Brook and Redfield weren't fooled by Devo's tactics. They refused to get bogged down in a pointless brawl, opting to pull back instead. Devo, relentless, zeroed in on Qilin Lion, the weakest link, determined to exploit any vulnerability.
Seeing this, Redfield erupted into action, clashing with Devo to buy time. Qilin Lion, boosted by his Wind-Wind Fruit, was faster than Devo. With Redfield holding the line for a few seconds, Qilin Lion carried Brook out of reach.
Brook retaliated with a razor-sharp sword aura aimed at Devo, covering Redfield's escape. Redfield, transforming into a bolt of lightning via his Rumble-Rumble Fruit, zipped after Brook, leaving Devo in the dust.
Devo glared at the fleeing duo, frustrated. Their abilities were a nightmare to counter. He could stall them by taking hits, but if they wanted to bolt, he was powerless to stop them—just as they couldn't pin him down if he chose to retreat.
Still, Devo remembered his mission: protect Punk Hazard, not chase down Brook. Though eliminating the Hell Pirates was a standing order from the Celestial Dragons to the Marines, his priority was clear.
Pale and battered from Brook's soul-slicing attacks, Devo regrouped with Kong's fleet to defend Punk Hazard. He needed a breather—those soul strikes hit hard!
...
On their retreat, Brook and Redfield ran into a fired-up Charlotte Linlin. Under Brook's stern gaze, she fell in line, joining them as they headed back to Punk Hazard to prepare for the coming storm.
Devo, soaring to Kong's fleet, quickly briefed the situation. His crew was wiped out, Punk Hazard had fallen, and Golden Lion Shiki was manipulating the floating island.
Kong and the CP0 captain, faces grim, ordered the Navy fleet to race toward Punk Hazard at top speed. They couldn't afford to lose the island—not if they wanted to answer to the Five Elders.
...
Punk Hazard Island
"Shiki, you done yet? If not, just wreck the underground research base! Two admirals are closing in!" Brook shouted, urgency in his voice. Time was running out, and against admirals and CP0, Brook couldn't afford to lose Shiki's firepower.
Unlike Rocks, whose monstrous strength could take on two admirals for hours, Brook relied on his crew's collective power. Every member was vital—losing even one could tip the scales.
Brook's current strength could handle one admiral, but two? No chance. Rocks, that terrifying beast, could brawl with two admirals for ages, maybe even take one out. Fortunately, Admiral Aokiba, backed by Vice Admiral, was barely holding off Rocks' onslaught.
Garp traded explosive blows with Monk Skal. Golden Buddha Sengoku clashed with Great Swordsman Ochoku. Black Arm Zephyr overpowered Silver Axe.
"Jahaha! I won't let you down! Time to throw down with an admiral!" Shiki crowed.
The island quaked violently, terrifying the surviving researchers and scientists who hadn't escaped. What kind of power could lift an entire island into the sky?
"Wait! Don't leave us!"
Fishman Tom and Tiger roared, shoving submarines onto the floating island. Tom, flexing his monstrous strength, hurled an entire submarine single-handedly, showcasing his raw power.
"Yohohoho! Let's gear up and show the world what the Hell Pirates are made of!" Brook declared, watching Punk Hazard rise higher. Their goal was secure—they could leave now, but they'd stay to test their mettle.
With an escape route ready, it was time for an all-out brawl!
...
The Navy fleet, spotting the airborne island, went pale.
Kong and Devo clenched their fists, seething with frustration. Damn that Float-Float Fruit! Damn Golden Lion Shiki!
"They're not running! Their air fleet's coming straight for us!" CP0 Captain Gerlin rasped through his white mask, a flicker of hope sparking. Were the Hell Pirates actually challenging them?
The Navy brass didn't flinch—they were almost excited. Had the Hell Pirates gotten too cocky?
...
Punk Hazard Island's Edge
Freed test subjects watched their captain and officers gear up to face the Navy.
"Two admirals down there? That's insane! Why aren't we hightailing it?" one whimpered.
"Coward! You'd be better off as a lab rat! Our new captain's a New World legend—the strongest pirate crew out there!" another snapped.
"Damn right! We'll follow the captain, crush the Navy, and take down the Celestial Dragons!"
The rare-race survivors bickered fiercely, while the four Lunarians soared overhead, thrilled by the impending clash.
They'd never flown so freely before—it felt exhilarating, all thanks to the Hell Pirates. Their officers were unreal: earthquakes, tsunamis, lightning, and now a floating island. It was godlike!
Then came a jaw-dropping sight. Whitebeard Newgate's reserve division crew went wild as their boss powered up. His right arm, crackling with energy, shattered the air itself. The sea split apart, a tsunami surging toward the Navy fleet with terrifying force.
"Whitebeard boss forever!"
"Whitebeard's invincible!"
Newgate's fanboy crew screamed, awestruck. They'd hitched their wagon to a legend—a god among men.
"Gurarara! Here's a little welcome gift from the Hell Pirates!" Newgate roared, feeding off his crew's cheers. The bond with his family—his crew—fueled his fire.
"Hmph! Think you're the only one who can show off?"
Not to be outdone, Shiki manipulated Punk Hazard's debris, hurling massive mountain peaks at the fleet below.
The air fleet's "Human Mimic" baboon brigade and recruited bounty targets erupted, chanting for their division commander. Shiki's air fleet was the Hell Pirates' top division, and they loved it!
Shiki laughed, soaking in the adoration. This was his stage, and he thrived under the spotlight.
"Boring," Redfield muttered coolly.
But then, a monstrous thunderball erupted from the clouds, startling even Newgate and Shiki. When had Redfield conjured that much storm power, crafting a cataclysmic Thunder Greeting?
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+400 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg