Although the Five Elders had no desire to target Is directly, he was gradually slipping beyond their control.
He had become an uncontrollable variable.
Because of that, they needed to weaken his forces and bring him back under their influence.
The battle in the North Blue had begun as a clash between Bundy World and Golden Lion Shiki.
However, once the news spread, the location of their battle—both the island and the surrounding sea—was exposed to the entire world.
Along the shoreline of the island where Bundy World and Shiki were fighting, a pirate ship slowly approached.
Standing at the bow was a powerfully built man with two long white crescent-shaped mustaches.
He wore a red-and-white captain's coat and carried a naginata.
It was none other than Whitebeard.
"Gurararara... I finally found you."
Whitebeard stood at the bow, Murakumogiri in one hand and a sake jug in the other.
"Edward!"
The moment Shiki spotted Whitebeard, his expression darkened.
He knew exactly how powerful Whitebeard was.
His arrival would undoubtedly make obtaining the Pluton battleship blueprints far more difficult.
"Damn it. Another one?"
Standing on the island below, Bundy World stared at the massive ship approaching the coast, killing intent flashing in his eyes.
Dealing with Shiki alone had already been troublesome enough.
Now Whitebeard had arrived as well.
How was he supposed to fight this?
Whitebeard grinned and leaped from the ship.
Holding Murakumogiri, he landed heavily on the island.
"Get lost, Edward. The Pluton blueprints belong to me."
Shiki glared at Whitebeard and barked the warning.
"Whoever takes them gets them, Shiki."
Whitebeard sneered.
"Do I really need to teach you something so simple?"
"Once I get the Pluton blueprints and build Pluton, you'll be the first one I send to the bottom of the sea, Edward."
Shiki's voice was ice-cold.
"Then talk to me after you've actually gotten them."
Whitebeard laughed dismissively.
"I don't have the Pluton blueprints."
Bundy World suddenly interrupted.
"At a time like this, do you really think we'd believe you?"
Shiki turned and swung one of his famous blades.
Two powerful slashes shot toward Bundy World.
Bundy World hurriedly dodged.
At the same time, Whitebeard gripped Murakumogiri and charged toward him.
Swish!
A sword slash suddenly flew toward Whitebeard.
Whitebeard spun around and swung his naginata, shattering the incoming attack.
"What exactly are you trying to do, Shiki?"
Whitebeard's gaze turned cold as he looked up at the floating Golden Lion.
"We're not allies, Edward."
Shiki responded with a cold laugh.
Not only was he targeting Bundy World, but he was also looking for opportunities to attack Whitebeard.
The Pluton blueprints were something he absolutely had to obtain.
At the same time, if an opportunity presented itself, he wouldn't mind killing Whitebeard as well.
"Looks like I'll have to deal with you first, Shiki."
A sinister grin appeared on Whitebeard's face.
Holding Murakumogiri with both hands, he unleashed a powerful slash toward Shiki.
Watching from the side, Bundy World looked utterly bewildered.
Weren't these two former members of the Rocks Pirates?
He had expected them to join forces and eliminate him first.
Instead, they had started fighting each other after only a few words.
"Run!"
A single thought appeared in Bundy World's mind.
There was absolutely no way he could defeat Shiki and Whitebeard together.
Even if they were currently clashing with each other, their ultimate goal remained the same.
The Pluton blueprints.
It didn't matter how many times he claimed he didn't have them.
Neither of them would believe him.
Instead of staying here, he needed to escape while they were distracted fighting one another.
...
"Ikoku!"
Suddenly, a figure appeared in the sky.
Holding a massive weapon with both hands, she swung it downward.
A terrifying slash instantly shot toward Bundy World.
"Momo Thirtyfold Speed!"
His Observation Haki screamed a warning.
Cold sweat appeared on Bundy World's forehead.
Activating his Devil Fruit ability, he vanished from his original position and narrowly avoided the attack.
"Damn it! Another one?"
Appearing in the distance, Bundy World stared coldly at the newcomer.
It was Charlotte Linlin.
She stood atop a white cloud, wearing a pirate hat and dressed in pink and red clothing.
At this point, three of the sea's greatest pirates had already gathered on the island.
The possibility of escaping had become even slimmer.
In fact, it was almost impossible now.
"The Pluton blueprints are mine!"
Linlin let out a strange laugh and charged directly at Bundy World.
Swish!
Before she could reach him, an incredibly sharp slash flew toward her.
Linlin immediately coated her arm with Haki and blocked the attack.
"What are you trying to do, Linlin?"
Shiki sneered.
"You don't seriously think you can take the Pluton blueprints from under our noses, do you?"
Whitebeard gripped Murakumogiri tightly as he stared at Linlin.
"You don't actually think the Pluton blueprints are already yours, do you?"
Linlin let out a strange laugh.
"Since we were able to receive the news and find this island, do you really think the Marines can't do the same?"
Her words caused the atmosphere to shift.
Someone from the news agencies had apparently been bold enough to discover and photograph the island's location.
It wouldn't be long before the Marines arrived as well.
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