Seeing that they couldn't peacefully enter the Judicial Island, Damon turned to his friends:
"Clear the way!"
Smoker and the others, already itching for a fight, immediately charged. The guards, startled, raised their weapons.
While Doflamingo's arms trade had introduced rapid-fire flintlocks to the world, the weapons held by these guards were outdated relics, similar to those found in the East Blue. Not only was their fire rate abysmal, but years of neglect had made them prone to backfiring. Instead of hitting the Marines, many guards were injured by their own exploding barrels.
Those who drew their standard-issue longswords fared no better; the blades shattered upon impact with the Marines' weapons. It was clear these were cheap counterfeits, likely a result of the corruption infecting the island's supply chain.
The 500 guards at the first gate were poorly trained and lacked formation. Although Damon's group consisted of only six people, they were the elite of the Naval Academy—fierce as unleashed tigers. They tore through the disorganized defense with ease.
After passing the first gate, they crossed a long passage of white marble leading to the second main gate. This gate was suspended over a colossal waterfall that plunged three thousand feet into a dark abyss, resembling a "Milky Way" falling from the heavens.
In front of the second gate stood two tower-like figures: the Giants Oimo and Kashi.
Kashi swung his massive battle-axe, creating a whirlwind. "We will not let you pass unless you step over our dead bodies!"
Smoker looked serious. "Giants? This could be trouble."
Damon walked forward calmly. Smoker gasped, "Captain, what are you doing?"
"Don't panic," Damon replied. He stopped before the two behemoths. To them, the seven-year-old boy looked like a mere toy.
"Kid," Oimo scratched his head, "this isn't a place for playing house."
Damon looked up, meeting their gaze. "Your leaders, Dorry and Brogy, were never arrested. The World Government has deceived you for fifty years."
The giants froze. Kashi leaned down, his massive pupils reflecting Damon's small frame. "Kid... are you telling the truth?"
"One hundred years ago," Damon continued, "they began a duel on Little Garden over a hunt. They are still there, fighting every day. They were never in the government's custody."
Oimo and Kashi exchanged bewildered glances. It sounded exactly like something their stubborn captains would do.
With the giants standing aside, the group reached the courthouse. Beyond the waterfall chasm stood the solitary Tower of Justice.
Damon looked up. A window in the tower opened, revealing the sneering face of Spandam. His neurotic voice echoed across the abyss:
"Do you even know how many billions of people are in this world? The women I've used are just a statistic! And you've come all this way for a few 'sluts'?"
The anger in Damon's group flared. Damon pointed his sword directly at the commander.
"To you, they are just numbers. To us, they represent the honor we defend with our blood!"
"We are taught to remember ideas, not people. People can fail, be killed, or forgotten—but an idea can still change the world 400 years from now."
Spandam's face contorted. He made a throat-slitting gesture, slammed the curtains shut, and began smashing things in his office.
"Laughable justice!" he screamed. "Only those with power define justice!"
As he stormed out, even his own agents avoided him. The news in the morning papers had stripped him of his authority; everyone knew his career was over.
Spandam headed to a training room where Rob Lucci was working out with thousand-pound dumbbells. Lucci's muscles were lean and lethal.
"Lucci," Spandam fawned, "I need you to kill six Marines. They've landed on the island!"
Lucci didn't stop his reps. "No."
Spandam took a breath and held up the newspaper. "They say this boy is the greatest genius in the Navy's history. At seven, he killed Brownbeard (bounty 17.3M) and captured Foxy (24M). He even took down members of the Sun Pirates."
Spandam smirked as Lucci paused. "Lucci, you were a legend at thirteen. But what were you doing at seven? This kid is making you look ordinary."
Lucci dropped the weights, snatched the paper, and draped his jacket over his shoulders.
"Where are you going?" Spandam asked.
"To kill," Lucci replied coldly.
As Damon and his team moved deeper into the island, they were intercepted by the Law's Watch Dog Unit—guards riding giant wolfhounds.
While the others engaged the riders, Damon heard the system:
"Ding! Congratulations for reciting a classic line from the DC Universe (V for Vendetta). Prize wheel activated!"
[Diluted Kryptonian Cells]: Integration grants a higher growth rate for strength, speed, and physical durability.
A golden light merged into Damon's marrow. He felt his potential expanding—not to the level of a "Man of Steel" yet, but his ceiling for growth had just shattered.