"Miss Yukiko, Miss Yuri —" Perospero dodged the crossfire and made his way to Yukiko and Yuri's side.
His expression was somewhat awkward. On the Charlotte Family's home turf, having to ask guests for help was deeply embarrassing for them. But the current situation left no room for hesitation.
Perospero did not even hope for Yukiko and the others to give it their all. He only needed them to buy a little time. Once Mama killed those insolent fools, every problem would solve itself.
"Mr. Perospero, I heard that the Marines have attacked from the port side, is that correct?" Yukiko noticed his hesitation and brought it up herself. This put Perospero at ease.
"That is correct. We are terribly sorry that this incident has ruined everyone's mood. After Mama kills those people, we will certainly give you a proper explanation." Perospero spoke firmly.
"That is of no concern to me, but it looks like you need the help? Katakuri still has not shown up, and the Marines seem to have come prepared." Yukiko observed.
"We would be grateful. Just buy us some time against the Marines. Once this is over, we will personally deliver compensation to Inazuma." Perospero took a deep breath.
Compensation was necessary, and it could not be small. Yukiko and the others would be facing the Marines, which was inherently dangerous. There could even be lingering consequences afterward.
"Do not worry. We have a long history after all," Yukiko replied casually.
She was indifferent to Perospero's promised reward. After all, it was uncertain whether the Big Mom Pirates would even still exist afterward. Buggy and the others did not have great odds of winning, but Yukiko was full of confidence.
She did not believe in Buggy. She believed in Ren. And Ren believed that with Buggy and Shanks fighting together, they would surely not lose.
Every era had its protagonists.
Such people could always turn danger into safety when faced with hardship, and even use it to reach greater heights.
In this era before Monkey D. Luffy was born, Buggy and Red Hair were clearly those protagonists.
…
On the open sea, the three Vice Admirals stood at the bow of the ship as the coastline drew nearer. Their expressions grew increasingly serious.
"Facing an enemy like Big Mom directly — I already feel extremely tense," Kuzan said. Though he spoke those words, his face showed not only tension but also a hint of excitement.
This operation was led by the three of them. Garp and Sengoku did not participate, though two additional Vice Admirals accompanied them. It was a Buster Call-level conflict.
This battle was also a form of training from above. Every Marine needed to grow, and facing those legends alone was perhaps a good choice.
"We absolutely must wipe out every last pirate this time!" Sakazuki said with a dark, serious expression. His eyes full of disgust for pirates, he had not yet reached the point of constant disagreement with Kuzan.
After all, Kuzan was still full of passion at this stage, though Sakazuki's personality was far more extreme.
Both of them were brimming with energy, but the tall man in the yellow suit beside them wore a look of utter misery. He appeared rather "mature" for his age.
It was truly annoying. For a salary of a few hundred Berries, they were being sent to fight Big Mom? Was this not asking them to risk their lives?
Borsalino was very displeased.
The Charlotte Family was packed with monsters, and the Marines had only sent a few lowly Vice Admirals? Was this not blatant exploitation of their labor?
He had no idea why those two idiotic colleagues of his were so enthusiastic.
Borsalino decided that once this was over, he would definitely find a more leisurely post where he could subtly clock out early.
He had heard that the World Government had recruited Vegapunk, and that laboratories would surely be established. If he could work there, it would be very relaxing.
He could carry a thermos and live a carefree, retired life — skipping decades of unnecessary detours. How wonderful!
Yellow Monkey let his mind wander while enjoying the sea breeze.
But Red Dog and Blue Pheasant had already noticed the coastal defenses and were preparing to force their way through.
Red Dog took the lead. Standing at the bow, he extended both hands toward the shore, and his arms instantly transformed into scorching magma!
"Rain on Fire!"
At this moment, Red Dog himself seemed to become a living volcano, releasing countless streams of magma skyward with both hands!
The burning boulders were launched several kilometers into the air, then crashed toward Cake Island like a fierce meteor shower!
"Rumble —"
The fiery rain poured down, causing Cake Island's coastline to collapse in an instant!
"Run! The volcano is erupting!"
The commotion pulled Yellow Monkey back from his half-retirement plans. Observing the apocalyptic attack, he made his trademark sarcastic remark.
"What a terrifying technique. You really are a monster."
"Your Yasakani Magatama can do the same thing, can it not?" Sakazuki replied, annoyed.
If it were genuine praise, that would be one thing. But Yellow Monkey could clearly achieve the same level, yet put on that look of admiration — it was nothing but passive-aggression.
Before the two could bicker further, a sudden wave of white cold air swept in, instantly freezing the coastal waters entirely. Even the warship beneath their feet was locked deep in white ice, completely immobilized.
"Hey, Kuzan, what the hell are you doing?"
Red Dog flew into a rage. He understood that this youngster wanted to show off his strength, but freezing the entire sea was going too far. Were they supposed to abandon the ship and charge ashore on foot?
"No, no, that was not me!" Kuzan scratched his head and said with an aggrieved expression.
He had not even moved a finger. This was truly unjust.
Fortunately, at that moment, a white whirlwind gathered ice and snow, reassembling in midair into a figure of white ice.
"You Marines should stop right here."
"You — the Snow Woman from Inazuma?" Sakazuki recognized Yukiko's identity at a glance and immediately said, "Inazuma is no better. This time, we will wipe you all out too! Die — Dark Dog!"
Red Dog attacked directly, launching his fastest technique at Yukiko.
His arm turned to magma and lashed out at the ice and snow drifting in the sky.
For Logia-type users, transforming parts of their body into elemental form was a common technique.
Attacks like Fire Fist or Tempest Kick all involved elementalizing the arm and launching it at the enemy. Such attacks were fast and fierce, but they had one drawback.
Against anyone skilled in Haki, if the arm was caught, the user would also be injured.
That was exactly the situation now. Before Red Dog's attack could reach Yukiko, two slashes descended from the sky.
The blade flashed, instantly carving two wounds into the hellhound formed of magma!
"The Hell Fox and… the Crow Tengu, then?"
[
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