All in One
Charlotte's sharp eyes gleamed as he realized he could delay no longer.
Time is life. The longer this drags on, the greater the danger.
"Shing!"
With a swift motion, Charlotte swung his renowned sword, Shigure, unleashing a devastating flying slash that tore through the air.
Bent Dibi reacted instantly, leaping into the air. The small stones in his hand rapidly expanded like balloons, swelling under the influence of his Paramecia-type Devil Fruit. With a flick of his wrist, he launched them toward the incoming slash.
"Boom!"
A series of violent explosions erupted on impact, sending shockwaves across the battlefield. The sheer force razed a large section of nearby buildings to rubble, leaving the air thick with dust and debris.
Charlotte narrowed his eyes. So this is a pirate worth 500 million berries?
Unlike Galdino's crude wax powers or Franky's cola-fueled inventions, this was a refined use of Devil Fruit abilities. It was far more advanced than the crude booger bomb attacks he once saw.
"Shave!"
A sonic boom echoed as Charlotte disappeared from sight, his speed enhanced by Rokushiki's Soru. In a heartbeat, he closed the gap between them, delivering another deadly slash.
"Boom!"
Bent Dibi barely managed to react, crossing his arms as they turned jet-black with Armament Haki. His feet skidded across the shattered ground, carving deep trenches as he was forced backward for dozens of meters.
Charlotte raised Shigure once more.
"Ittoryu: Kamikaze—Tora Giri!" (One-Sword Style: Divine Wind—Tiger Slash!)
Bent Dibi's expression twisted in shock. He thrust his palm toward the ground.
"Daibakuhatsu: Hōgeki!" (Grand Explosion: Bombardment!)
The ground bulged unnaturally, distorting as it turned into a massive bomb in an instant.
"BOOM!"
A deafening explosion rocked the battlefield, sending a fiery shockwave in all directions. The force offset much of Charlotte's attack, yet three deep gashes still tore through Bent Dibi's chest.
Pain shot through him, his mind reeling. His wide, disbelieving eyes locked onto Charlotte.
"How... how is this possible?"
The word "monster" flashed in his mind as he watched the swordsman stand amidst the chaos, completely unfazed.
Charlotte smirked. What will it be? Die!
Both warriors lunged, their silhouettes blurring.
Blades clashed against detonations, an endless storm of steel and fire.
The battlefield was reduced to a scorched wasteland.
With one final, decisive blow, the two figures separated.
Above them, cracks spread across the cavernous ceiling. Rocks began to loosen, tumbling down.
Charlotte's face darkened. I don't plan on being buried alive here.
He took a deep breath, his cloak billowing as he assumed an attacking stance.
"Ittoryu: Kaminari—Isshun Senko!" (One-Sword Style: Thunder—Flash in an Instant!)
A blinding golden streak surged through the air.
In that moment, Charlotte had already moved past Bent Dibi's back.
"Drip... Drip..."
Raindrops pattered softly as Shigure gleamed with fresh blood.
Slowly, Charlotte sheathed his sword.
"Shff."
A thin red line appeared on Bent Dibi's waist. Then, in a spray of crimson, blood gushed out.
"You..."
His voice faltered, his pupils trembling with sheer terror. Before he could utter another word, his body convulsed and collapsed.
Charlotte stepped forward, placing a hand on the dying man's head.
Mind Reading.
The fragments of Bent Dibi's thoughts surged into Charlotte's mind.
What he discovered surprised even him.
So these pirates actually had the foresight to carve an escape tunnel leading to the sea…
And not only that—they had a submarine ready.
Charlotte chuckled darkly. Interesting.
Without hesitation, he drove his blade through Bent Dibi's heart, ending his suffering.
A pirate should always make sure to finish the job.
Crushing him to ashes would be ideal, but now was not the time.
Rocks continued to collapse from above. Charlotte activated Soru once more, vanishing into the depths of the underground passage.
---
The Escape
"Quick! Move everything onto the submarine!"
A frantic pirate captain barked orders as his men scurried back and forth, loading valuable research materials into the vessel.
The underground facility trembled from distant explosions, the entire structure on the verge of collapse.
A panting pirate rushed forward.
"Captain! All materials have been secured!"
The captain hesitated for only a moment before growling, "Take Dr. Saga Yar aboard immediately!"
A woman with blonde hair, silver-rimmed glasses, and a research coat was surrounded by a group of pirates, ready to be taken onto the submarine.
"Everything's going according to plan." The pirate captain exhaled in relief.
And then—
"Shing!"
A familiar figure emerged from the shadows.
The pirates froze.
"Damn it! It's him!"
The captain roared, "Kill him!"
They charged.
A heartbeat later—heads flew.
Bodies crumpled to the floor before they even realized what had happened.
Charlotte strode forward, his face calm.
"Drop your weapons and surrender. If you comply, I won't kill you."
The sheer weight of his Conqueror's Haki crashed over them.
Seven pirates trembled under the oppressive aura.
The bodies of their fallen comrades were still warm. The message was clear.
"Clatter..."
One pirate dropped his weapon.
Then another.
In moments, all of them had surrendered.
Charlotte stepped toward Saga Yar.
"Your father sent me to rescue you."
Her eyes widened in shock.
"My father… is alive?"
Charlotte nodded.
Tears welled in her eyes. She had no reason to doubt someone this powerful.
"Boom!"
The underground facility groaned as more rubble tumbled from above.
"Get aboard!" Charlotte ordered.
With no hesitation, the remaining crew followed him into the submarine.
---
At the Port
The Heberfil Family's ship had already left the harbor, blending in with the countless pirate ships fleeing the destruction.
The Wang Zhihai Pirates were too occupied battling the Gourmet Pirates to stop them.
As long as they secured the island's treasure, they didn't care about small fry escaping.
On the open sea, Beta and the crew waited patiently.
They had faith that Charlotte would return.
Then—
"The water's shaking!"
Barrett narrowed his eyes.
"Be on guard! Something's coming up from below!"
The ocean rippled.
And then—
A cake-shaped submarine surfaced.
The hatch opened.
Charlotte emerged.
The tension vanished instantly.
"Boss! You're finally back!" Beta grinned. "I was worried about you!"
Charlotte smiled.
Turning his gaze back toward the ruined Island Food City, he felt a rare moment of reflection.
No matter how grand, war reduces everything to ashes.
Shaking his head, he refocused.
He had what he came for.
And once the Wang Zhihai Pirates realized their prize was missing, they'd lose their minds.
Charlotte turned to Lina.
"Get the men ready. We're heading home."