Chapter 57 — Clash (Part 4)
Gloriosa and Shakky observed the two birds clashing in the sky. Compared to the island-shaking battle happening below, this one was far more interesting to watch.
After all, every clash between Newgate, Kaido, and Ron created massive explosions. Their Haki split the sky and made the sea tremble. They couldn't even go close, or they might get caught in the crossfire of their attacks.
"Well, that blue bird is quite good. His stamina and endurance are top-notch. Give him a decade or two, and he will become a strong powerhouse," Shakky muttered as she looked at Marco.
Gloriosa nodded. "That guy also isn't bad. His attack and defense are top-notch, and his speed is also not bad when his flames are out. He seems to be a Lunarian, the same as Ron, but Ron is half Ancient Giant. This guy also has great potential."
Shakky nodded. "The Lunarians are practically the darlings of the heavens. They have top-tier physiques, defense, and speed. On top of that, they have wings and flames. That's technically cheating. And add the Tori Tori no Mi, Model: Suzaku... he is a monster in the making."
"But his spirit seems lacking. He isn't fighting with everything he has. It seems like some psychological scar is holding his will back. If he can move on from that scar, he will definitely become a monster," Gloriosa said. As the former Empress of the Kuja, she had seen too many cases like this.
Many Kuja who fell into Love Sickness or carried deep trauma were never able to show their full strength until they overcame that trauma.
But it was anything but easy to do that. Overcoming trauma was incredibly difficult—sometimes almost impossible.
As they were talking, Marco and King clashed in the sky as blue and golden-red flames collided.
BOOOOOOM!!!
Their talons collided as they kicked with all their force, sending a violent shockwave exploding outward. Blue and golden-red flames scattered across the sky like meteors.
Far away from them, another battle was underway as Roger clashed with Shiki. Their clash split the sky in two as they fought back and forth.
Shiki's swords flashed ruthlessly as the twin blades cut toward Roger at blinding speed.
SWISH! SWISH! SWOOOSH!
Roger met the attacks head-on, but sweat was already forming on his forehead. He had very little space to move while Shiki could freely fly through the air.
Shiki, on the other hand, was also gritting his teeth. He had absolute confidence in defeating Roger if they kept fighting.
In the vast sea, he had the absolute advantage.
Even if Roger tried to run by swimming, his Float-Float Fruit could also control the surrounding environment and manipulate massive objects across the battlefield. If Roger dared to enter the sea, Shiki believed he could trap him.
But the problem was Gaban had already charged toward his flying fleet. That madman was attacking without any care.
If that guy reached his fleet, it would be a massacre.
And then there was Rayleigh—that bastard was protecting the Roger Pirates' ship from cannonballs alongside the other crew members.
'Damn those two,' Shiki cursed inwardly as he attacked with his twin swords.
He still wanted Roger, so he couldn't just destroy the ship and go for the kill.
Roger also understood that this guy was mostly venting his displeasure and rage. He wasn't truly serious about the fight, so Roger simply played along.
There was no need to go overboard.
"Wahahahaha! Shiki, you haven't eaten or what?!" Roger mocked as Ace slashed toward Shiki.
"Hmph! Are you looking down on me, you bastard?!" Shiki roared as Oto and Kogarashi moved to block and counter Roger's attack.
CLAAAAANG!!!
The three legendary blades collided, releasing sparks and black lightning across the sky.
Far away from the chaotic battle happening in the New World, inside the Fleet Admiral's office, Kong stared at the Vice Admirals and Admirals sitting before him.
"Orders from Mary Geoise. The Marine budget has been raised by fifty percent, and permission for expansion has been granted," Kong said as he looked at everyone's reaction.
A few Vice Admirals immediately perked up.
"Isn't this just perfect?"
"Yeah, we were lacking funds and manpower. This solves our biggest problems."
"If we can upgrade our weapons and increase our manpower, we can definitely take care of more pirates."
"Yeah, cleaning up Paradise won't be an issue if we mobilize a cleanup operation."
Kong looked at them before turning toward the others.
"What do you guys think?" he asked.
Tsuru looked at the Vice Admirals and snorted.
"A cleanup operation? You want those beasts to go berserk?"
"This—"
Before the Vice Admiral could continue, Tsuru glared at him.
"You think those pirates are brain-dead idiots who will just sit and watch? The moment they sense something is wrong, they will go berserk. We will be lucky if they don't destroy a kingdom... or two."
Tsuru's words immediately silenced the room.
Sengoku raised his glasses.
"Tsuru is right. If the higher-ups have increased the budget and recruitment numbers, it means something massive is about to happen... or the situation is simply that bad."
"It's most likely because he is back at sea. The New World is already shaking because of him. Newgate, Kaido, Roger, Shiki, and Linlin are all out."
"Two chaotic battles are already ongoing as we speak."
He sighed heavily.
"Vice Admiral Garp and Admiral Zephyr are already on their way to monitor them, but it's already too late. All I can say is... this era is going to be a headache for us."
Kong nodded approvingly.
"Right. So our priority now is the Four Blues and Paradise. We are going to focus on them going forward."
"Those monsters in the New World can tear each other apart while we take control of those seas back."
Everyone straightened up.
Kong stood from his chair.
"Tsuru, Sengoku, and all of you guys, be ready. We have to show results."
"It's not going to be an easy task, I know that. But we have to make it work."
The atmosphere inside the office became serious.
A new era was beginning, and the Marines could already feel the storm approaching.
Meanwhile, on the unknown island, Kaido, Newgate, and Ron continued clashing, completely unaware of what their battles had caused across the world.
Kaido was breathing heavily. Traces of blood covered his lips and body, yet his Devil Fruit's regeneration was already healing him.
"Bwahahahaha! Kaido, are you done already? The fun is just beginning!" Ron appeared before Kaido as his fist shot toward Kaido's stomach.
Kaido grinned devilishly as he used Hassaikai to block the fist.
BOOOOOOM!!!
The ground beneath them exploded.
Kaido was sent flying backward as he coughed up blood.
Ron didn't chase him.
Instead, he crouched as Surtr flew into his hand.
He gripped Surtr with both hands as Armament Haki flowed into the massive weapon.
Ron swung it back.
A naginata was already descending toward him with mountain-crushing force.
Murakumogiri and Surtr collided inches apart.
CLAAAAAAAAANG!!!
Advanced Armament Haki cracked through the air as trees were uprooted and the earth was blasted apart.
"Gurararara! Are you forgetting me?" Newgate laughed as his golden hair flew backward from the powerful wind.
"It's hard to forget a monster who can cause earthquakes and tsunamis at will," Ron muttered as Newgate was pushed slightly backward.
"And look who's talking? A monster himself, with Lunarian and Ancient Giant blood. One race feared for its physical strength and the other for its unfair advantages—practically the darlings of the heavens."
Newgate grinned.
"But I have to say, the title of Continent Puller is perfect for the Ancient Giants. But even among those monsters, you are an anomaly."
"No Ancient Giant has the Haki you have at your age," Newgate complained.
This guy had the nerve to call him a monster.
Even Newgate looked extremely human compared to Ron.
A walking anomaly.
This brat, who was technically still a kid by Giant standards, was already strong enough to fight with him—the King of the Sea—and survive.
Once he grew up, Newgate couldn't even imagine what kind of monster he would become.
Of course, Newgate didn't know that what they had fought on God Valley was the weakest version of Imu, who had suffered backlash from Saturn's death and from leveling the Holy Land of Mary Geoise.
And the only reason they survived was because Imu couldn't stay there and had to return, or things might have gone really wrong.
(Thank this author for that. Proud.jpg.)
Just then, a figure shot toward them at extremely high speed.
"Kundali Dragon Swarm!"
GUNDARI RYŪSEIGUN!!!
Kaido launched a rapid, multi-swing barrage delivered with spinning momentum and heavy Haki.
Their conversation was cut short as Kaido arrived.
Newgate and Ron disengaged and defended.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
A massive explosion echoed across the island.
Meanwhile, Shakky and Gloriosa, who had been enjoying the bird fight as Marco and King fought, noticed that both teenagers were reaching their limits.
Their flames were still burning brightly, but their breathing had become heavier.
The battle had taken its toll.
"Hmm, looks like the fun is about to end," Shakky muttered, sounding a little unhappy.
"Well, they are still teenagers. It's already quite good that they fought for this long. They definitely have high potential," Gloriosa muttered.
Above them, blue and golden-red flames continued to burn across the sky.
The fight wasn't over yet.
But both birds had reached the point where a single mistake could decide everything.