Chapter 1323: I Present to You All Your Fated Demise!
Chapter 1323: I Present to You All Your Fated Demise!
The sea’s violent swirling had barely ceased when the Continent materialized directly overhead.
The arriving pirates were plunged into despair. Some had narrowly escaped the colossal vortex through sheer luck or strength, only to face an even greater catastrophe.
“There’s no dodging this.”
“Damn it, damn it, Damn IT!”
Most of the fleet’s pirates had already lost their composure.
“Hey, don’t lose heart!” Dorry roared with laughter from the Giant Warrior Pirates’ ship, raising his gaze upward. “Sure, that thing’s terrifying, but we’re not helpless! Come on, everyone—show them our strength! Don’t let the Navy underestimate us!”
Brook lifted his axe, grinning wildly. “Yohohoho! Feel the might of the Giant Warrior Pirates!”
The giants aboard the ship raised their weapons in unison.
“Tch, this thing again…” Beckman gripped his rifle-turned-melee weapon, addressing his crew. “Let’s show them the power of the Red Hair Pirates!”
“Oooh!!” The pirates’ battle cry surged, shaking the despairing fleet. Soon, the entire armada raised their weapons skyward, Haki surging over them like a storm ready to cleave the heavens.
“You fools couldn’t have just let me cull you quietly, Yi Xiao?” Kuro sneered downward. “Guess I’ll add a little extra.”
Yi Xiao rose slowly, left hand gripping his staff, right hand resting on the Swordhilt’s tip.
“I see… If this is how you’ll resolve it, then indeed, few Navy would be needed. Allow me to lend my strength.”
Click.
The Swordhilt slid out slightly, revealing its glowing blade. A purple aura erupted from his body, soaring upward to intercept the descending Continent.
Boom!
A black fissure split the Plaza’s edge where the Continent struck. Its descent accelerated, the crushing air pressure flattening the sea surface and snapping masts of nearby pirate ships.
“Damn it! Even we can’t ignore this!”
Even the fearless Giant Warrior Pirates felt unease. If the Continent’s speed and weight kept increasing… it would be apocalyptic.
“Then…” Dorry grinned. “Brook, I’ve got an idea!”
He reversed his Longsword, aiming it toward the Grand Line’s rear.
“Is that even possible? Whatever—let’s go!” Brook followed suit, his axe mirroring the shift.
The giants followed their lead, redirecting their weapons.
“Hakuguo!!”
A massive shockwave erupted from the Giant Warrior Pirates, compressing the air itself. The sudden gale accelerated the fleet’s retreat, several ships near the shore surging forward to land on the Plaza.
But it wasn’t enough. Many still remained in the Grand Line.
“Too late?”
Whoosh!!
The howling wind intensified, propelling the ships forward.
Where did this wind come from?
“Done, done! Nearly aged me ten years!”
From above, an island descended toward the Plaza. A small old man wiped his brow. “Thank goodness for this wind boost—we couldn’t have conjured the weather in time otherwise. That Continent’s terrifying!”
“Ah! Nami’s grandfather!”
Namipleasantly surprised shouted from the Sunny. “Was it you?!”
The wizardly old man gave a thumbs-up. “Nami, us old men have our uses too!”
The gale drove more pirate ships ashore.
“Crewmates!!” Luffy bellowed. “We’re landing!!”
“Leave it to me!” Franky roared, slamming his fists together. “Super!! Franky!!”
Boom!
The Sunny launched upward, soaring onto the Plaza. Luffy’s crew leapt down, joining the newly arrived pirates.
The Continent crashed down, engulfing the sea and crushing those who’d lagged behind.
Boom!!!
The endless expanse of the Continent stretched across the Plaza, seemingly infinite.
“Everyone.”
Luffy turned, lips pressed tight, then inhaled deeply. Facing forward, he glared furiously. Around them stood Skypiea natives, timely-arrived fishmen, the Mink Tribe, giants, weather-masters, Longarm, Longleg, and Longneck Tribes, the Whitebeard Pirates, and Ben Beckman’s Red Hair officers.
“I’ll definitely defeat Incense Burner!!” Luffy roared.
“Oh?”
On the Execution Platform, Kuro shook his head. “So many elites came after all. Well, at least the weaklings are gone.”
He sensed it—the pirates who’d reached the Plaza were all formidable, at least Marine Headquarters major-level strength. Though their power varied, their numbers far outmatched Kuro’s two thousand.
Roughly ten thousand strong.
Compared to Kuro’s two thousand, the odds were against him.
But numbers weren’t everything. Kuro had planned for precision—striking first. The Navy’s elites had hindered him too much, so he’d decided to unleash his full combat power without restraint. Likewise, his foes could now fight freely, unrestricted as in the Top War.
Numbers weren’t everything. Otherwise, Kaido wouldn’t have sought Smile enhancements, nor Big·mom her giant experiments.
“Thank you for your efforts.”
Kuro exhaled smoke, gazing down at the Plaza. “As a reward for reaching here… I shall now grant you all… your fated demise!”
He paused, then bellowed: “Begin the battle!!”
“Operation!”
Smoker charged forward, his jitte dissolving into smoke.
Tina grabbed a cannon-shaped Transponder Snail. Activating her ability, she fired a colossal Black Gun.
The Navy surged ahead, weapons drawn.
The pirates retaliated, clashing headfirst into the enemy.
The battle had begun!
(End of Chapter)
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