Lina looked at Qimo Ji and pouted softly. "It seems I have no choice."
Law had originally intended to face the masked woman in white himself, but he knew Rolan's arrangement was sound. Issho, being the strongest among them aside from Rolan, was naturally the most suitable choice to stay with Vivi and ensure her safety.
Robin and Law both possessed abilities related to spatial manipulation, making them ideal for rapid movement and battlefield control. More importantly, facing the All Stars, the Sweet Commanders, and the Calamities simultaneously might prove even more dangerous than confronting the five top level enemies earlier.
Queen stood proudly on the Beasts Pirates' ship and scanned the opposing side. "Perospero, why don't I see Katakuri?"
Perospero's expression darkened slightly at the question.
Just before they had departed to intercept Rolan, Katakuri claimed he needed to remain behind to guard Totto Land for Mama. Big Mom had not only accepted this explanation but even praised Katakuri for his foresight.
Perospero, however, knew the real reason.
Katakuri simply did not want to become enemies with the Rolan Pirates.
It was not fear. It was repayment.
Last time, after Big Mom's defeat, Rolan could have chosen to completely annihilate them. Instead, he did not. Katakuri remembered that clearly.
Perospero found the reasoning incomprehensible. There was no righteousness in the pirate world. Mercy held no value in the face of absolute profit or looming threats.
Besides, with a crew as terrifying as Big Mom's, even if every combatant left Totto Land, who would dare invade it?
Unless it was Whitebeard or Red Hair Shanks.
Big Mom and Kaido had clashed with both of them before and knew they were not opportunistic scavengers. On top of that, this operation was being conducted in secrecy, known only to a handful of people. Even if someone attempted a raid, by the time they arrived, the fleet might already be back.
There was no real need to leave Katakuri behind.
Naturally, Perospero would never voice this truth.
"What does it matter whether Katakuri comes or not?" he snapped. "This is Mama's arrangement!"
Ignoring Queen's laughter, Perospero shifted his attention to Issho and the others.
From his perspective, aside from the beautiful blue haired girl who seemed to possess almost no combat power, the remaining three were terrifyingly strong. Especially the swordsman dressed in purple.
He quickly formed an assumption. That blue haired girl was likely one of Rolan's women.
Among the three, at least one would be forced to remain behind to protect her. That would reduce their effective combat strength to two.
With their numbers, that was more than manageable.
Confidence surged through him.
Queen spun in place and exhaled a smoke ring. "If you have any last words, say them now. You won't get another chance later. If I'm feeling generous, I might even pass them along."
Perospero chuckled. "Perorin."
Neither Law nor Robin bothered to respond.
Issho, who had only recently regained his sight, still struggled to adjust. His eyes remained closed, but his ears twitched faintly as he took in everything around him.
He already understood how dire their situation was.
Still, whether out of loyalty to his comrades from the Ion Tempest or his respect for Vivi, he had made his decision.
Even if it cost him his life, he would protect her.
"Miss Robin, Mr. Law," Issho said calmly, "I apologize for leaving the rest of the battle to you, this old man is not what he once was."
Robin let out a soft laugh. "It's fine, Mr. Issho. This is nothing more than a minor situation."
Her expression was serene, betraying no outward panic. Yet beneath that calm surface, waves of tension surged. She knew this was the most dangerous crisis their crew had ever faced.
Even more terrifying than the previous Marine encirclement.
This time, they only had half the crew.
And their enemies included three fighters at Admiral level, along with two Four Emperors.
Law spoke next. "Mr. Issho, Princess Vivi is in your care. These few rats are more than enough for Robin chan and me."
Queen burst into laughter. "Hahahaha! Struggling beasts, that's all this is! Even if you're the Rolan Pirates, so what? Right now, you're just fish in a barrel!"
He sneered. "Your Den Den Mushi can't make calls, can it? Your Vivre Cards aren't responding either, right? You've vanished from this sea. No one even knows you're here."
Law's brows furrowed slightly. Even Issho's expression shifted.
With his Observation Haki, Issho could clearly sense it. They were trapped inside an enormous circular space, one that isolated every fluctuation within it.
Cracker clapped his hands together. "Vegapunk, the World Government's chief scientist, truly is terrifying. To seal off an entire area like this."
Robin's eyes narrowed. "Vegapunk… that makes sense. In this world, only he could accomplish something like this."
"Enough chatter!" King roared.
His body ignited as he transformed into a massive black bird engulfed in flames, charging straight toward Robin and Law.
Unlike Queen or Perospero, King did not waste time on words.
"They're coming!" Robin called out.
"Four Petal Flowers!"
She formed a hand seal, and multiple pairs of pale arms bloomed across King's body. Armament Haki wrapped around them, giving off a faint purple sheen.
"Bind!"
The arms twisted and locked around King's wings.
With his wings restrained, King crashed down onto the island cloud below.
"What monstrous strength!"
Even reinforced by Haki, Robin felt tremendous strain. King's raw power was overwhelming.
The Beasts Pirates erupted in shock.
"Big Brother King!"
"Big Brother King!"
"Big Brother King!"
"Damn you, Robin!"
"Shooting squad, fire!"
Dozens of gun barrels were aimed at her.
Law frowned. Individually, these fighters were insignificant, but in numbers, they could still become a nuisance.
He raised his hand.
"ROOM."
A massive spherical space expanded outward, enveloping the battlefield.
Law swung Kikoku repeatedly through the air.
Invisible blades flashed.
Every minor combatant except King, Queen, Cracker, Perospero, and the three Tobi Roppo was instantly severed into pieces.
No blood spilled.
"Screams echoed."
"I've been cut!"
"My head!"
"My leg!"
"Huh? It doesn't hurt!"
"What kind of power is this?"
"That's Trafalgar Law, the Surgeon of Death!"
Law exhaled slowly and flicked his finger.
"Shambles."
Body parts flew everywhere, heads colliding with feet, arms landing on backsides.
"My legs!"
"My butt!"
"My head!"
Law glanced around.
Only eight enemies remained.
Cracker snarled and commanded his Biscuit Soldiers to charge.
Queen raised his launcher and fired virus rounds toward Law's position.
Explosions erupted, thick smoke engulfing the area.
"They're gone!" someone shouted.
King's Observation Haki flared, and he immediately sensed it.
The four had vanished just before the attack landed.
Turning sharply, he spotted them reappearing several hundred meters away.
Vivi clenched her fists, guilt flooding her expression.
"Mr. Issho," she said urgently, "you don't need to protect me. Please go help Law and Robin."
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