The pirates, after coming ashore, immediately hid themselves.
They did not wish to face Huoshan Mountain, nor the Marines.
At the very least, they needed some time to recuperate, to grow stronger, and then perhaps they might challenge Huoshan Mountain.
But now, they were like insects with burned hindquarters, utterly cowardly.
"Stop!"
A patrol captain, seeing the approaching Marines, said calmly and in a deep voice, "If you are here to eat ashore, you are always welcome."
"But if, after coming ashore, you intend to cause chaos and engage in brawls, then please leave."
Huoshan Mountain heard the patrol captain's words, his brow furrowing slightly. Then, with a dark expression, he spoke in a deep voice, "We are Marines. If we discover heinous pirates, we must apprehend them and let them receive their due punishment."
"If you obstruct our actions, do you consider yourselves to be harboring these pirates?"
Huoshan Mountain paid no mind to whether these people were authorized to speak. What he needed now was simply a legitimate excuse.
"Gourmet Island only harbors its guests. Regardless of their identity, those who enjoy food here are customers. We have an obligation to protect their safety on our territory."
"Similarly, we have the duty and responsibility to maintain the continuity here, to provide a comfortable environment for the guests who come to enjoy our cuisine."
The patrol captain knew very well what words he needed to say, and he had said them more than once.
But no matter what, their duties and obligations remained unchanged.
The pirates on Gourmet Island, hearing the patrol captain's words, revealed smiles on their faces.
Although many would consider that they needed no protection, if someone could keep the Marines at bay and allow them to watch the show, they would be very pleased.
"So, you are harboring these heinous pirates?"
"If that is the case, then you may as well die."
Huoshan Mountain no longer bothered to waste words with them and said in a deep voice, "Gunners, prepare."
*Click!*
The gunners on the five warships quickly adjusted their cannons, aiming them at Gourmet Island.
Concurrently, the eyes of the patrol team members also became sharp.
As for the pirates on the island, those who were fearful hid guardedly or simply moved away to avoid being injured.
However, a portion of them, skilled and bold, faced the potential incoming bombs with their own means to dispel the threat.
Huoshan Mountain gazed at the people on Gourmet Island, let out a cold snort, and nodded. His副官 (fùguān - adjutant/lieutenant) instantly raised a command flag and shouted, "Fire."
Huoshan Mountain was considered a gentle person within Marine Headquarters.
However, as an officer, he had to obey orders.
Therefore, he would carry out his commands.
Yet, in necessary situations, he would also express his own stance.
But, the pirates on Gourmet Island gave him the impression of being too arrogant.
Therefore, his attitude also became quite resolute.
With continuous rumbling sounds, shells were fired out.
As the shells were about to fall, the patrol team soldiers immediately began to move.
Then, under the gaze of Huoshan Mountain and the other Marines, these patrol team members leaped up one by one and displayed their skills, actually kicking the bombs away.
Furthermore, various pirates also used their unique abilities, causing most of the shells, except for a few isolated ones, to be kicked away, landing in the sea or exploding mid-air.
Upon seeing this scene, Huoshan Mountain's expression changed slightly.
The skills displayed by these individuals alone proved they were not easy to deal with.
"Continue!"
"It's fine even if we have to expend all our ammunition."
Taking the cigar from his mouth, he exhaled a ring of smoke and issued another order.
The simultaneous bombardment by five warships, without ammunition restrictions, was essentially equivalent to a mini-Shattering Jade Order.
After all, under the formal structure of the Shattering Jade Order, ten warships would simultaneously carry out a devastating strike on a designated location.
Therefore, Huoshan Mountain's order this time was undoubtedly a mini-Shattering Jade Order.
However, facing such a bombardment, Gourmet Island would not allow the Marines to act with impunity.
Thus, under everyone's gaze, a figure appeared.
He had a signature green chicken-like comb-over, a tattoo under his right eye, a nose ring, a face like a demon, a black wing-like semi-circular tattoo on his chest, wore a purple coat with a skull pattern on the back and plaid trousers, and a short sword at his waist.
His name was Bartolomeo, a mere ten years old, a kid.
At this moment, he was holding a greasy chicken leg in his mouth, striking a pose with both hands, and mumbling, "I'll block!"
With a sound like a light wave emission, a plain colored barrier instantly stood before everyone.
Almost all the shells landed on the barrier, emitting bursts of roaring sounds.
Seeing that all the shells were blocked, the protected pirates immediately cheered.
"Good job, kid."
"This kid's Devil Fruit ability is truly useful."
"Heh heh, he's called Bartolomeo. After landing on the island, he wanted to freeload, but couldn't pay, so he was caught. Now he seems to be a member of the patrol team."
"Heh heh heh, I envy this kid. Relying on his status as a patrol team member, he always eats all sorts of delicious food at various shops."
"I also want to join the patrol team, eat free delicious food every day until I die, but alas, the island master isn't recruiting."
"It requires fate."
With Bartolomeo making his move, the incessantly bombarding shells were almost entirely blocked, and the hearts of the people, which had been hanging in suspense, began to relax.
They had witnessed the monstrous nature of Bartolomeo's Barrier-Barrier Fruit ability more than once.
Huoshan Mountain, looking at the shells fired out being almost entirely blocked by a barrier, frowned, his expression slightly displeased.
This barrier blocking their path was definitely the ability of the Barrier-Barrier Fruit.
And according to the Marines' intelligence, the previous user of the Barrier-Barrier Fruit was Kanjuro of Wano Country.
However, that guy was already very old.
Now, this kid in front of him was using this ability, which meant that the previous user of the Barrier-Barrier Fruit, Kanjuro, was already dead.
"Tch, mere cannonballs, trying to break my barrier?"
"A fool's dream!"
Bartolomeo, seeing that the Marines had stopped firing, withdrew his ability. He then ate his chicken leg heartily, revealing a defiant expression and a wicked grin.
"Bartolomeo, stay aside and protect yourself."
The patrol team captain glanced at Bartolomeo and reminded him.
Huoshan Mountain, having determined that continued cannon fire would not pose a sufficient mortal threat to Gourmet Island, immediately issued the order to land.
Since the bombardment could be blocked, allowing the pirates to watch from the sidelines, they would directly go ashore and apprehend them all themselves.
Huoshan Mountain was somewhat confident in his subordinates' strength, as the Marines brought along this time were elites from Marine Headquarters, possessing great power.