Chapter 24: The Navy Fleet Attacks
"Haven't Kurozumi Muchan and Kurozumi Chanmaru come back yet?" Rocks asked, scanning the room for the absent captains of the Seventh Division.
Golden Lion Shiki and the others turned their eyes toward John and the rest.
"Yo, hahaha! Them? We don't know either. We haven't seen them during the mission," John replied nonchalantly, taking a sip from his drink.
Rocks frowned, his expression darkening. He pulled out the Den Den Mushi.
"Boru! Boru! Boru!"
The call connected, and a panicked voice came through.
"Captain Rocks, help! The Navy is here in the New World, led by Admiral Kong himself!" Kurozumi Muchan's desperate cry filled the room, accompanied by the thunderous sounds of artillery fire.
"What sea area are you in now?" Rocks demanded.
"Captain! We're in the Ira Zell Sea! Please, come and rescue us!"
The Den Den Mushi went silent as Rocks hung up abruptly. The room fell into a tense silence.
For a moment, there was nothing but stillness—until Rocks broke out in laughter.
"Hahahahahahaha! Hahahaha!"
He stood tall and bellowed, "Set course for the Ira Zell Sea. Let's teach the Navy a lesson and show them whose territory this is!"
"Yes, Captain!" the seven cadres responded in unison.
Rocks stepped down from his throne, his commanding presence radiating authority. Charlotte and the others followed him.
"Gather the men! Target: Ira Zell Sea!" Rocks commanded from the observation deck overlooking the island.
Hearing the order, pirates scrambled into action.
"Shiki, we'll need your Float-Float Fruit to get us there!" Rocks said.
"No problem, Captain!" Shiki replied, biting down on his cigar.
Charlotte watched as Shiki prepared to use his powers, marveling at the versatility of the Float-Float Fruit. It could make any inanimate object defy gravity and move as if it were alive.
As the ships lifted into the air, Charlotte stood aboard a massive vessel, now soaring hundreds of meters above the ocean. Looking at the clouds within reach, he couldn't help but feel awe for the wonders of this pirate world.
"Should I get a Devil Fruit for myself?" Charlotte thought. He recalled two powerful fruits he knew of: the mythical Zoan Bat-Bat Fruit in the New World's Shuigu Town and the Thunder-Thunder Fruit on Sky Island Bika. Both had immense potential.
The Thunder-Thunder Fruit, however, presented a logistical challenge—it was located more than 10,000 meters above sea level. He glanced at Shiki, considering how his Float-Float Fruit could aid in the endeavor.
Lost in thought, the journey passed quickly.
Within two or three hours, the Ira Zell Sea came into view. Artillery fire echoed through the air as the Rocks Pirates approached, their ships descending toward the chaotic battlefield below.
Ten naval warships were bombarding a battered pirate crew flying the Rocks flag.
"Land the ships!" Rocks ordered Shiki.
The fleet descended gracefully onto the water, closing in on the naval forces.
Onboard one of the naval warships, the lookout shouted, "Admiral Kong! The Rocks Pirates are approaching, led by Rocks D. Xebec himself!"
Admiral Kong grabbed his telescope and confirmed the sight: Rocks and his seven cadres were headed straight for them.
"Garp, calm down and don't interrupt the Admiral!" Sengoku snapped, slapping Garp's shoulder to silence him.
Kong assessed the situation. He had brought a formidable force, including five elite vice admirals in addition to himself, Garp, and Sengoku. Still, the Rocks Pirates were no ordinary enemy.
"Prepare for battle! Justice will prevail!" Kong commanded.
"Justice will prevail!" the naval forces shouted in unison, their voices echoing across the battlefield.
Charlotte, hearing the chant from a thousand meters away, smirked but said nothing.
"Full speed ahead!" Rocks roared, his crew responding with thunderous cheers.
Weapons were drawn, and the battered ship of Kurozumi Muchan joined the Rocks fleet.
Before the fleets could fully engage, a golden figure loomed on the horizon.
"Great Buddha Shockwave!" Sengoku, transformed into his golden Buddha form, unleashed a massive shockwave toward the Rocks fleet.
The pirates remained calm.
"Guhahahaha!"
Edward Newgate stepped to the bow of his ship, his massive blade, Murakumogiri, at the ready. He planted the blade firmly into the deck and clenched his fists.
"Air Shock!"
Newgate's fist, coated in vibrating energy, shattered the incoming shockwave. The raw power of his attack fractured the air itself, creating a cascade of cracks.
"It's impolite not to return the favor!" Newgate smirked, grabbing the very air as if it were tangible.
"Seaquake!"
Veins bulged in Newgate's arms as he pulled down with immense force. The sea split open, and towering waves surged toward the naval fleet.
"Brace yourselves! Hold on to the deck!" Kong shouted as he clung to the ship's railings.
Sengoku grabbed the ship's mast for support, his golden form gleaming.
Garp, usually carefree, wore a serious expression, holding tight to the handrails.
The naval fleet was in disarray, the massive waves threatening to capsize their ships.
On the Rocks' side, even the pirates were in awe of Newgate's overwhelming power.
All eyes turned to him, their expressions a mix of admiration and disbelief.
"Newgate… He's incredible," one pirate muttered.
Even Rocks grinned, watching his crew demonstrate their terrifying might.
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