New World, Heshunai Island.
One of the garrisons under Hael Nock, located in the central part of the entire Steam Pirates' territory and a primary target for Arimaki's assault.
Since commencing the cutting-off mission, several islands have already been conquered.
On a warship not far from the island.
Looking at the order in his hand, Arimaki was somewhat excited:
"Wonderful."
"Leave no survivors~"
"This truly suits my taste!"
"As expected of Mr. Sakaski."
"This is absolute Justice."
"Truly admirable."
The smile on his lips seemed gentle, yet the words he spoke, uttered so casually, sent shivers down one's spine...
He folded the order in his hand and put it into his pocket.
Activating his fruit ability, a flying flower grew from behind him, extending above his head. He slowly floated up and said to the vice-captain below:
"Accelerate the advance, prepare to receive the island."
"I'll go cause a ruckus first."
"Hahahahahaha."
The vice-captain on the ship looked dumbfounded, watching Arimaki fly away from the fleet:
"Admiral Arimaki!!!"
But Arimaki paid no heed to the calls from behind and flew directly towards the target island.
On the island's shore.
Behind countless massive rocks, countless pirates hid, preparing for a great battle with the Marines.
Regarding the encroaching Marines, the Steam Pirates had discussed it, but no solution was found...
Apart from Hael Nock, who was far on the front lines, no one could withstand an Admiral-level fighter. They could only do their best to delay.
After all, a Marine Admiral had been dispatched from Whole Cake Island, and with Charlotte Linlin tying up Garp later, the high-ranking executives of her pirate crew were far stronger than those Marine Vice Admirals.
The overall offensive of the Marines would surely be at a disadvantage.
As long as they could hold out, the Marines would inevitably retreat...
But would Arimaki give them that chance...
As the green figure approached, the pirates on the shore could no longer hold back and poked their heads out to attack.
A barrage of bullets and cannonballs rained down. To specifically counter Arimaki, they even launched many incendiary shells.
Many of the ubiquitous bullets exploded on Arimaki's body, and the flying green seeds fell into the sea or onto the island below.
Then, they rapidly expanded, and a visible green tide surged towards the shore.
As if to engulf them all...
*Thwip—*
*Thwip—*
The sound of vines piercing flesh rang out continuously.
These were not like ordinary vines, but thorns from hell.
Countless pirates watched in horror as, from the green tide of vines, numerous seemingly pliant tendrils emerged, directly piercing their bodies.
Then, like vampires, they visibly watched their bodies rapidly shrivel, their consciousness fading...
However, the most terrifying thing was that they were not directly drained of blood to death. Instead, after retaining some energy, the vines would directly withdraw...
What brought despair was that in their dying moments, they could clearly perceive everything around them, sense their life force slowly ebbing away, and the resulting terrifying helplessness...
Inside the pirates' temporary command center.
*Tap tap—*
Arimaki's figure slowly descended here, and various flowers began to grow from the ground.
Looking at several powerful pirates ensnared by vines, Arimaki said faintly:
"Can you not resist, pirates?"
He extended his hand, and vines shot out from his fingertips, instantly piercing several pirates inside the room. As the vines retracted, he pulled them to his front, a sinister grin appearing on his lips:
"So, can you tell me about the situation of the surrounding islands?"
"This is a rare opportunity..."
There was no cultivation that could improve faster than directly absorbing life. However, Arimaki was usually restrained, for if he truly did so.
If people on one island after another perished...
He would probably not live to see today.
But now, he was acting in the name of Justice, reaping the rewards...
So much nourishment, it was truly mouth-watering...
Looking at the pirates who seemed terrified to death, Arimaki smiled gently and slowly turned around.
*Riiip—*
The several dangling corpses were violently torn apart, scattering blood and limbs everywhere.
"Well~"
"Never mind~"
"It's not an important matter anyway."
As Arimaki stepped out of the room, all the green plants on the island erupted. From afar, the entire island seemed to come alive.
It was moving...
--------------
New World, Ryes Island.
The island, which was somewhat crowded yesterday, was now deserted.
All the pirates had been sent to attack the Marine base, leaving only the main force of the Red Hair Pirates and personnel maintaining the island's operations.
At the port.
Everyone was somewhat bored.
Yasopp stood on the deck, holding a telescope with one arm, scanning in all directions.
With so many islands being captured by the Marines in such a short time, how could they let it go? This was also why the Red Hair Pirates were not hiding, waiting.
No matter who came, there would be a fight...
Suddenly.
Benn Beckman, Yasopp, and Shanks all looked up at the distant sky.
Yasopp swallowed, and the weapon in his hand instantly crackled with Haki:
"He's coming in person, this guy..."
Beckman's expression was solemn:
"What an unexpected surprise."
"Marine Fleet Admiral..."
They had originally expected a combination of Bullet and Enel, but instead, they got a trump card.
Shanks' right hand rested on his sword hilt, gripping it tightly:
"Sakaski..."
At the port, everyone spread out, tensely on guard.
In the sky in the distance,
A meteor of crimson, emitting thick black smoke, was slowly but surely hurtling towards the island.
Shanks looked at the approaching meteor:
"He's quite leisurely."
His aura erupted, and his sword, Gryphon, was moved behind him, wisps of red lightning crackling and exploding around the blade.
He stared intently at the approaching meteor, the scorching heat already pressing against his face.
A red light flashed in his eyes, and Gryphon swung in a semicircle, slashing towards the meteor that was about to hit him...
*Crack—*
A sound like thunderclap erupted from flat ground.
It instantly swept across the entire world, causing the sea water to surge restlessly.
At the center of the collision.
Sakaski's right foot was firmly planted on the horizontally slashing Gryphon.
His Justice cape billowed behind him, and he said indifferently:
"Remnants of Pirate King Roger's ship."
Crimson and deep red auras clashed, and the potent Conqueror's Haki tore apart everything in the heavens and earth.
Endless white light flared...
*BOOM!!!!!!!*