Though the outside world couldn't see what had just transpired, Linlin knew all too well that the punch she delivered didn't land solidly. The ground erupted beneath her, and her massive figure was sent flying into the air.
From below, Sakazuki emerged, his form climbing out of the molten earth. A moment earlier, he had realized he couldn't directly withstand Linlin's furious strike. Instead, he had burned through the ground, sinking into the magma to evade the blow entirely.
Now, he retaliated with a burst of molten fury, the ground erupting with volcanic force.
While Charlotte Linlin was still airborne, Borsalino appeared above her in a flash of golden light. His legs gleamed as he descended with a powerful axe kick.
"Speed of Light Kick!" Borsalino announced softly, his voice calm but tinged with menace.
Linlin barely had time to cross her arms to shield her head.
A moment later, a tremendous force slammed into her arms, sending a searing wave of pain coursing through her body. The power behind the kick was staggering. Borsalino's speed translated directly into devastating force, leaving Linlin's arms numb.
Unable to resist the impact, her massive body plummeted like a cannonball. She crashed into Sakazuki's magma field, the force creating a massive crater as she struck the ground.
Despite her formidable strength, Linlin was struggling. Facing the combined might of two Marine Admirals was proving to be an uphill battle. From the very start, she had been unable to gain the upper hand and had been repelled repeatedly.
It was clear that the Admirals—representing the World Government's highest combat power—were not to be underestimated.
Meanwhile Kuzan had chosen not to coordinate with Sakazuki. He understood that their abilities countered each other, and without a strong sense of teamwork, their cooperation might hinder more than help.
Turning his attention to Katakuri, Kuzan decided to focus on him instead. With his ice powers, he believed he could exploit the weaknesses in Katakuri's fluid-like Devil Fruit ability.
However, while Kuzan's ability restrained Katakuri to some extent, the latter was no novice. Though there was a gap in their strength, Katakuri's experience and composure allowed him to hold his own for now. The two gradually moved away from the main battlefield.
Meanwhile, Borsalino and Sakazuki pressed their advantage against Linlin.
At a distance, Claudius and the others stood watching the spectacle unfold.
"As expected, two Admirals working together are more than enough to keep her on the defensive," Claudius remarked, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"She's holding on thanks to her unusual body structure and incredible endurance, but she's clearly at a disadvantage," Gion added with a nod.
"Is it time for reinforcements?" Crocodile asked, biting down on his cigar with a calm expression.
As if on cue, a water-infused slash streaked through the air, slicing toward Sakazuki's back.
"They're here," Doflamingo muttered, an evil grin spreading across his face.
"Charlotte Smoothie, one of Linlin's Sweet Commanders," Claudius said with a smirk.
Indeed, the slash had come from Smoothie, whose Devil Fruit powers made her a dangerous adversary.
Sakazuki, who had been preparing to deliver a blow to Linlin, was forced to react. Pushing off the ground with immense force, his burly form twisted midair with surprising agility, allowing him to avoid the attack. He landed firmly, his feet bracing against the scorched earth.
Linlin seized the opening to launch a counterattack.
"Soul Strike!" she roared, her fist hurtling toward Sakazuki.
Sakazuki instinctively raised his arms to block, but the moment their eyes met, he felt a strange sensation. His soul seemed to tremble, as if trying to escape his body.
Thanks to his sheer willpower, he quickly overcame the effect. But even that brief moment of hesitation created a gap in his defenses.
Linlin's massive fist slammed into his arms, the force transferring into his chest. Blood spurted from his mouth as his feet left the ground, his body sent flying.
At the same time, Borsalino aimed a precise kick at the charred wound on Linlin's chest. Golden light erupted as the kick connected, causing Linlin to wail in pain. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth as she was blasted backward by the powerful strike.
For a moment, both sides had suffered losses.
Sakazuki crashed to the ground, clutching his chest. His arms throbbed with pain, and he realized two of his ribs were likely broken from Linlin's earlier attack.
Yet, true to his nature, Sakazuki forced himself back to his feet, enduring the agony.
Suddenly, another slash infused with Armament Haki came slicing through the air, carving into the spot where Sakazuki had just been.
"Why is this Marine mutt still here?!" Smoothie yelled angrily, her frustration evident.
Sakazuki ignored her words entirely. Without hesitation, he launched himself toward Linlin again, determined to press the attack.
Smoothie, enraged at being disregarded, shouted, "Do you think I'm insignificant?!"
She swung her massive blade, ready to unleash another strike, but before she could, a swirl of yellow sand flew toward her. In an instant, the moisture on her blade evaporated, leaving it bone dry.
Smoothie's eyes widened in shock.
She quickly propelled herself backward with an explosive leap, narrowly avoiding a sand blade that stabbed into the ground where she had just stood. The area around it dried and crumbled, the earth turning into lifeless desert.
"Crocodile!" Smoothie hissed, recognizing the culprit without needing to see him. The swirling yellow sand was unmistakable, only the Warlord of the Sea, Crocodile, wielded such power.
From the sand, Crocodile's figure gradually emerged, a cigar clenched between his teeth. His brown-black coat flared slightly as he stood, his gaze full of disdain.
"Why are you attacking me?!" Smoothie demanded, her blade raised in defense.
Crocodile chuckled coldly. "What a foolish question. Don't forget who I am. The Admirals are here, and you really thought I'd sit this one out?"
"Is this all part of your conspiracy?!" Smoothie asked, her expression turning grim.
"Conspiracy? Call it what you want. I don't owe you an explanation," Crocodile said, his voice dripping with mockery. He raised his hand, summoning another swirling blade of sand. "I heard you can drain moisture. Let's see if you can wring some juice from my sand!"
Without giving her time to respond, Crocodile unleashed his attack.
"Crescent Sand Dunes!"
Smoothie coated her sword in Armament Haki, cleaving through the sand blade with a swift slash.
"Not bad," Crocodile sneered, his figure emerging from the broken sand. He reached out, aiming to grab Smoothie's arm.
Smoothie reacted instinctively, kicking at Crocodile's body. But he had already turned into sand, dodging her strike with ease.
After breaking free, Smoothie inspected her arm, noting how dry it had become. Quickly activating her powers, she restored the moisture, though her expression remained tense.
***
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