Zzz~
The fist crackling with lightning gradually enlarged in Bizarre's vision. Drake's fist, enveloped in electricity, directly smashed onto Bizarre's iron jaw. Soldier against soldier, king against king—this has always been a tradition in the Pirate World.
When high-level combat hasn't overflowed or broken down, the strongest on one's side tends to deal with the enemy's strongest. The numbers on Coby's head stood out, making it easy for Drake to lock onto a target.
This is a Thunder Punch, yet not exactly a Thunder Punch. Luxray's skill set doesn't include Thunder Punch, but to mix into the single-digit Numberer, even if those with greater potential haven't yet matured, she herself possesses her own combat talent.
Manipulating electricity is Luxray's most basic ability, attaching electricity to the fist to increase power is a basic method, though it doesn't match the explosiveness that the Thunder Punch skill brings.
Bizarre, who had been clashing with Coby for a long time, was no match for the energetic Drake. He's somewhat stronger than the Number 61 Coby, but naturally, he was no match for the single-digit Drake, getting sent flying with just one punch.
As he climbed back up from the beach, his eyes fixed on Drake's neck; the pink NO.5 stood out even against the backdrop of blue fur.
The affiliated captains of the Whitebeard Pirates weren't like the newcomers in Paradise who knew nothing. Their biggest enemies in the New World were the Hundred Beasts Pirates and the BIG MOM Pirates. They had some understanding of the Hundred Beasts' practice of ranking strength through numbers.
This method, while it may somewhat expose the strength of their side, also brings a sense of pressure to the enemy. Even NO.61 Coby could hold his own in a long battle, and facing this NO.5 ability user, he knew he wouldn't be a match.
"Damn it... Where's Dad's reinforcements..."
Just as Drake intended to land a finishing blow, two distinct gunshots rang out from a distance, and a sense of impending crisis within made her choose to retreat. Just as she moved her feet, two bullet holes appeared by her feet.
Soon after, a strong man with a long sword and an inverted Y-shaped double chin appeared here.
Holding a cigar at the corner of his mouth, a simple Whitebeard flag was tattooed on his right shoulder.
Captain of the Whitebeard Pirates' Squad 15 - Fossa.
Seeing this, Drake didn't continue to attack Bizarre, but instead looked into the distance. Luxray not only gave her the ability to see through, but in her empowered state, her naked eye could function as a telescope.
At this moment, she had already seen the ship of the Whitebeard Pirates gradually approaching from the seaside, and also the person standing at the bow.
Wearing a pink kimono, with a red Japanese cloth with spots tied irregularly around the waist, lips adorned with lipstick, very different from Kikunojo, it was obvious at a glance that this was a man.
Captain of the Whitebeard Pirates' Squad 16 - Izou.
The double guns in his hands were still emitting smoke from the gunpowder; it was clear the two shots just now came from him.
"Must admit they got here quite quickly. Hey, number 61, are you okay?"
Due to being unfamiliar, Drake merely addressed him by his code number.
"I'm Coby. I can still fight."
"You deal with one, I'll finish the battle quickly." Saying this, Drake tossed Coby a vial, a special recovery potion exclusive to the Hundred Beasts, which not only healed wounds but also restored stamina.
Coby also had rations, but he didn't expect the battle to drag on so long and didn't carry many. He had already shared his supply with other severely injured members earlier.
In a one-on-one, Drake had some confidence, but two opponents posed some difficulty for her. Besides the perpetually vacant second squad, the Whitebeard Pirates had developed into a large pirate team with 16 squads.
Every squad captain was a formidable strongman; the sequence numbers of the captains didn't necessarily represent strength and status ranking. Despite rumors about the immense strength of these people, there were significant gaps among them.
Both Izou and Fossa were at the level of high-level officials but weren't considered high-level officials.
"I'll do my best, but..."
Even if the potion could restore stamina, he wasn't certain how long he could last against a captain of Whitebeard's. Drake had already demonstrated the disparity between this level; the gap wasn't just stamina.
"Don't worry, I'll come to assist you shortly, no big deal, but what's on this island, anyway?"
The Whitebeard Pirates had sent out two captains, which wasn't something they anticipated. According to Drake's expectations, Whitebeard dispatching even one captain should about suffice, considering how vast his territory was and how his manpower shouldn't be so abundant.
Sending two captains indicated there was something here that the Whitebeard Pirates needed.
"I have no idea either."
"How about those pirates from before?"
"Err... Shortly after we got here, they both ended up dead in a skirmish."
"..."
An outcome Drake hadn't anticipated, and now there was no time to ponder it. Dealing with the current battle was of paramount importance.
"Iscariot! Plan B, take care of your own safety!"
The initial plan was to allow her to see blood, but to prevent accidents, there was a backup plan, including an immediate retreat if she was no match, which was Plan C, as well as her mission being canceled, transitioning to overseeing Kikunojo instead, which was Plan B.
Kikunojo's strength was far superior to that of ordinary pirates. Usually, Drake allowed him to slack off, but in these circumstances, his martial power couldn't be wasted.
As she spoke, Drake's body surface began to be filled with electricity, a charging move to enhance the power of her ensuing Electric-type attacks. The electric currents on her body surface also afforded her resistance against special attacks.
"Coby, I'm leaving this to you."
"Yes!"
Relying on the potion to restore his stamina, Coby once again used Shell Blade, while Fossa took a deep drag on his cigar. As the smoldering red cigarette touched the blade, his longsword was immediately enveloped in a layer of flame.
Water Blade and Fire Blade clashed, while Drake charged towards the coast.
Obviously, besides these exhausted affiliated pirate groups, the equally energetic main members of the Whitebeard crew posed the real troublesome issue.
Moreover, Izou, wielding double guns, intervening in the battlefield would be an even greater concern; firearms could prove more effective when dealing with foes not as strong.
Though wielding guns, regular firearms have limits; gunslingers famed in the New World aren't competing on marksmanship, that skill is foundational in the New World.
They compare Observation Haki and Armament Haki skills, observing the opponent with the Observation Haki, increasing attack power with Armament Haki — without these two, their guns would merely be sticks in the eyes of the equivalently-leveled opponent.
Earlier, due to sensing something amiss on the island, Fossa had first rushed inside, while Izou led the team to land. However, Izou didn't know this battle would deal him a significant blow.