The outer seas of Alabasta were filled with smoke and drifting gunpowder.
The battle on the deck of the Swordfish had reached its fiercest point.
Brugras leapt lightly backward, widening the distance between herself and Sammy.
"For a creature like a jellyfish—supposedly gentle—you've developed your Human-Human Fruit into something quite vicious, Captain Sammy."
She adjusted her crooked sunglasses.
"But unfortunately for you… your opponent is me."
"My Ride-Ride Fruit excels at controlling mounts of all kinds."
"Including things you wouldn't expect."
Before anyone could react, she suddenly crouched and slammed her palm onto the wooden deck.
"Riding Mark — Ship!"
BZZZ—
An invisible ripple spread outward from her palm.
Then—
A glowing saddle handle materialized in front of her hand.
It looked exactly like the one that had appeared on Aldo's neck earlier.
"W-wait… no way!"
A sharp-eyed pirate shouted in horror.
Brugras grabbed the handle without hesitation.
At the same moment, a terrified cry came from the helm.
"Captain! The rudder isn't responding!"
"It's moving on its own!"
Sammy's gaze turned ice cold.
"What did you do to my ship?"
Brugras smiled faintly.
"Just said hello."
"The true power of the Ride-Ride Fruit isn't limited to animals or humans."
"As long as something can theoretically be ridden or controlled, I can influence it."
"A massive steel warship is still beyond my current ability…"
"But your wooden sailing ship?"
"That's easy."
"Captain! Look at the cannons!"
Several pirates screamed.
The bases of the deck cannons creaked loudly.
Their barrels slowly turned—
As if alive—
And aimed directly at the pirates themselves.
"Your ability… is disgusting."
Sammy's killing intent surged.
"I'm going to blast you off my ship."
"Then come try it, Jellyfish Captain."
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The controlled cannons fired.
Sammy's body blurred as he dodged effortlessly.
But the shells smashed into the Swordfish's mast, hull, and deck.
Wood splintered.
Men screamed.
The already battered ship suffered even more damage.
"YOU… WANT… TO… DIE!!!"
Sammy's roar drowned out the explosions.
In his beast-enhanced form, his speed skyrocketed.
His legs slammed into the deck as he shot forward like an arrow.
His arms stretched like whips.
Both were coated in deadly violet poison.
They lashed out simultaneously with a shrieking sound through the air.
"Jellyfish Soft Style — Twin Whip Strangle!"
Brugras immediately released the ship's control.
Using Shave and Paper Arts in rapid succession, her body flickered across the deck.
She barely avoided the venomous strikes.
Sammy's attacks rained down relentlessly, leaving her no chance to place another riding mark.
"Hah… Who would've thought a jellyfish could develop the Human-Human Fruit this far?"
Brugras breathed heavily.
Even for her, constant high-speed dodging was exhausting.
"…"
Sammy briefly halted his assault and returned to human form.
"You can't beat me."
"Let us leave. It'll be better for everyone."
"Impossible."
Brugras straightened.
Her justice coat snapped in the sea wind.
"When the Marines face pirates, there are only two outcomes."
"Capture… or execution."
"There is no such thing as letting a tiger return to the mountains."
Sammy tilted his head slightly.
Killing intent spread around him like a storm.
"Then tell me, Marine colonel…"
"…have you decided how you want to die?"
Brugras adjusted her sunglasses again, unfazed by the threat.
"Hmph."
"When you're rotting in Impel Down, we'll see if you're still this loud."
"Your ability is interesting… but it ends here."
"Oh?"
Brugras sneered.
"Do you want to try being the one ridden instead?"
"Your ability won't work on me!"
Sammy roared.
He activated his fruit power to its maximum.
"Poison Armor — Manifest!"
This time the pale purple venom didn't stop at his arms.
It seeped from every pore of his body.
Within seconds Sammy was covered in a liquid armor of dripping poison.
He spread his arms provocatively.
"Come on."
"If you've got the guts, try riding me now."
Brugras's expression darkened.
With poison covering his entire body, any physical contact became extremely dangerous.
It almost completely sealed her fruit ability.
But she was an elite Marine officer.
She made her decision instantly.
If tricks wouldn't work—
Then she would defeat him with pure combat skill.
"So be it!"
She shouted and vanished.
In the next instant she appeared beside Sammy.
Fists, kicks, knees, and finger strikes exploded forward like a storm.
The Six Powers of the Marines were executed flawlessly.
She aimed to overwhelm him with superior technique.
In terms of combat skill—
Brugras clearly held the advantage.
But in raw physical ability, Sammy was slightly stronger.
And now—
Protected by his poison armor—
He fought without fear.
Every strike he threw carried venom.
He was willing to trade wounds.
Brugras, however, had to be extremely cautious.
She couldn't allow direct contact with the poison.
Her offensive power was inevitably reduced.
The balance quickly shifted.
BAM! BAM! WHAM!
Even with extreme care, poison seeped into her body through minor contact.
Her movements slowed.
Her breathing became uneven.
Cold sweat appeared on her forehead.
The toxin was taking effect.
"Got you."
Sammy's eyes flashed with murderous light.
He endured a side kick and suddenly grabbed Brugras's leg.
Then—
His fist exploded upward into her abdomen.
"Poison Fang — Sting!"
"Ugh—!"
Brugras's eyes widened.
Her entire body froze.
The punch carried crushing force—
And injected a concentrated dose of paralyzing venom directly into her body.
She tried to speak.
No sound came.
Her vision blurred.
Her strength drained away.
Before the horrified eyes of her subordinates—
The proud Marine colonel swayed once…
Then collapsed onto the deck.
The last thing she saw before losing consciousness was Sammy's venom-dripping fist.
"Colonel!!"
The Marines shouted in panic.
But Sammy didn't stop.
He immediately turned on the remaining boarding Marines.
"Poison Cascade — Thousand Needle Rain!"
A massive spray of venom poured over the battlefield.
Dozens of Marines collapsed, paralyzed.
"Move!"
"Tie up every Marine who boarded!"
The Swordfish crew's morale exploded.
They rushed forward, binding the incapacitated Marines with ropes.
Sammy stepped onto the bow.
With one hand, he lifted the unconscious Brugras like a trophy.
Facing the three surrounding Marine warships, he roared:
"Look carefully!"
"Do you see who this is?!"
"Stop the bombardment!"
"Break the blockade!"
"Or I'll throw her overboard and let the sharks eat her!"
Chaos erupted across the Marine ships.
All cannon fire halted instantly.
The commanding officers clenched their fists.
They could tolerate losses.
They could even accept defeat.
But they could never allow a Marine colonel to be executed by pirates in front of everyone.
"Stop firing!"
"The colonel is in their hands!"
"Good."
Sammy grinned coldly.
"Now open a path."
"For every minute you delay, I throw one person overboard."
Reluctantly—
The three warships slowly moved aside.
A narrow corridor opened.
"Now!"
"Full sails!"
"Maximum speed!"
The battered Swordfish surged forward through the gap.
Once they gained distance, Sammy ordered Isaac to inspect the damage.
The ship had been heavily battered by both Marine artillery and the earlier cannon sabotage.
Then Sammy looked at the tied-up Marine prisoners.
Finally his gaze settled on Brugras.
"Boss, what do we do with these Marine bastards?"
Aldo wiped blood from his face.
Several pirates raised their blades eagerly.
Kill them?
No.
Sammy glanced at the Marine ships still trailing them.
They were clearly watching through telescopes.
And if any Marine possessed a Vivre Card, killing them would immediately trigger a furious pursuit.
The Swordfish couldn't survive another barrage.
Keep them?
Also impossible.
As long as the prisoners stayed aboard, the Marines would keep chasing.
Within days the entire Navy might converge on them.
Kill them, and they'd chase harder.
Keep them, and they'd track them forever.
Sammy's eyes flashed.
"Aldo. Marcus."
"Yes, boss."
"Send our guests off."
He tilted his chin toward the sea.
"Throw them far."
"Spread them out."
Aldo grinned in sudden understanding.
"Got it."
Marcus nodded silently.
The prisoners panicked.
"No! What are you doing?!"
"You pirates will pay for this!"
Sammy ignored them.
He knew the Marines would never abandon their comrades.
Throwing them into the sea would force the fleet to stop chasing and conduct rescue operations.
"Here you go!"
Aldo hurled the first Marine like a spear.
SPLASH!
SPLASH! SPLASH! SPLASH!
Bodies hit the water one after another.
The sea erupted with frantic splashing and desperate cries.
"Damn it!"
"They're throwing our men overboard!"
"Stop pursuit!"
"Launch rescue boats!"
"Rescue the survivors!"
Just as Sammy predicted—
The Marine commanders nearly exploded with rage.
But they had no choice.
The pursuit formation collapsed.
Warships slowed.
Rescue boats were launched everywhere.
Searchlights swept across the chaotic sea.
"NOW!"
"Full sails!"
"Leave this sea!"
The Swordfish surged forward with renewed speed.
Soon the chaos behind them disappeared into the distance.
Only when no enemy ships remained in sight did Sammy finally breathe out slowly.
Much later—
After frantic rescue efforts—
Brugras was hauled back aboard the flagship.
She coughed violently, spitting seawater.
Slowly, she opened her eyes.
Supported by her subordinates, she struggled to stand.
Her soaked justice coat clung heavily to her back.
Pain and numbness still burned in her abdomen.
But her gaze remained locked on the horizon where the Swordfish had vanished.
"Signal officer!"
"Record the entire battle!"
"Mark the Jellyfish Pirates' last heading, ship features, and abilities!"
"Send a full a
lert to G-2 Headquarters and Marine Headquarters immediately!"
She gripped the railing tightly.
"They won't escape…"
Sea wind whipped through her wet, tangled blond hair.
She slowly removed her cracked sunglasses—
And clenched them tightly in her hand.
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