A strange voice echoed beside Yasopp, startling the famed sniper into immediate evasive action. The voice came from Kirk, who was using his spatial ability to transmit sound directly to him.
"Hmm? Are you talking to Yasopp?"
Another voice followed from the distorted space. Yasopp froze mid-movement, his sharp gaze sweeping the empty air in confusion before shifting toward Ash and Kirk in the distance.
"Ah, that's right! This guy fired at me the moment he appeared. Clearly, he has no respect."
"Good. Then tell him this, his wife passed away from illness not long after he went to sea, and his son grew up to be a petty swindler."
"Damn, that's ruthless," Kirk said with a quiet laugh.
"Ruthless? I'm just stating facts. He has been out at sea for years without sending anything back. He probably still believes his family is waiting for him in East Blue."
"Just tell him the truth and stop him from living in a fantasy."
"Fine. Honestly, I dislike people like him too. Going to sea is his choice, but abandoning responsibility after starting a family? Someone like that does not deserve to be called a father."
Every word of their conversation reached Yasopp through the distorted space. The content made the usually composed sniper's pupils shrink.
"Hey, Sniper God..."
Saff had no interest in drawn-out fights, nor did she enjoy toying with opponents like her brother.
Using her time ability, she accelerated herself while slowing her opponent, then delivered a single powerful punch that knocked out the Red Hair Pirates' musician, Bonk Punch, leaving him unconscious. It was a fitting outcome.
Now she sat cross-legged on his back, watching the battlefield with mild boredom. After a while, even that lost its appeal, and her thoughts drifted toward the food waiting at the banquet.
Her group had finished their fight faster than most.
As for Nojiko, Nami, Carina, and Robin, their combat skills were far from impressive. The only reason they could suppress the Red Hair Pirates' officers was the overwhelming strength of their Devil Fruits.
Before Ash appeared, only a handful of individuals in the world could truly fly freely, such as Golden Lion Shiki or certain Zoan users with flight abilities.
Yet within the Dawn group, everyone could fly, and all possessed Mythical Zoan powers.
Although the four women were a bit unsteady at the start, they quickly adapted. Elemental attacks flowed freely from their hands, catching their opponents off guard.
Robin, despite obtaining the Hana Hana no Mi at a young age, had spent most of her life fleeing. Her reliance on her Devil Fruit left her lacking in physical combat ability.
If she had not trained in the Six Powers alongside the Dawn group over the past few years, and if Ash had not replaced her Devil Fruit last year, her ability to use both Observation and Armament Haki would still be uncertain.
Nojiko, Nami, and Carina shared a similar situation. Before joining, they had little real combat experience. Their mastery of Haki came from years of disciplined Six Powers training and the unique Devil Fruits granted by Ash.
Even so, they maintained the upper hand.
Their abilities were simply too powerful.
They did not even need to enter hybrid forms. Raising their hands was enough to unleash waves of elemental attacks.
After fighting for a while, they realized their opponents were barely holding on. Only then did they begin to grasp how overwhelming their powers truly were.
Their confidence naturally grew.
Standing beside Ash, Fidel watched with visible envy. He wanted nothing more than to test himself against the Red Hair Pirates.
Unfortunately, he had only recently obtained his Devil Fruit. His control and development still lagged behind McKinley and Conis.
Although his Haki training was solid, stronger than most of the girls in terms of foundation, it was still far behind the seasoned officers of the Red Hair Pirates.
In the end, he could only watch alongside Conis and Ash.
Among the four women, Robin, Nojiko, and Carina were merely suppressing their opponents.
Nami, however, stood out.
With her Devil Fruit tied to the World Serpent, she displayed an extraordinary affinity for weather control. She not only suppressed her opponent but also summoned lightning from dark clouds overhead, overwhelming Limejuice, the Red Hair Pirates' fighter known for his electric attacks and aerial movement.
Limejuice found himself completely restrained.
He could use aerial movement techniques, but he did not dare take to the sky. His opponent flew far better than he could, and the heavens themselves were filled with storm clouds.
Dodging lightning on the ground was already difficult. Flying into the storm would be suicide.
He was not Kaido.
Every one of his abilities was countered. Frustration built, but he had no time to complain. His comrades were faring no better.
Flight was rare in this world. Before Ash, only a select few could truly dominate the skies.
The Marines developed techniques like Moonwalk to compensate, and pirates had their own methods, but these consumed significant stamina. They were not natural abilities.
Yet the Dawn group treated flight as something ordinary.
And not just flight, but Mythical Zoan powers paired with elemental attacks.
Fortunately for the Red Hair Pirates, their suffering did not last long.
Two figures arrived.
Scopper Gaban and Silvers Rayleigh stepped onto the battlefield.
As long-time comrades, they understood each other without words. With perfect coordination, they ignored Ash and instead targeted Pini and Youki.
Their strategy was clear. Remove the strongest fighters first, then join forces with Shanks and Benn Beckman to overwhelm Ash.
Monster, who had followed them back, quickly spotted Bonk Punch lying unconscious on the ground, with Saff sitting casually on top of him.
Rage filled his eyes as he bared his fangs and charged.
Saff did not care whether her opponent was human or animal. In her view, creatures were simply either edible or not.
Monster had chosen poorly.
After taking a single heavy punch, he collapsed beside Bonk Punch, losing consciousness instantly.
Saff adjusted her clothes and resumed her seat, placing one boot firmly on Monster's head.
It felt better than standing on sand.
Her gaze shifted toward Rayleigh and Gaban. Taking out a small metal box, she opened it and repeatedly pressed the red button inside.
Nothing happened.
She frowned slightly.
"Ash, your bombs are not working."
"I know. Just sit back and watch."