"Admiral Sengoku! What is that?!"
"Someone just appeared on the island—he's fighting the World Pirates!"
"It happened in an instant! In the blink of an eye... every pirate on that island, except Byrnndi World, was taken out!!"
A Marine stationed on a lookout post several nautical miles from the target island let out a panicked scream, binoculars trembling in his hands.
"It's Captain Darren!! He's on the island!!"
"He wiped out hundreds of World's subordinates in a single instant!!"
Sengoku's face twisted in shock. He snatched the binoculars from the aide next to him, frantically scanning the distant island.
But before he could locate anything—
Borsalino, who had been lazily picking at his nails, suddenly looked up, smirking.
"No need to look... they're already here."
Sengoku froze for a moment, then instinctively activated his Observation Haki.
And the moment he did, his pupils contracted into pinpricks.
Something had arrived—something enormous.
His gaze shot upward, piercing the clouded skies above the island.
A moment later, every Marine on deck went wide-eyed. Mouths dropped open. Brains blanked. It was like witnessing a miracle.
From the distant heavens, one warship after another emerged, breaking through the clouds like mythical beasts. They hovered high in the air—untethered by gravity or wind—maneuvering freely into formation, a line of ten Marine warships in perfect alignment.
Massive black cannons extended from each ship's flanks.
Then, after a beat of silence—
A bombardment like a monsoon of destruction poured down on the island's harbor. Explosions lit the coast in wave after wave of crimson flame, swallowing the bay in an inferno.
Shockwaves rumbled across the sea. Towering waves surged near the island's shores, crashing and roaring in response to the destruction.
"The World Pirates' four ships... they're all... they're all gone..."
A Marine on deck finally broke the stunned silence, swallowing hard before speaking in a dry, hoarse voice.
And just like that, the tension snapped.
Cheers erupted across the ship.
"Those are our warships!!"
"No doubt about it! That's the seagull of justice flying on their flags!!"
"But where did that fleet come from?!"
"A flying Marine fleet?!"
"We haven't received any signal from HQ about reinforcements!"
"Wait a minute—we're in the North Blue!!"
The Marines all turned toward their commander, realization dawning on their faces.
Sengoku slammed his fist into his palm and roared in excitement. His wide cloak of Justice flared behind him.
His eyes burned as he stared at the fleet lined across the skies—his heart thundering in his chest.
A flying Marine fleet!
That damned brat Darren... just how deeply had he hidden this card?
A satisfied grin tugged at Sengoku's lips.
As the most calculating mind in the justice faction, Sengoku knew better than anyone just how game-changing a fleet could be.
He thought of Golden Lion Shiki—how the pirate had used the power of the Float-Float Fruit to raise his fleet into the sky. With his floating fortress, Shiki evaded countless naval sieges, appearing and disappearing at will, uncatchable even when outnumbered.
And combined with Shiki's monstrous personal strength, it had made him virtually invincible.
At his peak, Shiki was considered more dangerous than even Roger or Whitebeard—a true nightmare for the Marines.
Now, the Marines might finally have a countermeasure.
If Darren's power could be harnessed—if this fleet could be replicated—then perhaps... just perhaps... the Marines could create their own invincible sky fleet.
A fleet unbound by currents or wind. A fleet that could strike anywhere, anytime. A fleet of justice that could soar freely into the New World and crush evil at lightning speed.
The thought alone made Sengoku's blood race.
He didn't even stop to question the terrifying amount of firepower packed into Darren's fleet.
"Admiral Sengoku, should we begin our advance?"
Borsalino asked lazily, eyes half-lidded.
Sengoku blinked, then jolted upright. Of course—that barrage was the signal to move!
"All units—advance! Full speed ahead!!"
He raised his hand, issuing the command with a solemn expression.
In a flash, every Marine on deck burst into action. Sails unfurled, engines roared to life.
"Borsalino!! What the hell are you doing?! Move! Go back him up!!"
Sengoku turned and shouted furiously at the Rear admiral, who was still calmly adjusting his suit.
"If anything happens to Darren, I'm holding you personally responsible!!"
Four pirate ships had been obliterated in seconds. Byrnndi World was cornered, with nowhere to run.
And right now, the only person on that island... was Darren.
A wounded beast, when cornered, always lashes out the hardest.
Borsalino raised his hands in mock surrender and muttered under his breath, "Yeesh... if I hadn't said anything, you'd still be standing here starstruck."
And with that, his body dissolved into a stream of golden light, launching toward the distant island in a dazzling arc.
Sengoku watched the golden streak vanish into the sky, sweat breaking across his brow. His fists clenched tight—veins bulging on the backs of his hands.
Darren must not fall.
"Brat!! You've got a death wish!!"
A furious roar tore through the air.
Byrnndi World's eyes were bloodshot with rage, crimson veins radiating from his pupils.
He stared at the burning coastline, realizing at last—he was completely surrounded.
All four of his pirate ships, along with thousands of his men, had been vaporized in a single instant by the overwhelming firepower of the North Blue fleet.
And standing before him was nothing but a single Marine officer. A mere Captain.
He couldn't possibly be acting alone... which could only mean—
That damn Sengoku must be nearby.
And his escape route—was gone.
A twisted grin split across World's face.
"Did you really think you'd cut off all my exits, Darren?"
From his coat, he pulled out a Den Den Mushi.
"BOHAHAHA! Bet you didn't see this coming! I've still got one more ship!!"
He slammed the communicator open and sent the signal.
"...Looks like your signal's not getting through," Darren said calmly, his voice tinged with a mocking smile.