104 Cruel Sun! \O/
The massive crowd of over a thousand people quickly surrounded the courtyard, making it impossible to escape. The scene, from a distance, looked like a swarm of ants surrounding their prey.
"These people are the elite of the Flower Country Navy. They're not as easy to deal with as ordinary pirates," Stussy said to Katie as they observed the Flower Country Navy surrounding them.
Green Pepper furrowed his brows, looking at the bodies strewn across the ground. He seemed like he wanted to say something but ultimately restrained himself.
Although reluctant to admit it, he knew very well that the seemingly defenseless courtyard was actually booby-trapped. Stepping in would result in death in less than three seconds, with the corpses sprouting colorful fungi afterwards, creating a terrifying sight.
"What should we do, leader?" asked a lieutenant of the Second division, looking at Green Pepper with concern.
Seeing that they couldn't attack the unseen threat, Green Pepper asked for the navigators who accompanied them on the mission.
"What are your orders, leader?" they asked as they gathered around.
"Based on your experience, will there be a strong wind coming from the east this morning?" Green Pepper asked with a serious tone, eyeing the house where Stussy and the others were hiding.
"There will be a strong wind coming from the east in the early morning," a few navigators conferred and gave an accurate reply.
"Good. Everyone, stay put!" Green Pepper commanded, planting his halberd firmly into the ground before sitting down cross-legged to rest.
Other leaders exchanged glances but followed Green Pepper's orders, knowing he was in charge of the operation.
As dawn broke, a strong sea breeze arose from the horizon and quickly swept across the small island.
Green Pepper stood up, took a deep breath, and unleashed his hidden power. His halberd gleamed with a menacing black light under the sunlight.
Suddenly, an overwhelming aura burst forth from the front, causing all the Flower Country soldiers intending to attack to freeze in their tracks.
"This aura... Conqueror's Haki? It can't be!" Green Pepper's voice trembled with fear as he sensed the substantial mental pressure.
As doubts filled his mind, a figure over six meters tall, wielding a giant axe, emerged from the mansion in the distance.
Every step he took felt like a heavy blow to the hearts of those watching.
"Conqueror's Haki... It's unimaginable that someone like you would have no reputation in the New World," Green Pepper said, swinging his halberd towards the approaching figure.
"BOOM" The giant flashed and appeared in front of Green pepper swinging his axe
The thick blade clashed with the black-gleaming halberd, creating a thunderous roar like lightning in their ears, rupturing the eardrums of nearby Flower Country soldiers and causing them to bleed.
Next, Green Pepper was sent flying, and the shockwaves of their clash erupted.
The ground erupted into a deafening explosion, and the earth was torn apart. Dust and debris filled the air, and the shattered stones scattered around, injuring the Flower Country soldiers nearby.
"Quickly, retreat from the central combat zone and engage from a distance! Suppress him!" Flower Country commanders quickly organized their troops, demonstrating superior tactical skills.
Seeing the enemy's movements, Vista, towering over them, lifted his axe and advanced towards them.
Green Pepper, despite his injuries, had no choice but to stand up and confront him. He was the only one who could directly face this monster. Green Pepper's muscles bulged, his veins protruding as he channeled all his power into his right fist, ready to break through the enemy's attack.
"Eight Impacts Fist, Dragon Cone Nail!" Green Pepper roared, aiming to disrupt the enemy's assault.
"Cruel Sun."
Behind him, a magnificent image of the sun emerged.
[Authors note – Guess where is this move from?]
In response to Green Pepper's full-powered strike, Vista swung his axe casually. Then, through the blade, a horrifying inferno emerged from the sun, obliterating everything in its path.
"You…How can y…."
Green Pepper, closest to the action, was completely engulfed by the attack and turned into scorched ash. Then, the tremendous Inferno surged towards the Flower Country soldiers, engulfing them.
The ground cracked and shattered under the immense pressure, turning as hard as iron. The earth had been compressed to its utmost limit by the intense heat, leaving no trace of the Flower Country soldiers.
"Praise the sun!" \o/
[AN-Our boy truly became him🥹]
...
In the midst of the silence, the Sea Monarchy descended from the sky.
Nicholas had actually arrived when the Flower Country Navy began their attack. However, he chose to observe their response to the crisis without his presence. Clearly, their performance pleased Nicholas.
