"BOOM—"
An earth-shattering explosion tore through the sky.
The next second, the Island Ship floating in mid-air due to Shiki's Float-Float Fruit powers began an irreversible descent towards the sea under the violent energy impact.
"!!!!"
Almost simultaneously, the mbers of the Red-Haired Pirates on the deck of the Red-force all widened their eyes in shock, utterly stunned by the sudden turn of events.
Likewise, Shiki never expected Zunesha to suddenly awaken and without any warning, launch an attack on his Island Ship.
"BOOM—"
With the massive Island ship crashing into the sea, an earth-shattering explosion erupted once more, followed by towering waves surging violently!
"How is this possible!"
"Why would Zunesha suddenly attack humans!"
After a brief mont of stunned silence, Shiki sharply turned his head, just in ti to lock eyes with one of Zunesha's enormous eyes, which had opened at so unknown mont.
Before Shiki or anyone present could react, Zunesha's voice bood across the world once more.
"By the Fleet Admiral's decree, sink all pirate ships!!"
As Zunesha's voice echoed, the colossal trunk that had just struck down the floating island rose high again.
Whoosh—
Carrying a devastating shockwave, the trunk whipped through the air with razor-sharp gales, sweeping down from above to target the pirate ships moored side by side on the sea.
The pirate ship closest to the trunk had no ti to evade.
With another thunderous explosion, the massive vessel was brutally shattered by the trunk, its wreckage scattering in all directions like a shower of petals.
Before the debris of this ship could even hit the water, several other pirate ships lined up beside it were similarly reduced to fragnts by the sweeping trunk.
So pirates aboard these ships didn't even realize what was happening before being crushed into pulp by the trunk's impact.
Many more were sent flying uncontrollably by the terrifying gales it carried.
In an instant, the sea was filled with screams, shrieks, and desperate cries for help.
The Red Force reacted the fastest.
As Zunesha launched its second attack, Building Snake, the navigator of the Red Hair Pirates, took the helm and propelled the ship forward with a burst of speed, narrowly escaping the trunk's devastating sweep that obliterated the other pirate ships.
While over a dozen pirate ships were ruthlessly destroyed by Zunesha, the Red Force managed to escape the attack range.
Yet even so, everyone aboard, including Shanks, was left shaken, their eyes wide as they took in the apocalyptic scene unfolding before them.
Zunesha showed no signs of stopping.
After destroying the floating island and over a dozen pirate ships, it raised its trunk once more.
anwhile, the hundreds of other pirate ships scattered across the sea descended into utter chaos.
Though the fleet of hundreds of ships was vast, it still seed insignificant before the colossal Zunesha.
The suddenness of the attack—wiping out over a dozen ships in an instant—sent wreckage flying in all directions, crashing haphazardly into the surrounding vessels.
Pirates attempting to flee only collided with other panicking ships, turning the waters into a chaotic ss of collisions.
As ship after ship scrambled to retreat, the sea beca a scene of complete disorder.
Most critically, Zunesha's trunk was already rising again.
"Sink them!"
"Sink them all!"
With Zunesha's voice ringing out once more, the enormous trunk ca crashing down like a divine hamr.
"Captain, what... what's going on?!"
On the deck of the Red Force, Lucky Roux and Yasopp rushed to Shanks' side, speaking in unison.
"Did you hear what Zunesha just said?"
"You didn't hear it?"
Shanks turned to them, his expression graver than ever before
.Lucky Roux shook his head, "I only heard Zunesha make a sound, but couldn't make out what it was saying!"
Yasopp nodded in agreent, "Sa here."
Hearing this, Shanks imdiately looked at the other mbers on the deck.
Seeing everyone's eyes fixed on him, Shanks didn't hide the truth and solemnly said.
"Zunesha's ssage was simple—it's acting on orders from the Fleet Admiral to destroy all pirate ships passing through these waters!"
"WHAT?"
The mont these words were spoken, all mbers of the Red Hair Pirates widened their eyes in shock and exclaid in unison.
"Orders from the Fleet Admiral?"
"What... what's going on?" Yasopp, carrying his sniper rifle, approached Shanks in confusion.
"Why would Zunesha obey the Fleet Admiral's orders? Has Orion already tad Zunesha?"
"That's the only explanation!" Shanks wasted no ti.
Spotting the approaching ships of his allied crews, including the Social Club, he decisively ordered.
"Leave these waters imdiately! We must get out of Zunesha's sight before it sinks Shiki's fleet!"
...
*****
Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
Beside the newly cultivated vegetable garden in Pangaea Plaza.
Orion sat on the ground, his eyes slightly narrowed as he enjoyed the rare mont of leisure, admiring the lush vegetables and fruits in the garden.
In the garden, Sharlia who had grown accustod to not wearing Celestial Dragon attire, was skillfully watering the plants.
Though Sharlia appeared calm on the surface, her heart was anything but.
However, she didn't dare approach Orion to strike up a conversation.
The last ti she had spoken a few extra words to him, a palace guard had suddenly appeared and slapped her twice.
If not for Zephyr's intervention, half her face would have been swollen.
Just then, Zephyr and Sengoku erged side by side from the World Governnt headquarters building.
Spotting Orion by the garden, they paused in surprise before quickly making their way over.
"Orion, are you free today?"
Sengoku sat down beside the garden, chuckling.
"To have the ti to visit the vegetable patch—seems the recruitnt drive went well!"
Orion glanced at him indifferently. "It went smoothly enough."
"Don't be so cold!"
Sengoku scooted closer, pulling out a rice cracker and feeding it to Orion with a serious expression.
"I heard it from Garp—Shiki's resurgence has caused quite a stir in the East Blue. That was our oversight. If we'd guarded him more strictly back then, he wouldn't have escaped Impel Down, nor would he be wreaking havoc again after all these years."
Before Orion could respond, the Den Den Mushi in Sengoku's pocket began ringing.
"Purupuru—"
"Elder-sama, urgent news! Shiki's fleet was ambushed by Zunesha while passing through its territory. Only a handful of pirate ships escaped—the rest were completely annihilated!"
Hearing this report, Sengoku and the recently seated Zephyr both turned their gazes towards Orion.
"Why are you guys looking at ?"
Orion lazily chewed the cracker.
"I just gave Zunesha an order, that's all."
"Things like this will happen often from now on. You'll get used to it soon enough."
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