Facing absolute power like Enel's.
The members of the Red-Haired Pirates, in this downpour, were clearly no match for Enel.
Moreover, with high-ranking officials from the Xuanwu Marine Branch arriving successively from all directions, the chance of escape was even slimmer.
Thus, this prison break was about to be quelled.
"How did they manage to break out?" Sengoku asked, his brow furrowed as he looked at the pirates who were either killed or recaptured.
This branch was different from the headquarters.
The soldiers here not only included those from the Xuanwu Marine Headquarters but also soldiers who joined after Sengoku and his group surrendered.
Sengoku could not openly comment on the internal affairs of the Xuanwu Marine Headquarters soldiers.
At least, in their current understanding, the discipline of the Xuanwu Marine Headquarters soldiers was very strict, and it was not impossible for there to be spies within.
However, the breakout happening under his jurisdiction was highly problematic.
Therefore, Sengoku had to take it seriously.
"Someone from the outside let them out."
Kijuro emerged from Azkaban, drenched, his expression grave.
"The jailer in charge of the keys was knocked unconscious."
"No one was found in the surveillance footage who did it."
"We couldn't find out who did it from the recaptured pirates either."
"Perhaps they know, but they're not telling."
"I'll need to find someone to investigate this."
"If there's a spy, no matter who it is, they will not be tolerated."
Kijuro was also an administrator of this branch, so he took this matter very seriously.
Of course, this incident was also very severe.
In the current situation, it was clear that the appearance of Im was a distraction.
Someone else was responsible for the actual operation.
"That little girl with the Uta Uta no Mi ability."
At this moment, Garp said gravely.
Kijuro, Enel, and the others reacted upon hearing this.
"Enel, go and see."
Enel was the fastest, so Kijuro immediately ordered.
Enel did not delay, transforming into a streak of lightning as he swiftly departed.
*Boom!*
Enel arrived at the office and was instantly sent flying by a powerful force just as he was about to break in.
However, this attack did not injure Enel.
"So they did come here."
"Hand over that little girl."
"Otherwise, you and your captured crewmates will all die."
Enel reformed his body amidst the lightning, staring at Shanks with a murderous gaze, speaking in a deep, stern voice.
Shanks, carrying Uta on his back, heard Enel's words, and the darkness on his face deepened.
At the same time, Shanks felt an immense sadness.
These companions, though he had only known them for a year, were the comrades he truly recognized.
Being captured to cover for him already filled him with guilt.
However, at this moment, he absolutely could not back down.
He had to get Uta out.
Otherwise, their sacrifices would be in vain.
Shanks gripped his cutlass, staring intently at Enel, and continued to advance.
Enel, feeling ignored by Shanks's actions, became furious.
In an instant, lightning flashed and thunder boomed.
"Under my lightning, you might withstand the baptism of the storm, but that little girl cannot."
"You better think carefully."
If Enel hadn't been worried that killing Shanks would interfere with Benedict's acquisition of the Devil Fruit ability, he would have already acted.
"If Uta dies, you will also pay the price."
"Benedict will also not be able to obtain the power of the Uta Uta no Mi."
Shanks understood this principle well, so now that Uta was found by him, she could be used to threaten the Xuanwu Marines.
"Are you threatening me?"
Enel let out a cold snort and decisively attacked.
Vast thunderous explosions erupted, launching an assault on Shanks.
Shanks's face darkened, and at this moment, he could only fight with all his might.
After all, with Uta on him, if she were truly struck by lightning, it would be fatal.
Shanks fought for several rounds, searching for an opening, and dashed out through a large, blasted-open hole.
"Raiun Tensho!"
Once outside, Enel's attacks became even more ruthless.
The lightning struck down, guaranteed to hit Uta.
Shanks's eyes widened, and his eyes turned red. He felt immense pressure and overwhelming anger.
He unleashed his Conqueror's Haki, Observation Haki, and Armament Haki to their absolute limit, solely to block the attacks and simultaneously avoid being struck by lightning, thereby protecting Uta.
"Ah!"
Uta's scream echoed.
Clearly, Shanks's efforts were not enough to fully protect Uta, and the lightning had struck her.
"Uta!"
Shanks heard Uta's scream, filled with terror and rage.
While dodging, he pulled Uta closer to him. Uta, struck by lightning, was now on the verge of death.
Shanks reached out and stroked Uta's pale face, the resolute man shedding tears.
"Give her to me, she can still live."
"If you continue to resist, she will surely die."
Kijuro walked over, standing before Shanks, and spoke from a superior position.
"Don't struggle pointlessly. Without the Marshal's approval, you can't possibly escape from here."
In Kijuro's understanding, as long as the little girl was still alive, it meant her Devil Fruit ability had not yet been extracted.
And the power that had erupted earlier was mistakenly interpreted by Kijuro as Uta's resistance against Benedict's extraction of her Devil Fruit ability.
Furthermore, Benedict's emphasis on the Uta Uta no Mi meant that Uta absolutely could not be taken away, or die like this.
"Shanks."
Uta's weak voice echoed in Shanks's ears.
Shanks, hearing this, became somewhat frantic and quickly responded, "Uta, I'm here."
Uta opened her weak eyes, looking at Shanks somewhat blurrily. She wanted to reach out and touch Shanks's face, but she was too tired and in too much pain to lift her hand, and it fell back down.
Seeing this, Shanks grabbed Uta's hand, breaking down into tears.
"My Devil Fruit ability... it's... it's good..."
Uta revealed a pathetic smile, very weak and speaking with great effort.
However, her voice grew fainter and fainter, until it was too quiet to be heard.
Shanks was stunned.
Seeing this, Kijuro sighed inwardly, then coldly reached out, took Uta from Shanks's grasp, and placed a Senzu bean into Uta's mouth.
One second, two seconds, three seconds.
Uta's injuries visibly healed, and she once again regained her vitality.
Uta opened her eyes, a flicker of liveliness now in her gaze, but upon seeing Kijuro, she became flustered again.
"Shanks!"
Uta cried out instinctively.
Shanks, who had been dispirited, suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with renewed vigor and hope. An incredibly powerful Conqueror's Haki erupted indiscriminately.
This was caused by Shanks's excitement, and it had clearly advanced further.
Uta, defenseless against this Conqueror's Haki, was instantly knocked unconscious.
At this moment, Shanks also made his move.
He intended to reclaim Uta.