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Despair countdown: five minutes until the Buster Call. Chaos erupted on the light screen, but an even more fatal threat came from the outside.
The Navy's highest command clearly had lost patience with the out-of-control situation on the island—or rather, they judged this to be the best opportunity to completely eliminate the massive threat of Bullet and wipe out as many of the vicious pirates gathered here as possible.
The order was swiftly transmitted via encrypted Den Den Mushi to the flagship encircling the island.
"Buster Call activation confirmed. Target: entire area within the cage island. Reference point calibration… Preheating begun. Estimated five minutes until full-coverage bombardment commences."
The cold, merciless announcement passed among the Marine officers responsible for communications like the whisper of the Grim Reaper.
This news spread like a plague through the Marine units that could still maintain contact.
"Buster Call?! Are you kidding me! There are still our own people on the island!!"
"Five minutes? How could we possibly evacuate?!"
"Are they… planning to bury us here along with them?!"
Panic, anger, and despair began to breed among the Marines.
They were soldiers fighting for justice, not disposable cannon fodder!
In the shadow of a relatively concealed ruin on the island, a cold figure in a white suit—Rob Lucci—was silently eavesdropping on the emergency call.
When he heard "Buster Call" and "five minutes," his hawk-like eyes narrowed slightly. There was no emotional fluctuation; his figure simply melted even more completely into the darkness, as if calculating something.
The scene briefly switched to the new Marine Headquarters. Fleet Admiral Akainu's face appeared on the large screen, his expression ashen, his eyes filled with unquestionable resolve and a near-cruel "big-picture" perspective.
To eliminate Bullet and the numerous extreme-evildoer pirates on the island, and to prevent the situation from deteriorating further or even spreading outward,
he had made this ruthless decision.
Bullet's ambition and Smoker's choice. At the center of the island, the super-gigantic combined giant that Bullet had transformed into naturally also detected the unusual movements of the Marine fleet on the periphery and the heart-palpitating convergence of energy.
But far from feeling fear, he let out an earth-shaking狂笑!
"It's here?! The Buster Call that can burn everything to ashes!!"
His voice boomed through the amplification device, filled with excitement and battle intent: "Excellent! Very excellent! Last time, I was defeated by it! But this time… I will shatter it with my own hands!"
Facing the impending Buster Call, Bullet saw it as the perfect stepping stone to prove he had surpassed his past and ascended to become the "world's strongest"!
"As long as I can defeat this Buster Call that once beat me, then I will be the undisputed number one in the world! And then…"
Bullet's "gaze" turned toward the sky, looking deep into the New World: "Next, it will be your turn… the so-called Emperors!!"
His ambition was actually to step over the Buster Call and the Emperors to reach the absolute peak!
On the other side, upon hearing that the Buster Call was about to be launched, Smoker was the first Marine officer to stand up in clear opposition and take action.
The white smoke he had become churned violently, betraying his inner anger and anxiety.
"Are you kidding me! There are still so many comrades on the island! Five minutes isn't nearly enough to evacuate everyone!"
Smoker roared at his subordinates nearby—and at the invisible superiors above: "An order that kills our own people along with the enemy… is complete bullshit!"
His words revealed a philosophy completely different from that of many Marines who adhered to "Absolute Justice" or "Utilitarian Justice."
In his heart, he still retained the most basic camaraderie and sense of responsibility toward his "comrades-in-arms."
Seeing the unshakable determination in Smoker's eyes, Hina bit her lip.
She knew this stubborn Smoker too well—once he decided something, not even ten Sea Kings could drag him back.
There was no time to dissuade him; she could only take the most direct way to protect the others.
Black iron bars shot up from the ground in an instant, firmly caging Coby, Helmeppo, and Tashigi—who had also wanted to follow Smoker into action!
After doing this, Hina gave Smoker one last look, then turned and ran in another direction—she had her own responsibilities to fulfill.
Smoker did not stop her.
He took a deep drag on his cigar, exhaled thick smoke, and fixed his sharp gaze on the distant Bullet giant that resembled a moving mountain range.
"As long as I stop that monster… maybe I can force those bastards up top to reconsider, or at least buy some time…"
He muttered to himself, then his entire body transformed into a white pillar of smoke, shooting skyward without hesitation, charging straight toward Bullet!
However, Smoker's path was not clear.
Halfway through his flight, a wall of scorching flames suddenly appeared in front of him, blocking the way!
The flames dissipated, revealing a young man wearing a top hat, holding a metal pipe, with a bright yet resolute smile on his face.
Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army, Monkey D. Luffy's sworn brother—Sabo!
In fact, when the people in God Valley had first seen the flames igniting in Sabo's hand from underground—identical to those of the late "Fire Fist" Ace—they were stunned for a moment, then understood.
When a Devil Fruit user dies, the fruit reappears somewhere in the world.
For Luffy's other brother to inherit Ace's Mera Mera no Mi—this inheritance of fate and bonds was truly moving.
"Marine sir, this road is closed."
"You're the Straw Hat kid's brother?!"
Smoker's eyes narrowed; without hesitation, he attacked. "White Fist!"
The smoke fist collided instantly with the flame impact! The two clashed fiercely in midair.
Sabo deftly used the abilities of the Mera Mera no Mi along with his masterful physical techniques, while Smoker relied on his Logia intangibility and rich combat experience to maneuver.
The battle was intense; for the moment, neither could gain the upper hand.
And at that very moment, several unexpected figures also appeared in the chaotic airspace nearby!
The Pirate Empress, Buggy the Clown, and Trafalgar Law—their arrival nearly made Smoker's head explode.
That said, it seemed Trafalgar Law had some kind of plan to stop Bullet…
The view shifted to the temporary hiding place found by Chopper and Brook.
After Chopper's all-out emergency treatment and care, the gravely injured and unconscious Luffy finally slowly opened his eyes. Though still weak, his consciousness had returned.
"Luffy! You're awake! That's great!" Chopper cried tears of joy.
Nearby, Usopp—who had received simple bandaging but was still seriously wounded—saw Luffy wake up. Instead of being happy, he lowered his head, his voice full of self-reproach and choked sobs: "Luffy… I'm sorry… It's all because I'm so useless…
I couldn't even protect that treasure chest… I… I'm just a good-for-nothing…"
Looking at the wounded, tear-streaked, guilt-ridden Usopp, Luffy was silent for a few seconds. Then he grinned, showing a smile that was weak yet still full of trust.
"What nonsense are you talking about, Usopp."
Luffy's voice was a bit hoarse: "You protected me. The treasure chest or whatever… we can just take it back."
Not a single complaint, not a hint of blame—only absolute, unwavering trust in his crewmate and a simple goal.
He struggled to sit up and said to Chopper: "Chopper… please."
Chopper looked into Luffy's eyes—at that familiar flame that never gave up—nodded through tears,
A moment later, Luffy took a deep breath, and the fighting spirit reignited in his eyes!
"Fourth Gear!!"
White steam burst out once more; Luffy entered Gear Fourth! Without the slightest hesitation, like an arrow loosed from a bow, he charged again toward the distant Bullet giant that was still devouring everything around it, preparing to clash head-on with the Buster Call!
"Gomu Gomu no… King Kong Gun!"
Luffy's full-power strike blasted toward Bullet. However, the gap in strength remained vast.
Bullet merely controlled his giant to casually throw a light punch, effortlessly blocking Luffy's attack and sending him rebounding back!
"Pfft!"
Luffy spat blood again; Gear Fourth could barely hold. His whole body flew backward like a kite with its string cut.
And the direction of his fall happened to be right below the airspace where Smoker and Sabo were locked in fierce combat!
Time flowed mercilessly in the despairing countdown. The Buster Call's gun barrels had finished preheating; the shadow of destruction enveloped the entire island.
"I never thought the Mera Mera no Mi would end up with the Straw Hat kid's brother—what a twist of fate!"
Gloriosa looked at Sabo, the corners of her mouth curving slightly.
Though from the earlier scenes Gloriosa had learned that Ace was not her and Roger's son, she had genuinely liked Ace's personality and the way he cared for Luffy.
"Even if I don't know what happened, this ending isn't bad for Straw Hat Luffy—another brother inheriting the deceased brother's power… that's a beautiful tale~"
Shakky, holding the baby in her arms, fully agreed with Gloriosa's words. Women tend to be more sentimental; both could imagine what Luffy's expression would be when he learned this brother was still alive.
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