Chapter 203: Chapter 203: Reinforcements from the World Government
"Damn these Army troops, they're useless!" Vice Admiral Tsuru, overseeing the battle, cursed through gritted teeth.
When faced with pirates, the Army seemed like lambs before wolves, utterly ineffective.
In terms of low-level strength, the World Government was at a disadvantage against the pirates' overwhelming numbers and power.
Middle-tier forces, despite the presence of the Army, CP, and Navy, couldn't gain any advantage over the skilled officers from various pirate crews, including independent groups like Kaido's.
In essence, the World Government was on the back foot. Even as more Navy and Army forces arrived, the situation remained unchanged.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru, the pirates' firepower is devastating. We're suffering heavy losses!" a Marine reported.
"Avoid engagements with heavily armed pirates where possible," Tsuru advised. She recognized the pirates' superior weaponry but had no immediate solution. It was the enemy's edge.
Given the Navy's disadvantage in low-level combat, sending even vice admirals or rear admirals to dismantle the pirates' weapons was unfeasible. Avoidance was the best tactic.
Tsuru also ordered the collection of discarded pirate weapons for post-war study, hoping to enhance the Navy's arsenal.
"Hahaha, you Army general candidate, not so tough, huh? Take another punch!"
"Gravity Fist: Diamond Cannon!"
Barrett, in hybrid form, charged Army General Candidate Hermann Toll. His Armament Haki combined with compressed gravity into a punch aimed at Hermann.
"Armament: Iron Block: Steel!"
Hermann's pupils shrank as he crossed his arms defensively.
"Whoosh!!!"
But Barrett's punch suddenly shifted, striking Hermann's abdomen. The advanced Haki penetrated his Iron Block, impacting his organs.
The gravitational crush and Haki, combined with Barrett's immense power, severely damaged Hermann's insides, sending him flying.
"Moonwalk!!"
"Six Powers Secret: Ultimate Wheel: Six King Gravity Gun!"
Barrett pursued, landing a double-fisted blow on Hermann's spine in midair.
"Crack!!!"
The force shattered Hermann's spine, driving him into the ground.
"Titan Fist: Gravity Smash Cannon!!"
Barrett, relentless, descended with Moonwalk, smashing Hermann's head and heart with blackened fists.
"Bang!!!"
With his spine broken, Hermann couldn't resist Barrett's heart-shattering blow, dying immediately.
"Whoo!!!"
"An Army general candidate, nothing special!" Barrett sneered, having battled Hermann for three days and nights before finally killing him, leaving no chance for escape.
Since awakening his Armament Haki, Barrett's prowess had skyrocketed. He'd caught up with Ashura Doji and was on track to surpass him, aiming to be the Infinity Pirates' strongest officer.
After defeating Hermann, Barrett withdrew to rest, eat, and recover, ready to rejoin the battle once refreshed.
War was a training ground, honing his martial arts and Haki, accelerating his growth.
The battle raged for five days and nights, with top-level forces seemingly locked in a stalemate.
For the World Government, a draw equaled defeat. If even they couldn't best the pirates, wasn't that failure?
"This can't continue. The Celestial Dragons must intervene, or we'll lose!"
"At the Celestial Dragon meeting, we must secure their involvement, even at a cost."
The sole non-combatant Elder, Saturn Saint, remained in Mariejois to guard against potential attacks and to seek reinforcements if the battle stalled.
Saturn Saint called another Celestial Dragon meeting, offering concessions to gain their support.
The Celestial Dragons dispatched two top-tier fighters, some powerful slaves, and protective forces to join the war. Even Saturn Saint himself entered the fray.
After five days and nights of battle, even top fighters were fatigued, their condition deteriorating.
Saturn Saint's arrival with two top fighters and numerous mid-tier forces threatened to tip the scales.
"You two handle Violent King Brandon. I'll take on Silver Axe!" Saturn Saint ordered upon reaching the battlefield.
With two top fighters and Admiral Zephyr, Brandon, already battling for five days, would soon fall.
"Damn World Government, treating me like easy prey again!"
Seeing two new top-tier opponents join, Brandon's expression darkened. Last time, the World Government targeted him as a weak link, sending three top fighters. Now, they did it again.
"Ultimate Enhancement!"
Cursing the World Government internally, he pushed his Muscle Fruit power to the limit, his skin steaming, muscles bulging to the extreme.
Only through such efforts could he withstand the onslaught, hoping allies would notice and assist.
"Silver Axe!!"
Saturn Saint targeted Silver Axe, battling Sengoku, one of his potential victories.
"Elder Saturn Saint, hahaha, you think I'm easy to take down?"
Silver Axe laughed maniacally but retreated, avoiding encirclement.
However, Saturn Saint cut off his retreat, leaving him cornered.
"Bloodthirsty sword, too troublesome!"
Army Generals Sola and Hamadi, after five days of fighting Li Yuan, gained no advantage. The Bloodthirsty Seven Star Sword left them with various wounds, draining their blood.
Once rosy-cheeked, they were now pale and weakened.
Meanwhile, Li Yuan showed no signs of fatigue or depletion, an incredible feat.
If this continued, they'd fall first.
"Hahaha, mere Army generals, daring to block me, are delusional!"
Seeing their state, Li Yuan knew the time was right.
"Life Return: Limbs Ultimate Enhancement!"
In a flash, Li Yuan boosted his limbs to the maximum, blood oozing, steam rising, like a steaming duck.
"Explosive Step!!"
His feet struck the ground dozens of times, his speed surpassing the generals' perception.
"Not good!"
Sola and Hamadi sensed danger, focusing their Observation Haki on Li Yuan.
Suddenly, a lethal threat surged, quickening their hearts, boiling their blood, and drenching them in cold sweat.
Such familiar, yet foreign mortal peril was all too familiar to Hamadi — always heralding his closest brushes with death.
In that moment, Li Yuan's Observation Haki broke through, visualizing a bullet speeding toward Hamadi's back.
He saw Hamadi dodge the bullet, taking Li Yuan's full attack, escaping grievously wounded.
With blistering speed, Li Yuan reached Hamadi, his sword shrouded in Haki and intent, the blood dragon swirling around the blue blade.
Neither Hamadi nor Sola noticed the sword switch — no longer the Seven Star Sword, but a double-edged blade resembling it.
"Three Elements Unity Secret: Conqueror's Infusion – Blood Dragon Sky Severing Slash!"
The sword struck, the blood dragon roared, sharp energy rising like dragons toward Hamadi.
Sensing mortal danger, Hamadi partially elementalized, using Armament Haki and steam power to block Li Yuan's attack, while avoiding the threat behind.
Li Yuan's speed was blinding. Apart from Hamadi, even nearby Sola couldn't react as Li Yuan closed in.
"Rip!!!"
The blue blade shattered Hamadi's Armament Haki, cutting into his flesh.
As it touched Hamadi's flesh, his power vanished, even his elemental form suppressed.
His body solidified, reverting to a human form.
--Support me on Ko-Fi for 35+ advance chapters there.
https://ko-fi.com/zxc1015
Thanks!
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone