Three massive Marine warships sailed out from the Gates of Justice at Marine Headquarters, following the spiraling currents between the gates as they headed toward Impel Down.
Standing at the forefront of the lead warship, Akainu crossed his arms, his Justice cloak billowing violently in the sea breeze.
"Damn pirates! How dare they cause trouble for me at such a crucial moment!"
His eyes burned red, magma seemingly churning within them, a clear reflection of his simmering rage.
The SSG project, developed by the Marine Science Division, had already passed its combat tests and was deemed a complete replacement for the Seven Warlords of the Sea. With its production now in full swing, Akainu had been looking forward to personally wiping out the Warlords and putting an end to the era of piracy. Yet, before he could even relish the moment, pirates had dared to break into Impel Down, a direct humiliation to both the World Government and Marines.
For Akainu, it felt like being interrupted mid-strike, right before delivering the finishing blow. His fury boiled over, his hands twitching with the urge to obliterate everything in his path.
"Unknown pirates… I hope you have the courage to stand your ground."
He clenched his fists and muttered to himself, secretly hoping that this foolhardy pirates wouldn't be like the Blackbeard Pirates.
During the Summit War, he had personally pursued Blackbeard, only for the latter to flee the moment he laid eyes on him. Akainu had no idea whether it was because of the overwhelming power he had displayed during the war, but the memory of Blackbeard's cowardice still disgusted him.
"Admiral Akainu, we've spotted a group ahead, to the front left of our position," a Marine officer reported loudly, running up to him. "Judging by their appearance, they seem to be the ones who invaded Impel Down."
"What?!"
Akainu's eyes narrowed, turning sharply in the indicated direction. He immediately spotted Uchiha Madara and the others walking on the sea's surface, making their way toward Marine Headquarters.
"Is that Magellan, the Deputy Warden of Impel Down?"
His gaze locked onto the largest figure among them—Magellan, wrapped in a green energy construct, his expression dull and lifeless.
"He's been restrained? So these scum really are the ones responsible," Akainu muttered, his face darkening.
Without hesitation, his hands transformed into glowing crimson magma, raising them toward the distant figures.
Meteor Volcano!
Massive fists of molten rock shot out like cannon fire, a fiery barrage raining down indiscriminately upon Uchiha Madara and his group.
At sea, where Devil Fruit users were naturally at a disadvantage, Akainu—an experienced Marine Admiral—was well aware that engaging in close combat was a poor choice. Instead, he relied on overwhelming ranged firepower.
After all, at sea, strong ships and powerful artillery determined victory. This was why most pirates, even the formidable ones, avoided direct naval confrontations with the Marines—the firepower disparity was simply too great.
However, Akainu himself was an exception. As a Logia user with an exceptionally destructive ability, he didn't need cannons. He was the firepower.
"Magma?" Senju Hashirama exclaimed as he looked up at the fiery onslaught. "This level of firepower… It's almost on par with the Four-Tails!"
"Boring."
Uchiha Madara snorted indifferently. A surge of blue energy erupted from him, forming a fully armored Susanoo in an instant.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The colossal Susanoo stood its ground, shielding the group from the Meteor Volcano's fiery fists. While the armor suffered some damage, the endless chakra coursing through Madara's body allowed it to recover almost instantly.
"Marine…"
Madara's lips curled into a smirk.
"Feel the power of the Uchiha!"
With that, Susanoo unsheathed its massive energy blade and swung it down toward the Marine warships.
Just as the energy sword was about to strike, a sharp, high-pitched battle cry echoed across the battlefield.
"Hah!"
A flash of pink energy streaked through the air as Momousagi, clad in her Marine uniform, leaped from one of the warships. Her famed blade, Konpira, slashed forward, unleashing a crescent-shaped sword aura to intercept the attack.
Peng!
The two vastly different weapons—a giant ethereal sword and a relatively small katana—collided. Yet, despite their size disparity, Momousagi's sword aura held its ground, stopping Susanoo's attack head-on.
[Chat Group]
Sebastian Shaw: "This feels… strange. How can something that small block such a massive attack?"
Whitebeard: "Gurararara~ It's nothing surprising! Happens all the time in this world! There's no shortage of tiny warriors taking down giants."
Lucas: "Exactly! Marines even have a special Giant Unit, but those towering brutes still get smacked down by 'little' pirate captains all the time."
Senju Tobirama: "The primary role of those giants is to clear out fodder and dominate the battlefield numbers-wise. They're like the Tailed Beasts in our world—useful for large-scale destruction but not necessarily effective against true powerhouses."
Gengetsu Hōzuki: "Second Hokage, shall we combine our Water Style? This battlefield is practically our home turf."
Senju Tobirama: "An excellent idea! The group leader keeps claiming that we can't take on a Marine Admiral. It's time we prove him wrong! With the right battlefield conditions, Marine Admirals are no match for us!"
[Water Style—Great Water Explosion!]
Senju Tobirama and Gengetsu Hōzuki joined forces, channeling their chakra into the sea beneath them. The ocean churned violently, and soon, a massive tsunami surged into the sky, crashing toward the three Marine warships.
"They can control the sea?!"
"Shit!"
Panic spread among the Marines on board. Without someone like Aokiji, who could freeze the waves, they were powerless against a tsunami of this magnitude.
"Damn it!"
Akainu's face twisted with fury as magma surged from his right arm, forming an enormous magma fist.
With a powerful leap, he swung his molten fist forward, attempting to disperse the incoming tsunami.
Tobirama and Gengetsu sneered. Their chakra-infused water techniques instantly regenerated the split waves, crashing toward Akainu and the warships with even greater force.
Boom!
The Marine swordsmen on board unleashed devastating sword auras, slashing at the tsunami in a desperate attempt to weaken it.
"There are too many on the other side. Big Brother, lend a hand."
Tobirama frowned as he observed the Marines' combined efforts to counter their attack.
"No problem!"
Hashirama grinned and immediately joined the assault. He couldn't just let his younger brother be outnumbered like this.
Water Style—Great Water Explosion!
The already monstrous tsunami, fueled by Hashirama's chakra, exploded with newfound power. The Marines' attacks were instantly overwhelmed as the towering waves crashed mercilessly onto the three warships.
BOOOOM!
All three Marine warships capsized. Aside from the top-ranking Marines, the rest of the crew was thrown into the raging sea, desperately struggling to stay afloat.
However, Akainu, Momousagi, and Chaton—thanks to their immense strength—managed to shatter the waves above them, using Moonwalk (Geppo) from the Rokushiki to suspend themselves mid-air.
[Chat Group]
Uchiha Shisui: "Why is the First Hokage's Water Style so strong? Isn't Tobirama the one famous for it?"
Senju Hashiram]: "Well, my specialty is Wood Style, but since it's a combination of Water and Earth, I naturally have strong control over both. Aside from Wood Style, my best elements are Water and Earth."
Uchiha Madara: "Don't be fooled by his modesty. All of Hashirama's jutsu are ridiculously strong. The only reason his other techniques aren't famous is because his Wood Style overshadows everything else."
Sebastian Shaw: "You know, Uchiha Madara, you seem to really enjoy praising Senju Hashirama. Why is that?"
Howard Stark: "You're new here, so you wouldn't know. Their history is… complicated."
Lucas: "To put it simply, these two fought each other for their entire lives while also being obsessed with each other. Classic love-hate relationship."
Sebastian Shaw: "Ah, I see. So if they 'loved and fought' each other all their lives… that means Hashirama won, right?"
Senju Hashirama: "Wait, how did you know that?"
Sebastian Shaw: "Just a guess. In my experience, the one who loses always ends up praising the winner."
Senju Hashirama: "Huh? Why?"
Howard Stark: "Oh, I got this one! If you lose to someone weak, it's embarrassing. But if you lose to someone so powerful they seem invincible, it's actually… kinda respectable."
Tohsaka Tokiomi: "Praising the enemy's strength is often the best way to cover up one's own incompetence."
Uchiha Madara: "…"
Tohsaka Tokiomi: "…Ah, my apologies. That wasn't directed at you, Lord Madara. I was speaking in general terms."
Uchiha Shisui: "There are still three strong ones left. What's the plan?"
Senju Tobirama: "They're hovering too high. Our Water Style can't reach them at this range."
Lucas: "Exactly! Madara, Shisui, and Hashirama—you three handle the last ones!"
Senju Hashirama: "Got it!"
Wood Style—Wood Dragon Technique!
A massive wooden dragon erupted from Hashirama's body, rapidly expanding as he leapt onto its head, his golden eyes locking onto Akainu.
"Here I come!"
The wooden dragon lunged toward Akainu, ready to strike.
"Damn you, Hashirama! That's my opponent!"
Madara's voice was filled with displeasure. They all knew that Akainu was the strongest of the three, and everyone wanted to be the one to take him on.
"Hahahaha!"
Hashirama laughed heartily. "Madara, why don't you deal with the female Marine who's challenging you in swordsmanship?"
His words carried no room for negotiation.
"Tch."
Madara scoffed, but his irritation was evident. "Fine. Then I'll take on her."
Shisui, watching from the side, sighed dramatically. "Well, that just leaves me with the smallest and wimpiest one."
His eyes turned to Chaton, the least imposing among the three remaining Marines.
Activating Susanoo, Shisui charged forward, dragging Magellan along with him.
"Poison Dragon!"
Despite his blank expression, Magellan's Devil Fruit ability was still active. Purple venom seeped from his body, forming three massive toxic dragons that slithered around him.
"Oi, oi, oi! Are you kidding me? Magellan!"
Chaton's exaggerated voice cut through the battlefield. "Bro, are you actually under their control? That's just terrible! Your poison is way too much trouble for everyone!"
Akainu, meanwhile, clenched his fists in fury.
"Damn pirates… Die!"
With a roar, his magma-infused fists ignited, swinging forward to meet the incoming wooden dragon.
On the other side, Momousagi's eyes sharpened as she zeroed in on Madara, her grip tightening around Konpira .
"Damn pirate…"
A cold light flashed in her gaze.
"You dare underestimate me?!"
...
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