Chereads / One Piece: Elden Lord / Chapter 35 - Paramount War's Peak

Chapter 35 - Paramount War's Peak

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The streets of Saboady Archipelago were abuzz with tension, the impending conflict at Marineford being broadcasted on large, hovering screens across the bustling plaza. The usual chatter of merchants and tourists had faded into murmurs of concern, fear, and confusion as the world watched the war unfold.

Citizens gathered in front of the screens, eyes wide with disbelief at the scale of destruction, at the sheer chaos engulfing Marineford. Some were veterans of the true power Pirates hold, knowing the horrors that awaited when the mightiest forces in the world clashed. Others, newer to such global crises , could only watch in horror as the images played out before them.

"I thought Marineford was secure... How could things have spiraled out of control so fast?" someone muttered.

Amidst the violent storm of battle, new and old faces appeared, each more infamous than the last. But one figure, draped in a unique-looking attire, wielding a Cleanrot Knight's Sword, had the crowd murmuring in confusion. Kai, a name that hadn't been heard before today, was now being whispered all around, his presence unfamiliar, his movements precise and deadly as he tore through ranks of marines and pirates alike.

"Who is that?" a man in the crowd asked, squinting at the screen. "I've never seen him before."

"I heard someone call him the Elden Lord," a woman next to him whispered in awe. "They're saying he's one of the strongest people on the battlefield, out of nowhere..."

The murmur spread through the crowd like wildfire. The Elden Lord. A title that sent shivers down spines, for there was no record of him in any known pirate databases. Yet, there he was, standing shoulder to shoulder with pirates as if he had always belonged in the midst of this war.

"I don't like this… We already have enough chaos with those rookies and the likes of Straw Hat Luffy and his lot," one bystander grumbled. "Now we've got another one?"

"No… this one's different," another onlooker said, his voice trembling slightly. "Look at him. He's not like the others... He's too calm, too controlled. Who is he fighting for?"

On the screens, Kai unleashed a devastating attack, the ground around him cracking as marines scrambled to deal with him. His sword, the Cleanrot Knight's Sword, gleamed in the chaos, cutting through the strongest defenses with ease. The world watched in stunned silence, as every movement he made was purposeful, efficient—almost as though he was expecting this battle.

"This man… we didn't even know his name yesterday," one voice in the crowd muttered, a hint of fear in his tone. "And now he's at Marineford, challenging some of the most powerful forces in the world."

The camera cut to another scene, showing Luffy and his crew charging through the battlefield, drawing cheers and hopeful cries from some in the crowd. But the cheers quickly died down, overshadowed by a lingering sense of dread as people kept stealing glances back at the stranger with the gleaming sword.

"Is he a pirate?" someone asked aloud, still trying to process the newcomer's arrival. "Or someone worse?"

As the war raged on, the confusion only grew. For many, the Elden Lord was an enigma—a name with no history, but a presence that screamed danger.

Then, without warning, the screens flickered, a sudden burst of static interrupting the broadcast. The crowd stirred nervously, wondering if it was a technical glitch—until the screen flickered back to life, revealing a grinning face that caused gasps across the island.

Buggy the Clown appeared on every screen, his face filling the entire broadcast.

"Hah-hah-hah! Attention, world! The GREAT BUGGY and my invincible forces are fighting to TAKE OVER THE WORLD!" His voice boomed through the speakers, obnoxious and overconfident, as he continued his self-aggrandizing rant. "That's right! The age of BUGGY has begun, and you all better prepare yourselves!"

Some in the crowd couldn't help but scoff at the audacity, but others knew better than to laugh. Buggy's influence had grown in recent years, and despite his clownish antics, there was a very real possibility he could turn this chaotic situation to his advantage.

"Buggy?!" a man blurted out in disbelief, half laughing. "What is he doing there?"

"Who knows, but with everything going on, maybe even he has a shot now," another replied, the uncertainty clear in his voice.

Just as suddenly as it had appeared, the screen fizzled out again, Buggy's image disappearing, replaced once more by the live footage of Marineford. The world watched in stunned silence, the weight of the chaos sinking in

....

Kai's blade cut cleanly through yet another group of marines, their armor and flesh crumbling like paper before the might of the Cleanrot Knight's Sword. Each kill fueled the swirling runes surrounding his body. The battlefield around him was littered with bodies...both marine and pirate, proof of the chaos that had reigned for over an hour.

The war had entered a brutal stalemate, each side desperately trying to gain the upper hand. The clashing of swords, the booming of cannons, and the screams of soldiers formed a symphony of destruction. But amidst the chaos, something changed.

A sudden wave of silence washed over parts of the battlefield. All eyes turned to the horizon, where more ships approached. Unlike Whitebeard's fleet, these vessels bore the distinct insignia of the World Government. Kai, standing among the bodies of the fallen, narrowed his eyes. He wasn't the only one who had noticed.

On a nearby platform, Luffy stood alongside Emporio Ivankov, both glaring at the approaching ships.

"Battleaxe ?!" Luffy shouted, frustrated by the relentless waves of new enemies.

Ivankov's eyes widened as he recognized the silhouette standing at the helm of the leading ship. "Ve are in trouble, Straw Hat-boy! Zat's Sentomaru, and he's brought... oh no..."

The unmistakable shimmer of metal and the heavy stomping of machines announced the arrival of at least twenty Pacifistas. Each one a terrifying, mechanized replica of Bartholomew Kuma, their cold, lifeless eyes scanning the battlefield.

Kai's gaze hardened as the Pacifistas disembarked from the ships, their footsteps synchronized like a marching army of death. He knew exactly what they were—Weapons of War. The World Government's most powerful human weapons , designed to wipe out pirates with brutal efficiency. And the fact that they all looked like Kuma? He knew why, but now wasn't the time to share such dangerous knowledge. This battlefield didn't need more chaos.

"It's the Kuma guys" Luffy's voice rose in disbelief, taking in the army of identical figures.

"They're not the real one," Ivankov explained quickly, his voice barely masking the tension. "They're copies, built by the government!"

As the Pacifistas marched onto the battlefield, the tension reached its breaking point. Marines and pirates alike stared in disbelief at the sheer number of them. Even the strongest of Whitebeard's commanders were caught off guard, unsure how to counter this new wave of unstoppable machines.

Suddenly, Sentomaru leaped down from his ship, landing in front of the battle with a booming thud. His massive battle-axe slung over his shoulder, he gave a lazy wave to the nearby marines before turning his attention to Kizaru, who hovered in the air above the chaos.

"Oi, Uncle Kizaru!" Sentomaru shouted, frustration clear in his voice. "Things aren't going according to plan! They were supposed to be driven into the bay by now!"

Kizaru, still as aloof as ever, tilted his head. "Yare yare, Sentomaru. It seems these pirates are more stubborn than we thought, hmm? So scattered all over the battlefield, it's quite troublesome, and they made it all the way to the plaza.."

Sentomaru's eyes scanned the field below, clearly annoyed at the disorganization. The pirates were spread out, fighting on multiple fronts. Instead of being herded into a single choke point in the bay, they had broken off into smaller, more dangerous groups.

The marines listening in from nearby paled at the implications. Whitebeard had outwitted the World Government's strategy. His order to split up—given earlier in the battle—wasn't random. He had known about the plan to trap them in the bay, where they would have been sitting ducks for the marines' heavy artillery. By scattering his forces, Whitebeard had saved their lives.

A murmur spread among the pirates as they began to piece together what had happened. The genius of their captain's tactics left them both awestruck and grateful.

"That old man… he knew all along!" one pirate muttered in disbelief.

"Hah! We would've been wiped out if we stayed in the bay!" another exclaimed, now even more motivated to fight.

Kai listened to the conversation, his sharp mind absorbing every detail. Whitebeard had certainly played his cards well with that extra ship, but now it was up to the rest of them to survive this next phase. His eyes flickered toward the Pacifistas, already beginning to engage with some of the commanders. He could hear the sounds of gunfire, explosions, and screams in the distance

"Continue with the plan!" Sengoku's voice boomed across the battlefield, his tone firm and commanding. "Do not let them regroup! Attack any stragglers you can reach!" He slammed his fist into the railing, the urgency in his voice cutting through the noise of war. Every marine officer in earshot snapped to attention, quickly relaying his orders across their communication lines.

Sengoku locked eyes with Whitebeard, their stares colliding across the battlefield. It was a moment of intense stillness amidst the storm of war. Neither spoke, but in that silence, a thousand unspoken words passed between them.

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