Splash!
Time flowed on without pause.
The massive pirate ship, like a fortress driven by a huge outer wheel, keeps moving forward on the sea.
Due to its sheer size, it was occasionally attacked by large Sea Kings, though not frequently enough to be a major concern.
"Captain World!"
At this time, the lookout above suddenly screamed and reported loudly to Byrnndi World and others: "There is a ship ahead... It's the Kuja Pirates!!!"
"Oh? They're coming to us on their own?"
Byrnndi World's expression flickered with surprise.
He gazed at the distant black dot on the horizon, which was rapidly growing larger, and let out a deep, amused chuckle.
"Barorororo, just right!"
"Unfortunately, the laser cannon energy obtained from Obask Luke has been used up, and ordinary shells are not so powerful!"
As he spoke, he kicked aside the gunner blocking his path and strode directly to one of the ship's cannons.
After grabbing a cannonball the size of a human head, he shoved it into the barrel.
"But it's enough to deal with the Kuja Pirates!"
After adjusting the cannon's aim at the approaching ship, he lit the fuse without hesitation. At the same time, his right hand pressed against the cannon's surface, activating his devil Devil Fruit ability.
"More-More Fiftyfold Cannon!"
Bang!
The deck beneath them seemed to tremble.
The black cannonball shot out like a lightning bolt, expanding in size at a visible rate and accelerating with terrifying speed.
In an instant, the cannonballs had become an enormous behemoth, hurtling toward the distant pirate ship with unstoppable force.
Boom!
But just then, on the pirate ship in front, a tall and graceful woman in a flowing red Cheongsam had already stepped forward to the bow.
"Is that the ability of the More-More Fruit?"
"Well, Byrnndi World can use the ability of the More-More Fruit to increase the size and speed of all non-living targets he touches by tens to hundreds of times!"
Sitting on Salome's snake body that was coiled up like a chair, Luke, who was not ready to take action at all, smiled and said: "That includes bullets and cannonballs. Their destructive power multiplies exponentially... And combined with his relentless nature that obliterates anything in his way, it's no wonder he's called the World Destroyer."
"Snake Princess..."
"That cannonball is enormous!"
"It's too fast! We can't dodge it!"
"If we get hit, we're done for!"
The Kuja Pirates' female warriors watched the incoming cannonballs in shock while some gripped their weapons in panic.
Although Sandersonia and Marigold were also a little shocked, they were very confident in the strength of their elder sister, and there was also Luke, an emperor of the sea here, so they still remained calm.
"What are you panicking about?"
Hancock lightly pressed her index finger against her red lips.
A massive pink heart, jelly-like in texture, materialized before her. Then she pulled it back like a bow, taking aim at the oncoming giant cannonball.
"Slave Arrow!"
Swish!
A piercing sound ripped through the air; a glowing pink projectile, more akin to a long spear than an arrow, streaked out from the giant heart at a terrifying speed.
Bang!
The attack struck the massive cannonball dead-on just as it closed within twenty to thirty meters of the ship.
The moment of impact, the cannonball turned to stone.
And just like that, the petrified cannonball lost all its momentum and plummeted into the ocean with a loud splash.
Whoosh!
Water splashed, and the waves surged.
"What!?"
"The cannonball stopped?!"
"Did Captain World's devil fruit ability fail?"
On the fortress-like ship in the distance, the World Pirates stared in shock, with their eyes widening in disbelief.
"That woman..."
After witnessing this scene, Byrnndi World couldn't help but frown while staring at the tall figure at the bow.
But he didn't notice Luke still sitting atop the snake.
"Cough, after all, she is one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, the captain of the Kuja Pirates... Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock!"
The pale and weak-looking man named Byojack spoke in a low voice: "There are terrifying rumors about her. Every merchant ship and pirate crew that crosses paths with the Kuja Pirates is said to be turned into stone."
"Humph, she does have some strength, but that's all..."
Byrnndi World snorted coldly.
He doesn't think he is weaker than a woman.
"Byrnndi World! Let us handle this!"
Sebastian, a tall fish man wearing sunglasses and with blue skin, volunteered. "Yes, it's enough for us to take action!"
The old female ship doctor, Nightin, wearing reading glasses, said with a strange smile.
"Hah! We'll wrap this up in ten minutes!"
The shipwright, Gairam, who was carrying a huge hammer and had a mustache, said confidently.
"Barorororo... Then I'll leave it to you!"
Byrnndi World did not refuse.
Splash!
Very soon, Sebastian leaped into the sea while Nightin and Gairam hopped onto his back, and they rushed towards the pirate ship in front of them.
"Enemies are coming!"
"Take them down!"
"Don't let them get close to the ship!"
As the three neared, the Kuja Pirates wasted no time.
At Sandersonia's command, the crew launched their attack.
Whoosh!
A rain of arrows, infused with Armament Haki, streaked through the air, mixed with a few scattered rockets and cannon fire.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Sebastian moved through the water with astonishing speed and agility, even while carrying two people. He dodged most of the incoming attacks while Gairam and Nightin deflected the ones that came too close.
"Armament Haki, huh?"
Gairam swung his massive hammer, smashing aside several arrows.
Then he smirked at the Kuja Pirates in front of him. "These women are no joke!"
"That is..."
Then, as they got closer to the ship, Sebastian suddenly froze in place.
"Hey! Sebastian! What's wrong?!"
Nightin and Gairam panicked as Sebastian stopped moving. He wasn't even dodging anymore; arrows and rockets rained down toward them.
"This... This presence..."
Sebastian did not speak.
His blind eyes, hidden behind his sunglasses, weren't for show. Long ago, he had lost his sight.
But in return, he had honed his Observation Haki to an extraordinary level.
And right now, he could feel something.
A presence from that ship, one far more terrifying than even Captain World himself.
A presence that sent a cold sweat dripping down his forehead.