Barrett sneered,
"Received."
Hanging up the Den Den Mushi, his eyes flickered as he scanned.
Quickly identifying a target, its massive physique… likely tough to beat.
The speed multiplier of his normal Ghost Spirit mode could be controlled at will. His thoughts churned:
"Multiplier - 50x Speed."
RUMBLE—
The air churned, and a roar erupted.
The Red Hair Pirates were startled. The figures they could still see as afterimages had now completely vanished.
Benn Beckman's Observation Haki sensed something, his expression drastically changing:
"Luffy!!!"
But it was already too late.
By the time the voice reached them, Barrett's fist had already smashed directly into Lucky Roo's stomach.
It was like hitting a giant bouncy ball.
The impact rippled outward in waves across Lucky Roo's belly.
Lucky Roo grunted, gritting his teeth fiercely, veins bulging on his forehead. He was clearly in immense pain, but dared not loosen his guard.
Armament Haki enveloped his entire body, constantly flexing to absorb the force.
Barrett grinned menacingly, increasing the power output, his arm sinking in a little further…
Lucky Roo's eyes bulged. He inwardly resolved to stop dissipating the force. Instead, he mobilized his muscles and Haki, locking onto Barrett's arm that had sunk into his stomach.
Simultaneously, he raised his hand to strike.
Barrett stomped his foot, a sonic boom echoing.
He exerted force with his arm, flinging Lucky Roo backward, swapping their positions.
This also interrupted Lucky Roo's attack.
And then, the attacks from the Red Hair Pirates behind them arrived, and they closed in with remarkable coordination.
Barrett's mouth curved as he looked at Lucky Roo.
He channeled his Ghost Spirit into his left arm, which then rapidly expanded threefold. He raised it…
Lucky Roo's eyes widened in fury… watching the colossal arm aimed at his head, descending with a smash.
He cursed under his breath, "F—"
He no longer dared to withstand it head-on. He relaxed the Haki on his stomach, releasing his grip on Barrett's arm.
He crossed his arms and raised them to block the incoming punch.
BOOM—!!!!
The collision paused for a moment, then Lucky Roo vanished from his spot.
He transformed into a rolling streak of light, hurtling towards Shanks.
*Splat!*
Shanks raised his hand, catching Lucky Roo by the back. He was pressed back and sent flying.
He stomped on the air several times before steadying himself, then descended towards the ship below.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Red Hair Pirates also landed… they simply couldn't keep up.
Although they were eager to avenge Mihawk, after fighting for half the day, they had all realized… revenge was unlikely.
Barrett's speed was simply too immense.
Outmatched in one-on-one combat, and unable to keep up even in a group fight.
The instant Lucky Roo was sent flying, Barrett had already vanished. His extreme speed… one might believe he had eaten the Glint-Glint Fruit.
----------
Lucky Roo lay on the deck, clutching his abdomen:
"Cough, cough, cough…"
"Deker!!!"
"Do you have any painkillers!!!"
Although he had suffered some internal injuries, they weren't too severe. However, the pain was unbearable…
The post-battle pain assailed his nerves, cold sweat streaming down his face as he writhed on the ground, clutching his stomach and yelling for the ship's doctor, Deker…
Shanks had two men carry Lucky Roo to a nearby cabin, his expression grave:
"Sakazuki…"
They had all heard Barrett's voice over the Den Den Mushi earlier.
Being intercepted for half the day, and then receiving Sakazuki's order to retreat, clearly meant something had happened, and it was already concluded, no longer requiring their obstruction.
But this was the most infuriating part… their enemy's scheme was unknown to them, how could they feel at ease.
Ben Beckman furrowed his brow:
"What do we do? Do we continue?"
They were originally heading to support their ally, Hells · Knock.
After all, Sakazuki had brazenly declared war on two Emperors; he must have had some trump card.
Hells · Knock had felt uneasy and contacted them. They also intended to probe and prepared to set off.
Crossing through the territories of Kaido and Charlotte Linlin, they had just entered Hells · Knock's sphere of influence when they were intercepted by Barrett not long after.
Eager for revenge, they had surrounded him for half the day, but reached a stalemate until Sakazuki issued the retreat order to Barrett…
Shanks found himself unable to make a decision, lost in thought.
Yasopp seemed to have discovered something, looking into the distance:
"Hey, look."
"Aren't those Kaido's subordinates?"
"Why are they heading towards Hells · Knock as well?"
As a sniper, he was constantly observing the sea. The small black dots on the distant horizon, a casual glance, but he noticed something amiss…
Didn't Kaido also have a conflict with Sakazuki? Why were they heading towards Hells · Knock…
Shanks and Beckman stepped forward and swept their Observation Haki, sensing the massive fleet.
They exchanged glances, a flicker of confusion, then suddenly realized something:
"Kaido!!!" x2
They all understood. If they hadn't been delayed for half the day after entering Hells · Knock's territory, they would have almost rendezvoused with Hells · Knock by now.
And Kaido's fleet appearing in large numbers in Hells · Knock's waters… there was only one explanation.
Sakazuki and Kaido had collaborated, staging a grand performance to deceive the entire New World.
The objective was already clear…
They were about to slaughter Hells · Knock like a pig…
"Den Den Mushi!"
----------
New World, G-14 Branch.
Sakazuki hung up the Den Den Mushi and stood at the edge of the fortress, gazing at the distant sea, awaiting something.
Vice Admiral Dour was below, nervously deploying troops, preparing for the upcoming great battle.
At this moment.
A soldier informed Sakazuki of the latest intelligence, and Sakazuki's lips curved into a slight smile.
He slowly took out the video Den Den Mushi he had previously dialed to Hells · Knock.
Actually, the original plan included a step where Enel would attack Hells · Knock's fleet, destroy all their Den Den Mushis, and block all their communications.
By the time everything was over, it would be too late.
However, Enel's injury was unexpectedly severe.
Unable to help it, they had to omit this step and adjust the plan slightly.
He pressed the Den Den Mushi in his hand and dialed.
*Ring~ Ring~ Ring~*
----------
Hells · Knock's Fleet.
Nearly a hundred large ships were deeply submerged in the sea.
The ships were loaded with weapons, new and old, powerful and weak, even retired special missiles from the Marine research division.
Although it was astonishing that such classified weapons appeared, as the controller of the New World's largest underground organization.
And a partner to many high-ranking officials of the World Government, it was not entirely surprising…
Inside a cabin.
They were holding a meeting.
From the beginning, they hadn't intended to clash head-on with Sakazuki. Their objective was to eliminate all the Marine bases in the New World.
To expand their sphere of influence, mainly because Sakazuki was simultaneously at war with Kaido, a heaven-sent opportunity…
*Ring~ Ring~ Ring~*
The attention of the subordinates was fully captured.
Seeing the ringing Den Den Mushi, Hells · Knock frowned:
"Sakazuki…"
He picked up the Den Den Mushi, but before he could speak.
Sakazuki's voice came from the other end:
"Kaido has been eyeing your arms business for a long time, Hells · Knock…"
*Click—*
The sound of the Den Den Mushi hanging up echoed.
Hells · Knock's pupils contracted… Kaido… arms…
He seemed to realize something.
*Ring~ Ring~ Ring~*
The Den Den Mushi rang again… and this time it was Red-Haired Shanks…
Within two seconds of picking up, Hells · Knock's roar resounded throughout the fleet:
"Return!!!"
"Kaido! Sakazuki!!!"
"Ahhh!!!"
BOOM—!!!!
----------
At the same time.
Barrett, who had flown out of the Red Hair Pirates' sight.
He made a large detour.
And flew towards the territory of Red-Haired Shanks.
He rendezvoused with the fleet that was hovering thousands of meters in the sky…