Wow! Finally, it's my turn to take action!"
With a spark of excitement in his eyes, Usopp pushed open the periscope in front of him, eagerly gripping the controls—a device resembling a racing steering wheel, specifically designed for rapid maneuvers.
This was no ordinary weapon but the latest laser technology provided by the government, a singular powerhouse installed on the ship. Luffy had personally entrusted this unique armament to Usopp. As he pressed a sequence of buttons, a hatch beneath the bow of the spacecraft began to open, revealing a hexagonal muzzle lined with intricate mechanical and electric coils, looking far more advanced than any standard cannon.
He adjusted his aim, locking onto the pirate ship below, and then, with a surge of anticipation, pressed the button to fire.
Inside the control room, a young crew member monitoring the ship's energy reserves watched as power levels dipped drastically, though the anomaly didn't faze her. She promptly reported to Ain, her voice steady:
"Captain, the HJ-1 beam laser is charged and firing!"
Ain didn't respond, her eyes fixated on the live feed through the monitoring Den Den Mushi. She watched the laser cannon, building energy, and a bright, blue glow flared from the muzzle.
In an instant, a colossal beam of light—measuring nearly 80 centimeters in diameter—blasted forward with astonishing speed, tearing through the clouds and piercing straight into the pirate ship's midsection below, erupting in a massive explosion that obliterated everything in its path.
Meanwhile, beneath the Stormbreaker, as the Marines' coastal artillery began their assault, Jack barked his own commands.
"Ignore the shells! Charge ahead at full speed—cut down anyone in our way!" he ordered, his voice booming over the chaos.
"...Yes, sir~" his subordinates responded, their voices lined with reluctance as they reluctantly accepted his orders. Under the relentless gunfire, they scrambled below deck, gripping their oars in desperation and paddling with all their might, while secretly whispering prayers for protection, hoping they could reach the shore in one piece.
Perched atop the bow of the pirate ship, Jack remained composed as the shells exploded around him, seemingly unbothered. Even when some rounds flew directly toward them, his elite crew members intercepted the shots without hesitation. He exuded an air of calm and control—a stance as steadfast as a mountain, embodying the dignity of a seasoned general.
Yet, he couldn't ignore a growing unease gnawing at his gut. What is this feeling? He scowled, extending his observation Haki to scan the surroundings, but found nothing unusual. The momentary peace ended when a sharp, tingling pain registered on his scalp, his Haki triggering a sudden and intense alarm. Instinctively, he looked up, eyes wide with horror.
Above, the laser cannon had fully charged. With an electrifying hum, a high-energy beam surged downward, piercing straight through the ship, igniting a powerful explosion that shattered the vessel in one catastrophic strike.
By sheer fortune—or perhaps Usopp's remarkable aim—the laser beam struck the ship's ammunition depot, setting off a secondary blast that leveled everything in an instant. The pirates below, still struggling with their oars, were obliterated in the inferno.
In a matter of seconds, the ship lay in two broken halves.
High above, Usopp clenched his fists, exclaiming in triumph. He swiftly picked up his Den Den Mushi, eager to report his success.
"Hey, Captain Ain! Did you see that? I blew that ship to pieces with just one shot!"
Ain, already watching the scene unfold in real-time through the surveillance feed, couldn't help but smile and offered generous praise:
"Excellent work, Usopp. Switch to low-power mode and keep firing; don't let a single pirate get away!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
With Usopp's task secured, Ain wasted no time. She immediately signaled the team responsible for standard artillery, directing them to open fire as well.
In a swift and coordinated movement, forty hatches opened along the underside of the Stormbreaker, each revealing triple-mounted cannons that pointed downwards, unleashing a relentless rain of firepower.
The pirates, many of whom were struggling to stay afloat amidst the wreckage, now faced an unrelenting barrage. The artillery showed no mercy, particularly toward those clinging to the debris, who received "special attention" in the form of intensified shelling.
Their screams filled the air as they cried out for help, some calling desperately for their leader, Jack. But Jack, by this time, was preoccupied with his own dire situation.
As the ship sank beneath him, his composed facade shattered, and he leapt from his seat in a rush. Half-fishman or not, he couldn't swim due to his Devil Fruit powers; if he fell into the sea, he'd be a helpless stone at the ocean's bottom, waiting for Kaido's rescue—if it even came in time.
Facing the coast now only 2,000 meters away, he didn't hesitate. His leg muscles coiled, and with a powerful push, he launched himself into the air.
Onshore, Luffy watched the massive figure of Jack closing in, though his movement through the air was noticeably awkward, his mastery of Moon Walk lacking finesse. Luffy observed calmly, hands resting at his sides, with no intention of interfering.
Dropping his hands, he issued a command to the marines nearby:
"Quickly, clear out of this area; leave him to me."
"...Yes, sir!"
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