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Added 2025-07-25 16:57:36 +0000 UTCChapter 461: The Battle Ignites
“He’s actually holding his own against a Marine Admiral! The captain’s way too strong!”
“Good thing we’re far enough away, or just the heat from that fight would’ve burned us to a crisp!”
“Even a Marine Admiral must be struggling against that kind of insane heat, right?”
Fozfur and the others were completely blown away.
This version of Yoru… there was no way they could ever stand up to him!
“Hahaha, now that’s a fight!”
“Come on, Mr. Smiley, let’s keep going!”
Yoru was treating Fujitora like a sparring partner, using the battle to fully harness his newly surged power.
“Phoenix Meteor Strike!”
“Phoenix Fire Feathers!”
“Phoenix Wing Slash!”
“Break Illusion, Assassinate!”
“Infinite Assassination!”
The entire island…
It was completely shattered!
It had become nothing more than collateral damage in their clash.
“Sure, the captain’s having a blast, but we should probably get moving. If we stick around and face those guys, it’s gonna be a real pain!”
Nous glanced toward the horizon, where a fleet of ten Marine warships was lined up, approaching fast.
At the bow of each ship stood Vice Admirals—names the crew knew all too well—radiating killing intent. Behind them was a massive force of Marines.
“Pfft, if the whole Navy Headquarters showed up, we’d have reason to sweat. But just ten warships? Heh…”
It was Burgess speaking, his face lit up with eagerness, practically itching to jump into the fray.
“I wanna see if these Navy punks have gotten any better after a year!” Luri said, her hand reaching for the massive hammer slung across her back, just as excited.
Nous glanced at the rest of the crew.
Every single one of them looked ready to throw down.
“Fine, fine. If you’re all this fired up, let’s give them a proper fight!”
With the crew’s enthusiasm impossible to ignore, Nous had no choice but to join the battle.
“What a cocky bunch! Facing us, and instead of running, they’re gearing up to fight?”
“They’re underestimating us!”
“Tch, this time, I won’t let you take me down as easily as before!”
“While Mr. Smiley keeps the Lightning Killer busy, we just need to focus on Nous, Luri, and the former Flying Six. The rest aren’t worth worrying about!”
On the Marine warships, the Vice Admirals were already strategizing.
Onigumo.
Doberman.
Smoker.
Fire Mountain.
Sengoku’s old pal, Vice Admiral Rat.
Bastille.
And several giant Vice Admirals as well!
There were also a few notable new faces:
The new Rear Admiral and leader of the Science Corps, Sentomaru!
A member of the Navy’s covert unit and former Flying Six of the Beasts Pirates, Drake!
Rear Admiral and Smoker’s close ally, Hina the Black Cage!
A young Navy Captain from the covert unit, Koby!
And a brash kid from a Navy base, swearing to take down the Four Emperors, with a devilish arm—Grant!
Behind them all stood rows upon rows of Pacifistas.
This kind of force…
It might not be enough to completely wipe out a Four Emperors-level pirate crew, but it was more than enough to keep them pinned down!
Not every Emperor’s crew was as freakishly strong as Whitebeard’s, with their dozens of allied fleets and terrifying power.
This lineup was more than enough to handle any force outside of Whitebeard’s crew.
Add another Admiral, five Vice Admirals, and tens of thousands of Marines, and they could seriously cripple an Emperor’s crew!
“It’s a shame Vice Admirals Peach Rabbit and Tea Dolphin couldn’t make it. If they were here, we might’ve really given these pirates a run for their money!” one Rear Admiral remarked.
“Focus up! These guys aren’t pushovers!” Smoker barked, his expression dead serious.
Chapter 462: The Battle Begins
Whether it was Nous!
Ruri!
Or the wildly grinning Bashas…
Or even the four former members of the "Flying Six!"
Heck, even that guy Caribou…
None of them looked like pushovers!
"Yo, we meet again!"
As the Navy warships drew closer, Nous transformed into his Thunderbird form and landed right in front of the Marines.
"You’ve got some guts, storming into our turf all by yourself. You really think we’re that easy to take down?"
Seeing this, Ghost Spider spoke up, his face darkening.
"Underestimating you?"
Nous let out a chuckle, his gaze sweeping over the crowd with an air of arrogance. "Sorry, but everyone here? Total trash!"
The words barely left his mouth…
Before anyone else could react, the hotheaded Navy rookie Grant charged forward, roaring, "You bastard!!!"
He threw a wild punch, not even bothering to coat it with Armament Haki!
"Reckless!"
The Navy Vice Admirals sighed inwardly.
Did Grant have no idea of his own strength?
Did he really think he could take on Nous?
Whoosh!
Nous easily dodged Grant’s punch, his right arm crackling with explosive lightning as he countered with a devastating blow…
"!!!"
By the time Grant realized what was happening, the fist was already in his face—he had no chance to dodge!
The electric punch sent shivers down his spine, his hair standing on end…
Pure dread!
If that fist connected…
He’d probably end up with a few broken ribs!
Whoosh!
But just as the strike was about to land, a white blur appeared, yanking Grant out of harm’s way!
It was Coby!
"Not bad!"
Seeing Coby save his comrade right from under his nose, Nous took a slight interest in him.
"Since you’re here, don’t think you’re leaving!"
"And don’t blame us for ganging up on you!"
"You’re one of the Lightning Pirates’ Big Three, with a bounty close to a billion. It’s only natural we team up to take you down!"
Smoker, Ghost Spider, Doberman, and others flashed forward, ready to surround and overwhelm Nous!
"Well, I’m flattered!"
Not a trace of fear showed on Nous’s face.
As the wielder of lightning and the power of the mythical Luan Bird, he had both the speed of thunder and the bird’s terrifying strength!
And more importantly…
He was never fighting alone!
"Ganging up, huh?"
"Not on our watch, Navy!"
Ruri’s voice cut through the air as her terrifying dark powers surged forward like a tidal wave…
Faced with the black mist of her darkness…
Smoker hastily retreated!
"Wee-haha! Time to rumble with you guys again! You’d better have improved since last time!"
Bashas charged in like a rampaging beast, smashing through the air!
Ghost Spider’s expression shifted as he raised his sword to block!
Clang!
Doberman’s blade met Nous’s lightning-wreathed claws and was stopped dead!
The Lightning Pirates’ Big Three had assembled!
"How could I miss out on this kind of fun?"
"Ulti Headbutt!"
Ulti (Runti) crashed down like a living bomb!
Her target? The giant Vice Admiral Lonz, the axe-wielding man who’d been taken out in seconds by Whitebeard during the Summit War!
"Don’t get cocky, pirate!"
Giant Vice Admirals never lacked for raw power!
Lonz swung a massive fist to meet her head-on!
But his face changed almost instantly!
"This… this strength!"
Lonz was stunned…
He could feel himself being pushed back!
"Drake, you jerk! You played me for a fool!"
Page One, meanwhile, zeroed in on Drake…
Chapter 463: Each One’s Opponent
“Sorry, but I’m with the Navy!”
Drake’s face didn’t show a hint of emotion as he blocked Page One’s punch with his fist!
Takanotsume, Foz F., and others landed on the deck, eyeing the group of Marines.
“What a terrifying bunch!”
Vice Admiral Onigumo…
Vice Admiral Fire Mountain…
Vice Admiral Bastille…
Their expressions were grim. Not a single one of these guys was easy to deal with!
“But…”
Bastille brimmed with confidence. “We’ve got the upper hand!”
His confidence came from Sentomaru and his squad of Pacifistas.
“So many strong fighters! Hina’s pumped!”
Black Cage Hina puffed on her cigarette, already itching for a fight, her sights set on “Lion” Doggs.
“Looks like you’re my opponent, Wet-Haired Caribou!”
Sentomaru hefted his massive axe, glaring at Caribou, who didn’t exactly scream “good guy.”
“Heh, didn’t expect my first fight to be against a big shot like you. I’m flattered!”
How strong was Sentomaru?
Maybe not quite at the 400-million-berry level, but 300 million? No question.
In a Yonko’s crew, he’d rank just below the Tobi Roppo!
“Cut the chatter, you filthy pirate!”
Sentomaru wasn’t one for small talk.
He charged forward, his hands crackling with a fierce aura.
“Armament Haki!”
Caribou knew that energy all too well.
“But guess what? I can use it now too!”
Caribou swung a swampy fist coated in Armament Haki.
“Don’t underestimate me, Caribou!!!”
Sentomaru roared, unleashing a palm strike: “Soku Takanotsume!”
A shockwave blasted out, and Caribou’s face paled. “Advanced Armament Haki!!!”
No time to dodge.
Caribou’s Haki-coated fist shattered under the impact.
He quickly stretched his body, creating a circular gap for the terrifying force to pass through. Retreating fast, he thought, “This guy’s got the same advanced Armament Haki as the boss!”
“No close combat with him!”
Caribou had been through months of grueling training. His Observation and Armament Haki had improved a ton, but his real strength? His Devil Fruit.
He knew he was a “mage,” built for control, not brawling. Close fights were only for weaker opponents.
“Lady, you picked the wrong guy to mess with!”
“Lion” Doggs morphed into his human-beast form, his razor-sharp claws sending Hina flying with a heavy blow.
Caribou wasn’t the only one who’d grown stronger.
Doggs had too.
As a Devil Fruit user with decent potential, he’d received personal training from Nous.
Now, he could hold his own against the Tobi Roppo, even landing solid hits!
Hina’s attacks were useless against his speed. Her defeat was no surprise.
“Hina!”
Seeing her sent flying, coughing up blood, Smoker rushed to her aid, shocked.
“You jerk!”
When Smoker made his move, you knew it was serious.
Doggs didn’t dare tangle with him. Smoker’s abilities were a hassle—better left to someone else.
In a flash, Doggs darted toward another Marine: Koby!
“This guy’s ridiculously strong!”
Onigumo muttered, facing the towering Takanotsume.
“Thanks for the compliment, Vice Admiral!”
Takanotsume grinned, swinging his blade with a heavy strike.
“Foz F., you dangerous punk! You really rejoined the Lightning Pirates?”
Fire Mountain blocked Foz F.’s attack, fully aware of the man’s strength.
“I join whoever I want. That’s my freedom.”
Foz F. wasn’t in the mood for talk. “Come on, let’s see if you’re still as tough as you used to be!”
Chapter 464: Rematch with Smoker
In another battlefield…
Among the three remaining Giant Vice Admirals…
Their gazes locked onto the Ten Warriors of the Lightning Pirates!
“Get ready, pirates!”
Maybe taking on the Flying Six would be a tough challenge for them…
But against opponents like Bagenda and Crib?
They were more than capable!
“Get ready?”
“Hmph, let’s see if you’ve got the strength to back that up!”
The strongest of the Ten Warriors, the bald Bagenda, grinned wickedly.
Hailing from Skypiea…
Like the monstrous monk Urki from the Worst Generation, his strength was immense!
And even Crib, the weakest of the Ten Warriors…
Was already gripping his iron shovel tightly!
“Cold Blade” Agades licked his lips. “Giant Vice Admirals, huh? Heh, this is gonna be thrilling!”
“The battle… begins!”
One of the Ten Warriors, Jado, who had eaten an artificial Devil Fruit—Zoan-type Insect-Insect Fruit, Centipede Form—was the first to strike!
Unlike the Beast Pirates, who turned bizarre after consuming artificial Devil Fruits, Jado’s transformation was subtler. Black scales covered his body, antennae sprouted from his head, and his eyes turned pitch black!
“Filthy pirates, don’t get cocky!”
Their opponent was the Giant Vice Admiral John Jando, a veteran of the Summit War!
A man of justice and unrelenting resolve!
His massive blade swung down!
Sharp and heavy, it seemed capable of crushing anything in its path, making Bagenda and the others’ faces grow serious in an instant!
Jado was smashed into the ground, blood spraying through the air…
Clearly…
That single strike had already wounded him!
“As expected of a Giant Vice Admiral—what terrifying pressure!”
Bagenda licked his lips and glanced at the young Agades beside him. “Same as always—I’ll take the front, you handle the damage!”
Agades nodded. “Couldn’t ask for better, big bro Bagenda!”
He then turned to Jado. “You’re with me on damage—got a problem with that?”
Jado nodded, his expression brimming with excitement. “Wouldn’t have it any other way!”
After all that training…
It was time to prove his worth!
After this, he’d aim for a bounty of two or three hundred million!
87 million Berries was nowhere near enough to reflect who he was!
“Let’s do this!”
With those words…
Bagenda’s body suddenly swelled, inflating like a balloon until he resembled a demonic warlord. Brandishing a massive club, he charged at Vice Admiral Jando.
The three of them together were more than enough to handle a Giant Vice Admiral!
They might not win outright…
But the Giant Vice Admiral wouldn’t be able to shake them off either!
Even if it was another Vice Admiral, they had the same confidence!
“Looks like we can’t underestimate you!”
Giant Vice Admiral Lacroix eyed Crib standing before him. The man’s bounty was decent, but his strength?
Mediocre at best!
Still, Lonz wouldn’t underestimate Crib!
Especially since…
Two beastly reinforcements had joined Crib’s side!
One with the power of a woolly mammoth, the other a zebra!
As the Ten Warriors faced their respective opponents, the high-stakes battle with the three top fighters unfolded!
“Dark Water!”
Lulu transformed into a true emissary of darkness…
Her body radiated an indescribable gravitational pull…
And once again, Smoker…
Was trapped by Lulu’s power!
“Ugh!”
Facing Lulu’s iron fist, Smoker could only brace himself, but it felt like his insides were being torn apart!
He coughed up blood as he staggered back!
“Damn… damn it…”
Smoker was unwilling to accept this…
But he had no choice—Lulu’s strength was beyond imagination!
Against Devil Fruit users, she held a natural advantage!
The weapons he’d crafted to counter ability users were useless against her dark power!
Chapter 465: White Smoke vs. Darkness
“White Gale!”
Smoker unleashed a torrent of smoke, aiming to choke out all the air and suffocate Lully in its grip!
“Dark Invasion!”
Lully countered, her body surging with thick black mist that clashed head-on with Smoker’s attack!
Boom!
The warship shuddered violently!
White smoke and black mist locked in a fierce stalemate, neither giving an inch!
But then…
“White Fist!”
Smoker transformed into smoke, materializing behind Lully in a flash. His Armament Haki-coated seastone weapon shot straight for her back!
Thud!
Lully’s body was pierced, and Smoker muttered to himself, “Did I get her?!”
“That was a solid hit!”
Lully’s voice rang out. Hearing it, Smoker immediately pulled back—
“You’re already here, so why leave?”
Lully swung her arm, and black mist surged toward Smoker in an instant.
“No way I’m letting you catch me!”
Smoker morphed into smoke, nimbly dodging the pursuing black mist.
For a moment, the mist couldn’t touch him!
“But did you forget? I’m not exactly standing still!”
Lully’s voice echoed from above him.
In a flash, she appeared overhead!
“Crap!”
Smoker’s heart sank.
Lully’s right arm pulsed with raw power. Under his gaze, she slammed him downward with crushing force!
Bang!
The warship’s deck shattered under the impact. Smoker crashed into the food storage room below, feeling like every bone in his body was about to give out!
But there was no time to recover—Lully’s darkness came rushing in again!
“I can’t let that black mist grab me!”
Gritting his teeth against the pain and churning blood, Smoker thought desperately.
He turned into smoke, speeding through the lower deck like a madman. Getting caught by that mist would be the end!
But he overlooked one thing…
Against an all-encompassing substance like that black mist, how long could he escape in a confined space?
So, when he tried to bolt through the exit leading back to the deck, he was horrified to find every way out sealed by Lully!
He… was trapped like a caged beast!
“Damn it, I’m cornered!”
Smoker clenched his fists in frustration.
Was the gap between him and Lully really that wide?
On the deck above…
“Looks like Mr. Smoker’s in deep trouble, huh, Mr. Doberman?”
When it came to politeness, Nous was probably the most courteous guy on the scene!
But his opponent, Doberman, wasn’t feeling the charm.
“To sacrifice oneself for justice is an honorable thing!”
“Don’t try to mess with my head!”
Doberman’s right arm was scorched black, marked by two gruesome bullet wounds, forcing him to wield his sword with his left hand.
“Is that so? Well, that’s a bit tricky…”
Nous, looking every bit the gentleman without a speck of dirt on him, was wreathed in crackling lightning. “We’re not exactly looking to fight you to the death.”
Injuring a Vice Admiral? Fine.
But killing one? That’s a much bigger deal.
Nous figured they didn’t need to make that kind of enemy with the Navy just yet.
His words, though, only fueled Doberman’s rage.
“You bastard!”
“Are you looking down on us?!”
“You’re insulting the dignity of a Marine ready to die for justice!”
Doberman roared in fury, but Nous’s response was calm.
“Sorry, but we really aren’t out to kill you. Though, I’ll admit, I could if I wanted to.”
Nous glanced up casually.
Doberman’s right arm was wrecked.
Meanwhile, Nous looked unruffled…
But in truth, if not for the powerful self-healing of his Mythical Zoan fruit, he’d be sporting a bullet wound across his chest right now!
