Ryokugyu watched in shock as Kaido and Big Mom were resurrected by Caesar, his mind reeling with disbelief.
The captains of the Big Mom Pirates and the Beast Pirates—former Emperors of the Sea—had returned to full strength.
And now, an even more terrifying figure had joined them. With such a powerful line up, a new superpower was about to emerge on the seas.
This force was overwhelmingly strong, seemingly surpassing even the other Emperor crews.
Thus, the New World, which had only just stabilized after the upheaval of the old and new Emperors, was about to be plunged into another storm of bloodshed.
"That bastard actually dared to talk to Akainu-san like that! Once I break free, I'll make sure he pays!" Ryokugyu seethed.
The day before, he had witnessed Caesar insulting Akainu and as a devoted admirer of the Fleet Admiral, it had infuriated him so much!
"Huh? Who's there?" Ryokugyu strained to look outside his cell but saw no one—only the faint sound of wind reached his ears.
The few pirate grunts left to guard him didn't even have time to react before a pitch-black hand crushed their throats one by one.
Outside the cell, a tall, lanky figure appeared, wearing a white hat and a mask covering his face.
"CP0? Perfect! Hurry and find a way to remove these seastone cuffs. Did Akainu-san send you?"
Ryokugyu face lit up with hope.
He had long known that World Government spies were still lurking in Wano.
That was why, even after being defeated and captured by Caesar, he hadn't been too worried.
He was certain CP0 would come to his rescue.
The masked figure stepped into the cell without hesitation.
The door wasn't locked—Ryokugyu was simply restrained by seastone chains fastened to the stone wall.
"Aramaki... Hah, long time no see. I never expected you'd be defeated so easily—and left in such a sorry state. Truly surprising."
The CP0 agent made no move to break the chains. Instead, his tone carried a hint of mockery, even amusement.
Ryokugyu hopeful expression froze. His brow furrowed.
"You're not CP0. Who are you?"
The masked man chuckled softly and removed his disguise.
Beneath it was the face of a blond young man, a scar running over one of his eye.
"Sabo! Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army?! Why are you here?!"
Ryokugyu eyes widened in shock, as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing.
Sabo smirked, his right hand forming a claw as he gripped Ryokugyu head, forcing him to meet his gaze.
"Aramaki, what are you doing in Wano? Don't tell me you came to cause trouble for my little brother too? Hahaha... After all the effort he put into freeing this country and becoming an Emperor—can't you Marines just let him have this?"
"Hah! That's right! I am here to take Straw Hat's head, Sabo! If Fujitora hadn't held back in Mariejois, you'd be dead! What's your business in Wano?!"
Sabo expression darkened. His blackened fingers tightened, distorting Ryokugyu skull.
"ARGH! Go ahead and kill me then! The Revolutionary Army is no better than pirates—you all deserve to be wiped out!" Ryokugyu howled in pain.
"I won't let what happened to Ace happen to Luffy again! Ryokugyu, I'll take you to Baltigo—your admiral career ends here."
Sabo clenched his fist, knocking Ryokugyu unconscious.
Then he snapped the chains, hoisted the tightly bound admiral over his shoulder and strode out of Udon Prison.
Luffy raged, his white hair whipping wildly as pale flames erupted around him.
His fist wreathed in Conqueror's Haki, he smashed a punch straight into Caesar chest.
"BORORORO! That's the price you pay for sticking your nose into Wano business Straw Hat! Playing hero for this country and that at your age—who do you think you are? Some kind of savior? You're just a damn pirate!"
During the earlier chaos, Caesar had bisected Franky—along with his mecha—with a single slash.
Though Franky cyborg body (mostly replaced with metal) kept him alive, the fatal wound left him unconscious.
Without immediate treatment, he will be dead.
Marco healed his bleeding first, but his healing powers proved limited against Franky half-mechanical body.
"Nami! Robin! Brook! Chopper! Usopp! Get Franky out of here! This battlefield's too dangerous for you—protect your lives first!" Luffy eyes burned crimson, tear tracks still wet on his cheeks.
Caesar sent Kid massive steel puppet flying with another slash before turning his blade toward Luffy.
"Realizing the danger now, Straw Hat? Too late! Zhu Long! Clear out the trash!"
With a flick of his wrist, Caesar hurled his greatsword Zhu Long like a javelin.
It grazed past Luffy—then transformed midair into a violet dragon, spewing torrents of venom!
"TORAO!" Luffy roared. Follow current novels on NoveI(F)ire.net
"ROOM!" Law right hand extended, his power preparing to teleport the dragon.
"Tch! That damn ability!" Caesar gritted his teeth.
Law spatial swaps were infuriatingly versatile—instantaneous, wide-range, equally suited for rescue operations, team support, or surprise attacks.
"Lightwing Slash!" Golden wings burst from Caesar back, lifting him skyward.
His spinning body became a drill, feathers shooting from the rotating wings like a storm of blades.
Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh!
The feather barrage blanketed dozens of meters.
Kid blocked with his colossal metal arm; Luffy vanished with a flash-step. But Law stood rooted—having just used his power to continuously redirect Zhu Long's unending venom spray, he couldn't reposition himself in time.
"Damn it! ROOM! Shambles!" Law desperately attempted a last-second swap as the lethal feathers closed in.
Law wasn't a fool either and immediately thought of a way to break free—by swapping with the venom-spitting Zhu Long to take his place!
Caesar spun and danced through the air, following the feather's momentum.
It seemed he had anticipated Law escape plan, for the moment Zhu Long appeared, the dragon transformed back into a great blade.
Caesar seized it with both hands, his muscles bulging as he swung horizontally to the ground!
A pitch-black blade aura flashed past Captain Kid legs in an instant!