On the open sea, the three ships led by Zephyr turned sharply. Their sails billowed as they caught a tailwind, cutting through the water like arrows as they rapidly distanced themselves from the Marine fleet.
On the other side, within the Marine ranks…
"Issho-san, the enemy has spotted us. They're attempting a high-speed escape!" Bastille rushed over, his expression a mix of relief and concern.
"Admiral Issho, you absolutely cannot let Zephyr slip away. This is a joint mandate from Marine Headquarters and the Celestial Dragons!"
Just as Issho was about to speak, the CP0 agent wearing the red-and-black demon mask, Onifox, approached with a retinue of Cipher Pol agents.
"Onifox-sama, I am well aware of the orders," Issho replied, his brow furrowing. "However, I am the commanding officer here. Are you perhaps overstepping?"
"I know, I know. I'm simply offering a friendly reminder to the Admiral," Onifox said, waving a hand dismissively. "It would be a shame if certain influences clouded the Admiral's judgment."
As he spoke, Onifox cast a pointed glance at Bastille.
Fierce as a demon, cunning as a fox—this was Onifox, a high-ranking agent of Cipher Pol AIGIS-0, reporting directly to the World Nobles.
"You..." Bastille glared at the agent.
"Enough. My judgment is not so easily swayed," Issho said, casting a warning look toward Onifox.
Deep down, however, Issho knew he could no longer hold back.
Onifox shrugged and stepped back, falling silent.
Issho's expression turned stern. "Order all ships to deploy at full speed! Pursue and sink those three vessels!"
Following Issho's command, the Marine warships surged forward, their speed increasing significantly as they bore down on Zephyr's tail. One large fleet and one small, they raced across the waves toward the nearest landmass.
Several hours later, the chase led both fleets into the waters surrounding Monsbona Island.
Monsbona was a scorching summer island, comparable in size to Dressrosa but incredibly barren. It consisted mostly of desert and salt flats, featuring only a single desolate, treeless mountain and a small oasis.
Outsiders called it the Isle of Sin. For centuries, three neighboring kingdoms had used the island as a dumping ground for exiles, meaning the current inhabitants were mostly the descendants of criminals.
When the Great Pirate Era began, many pirates sought refuge here, causing the island's lawlessness to spiral. Eventually, fugitives, assassins, arms dealers, and bounty hunters from across the globe converged on the island, turning it into a hive of total chaos.
The Marines had attempted to subdue Monsbona multiple times. Yet, every time they wiped out one group, another would spring up shortly after, like weeds that can't be killed by fire, only to bloom again with the spring breeze.
Ten years ago, during a campaign in the New World, the Marines had even invoked a Buster Call in an attempt to erase Monsbona from the map.
Unfortunately, the ten-ship fleet encountered the Red-Haired Pirates anchored there. A fierce battle ensued, and the Marines were forced to retreat in disgrace after losing four warships.
…
On the deck of the Marine Vengeance, Ain pointed toward the land ahead. "Sensei, Monsbona Island is dead ahead. Should we make landfall?"
"Monsbona..."
Zephyr's brow arched at the name. He remembered this notorious Isle of Sin well.
Years ago, he and Garp's close friend, Vice Admiral Prodi (the current commandant of Fron Island), had participated in that ill-fated Buster Call, only to be stopped by Red-Haired Shanks.
"There's a river channel ahead. Enter the river first!" Zephyr ordered.
He knew that if they docked at the coast, their ships would be sitting ducks for the Marine fleet's cannons. Even if Zephyr won the fight, losing his ships would be a devastating blow.
Soon, the three black ships with their axe-blade prows reached the shore and slipped into the interior of Monsbona Island via the river.
On the Marine side, Issho and his men realized they had arrived at the Isle of Sin.
"Admiral Issho! The enemy has entered the island's interior through the river channel!" a Marine Captain reported loudly.
Issho frowned. Monsbona wasn't a particularly large island, and the river wouldn't be very wide. If all eight warships crowded into the channel, they could easily be picked off and sunk one by one.
"Admiral, the river ends at the oasis. There are pirate ports and towns within that oasis!" Onifox stepped forward to remind him.
Issho opened his eyes, showing only the whites, and spoke with a heavy voice. "Fleet, blockade the river mouth. All troops, prepare for a land assault!"
"Yes, sir!" the surrounding officers responded.
Issho muttered to himself, "Even if we cannot fulfill the primary objective... clearing out this Isle of Sin would be a virtuous deed in itself."
As the Marines reached the river mouth to begin the blockade and landing…
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
A sudden volley of cannon fire erupted from within the river channel. Cannonballs and chain-shot shrieked through the air, slamming into the Marine fleet.
The ambush caught them off guard. Splinters flew as hulls were struck, and the surrounding sea erupted in plumes of water, causing the warships to rock violently.
"Dammit! We've been hit!"
"The mizzenmast has been snapped by chain-shot!"
"There's a hole over a meter wide in the starboard hull!"
The four ships tasked with the blockade took the brunt of the damage, each sustaining significant scars.
"Admiral Issho! The enemy is entrenched in the channel! Vice Admiral Maynard says they can't get any closer!" Bastille reported as he ran to Issho's side.
Issho stood up calmly. "Order Vice Admiral Maynard to maintain a diversion. The rest of the men will land on the right bank. Bring the cannons, we will shell their ships from the high ground!"
Four warships docked, and Issho personally led Bastille and three thousand Marines onto the soil of Monsbona Island.
"Onifox-sama, what are our orders?" a black-suited agent asked.
Onifox looked toward the high slope flanking the river. "Zephyr will likely be waiting for the Marines on that high ground. We move together!"
Onifox and a dozen Cipher Pol agents disembarked, following close behind the Marine contingent.
As expected, as soon as the Marines reached the foot of the slope, they saw shadows moving at the summit. There were at least several hundred men waiting for them.
Bastille looked up grimly. "Admiral, they've already taken the high ground."
"I expected nothing less from Zephyr-san; his experience is vast," Issho said, shaking his head. "However... such tactics will not stop me."
Shing—!
Issho raised his cane sword and drew the blade in a lightning-fast motion, slicing toward the heavens before sheathing it just as quickly.
Immediately, ripples of purple gravitational light exploded outward, surging into the sky.
The Marines and CP agents looked up.
Seconds later, fire bloomed in the clear blue sky. As the seconds ticked by, the glow intensified, accompanied by a terrifying, low-pitched whistle, the sound of a massive weight plummeting through the atmosphere.
Under the gaze of thousands, a gargantuan meteor wrapped in raging flames hurtled downward, the horrific shrieking sound coming from the friction of the air.