleashing hurricane-force winds in all directions. As the gray-white clouds collided, they formed intricate arcs of electricity, coating its greenish dragon scales with a blue-purple hue. 

For a moment, everyone was speechless. 

"What is that...?" 

"What is that?!" 

A Sea King? 

There were indeed some colossal Sea Kings that could reach lengths of several thousand meters, but... this was in the sky! 

While there was a rumor of a giant "Zunesha" in the Grand Line, that was just a legend, and there was only one such creature. For most people, this nearly ten-thousand-meter-long giant Eastern Dragon in the sky was the largest creature they had ever seen since birth. 

"ROAR~~~" 

Under the gaze of Marines, pirates, and reporters alike, the East Sea Cloud Dragon raised its head high and let out another long roar. This sound, accompanied by rolling thunder and lightning, tore through the clouds on both sides, then swept outward as a wave of sound. 

Instantly, an indescribable sense of oppression formed in every corner of the air, startling everyone's hearts. 

— Dragon's Roar (龍威)!! 

Im, of course, also felt this oppressive force descending from the heavens. 

To be honest... 

Before this attack, he had already tried his best to estimate the strength of the Dimensional Group's main forces at a high level. And just now, after personally witnessing the power displayed by Esdeath, he even raised his psychological expectations for Uchiha Hikari. 

Yet, even so, he was still shocked by this "Light Witch," who had once shattered the World Government's main gate. She was actually strong enough to reach such a level! 

And now... 

Looking at the East Sea Cloud Dragon stretching freely in the sky, a chilling premonition suddenly arose in Im's mind: 

"What is she... going to do?!" 

At this very moment, Uchiha Hikari leaned slightly forward from the top of the East Sea Cloud Dragon's head, peering out and roughly pinpointing a direction. 

"That should be... that way, right?" 

"The Celestial Dragons' residential area?" 

Chapter 350: Rayquaza, Use "Hyper Beam"! 

After locking onto her target, Uchiha Hikari raised her hand and gently patted the head of the East Blue Cloud Dragon beneath her. 

"Rayquaza, it's your turn. Use 'Hyper Beam'!" 

"?" 

The East Blue Cloud Dragon's massive, mountain-like body paused mid-air, a question mark seemingly appearing beside its huge head. But quickly, it understood Hikari's meaning. It rolled its body once more high in the sky, lifted its head, took a deep breath, and prepared for its attack. 

Then... 

"Whoosh—!" 

Accompanied by a second, long dragon's roar, the East Blue Cloud Dragon suddenly opened its enormous maw and unleashed a stream of dragon's breath towards Mary Geoise below! 

In that moment, a ball of azure flame burst forth from the giant dragon's mouth, like a divine sword cleaving through the heavens. It tore through the sky in an instant, then descended upon the mortal realm with an incredibly astonishing roar! 

This scene bore a slight resemblance to when Im made his move earlier. 

Except, this wasn't from ground to sky, but from sky to ground! 

"!" 

Sengoku and the others' eyes widened, their minds reeling. "No... Her target isn't us, it's..." 

It was the residence of the noble Celestial Dragons, located behind Marine Headquarters! 

Celestial Dragons rarely spread out. Aside from a few individuals settled in Sabaody Archipelago and exceptions like Doflamingo and his father, most Celestial Dragons lived in the Holy Land of Mary Geoise. At this moment, most of these Celestial Dragons were sitting in their grand mansions, watching the "Paramount War" unfold from their balconies or TV screens. If this 'sword' were to strike there... 

The consequences would be unimaginable! 

"How dare she..." 

Though they had already anticipated what was about to happen, Sengoku and Garp didn't take immediate action. 

After all... 

The 'sword' that Uchiha Hikari, or rather, the East Blue Cloud Dragon, unleashed at this moment was far more devastating than the "Lightwave Palm" that shattered the World Government's gate earlier. Even powerhouses of their caliber had no confidence whatsoever in blocking it—just surviving a hit would be a miracle. Furthermore, deep down, they weren't entirely against the idea of seeing those Celestial Dragons face their comeuppance. 

However, Im and the Five Elders were different. 

As members of the Celestial Dragons, they reacted instantly. 

The Five Elders abandoned Esdeath directly, transforming into their Mythical Zoan forms and frantically rushing towards the rear of Headquarters. 

Im, on the other hand, forcibly activated the Ancient Weapon Uranus beside him, once again forming a gigantic light sword. With a dazzling burst of starlight, a second light sword erupted from beside him, slicing horizontally across Mary Geoise about one to two thousand meters in the air—from the angle of the East Blue Cloud Dragon's breath, that was precisely where the breath would pass through. 

Only a few short seconds passed. 

The azure divine sword and the colossal light sword met in the skies above Mary Geoise, colliding with a deafening crash! 

The sky seemed to flicker on and off for a moment. 

Then, a massive ring-shaped shockwave swept outwards from the point where the two forces met! 

Amidst the fierce winds, the sky looked as if it had been torn open, with crackling lightning enveloped by thunder, pouring down onto the ground like relentless rain, causing rare celestial phenomena. The two forces mutually canceled each other out, rapidly dissipating at a visible rate. 

But... 

Im's hastily unleashed second sword was, after all, slightly weaker than his first. 

So, when the light sword completely dissipated, a small portion of the Cloud Dragon's breath remained. It instantly broke through the cloud barrier, then transformed into countless fiery projectiles, like a meteor shower, continuing its descent! It engulfed a large area of the Celestial Dragons' mansions, along with the Five Elders who had just arrived! 

Boom! Boom! Boom! 

A colossal roar echoed ceaselessly. 

Everyone, including Im, the Celestial Dragons, Marines, and pirates, watched as the neat and beautiful buildings behind Mary Geoise were struck by the deluge of azure flames, collapsing one after another, igniting a towering blue inferno. Many Celestial Dragons didn't even have time to get up before they were crushed in the debris or engulfed by scorching flames, letting out agonizing screams. 

Just like that. 

More than half of the Celestial Dragons perished in the ruins and the sea of fire! 

If Uchiha Hikari's "Lightwave Palm" that shattered the gate earlier was just a slap to the World Government's face, making them lose all dignity... 

Then this "Azure Flame Meteor Shower" was a true, crippling blow... No, "crippling" isn't strong enough. This was a devastating strike against the Celestial Dragon lineage, and an unprecedented upheaval that could overturn the entire power structure of the One Piece world! 

"...Unforgivable!" 

"Criminal, what have you done?!" 

Im suddenly raised his head, his eyes burning with rage. 

Even as an immortal who had weathered countless storms, he could no longer suppress his emotions. These emotions transformed into an overwhelming fury, directed at Uchiha Hikari and the East Blue Cloud Dragon in mid-air. 

At that moment... 

Uchiha Hikari had already reactivated her Susanoo, leaping from the East Blue Cloud Dragon. A fiery-red, double-bladed greatsword materialized in her hand: 

"It's been a while since I used this move. I might as well try it again now." 

"The strongest yet... Meteor Blaze!" 

As her words fell. 

Uchiha Hikari abruptly inverted herself, going head-down, then controlled her Perfect Susanoo and maximized her Sky Dance Jutsu (Flying Technique), plummeting straight down from ten thousand meters! 

As she descended, milky-white sonic boom clouds appeared, then were rapidly ignited by the intense heat, turning into fiery sonic cones that trailed behind Uchiha Hikari in a single line. From an observer's perspective, a scarlet fireball was descending from the heavens, its front tip a sharp cone, rushing towards Im on the high platform with unstoppable momentum! 

Im, still consumed by rage, did not dodge. He directly threw open his cloak, and his entire body swelled up like a balloon. As his form shifted, countless inky-black tentacles burst forth from within him, rising like a surging tide to attack Uchiha Hikari! 

Whoosh— 

The fiery "meteor" passed through, submerging itself into this ocean of black tentacles. 

After a brief silence... 

It erupted! 

In that moment, boundless flames bloomed like a lotus, breaking through the embrace of the tentacles, then transforming into a gigantic mushroom cloud, soaring high into the sky!