Golden Lion Shiki and Redfield clashed in the skies against Marine Admiral Devo, whose horned devil form roared with ferocious power. Despite their combined efforts, Devo's overwhelming strength held them at bay.
Though Brook had nicked his soul earlier, Devo—a battle-hardened New World veteran—shrugged it off. Even with Shiki and Redfield wielding traces of Conqueror's Haki Coiling, they couldn't land a fatal blow on the admiral.
"Today, I sentence you to death!"
Devo's voice dripped with disdain, but inside, he was reeling. These kids, barely in their thirties, already mastered Conqueror's Haki Coiling? Their strength was unreal.
When did Conqueror's Haki Coiling become so common?
How did the Hell Pirates get their hands on such advanced techniques? And why was Brook so reckless, teaching it to his entire crew? Wasn't that a captain's exclusive privilege?
Most captains would hoard such knowledge to maintain control. Did Brook really think he could handle a crew full of Haki-wielding monsters?
Devo had no time to ponder. Shiki and Redfield's attacks grew fiercer, their fury ignited by his taunts.
"Jahaha! A seasoned Marine admiral, and this is all you've got? Talking about death sentences—look at your Navy grunts below! They're the ones who don't know when to quit!"
Shiki fired back, his voice brimming with defiance. He might not outmatch Devo in strength, but he'd never lose a war of words. The Hell Pirates still held a slight edge in the broader fight.
...
Charlotte Linlin was swarmed by two or three vice admirals, while CP0 Captain Gerlin called for backup to tackle Whitebeard Newgate. Even with help, he was no match for the towering brute.
Redfield stayed silent, but his Conqueror's Haki Coiling—rivaling Roger's—paired with the blistering speed of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, targeted Devo's vitals. He aimed to cripple the admiral's devilish wings.
Yet Devo's horned devil form, an awakened Mythical Zoan, boasted terrifying defense and regeneration. Like an unkillable cockroach, he frustrated Redfield to no end.
Maybe if Redfield's Rumble-Rumble Fruit awakened, he could go toe-to-toe with this admiral. For now, he and Shiki were stuck, unable to dent Devo's monstrous health bar.
...
Meanwhile, Kong's duel with Brook was a deadly dance. One misstep could mean death. Kong dreaded Brook's soul-slicing attacks, which even Armament Haki couldn't block.
He'd rather face Rocks than Brook. Rocks' Dark-Dark Fruit was useless against Kong's pure physical prowess, and while Rocks' Conqueror's Haki Coiling was formidable, Kong's Armament Haki edged it out slightly.
Everyone had their strengths. No one could master every skill—there wasn't enough time. The three types of Haki each had their focus. Armament Haki wasn't inherently weaker than Conqueror's Haki. Garp, with his peak Armament Haki, feared neither Roger nor Rocks.
Rocks split his time developing his Devil Fruit and Conqueror's Haki, leaving his Armament and Observation Haki slightly weaker. Garp, laser-focused on Armament Haki, stacked years of training, matching anyone.
"Yohohoho, Admiral Kong, you're slipping!"
Brook, wreathed in the chilling aura of the Yomi Yomi no Mi, stood atop his Cloud Hera, gazing down at Kong on the warship's bow. Today, they might not just make a name for themselves—they could crush the Navy.
Brook's excitement surged. Taking down two admirals would cripple the Navy's morale. Maybe they could join forces with Rocks and spark the Valley of the Gods war early.
That would let them plunder the Valley's vast resources, fattening up the Hell Pirates overnight. It could propel them to the top. The Valley of the Gods, the Celestial Dragons' New World stronghold, dwarfed even the bustling Sabaody Archipelago. High-ranking nobles flocked there, while lesser ones settled for Sabaody.
"Brook, I never expected you to grow this fast!"
Kong itched to order a retreat. The Navy had grossly underestimated the Hell Pirates' growth. The longer this fight dragged on, the worse it would get.
Brook and his officers seemed like born overlords, their growth explosive. In any era, only a handful showed such potential. Yet the Hell Pirates were bursting with them. Had Brook somehow gathered all the talent of this era—and the next?
...
Brook prepared to press his attack on Kong when his Den Den Mushi rang. He commanded Hera to pull back, creating distance from Kong, and answered.
"Brook, bad news—we need to retreat! Rocks' fight is over. Admiral Aokiba and a slew of vice admirals and rear admirals are speeding toward us. We gotta pull out now!"
Antonio's grim report sank Brook's mood. Rocks' battle had ended?
He'd hoped to crush these Marines in one go. Was this chance slipping away?
"Did Rocks lose? Or why'd they stop?"
Brook mentally cursed Rocks as the most unreliable pirate alive. Couldn't even stall one admiral?
"It's wild—a Vice Admiral named Garp wounded Rocks' ally, Monk Skal, knocking him into the sea. Then Garp stormed into the fight between Admiral Aokiba, and Rocks. Rocks had to save Skal and retreat."
Antonio could hardly believe a vice admiral pulled that off, but it happened. He relayed the facts, urging Brook to decide.
"Ugh, fate's against us! Pull back!"
Brook gave the order reluctantly. Aokiba's vice admirals were no joke, and the Hell Pirates couldn't face three admirals plus a horde of elite vice admirals.
Especially not with monsters like Garp, Golden Buddha Sengoku, Black Arm Zephyr—future pillars of the Navy, all as fierce as Brook's top fighters.
Seeing his crew still battling with gusto and Kong on high alert, Brook shouted,
"Alright, you lot, we've had our fun! We'll finish 'em next time. Retreat!"
The live broadcast ended. Though some crew members grumbled, they obeyed their captain, falling back one by one.
Under Kong's orders, the Navy didn't pursue. They could only watch as the Hell Pirates' airship fleet and Punk Hazard island soared away...