On the New World Sky Island—Ballon Island.
The Hell Pirates were feasting, stockpiling energy for the incoming storm. Everyone was waiting for the Rocks Pirates to launch another assault on the Overlord Alliance.
"Our target this time is David Kyons' Siren Pirates. If we take them down, we'll rise as the new dominant force of the seas!"
Having allied with Diger Sparrow from the Overlord Alliance, Brook was itching to show off the might of the Hell Pirates. Their four combatants, all trained in Haki, were far beyond Wang Zhi, who held an 800 million berries bounty.
(TL: The earliest alliance crumbled when David surrendered to Rocks, and Ewald was killed—leaving only Saracha standing. Now, a new alliance has formed: the Diger Pirates, Saracha, and the Hell Pirates have joined forces to fight the monster known as Rocks.)
After all, Wang Zhi had only learned half of the Flowing Haki technique, while Ryuo was a unique form of Armament Haki from Wano. Even gang bosses and the Nine Red Scabbards could learn it—so it's not rare for the strong.
But to release Armament Haki out into the sea, there's no proper technique. One has to continuously push their physical limits and accumulate Armament Haki to unleash it.
Problem is, not everyone can break their limits. Many pirates are shackled by their race or talent—it's not like everyone's part of the D clan or the monstrous Oni race.
Take Douglas Bullet, the Demon's Heir—his devilish physique is insane. Even after being imprisoned in Impel Down for over 20 years, restrained by seastone and half-starved, the guy kept training his body!
That terrifying demon body could hold endless Armament Haki, and even release it like Conqueror's Haki, overwhelming entire islands. It could coat the massive giant he forms with the Gasha-Gasha No Mi, spanning over a kilometer!
"Brother Brook! I gathered the intel you asked for on every member of the Siren Pirates!"
Antonio rushed out with newspapers, bounty posters, and his trusty notebook in hand—ready for the pre-battle meeting.
"The King of the Deep Sea, David Kyons — bounty: 1.6 billion berries.
He's a Mythical Zoan user, the Octopus Siren Fruit. Strong regeneration and the power to summon unique sea beasts. His Kraken has already been killed!
Hammerhead Shark Dalma — bounty: 650 million berries.
Animal-type Zoan user, Hammerhead Shark Fruit. Exceptional biting strength and thick hide, with powerful Armament Haki.
Siren Goddess Calypso — bounty: 600 million berries.
Another Mythical Zoan user of the Siren Fruit, and David's lover. Her voice can enchant all living beings.
Witch Tia — bounty: 510 million berries.
Their ship's doctor and a top-tier poison expert. Master of both Armament and Observation Haki. Do NOT fight her in close combat—she's turned herself into a venomous being!
There are also several officers with bounties over 100 million berries. Their overall strength is not to be underestimated!"
After the debrief, Antonio started comparing the enemy's strength to their own. Aside from David Kyons, they were confident they could handle the rest.
"Haha, they're all trash. Brother Brook, let's tag team David Kyons. Leave those three weaklings to Redfield, Newgate, and Linlin!"
Golden Lion Shiki laughed—but suddenly froze.
The moment he called them "trash," three ominous auras flared up.
Crack—
Redfield's hand sparked with lightning. Newgate's fist glowed with seismic light, distorting the air. Linlin had thunder crackling in one hand and flames in the other, glaring at Shiki with contempt.
"Shiki… care to say that again?"
"...Whoa, hold on—I didn't mean it that way! Their bounties are similar to yours, right? Beating them could boost your own bounties! Yeah?"
Shiki chuckled awkwardly. Among the four top fighters, he and Newgate were still at 500 million berries, while Redfield and Linlin had climbed to 600 million.
"No. As a senior crew member and top officer, I should be the one to fight David Kyons alongside Brother Brook," Redfield said calmly, pride in his voice.
"Well, I have the same bounty as you! I want to fight with Lord Brook too. I'm his best partner!" Linlin shouted back.
Seeing them argue, Shiki got fired up too. As someone aiming to be the strongest in the Hell Pirates, he wasn't backing down. Newgate, however, just waited silently for Brook's orders.
"Enough!! Do you really think David Kyons is just some cabbage waiting to be picked?!"
Brook yelled, cutting through their nonsense. Were they really thinking they were invincible just because they mastered Ryuo? What if David's Armament Haki is stronger?
"Why the hell are you so eager to fight now? We don't even know if Rocks has absorbed the Siren Pirates yet! Their formation could've changed!
I don't care who ends up fighting David Kyons—when the rest of you finish with the officers, you'll join in. This isn't about pride, it's about survival. We're in a war for supremacy, and I won't let anyone die just to save face!"
Brook reminded them—this wasn't some fair duel, it was all-out war. Even Pirate King Roger had to team up with Garp to fight Rocks. Teamwork didn't mean weakness.
Hell, Straw Hat Luffy and Eustass Kidd both have Conqueror's Haki, and they teamed up. Kaido and Big Mom—two Yonko—also formed an alliance. Being a Haki user doesn't mean you fight alone!
That solo-Haki-wielder crap? Just delusions from the folks back in Star Island.
Aokiji once said—Conqueror's Haki users in the New World are like fish in a river—everywhere. What's the big deal?
There's one in a million who has it, and with the size of this world, there could be over a hundred of them out there. The world is huge, not just the path the Straw Hats followed!
There are over a hundred member nations alone, and many that aren't aligned. Hell, even animals can use Armament Haki, and who's to say some rare beast doesn't have Conqueror's Haki too?
Before Brook could keep hammering in his lecture, a call came from the island below—Doragonzo Island.
An enemy pirate crew had invaded. Their flag?
The Ewald Pirates—led by Teach Ewald's daughter, Teach Angel.
They were bombing the port with full force!
"You heard that?! Some little girl's here to take revenge—go capture her!!"
Brook shelved the lecture for now. No damn way he was letting some punk pirate wreck his territory.
-----------------
Several fighters who were still glaring at each other heard news of an enemy attack. Without saying a word, the Golden Lion Shiki shot into the sky, flying straight toward the Sky Island ten thousand meters above.
Charlotte Linlin wasn't far behind. She leapt onto the thundercloud Zeus and soared upward. Powerhouses like them could ignore the freezing temperatures and thin oxygen at high altitudes.
Redfield had the ability to transform into lightning and fly as well, but he had to stay behind to activate the golden ship and bring Brook and the others down, so he reluctantly gave up chasing after the enemy.
It seemed Golden Lion Shiki planned this on purpose. Otherwise, he would've used Golden Island to take everyone down. Instead, he flew ahead alone, forcing Redfield to handle the rest.
And Newgate... he couldn't fly. What was he, Whitebeard? At least Brook couldn't fly either. Turns out Big Bro Brook and I are the same kind of people after all!
The Hell Pirates immediately boarded the ship and activated the golden spaceship on Golden Island, flying swiftly toward Doraganzo Island below.
Shiki the Golden Lion and Charlotte Linlin started brawling right on the enemy pirate ship. This so-called New Ewald Pirate Crew actually had a crewmember with a bounty.
He was the only officer who supported Teach Angel as the new captain after Ewald Teach's death. The others either died in battle or joined the Teach Pirates!
"Hahaha~ Remnants of the Ewald Pirates, just two little mutts and you dare show your faces here?!"
Golden Lion Shiki sent the pirate flying with his twin swords, laughing as he struck the pirate ship. It suddenly lifted into the sky, turning the battlefield airborne.
Bull, a veteran of the Ewald Pirates, held a bounty of 530 million berries. Skilled in both Armament and Observation Haki, he was Ewald most loyal officer and had watched Teach Angel grow up. Hailing from the same hometown as Ewald, he was also the first to join his crew.
"Gahhahaha~ Lion Viper!!"
Under Shiki's command, the Ewald Pirates' flagship, Queen Anne's, twisted and bucked like a venomous snake. Most pirates were thrown into the sea on the spot.
Only those with decent strength managed to hang onto the railings or masts. Even so, they were shaking with fear.
"No!!!"
Teach Angel took a hit from Charlotte Linlin's thunderbolt, but still managed to cling to a railing to avoid falling. As she watched her father's loyal crewmates get tossed overboard one by one, regret hit her like a wave.
The pirate fleet once led by Ewald had already been crushed by the Hell Pirates. What was the point of coming here now?
Why did she act on impulse? She ignored Uncle Bull's advice and brought everyone here to die! She dragged them all into this mess.
"What kind of Devil Fruit user are you?! You made my Zeus stop listening to me! Zeus, you idiot, wake up!!"
Charlotte Linlin roared in frustration and kicked Thundercloud Zeus awake using Ryuo (Flowing Armament Haki). Zeus had nearly lost flight—his lightning attack earlier had barely done anything!
"Master... she's just so beautiful... I couldn't bring myself to hurt her..."
Thundercloud Zeus muttered sheepishly, a giant bump on his head from the kick as he broke free of the enemy's influence.
"You idiot!!!"
Charlotte immediately poured more soul power into both Homies to resist Teach Angel's Devil Fruit powers.
"Hahaha~ Linlin, her power's charm! Easy for men to fall for that—better watch out or she'll steal Brook away from you!!"
Shiki's eyes sparkled as he stirred the pot, provoking Linlin with deadly precision.
The effect was instant. Charlotte Linlin's eyes went blood-red with rage. Prometheus's flames exploded in size, and Zeus darkened with crackling thunder.
Both Homies responded to their master's fury, their eyes glowing red. Teach Angel's Charm-Charm Fruit powers were now totally ineffective!
"Brook-sama is mine! Nobody takes him from me!!!"
Charlotte let out a deafening roar, flames surrounding her fist as she stood atop Zeus. She blasted toward Teach Angel, punching straight through the pirate ship.
Linlin went on a rampage, ripping the ship apart with explosive force. Teach Angel could only dodge again and again as the Queen Anne's took blow after flaming blow.
"Oh crap... this is spiraling out of control. Nobody can stop this raging Linlin—not even Big Bro Brook. Hell, even Redfield can't contain this steel balloon!"
Cold sweat rolled down Shiki's forehead. He was already keeping his distance—Charlotte in this state was untouchable. Her defense was absurd, and her destructive power was god-tier. Attacking was pointless. All they could do was survive.
As Shiki was wondering how to calm her down, Bull made a move to protect Teach Angel, charging at Linlin from behind and stabbing her with a sword coated in Haki.
Clang!
Bull's eyes went wide. His Armament Haki-wrapped sword shattered on impact. Charlotte Linlin's head turned slowly, those crimson eyes sending chills down the spine of even the most seasoned New World veteran.
He gulped hard. Her overwhelming aura paralyzed him, locking up his thoughts.
"Uncle Bull, get out of the way!!!"
Teach Angel screamed, watching helplessly as Linlin's burning fist punched Bull into the sea like a cannonball, leaving a massive geyser behind.
Why was the gap so huge? Even with bounties under a billion, they were being completely overpowered! Teach Angel stared at Linlin in a daze.
"AHHH!!!"
Charlotte Linlin's battle cry snapped both Teach Angel and Shiki back to reality.
"Linlin! That's enough! No one's taking Brook from you!!!"
Shiki panicked—if this kept going, once she finished Teach Angel, he'd be next!
Teach Angel shut her eyes as Linlin's fiery fist came crashing down. Was this the end? Was there any point to living anymore? So many died because of her.
"I'm sorry… everyone…"
"LINLIN, WAKE UP!!!"
Suddenly, a giant aura of death swept over them. A gentle Requiem echoed through the sky. Charlotte Linlin's eyes faded from red, returning to their pure whites and big dark pupils like a baby's.
The flaming fist stopped just inches from Teach Angel and began to fade, revealing her normal hand.
"Brook-sama~~!!!"
Charlotte squealed with joy as she hopped onto Zeus and flew toward Brook waiting on the golden spaceship.
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