"The Ma-Marines..."
"Damn it!! How are the Marines here?!"
"That fat bastard Lu Field—what the hell is he doing?!"
"This is an underworld auction, for crying out loud!!"
The crowd instantly descended into chaos. Everyone stared in shock at the three figures draped in white cloaks, panic welling up in their chests.
Why are the Marines here!?
Is this a trap they set?
Or have their warships already surrounded the island?
A flood of thoughts surged through the pirates' minds, leaving them uneasy. The more timid or cautious ones began to quietly back away into the crowd, ready to bolt at any moment.
After all, in the public's perception, Marine operations were always overwhelming—backed by superior numbers and elite equipment.
Generally speaking, if you saw even one Marine on an island, it usually meant that a full Marine force had already arrived!
The smoke and dust began to clear.
At last, the three imposing figures standing atop the ruins came into full view.
The one on the left wore a yellow-and-white pinstriped suit and a Marine cloak draped over both shoulders. He sported a pair of exaggerated toad-shaped sunglasses and was rubbing his stubbled chin with a teasing grin, lowering his raised foot back to the ground.
The one on the right had a wild afro, black-rimmed glasses, and a stern expression. His aura was deep and imposing, and the wheat-colored cloak draped over his shoulders marked the rank of Marine Admiral—radiating pure authority.
But it was the Marine in the middle who outshone them both.
With a contemptuous glare and striking, cold features, his short black hair danced in the wind. Shackles of dark blue Seastone bound both his wrists, yet he exuded a wild, untamed energy.
As the pirates finally saw their faces clearly, they all gasped in unison. Their expressions twisted in shock.
"Marine Headquarters Admiral!! Sengoku the Buddha!!"
"Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral... the one they call a 'monster', Borsalino!!"
"And that guy... hey, hey, I'm not dreaming, am I...?"
"'King of the North Blue,' Rogers Daren!! The Marine monster who killed the 'World Destroyer' Byrnndi World! Even legendary Great Pirates have fallen to him!!"
"Wait! Daren killed Byrnndi World... does that mean he's here for the Moa Moa no Mi!?"
"Damn it!! Why are these monsters from Marine Headquarters here?!"
...
Charlotte Perospero's back was drenched in cold sweat.
Admiral Sengoku the Buddha—he was a top-tier powerhouse, on the same level as their "invincible" Mama!
"Damn it... it's really an Admiral..."
Not far away, Charlotte Daifuku dragged himself from a massive crater in the ground, covered in blood. His face was badly swollen, and a thick mouthful of blood spilled from his lips.
He exchanged a glance with Charlotte Perospero.
On the other side, behind his mask, King's eyes turned grim.
The three shared a look. Though no words were spoken, their intent was instantly clear.
The Marines!!
Even the Admirals were here... If they wanted to stand a chance at seizing the Moa Moa no Mi, they'd have to work together!
In the very next moment, all three moved without hesitation!
King leapt into the air. His form shifted rapidly mid-flight, transforming into a massive black Pteranodon.
With long wings and a beak-shaped head, his body erupted into blazing crimson flames...
"Andon!"
Several blazing fireballs shot out from his trembling wings, screaming toward Daren and the others.
Charlotte Perospero gave a sharp shout and swung his candy cane with force!
A massive wave of pink candy surged out like a tsunami, crashing over the remains of the 3A box.
"Candy Wave!"
Charlotte Perospero, a Paramecia-type user of the Pero Pero no Mi, can create all kinds of candy and syrup and even turn anything—or anyone—he touches into candy.
Charlotte Daifuku wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, summoned his blue genie once more, and roared as he unleashed a grand slash of sword aura that tore through the air.
"Maji Karu!"
Though the three of them hadn't coordinated at all, their attacks completely sealed off every path of escape for Daren's group—there was nowhere to run!
"This is pretty terrifying... The officers from the Beasts Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates are all monsters in their own right."
Facing the combined assault, Borsalino actually got serious for once, speaking with his usual mocking tone as his body turned into a brilliant flash of golden light.
He rose into the air, arms outstretched.
Countless golden beams of light blasted out like a storm, colliding violently with the incoming attacks in midair.
Boom! Boom! Boom!!
A series of deafening explosions echoed as waves of fire and black smoke roared out. The auction house turned into a tempest of chaos, with wind gusts strong enough to toss people off their feet.
Then, in a flash, two streaks of light—one black and one gold—pierced through the smoke at blinding speed and collided with immense force!
Bang!
In midair, King and Borsalino clashed with their legs locked, unleashing shockwaves from the sheer force of impact.
"Monster of Marine Headquarters... Borsalino, I've heard your name many times."
King's eyes burned with fierce fighting spirit.
"Is that so?"
Borsalino glanced at him with a half-smile.
"You're so tightly wrapped up, I can't even tell what species you are... Feels like I've never seen one like you before."
King's pupils narrowed. He grit his teeth and growled,
"You've got a death wish!"
He drew his blade in a flash!
Scarlet flames roared like a raging dragon, spiraling around his massive sword as he brought it down hard on the Marine Rear Admiral in front of him!
"Oh? Looks like I hit a nerve..."
Unfazed, Borsalino brought his hands together and pulled a sword of golden light from his palms, raising it to parry the incoming strike.
"Ama no Murakumo!"
Clang! Clang! Clang!!
The two figures darted and weaved in midair, moving at speeds too fast for the eye to follow, leaving only flickering afterimages as their blades clashed, sending sparks flying in all directions.
Meanwhile...
Charlotte Perospero and Charlotte Daifuku rode the wave of candy up into the air, launching themselves straight toward Daren and Sengoku.
"So what if you're an Admiral!?"
"Let's see just how strong an Admiral really is..."
They sneered as they attacked.
But the next instant, a vast golden radiance erupted in front of them, filling their entire vision with the majestic light of a Buddha.
"Just the two of you?"
...
"They're fighting!!"
The crowd erupted in panic as terrified screams rang out from all corners.
People watched in horror as the Marines clashed with the two Yonkō crews, while the auction house shook as if it might collapse at any second, sending waves of dread through the crowd.
"No... If this keeps up, we're all dead..."
"Hurry... Run...!"
"Run for your lives!!"
"If we don't get out now, we're done for!!"
...
Pirates from the New World turned pale, desperately trying to retreat as they rushed toward the exit in a chaotic stampede.
If it were just a Marine force led by a Vice Admiral, they wouldn't be afraid—they might even have stood a chance.
But now that an Admiral had shown up... they didn't even have the will to resist.
Still, not everyone chose to run.
"HAHAHAHA! The Moa Moa no Mi is mine!!"
The bald pirate known as "Barbarian" suddenly burst from the crowd with a wild laugh, charging straight for the auction platform.
And he wasn't the only one.
Dozens of pirates, each confident in their own strength, made the same move.
The scene was total chaos.
With the Marines locked in battle against the top officers of the Big Mom and Beasts Pirates...
This was the perfect chance to snatch the Moa Moa no Mi!
The crowd surged forward!
"Quick! Protect the auction items!!"
The auctioneer in a tailcoat shrieked in terror.
Dozens of black-suited security guards dropped down from above, wielding various weapons and armaments as they formed a protective line around the Moa Moa no Mi behind them.
They opened fire without hesitation!