The relentless percussion of cannonfire resounded across the sea, punctuating the tension with each deafening boom. Shells tore through the air, whizzing perilously close to the small sailboat carrying Ren and Carina. Explosions sent geysers of seawater into the sky, some of which showered the two aboard the vulnerable vessel. The ship shuddered violently with each strike, appearing as though it might capsize at any moment.
"Ah...those heartless bastards!" Carina's initial plan to feign innocence was abandoned as she grappled with the ship's wheel, frantically steering to evade the lethal barrage. Panic etched across her face.
Ren, his gaze locked on the encroaching Marine fleet, shook his head in disappointment. "Don't be naive," he cautioned Carina. "Among the Marines, there are radical generals who fancy themselves as 'hawks' and zealously uphold 'absolute justice.' They'll stop at nothing to accomplish their goals, even if it means sacrificing their comrades. A woman like you isn't their concern."
These hawkish Marine generals adhered to the banner of justice while showing no regard for the suffering of those beneath them. In many cases, their actions proved more ruthless than those of the pirates they hunted.
Taking matters into his own hands, Ren decided to intervene. "I'll handle this," he assured Carina before leaping high into the air.
In the astonished eyes of Carina, Ren once again transformed into a fearsome three-foot-tall unicorn. Suspended in the air, his body was engulfed in raging crimson flames, presenting a majestic and awe-inspiring sight.
"Roar--" Ren's beastly roar thundered across the tumultuous sea, causing ripples to spread in its wake. The intense heat radiating from his transformation reached Carina, who scrambled to shield her ears from the deafening shockwaves and blinding noise.
Apologizing for the disturbance, Ren prepared to unleash his fiery attack. Flames gathered in his maw as he aimed squarely at the flagship of the Marine fleet.
"Call out--" A deafening roar pierced the air as a scorching fire shot forth like lightning, homing in on the Marine flagship.
In the distance, the Marines stared in disbelief. A colossal, otherworldly creature had materialized above a small sailboat, defying the laws of nature. Their initial shock gave way to recognition as the creature unleashed its fiery assault.
Marine soldiers aboard the large battleship watched with shock and confusion. They were confronted by a creature they had never encountered before, and it was now attacking them with unrelenting flames.
"What is that?"
"Oh no, fire! What manner of monster is this?"
"We can't evade it! We're going to be hit!"
Panic and sweat spread among the Marines as they struggled to make sense of the situation. The blazing flames rapidly closed in, affording them precious little time to react.
Just as it seemed unstoppable, a tall figure sprang into action, moving with lightning speed and emitting white smoke as they traversed the air.
"Chi—" A brilliant flash of cold light cleaved through the atmosphere, meeting the fiery onslaught head-on.
"Boom…" A chaotic explosion of fire and smoke filled the sky as the two opposing forces collided. Marine soldiers aboard the large battleship could feel the searing heat on their faces.
"Vice Admiral Stirres!" Relief washed over the Marines as they recognized a high-ranking officer among them, boosting their morale as they regained their composure.
Meanwhile, the tall figure suspended mid-air, Vice Admiral Stirres, absorbed the brunt of the fiery assault. Upon landing back on the warship, he appeared somewhat disheveled. The blade he had wielded, cloaked in Haki, emitted intense heat and had scorched his justice cloak and suit.
With a displeased expression, Stirres discarded the burning cloak and golden-striped coat, tossing them into the sea.
"That rascal!" He could barely contain his frustration as he fixed his gaze on the majestic unicorn beast in the distance. "It's Ren, the vice-captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, known as 'Blood Prison.' As for that creature, it aligns with the legends of Zoan fantasy beasts like Kaido. Is he concealing his true strength or has he acquired a terrifying new ability?"
The Marines were left awestruck by the unfolding spectacle.
"Ho-ho-" The colossal fire unicorn soared into the sky, resembling a crimson lightning bolt streaking across the sea with astonishing speed.
" Carina, still on the sailboat, and the Marines stared in astonishment as the deafening roars of the beast transformed into bolts of terrifying lightning that struck other warships.
Dazzling lightning streaked across the sky with incredible speed, leaving no room for evasion.
"Boom...boom..." Marine soldiers screamed in agony as the medium-sized warships were reduced to debris one after another.
Stirres, the formidable Naval Headquarters Vice Admiral, could only watch helplessly as those terrifying lightning bolts obliterated his fellow ships. His anger was palpable.
"Coppers Ren!!!"