One Piece: Fist of the World-Chapter 40: The Navy’s Attack

Two warships sliced through the waves north of Tiger Shark Island.

On the lead warship, a tall Marine stood at the bow, a cigar clenched between his teeth. Thick smoke obscured his face, revealing only a pair of fierce eyes through the haze.

"Vice Admiral Onigumo, we are approaching Tiger Shark Island. Awaiting your orders!"

A Marine officer stepped forward, reporting loudly to the imposing figure of Onigumo.

"I've heard this island is a pirate's paradise," Onigumo said, his gaze fixed on the small island not far away.

He was known as the Navy's most resolute hardliner, always adhering to the principle of "better to kill a hundred innocents than let one pirate escape." He was utterly ruthless in the execution of his missions, showing no mercy even to his own subordinates if they hindered his objectives.

Although he was compelled to assist the Ernest family under pressure from above, it didn't mean he would blindly follow their commands.

Now that he was here, not a single pirate on this island would escape!

"It's a bit of an exaggeration to call it a pirate's paradise, sir, but given its lack of clear jurisdiction, many pirates do indeed linger here," confirmed Brigadier General Qasim Finney, Onigumo's long-time deputy and a staunch hawk himself. He instantly grasped his superior's intent.

"Once we reach shore, you will lead a team of elite soldiers. Come with me to the island. Every pirate, without exception, will be eliminated!" Onigumo's hand rested on the hilt of the sword at his waist, a bloodthirsty smile twisting his lips as the island grew closer. "It doesn't matter if we wipe them all out!"

"Understood!"

As they spoke, the warship gradually drew closer to the shore. The soldiers on board swiftly formed up under the commands of their respective officers.

At the same time, not far from Onigumo's warship, on the vessel carrying the Ernest family:

"Once we're on the island, you and I will split up!" Ernest Gula instructed his son, Ernest Neo, by his side.

"Although we leveraged CP's influence to get the Navy to send warships to assist us this time, I didn't anticipate Vice Admiral Onigumo being the one to arrive." Gula's face was stern as he looked at the rapidly approaching island. "This man is an absolute hawk in the Navy. With his methods, he's guaranteed to round up a massive number of pirates on the island, and he certainly won't show mercy."

"I'll go with them later to prevent him from killing Nia the moment he sees her. If he encounters other pirates, I'll go search for Nia. You take a few subordinates, find Nia as soon as possible, and bring her back. Use any means necessary, if required!" A hint of coldness gleamed in Gula's eyes.

Even if her legs have to be broken, we must bring her back.

"Understood," Neo responded in a low voice, his expression, which bore an eighty percent resemblance to Nia's, remained unchanged.

"Prepare for action!"

As the two conversed, the warship reached the shore.

"Lieutenant Colonel Mara Levi, lead your men into Tiger Shark Island from the west! Major Regina Kant, lead your men to enter from the east! Captain Luan Yakubu, take your soldiers and follow us into the front! Major Kensa Keel commands the warships to patrol the sea. If any suspicious ships try to leave, you are authorized to order the artillery to open fire directly!"

After the warship docked, Onigumo leaped directly from the deck and strode forward, while Qasim Finney immediately assigned tasks to the remaining personnel.

The moment he stepped ashore, Onigumo released his Observation Haki. It instantly alerted him to a large concentration of pirates directly ahead.

Moments later, Onigumo and dozens of Marine soldiers entered the North District. The Marines, armed with live ammunition, immediately seized everyone's attention.

"Why is the Navy here?"

"Didn't they say this place isn't part of the World Government's member states, so the Navy wouldn't come?"

"Maybe they're on another mission. We don't even have bounties, so the Navy won't bother us."

"That's true..."

Bang—

The next instant, several bullets tore through the loud-mouthed pirates. Onigumo swept his fierce gaze across the area.

"I can smell the stench of pirates from miles away!"

Onigumo waved his hand, and the soldiers behind him immediately surged forward. The laughter and revelry that had filled the street vanished, replaced by shouts of curses and the clamor of battle.

"And the most important target is the Rhode Pirates. You three, stay right where you are."

After the bystanders fled, Onigumo fixed his eyes on the three figures not far away.

Mad Blade Rhodes, Black Gun Neru, and an unknown black-haired man. Are they their new members?

It doesn't matter. Just kill them all.

The catwoman the Ernest family wanted to capture alive wasn't here anyway.

"Hey, hey, hey, I haven't officially agreed to join yet," Genos couldn't help but interject, speaking to the approaching Marines.

His response was met with a volley of dozens of bullets.

"One Sword Style - Red Flower Thousand Slashes!"

Rhodes drew the exceptionally sharp and swift sword, Hanasu, that he had just acquired. Dense streaks of sword light and shadows flashed before them, deflecting every incoming bullet.

As one of the 50 Skillful Blades, Hanasu's previous owner had been a renowned swordsman. The moment Rhodes wielded Hanasu, the inherent ability of [Knight Does Not Die Barehanded] automatically activated, allowing him to instantaneously grasp the original owner's signature swordsmanship.

With his solid foundation in kendo, he mastered the sword skills of Hanasu's previous owner in a mere instant.

The moment Rhodes deflected the bullets, Onigumo's tall figure materialized before him, bringing his long sword down in a powerful swing.

Clang!

Rhodes raised his newly acquired sword to block Onigumo's attack, feeling a terrifying force crash down upon him as the ground beneath his feet shattered.

At the same time that Rhodes met Onigumo's blow, Qasim Finney appeared before Neru and delivered a forceful punch to his head.

Soru!

Neru shifted his feet, instantly appearing a short distance away. Maintaining a safe distance from his opponent, he aimed the black gun in his hand.

Bang!

Don't let the bullet hit me! A red light flashed in Qasim Finney's eyes. Using his left foot as a pivot, he slightly twisted his body to dodge the bullet fired by Neru, simultaneously unleashing a kick with his right foot.

"Rankyaku!"

As Qasim Finney swung his right foot, an arc-shaped air slash erupted, hurtling towards Neru.

Neru's eyes flashed. Instead of evading the attack, he met it head-on with a powerful kick.

As his foot shot out, a surge of power coursed through his body, coating his leg with a faint black hue.

Bang!

A powerful kick deflected Qasim Finney's Rankyaku, sending it harmlessly cutting through the tavern wall beside him. A faint smile touched Neru's lips.

Success! Armament Haki!

Though still unfamiliar and only serving a minor role, at least the power had been channeled out.

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The arrival of Onigumo and the Navy, especially the revelation of Onigumo's ruthlessness and Neru's successful activation of Armament Haki, truly escalates the conflict! It's a great setup for an intense confrontation.