[116] The Scorched Sea War (V)

[2800 words]

A giveaway to add an animal-human hybrid for a coming arc is live. The character will appear throughout the story: https://discord.gg/aJHHHPvb6q

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Resolve is all that appeared in Indra's eyes. 

A few words echoed in his mind, belonging to Damien. The mission was relatively straightforward but bore significant risk; the chance of death was almost inevitable. Yet there was no denial or reluctance in the swordsman's eyes.

"The entire plan relies on this; let's not waste any more time…"

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Explosions lined the horizon as the four men took off; Indra was in the lead, and the other three were trailing behind. 

The marine battleships continued firing across the giant rocky landscape, and the pirates enthusiastically returned fire.

*Slash* *Crunch* Silver Axe slashed a volley of tens of cannonballs while Wang Zhi crushed them with great strength.

They flashed through the battlefield as most Marines focused on more consequential problems.

Crossing nearly 80% of the way to the Navy's side, they were finally blocked.

A thick dust cloud was born under the combined weight of the obstacles—three people.

"Vice Admiral Toro, Piranha and Decarther," Indra identified the marines.

Toro was a 12-foot-tall marine with a feral face and horn-shaped hairstyle. "Surrender yourselves, pirates!" the Vice Admiral roared as a bull-human hybrid.

"Wawawa!" Wang Zhi howled. "A little cow with horns; maybe I should pull out a red cloth to deal with you?"

Toro growled in anger and raged forth to meet Wang Zhi. 

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Nearby, Silver Axe smashed the bottom of his shiny weapon onto the ground as it was coated in thick Haki. It was a declaration of war to his enemy: Vice Admiral Piranha. 

"Death is all that awaits you, Silver Axe."

The armoured man didn't waver; he pointed the sharp edge of his weapon at the marine. "Part of the journey is the end, Marine, but today is not the final chapter of my story."

A blinding light shined across his sleek axe right before it was covered in a thick coat of Haki.

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Finally, it was a third battle. 

"A Super Rookie clawing to the embers of the Rocks Pirates," Decarther blandly stated, eyeing the masked pirate before him. 

However, his expression couldn't help but warp as his enemy, Henso, was surrounded by an ominous smoke. 

The pirate reached and covered his face with a hand. When he removed it, Henso's mask had shifted into a mocking grin, conveying his attitude. "Muhahaha, you don't wanna get on my bad side, Vice Admiral!"

*Vvoosh!* Like a ghost, Henso appeared before the marine, nailing him with a powerful punch.

Decarther was sent flying back. Meanwhile, Henso reached for his mask once more. This time, it warped into a face of pure fury, filled with anger.

"Mwahahaha! They say every man has many faces, one that he shows to strangers, one that he shows to close friends and family, and one that he hides from everyone."

Henso appeared above the fallen marine, sinking a fist into the man's chest, ringing it like a gong. "I wonder what kind of face you hide, Decarther…"

The Vice Admiral disappeared from the crater and flickered ten meters away, not losing sight of his enemy. This pirate donned black and red jester attire. 

The expression on the mask shifted into that of sorrow and melancholy. "Muhehehehe…"

"Hensō… the Faceless," Decarther muttered with some pain.

[Hensō Image (in Discord)]

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Indra saw the three spring to duty, not surprised by the roadblocks.

*Vvoosh!* The swordsman shot ahead, rocketing through the marines' ships and entering deep into their formation. The troops saw all but a black shadow flickered past them, bouncing off their masts.

It took but a few minutes for him to reach his goal.

Indra's black boots let out a resounding thud as he reached the very core of the marine armada.

The swordsman's dark pupils surveyed the surroundings. The wooden docks were made from pristine material, the metal platings were masterfully crafted, and the sails were thin as paper and could withstand cannon fire!

"A vessel that carries the ancient Ox Bell with pride," Indra muttered. "I wonder how long you can hoist these flags." The banners strung to each mast were of the Navy Headquarters and the World Government, showcasing the importance of the mighty ship.

Naturally, Indra's target was the fabled Ox Lloyd's Warship!

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"Finger Pistol: Meteor Shower."

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Bam! Boom! Kaboom!

Tens of sharp and condensed fist-shaped air pockets rained on the unsuspecting Indra; they were sharp and thick globs of air.

Shing!

The pirate pocketed the object and held his sword in a proper stance.

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"One Sword Style: Dance of the Dead."

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In a mesmerizing spectacle, the tens upon tens of air bullets were cut in small explosions as Indra's soft yet sharp sword techniques broke out with pinpoint accuracy.

"As expected of the Sin Incarnate's top subordinate, you are impressive."

Indra looked up at the shadow not so far away and whispered, "Marine Admiral Kurowashi."

…

As of now, each Admiral was embroiled in conflict.

At one side was the sight of a Dark King taking on a divine sight.

The giant Buddha drifted his eyes to the proud ship at the heart of the marine formation and then to Damien, who was butting heads with Garp.

"What is his endgame, sending his right-hand subordinate to fight Kurowashi? There's no logic in such a move…" he mumbled.

Rayleigh saw his enemy in thought and laughed, "That young man seems to get stronger a little too fast. He's already reached quite a level, don't you agree, Sengoku?"

The giant golden Buddha then focused on the Dark King before him. "Einar D. Damien… he causes quite the mess every turn he takes," Sengoku murmured as his fist was covered with a golden bubble.

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"Impact Wave!"

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A golden shockwave of pure power raged from the Admiral's palm as it branched out with endless momentum. Rayleigh gave an appreciative hum and coated his saber with a fresh black.

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"The Starry Night!"

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In a beautiful silver slash of excellent swordsmanship, the advancing golden attack was cut through the center, causing it to implode in a dim fizzle.

Sengoku's eyes squinted solemnly as his enormous 25-foot-tall frame jumped into the air. The atmosphere groaned as the Buddha fell with great flare, palms opened.

"Big Buddha Impact!"

"The Last Supper!"

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[Elsewhere]

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"Dreaded Devastation!"

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Two giant swirling swarms of mountainous rocks raged out with deafening grace.

"Ma-Ma-Mam-Ma! Your rocks have grown softer, Basara!" Big Mom yelled and extended Napoleon into its most excellent form.

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"Ikoku Sovereignty!"

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A grand slash of raiding-pink sword energy rippled out as the Spear of Elbaf shot ahead at the coming attack. The two fluid mountain attacks were shredded apart as Linlin raced ahead.

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"War Dominion!"

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The black flintlock in her left arm aimed at the floating Admiral, unleashing a Haki-clad bullet. The air swarmed around it like a mighty wave as the single attacks exploded with great energy.

In response, Basara raised both hands, pulling the earth up.

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"Gates of Gaia!"

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Five thick, solid, wall-like mountains extended from the seas below, providing a power shield. Each barrier had a demonic face!

Boom! Bang! *Rumble!*

The bullet burst through the first barrier, but the slight angle of the wall shifted it ever-so-slightly. Another wall went, pushing the bullet further to the side. This continued until the second-last fence, which redirected Linlin's attack well off its intended target.

The woman scoffed at the result and raced ahead with an iron fist.

*Fwwm!* Armament coated her fist.

"HA!" She smashed it upon the final obstacle. The demon-painted wall shattered like glass as the beautiful pirate continued her advance. 

Basara was more than ready for her.

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"Trembling Earth: Excalibur!"

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A humongous rocky sword of pure earth blasted out from the sea below, thundering to the Evil Spirit.

*Crackle!* *Blaze!*

Big Mom grabbed a thundering cloud and a blazing sun, her strongest Homies, as she replied to the Admiral in equal fervour.

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"Matriarchal Tyranny!"

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[Nearby]

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"Fist of Most Pain!"

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A mountain-crumbling fist raged on to meet a cracked-black fist punch swirling with crimson energy.

The two fists persisted in absolute stubbornness, trading incredible amounts of energy. The shockwave released caused the nearby men's eardrums to explode, and sound waves echoed in their skulls.

Damien gnashed his teeth, feeling his Armament fall short.

*Creak!* The armour shattered into bits, leaving the young pirate with an aching palm. It felt like magma coursing through his wrist!

His head ringing, Damien whispered, "Damn Garp… your fists hurt even more than Whitebeard's quakes."

"Hehe," the Vice Admiral smirked as a sharp breath was released from his bloodied mouth. "You're not half bad either, Damien!"

He then shook his head in disbelief, "Even Roger and Newgate don't eat my fists as you do… just what kind of monster did Rocks find? Bwahaha!"

Damien then switched to a high-offensive combat strategy, relying on his absurd bodily strength to withstand the enemy's power.

*Pop!* In a burst of air, Garp jumped into an arc as his blackened foot slashed down like a battle-axe upon Damien's head.

Boom!

In an X-shaped shield, Damien held on.

His arms shook uncontrollably from the absolute strength of the marine, yet his bones remained strong. A quick current of air raged as Damien shot open his crossed arms, causing Garp to be pushed back.

The Vice Admiral quickly regained balance and burst ahead once more as his Haki-ed fist dug into Damien's stomach.

BAM!

A loud bang went off as Damien ate the attack with a pained groan.

Garp grinned and lowered his head, and with a quick roar, he bashed his shoulder straight into his adversary's abdomen, knocking the breath right out of him.

'His entire body is a weapon!' the pirate admitted; even his Black Bones were trembling!

Damien pushed through the pain, raised both hands, interlocked the fingers and smashed it down upon the Vice Admiral's back.

BAM!

"Ugh!" seeing Garp reeling in pain from the internal damage. 

Damien opted to make some room, yet a powerful grip held him in place—Garp's right hand was wrapped out his shin at the last second!

"Get over here!" the marine smirked, violently yoking the pirate. *Dumm!* A loud gong-like sound boomed Garp's iron-thick forehead, bashed into Damien's. The Sin Incarnate's eyes were shaken, momentarily wavering in and out of consciousness.

"Hehe," Garp chuckled and readied a mighty fist to 'discipline' his younger foe.

*Fwoo!* Air bounced particles with Grandmastery of Armament Haki pouring in, layering it up and coating it with dense Emission. The imminent attack could surely level mountains!

Damien blinked out from his trance, being pulled back by the leg. 'He's really excited to land that punch,' the pirate thought, seeing Garp's gleeful expression.

The joyous man was all but ten centimeters from shattering Damien's chest open until a bright red flash left him blinded.

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"Atomic Beams."

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A disappointed grunt followed as Garp was sent soaring back with twin rays digging at his upper chest, threatening to dismantle him!

He was sent a good two dozen meters before floating to a stop with his hand shielding against the twin beams. Garp flashed Damien a proud look until he heard the young man's voice:

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"Cluster."

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The damning beams suddenly exploded into six more beams, diverging from the original two! "Ehh!?" Garp gasped, finding himself bearing eight atomizing beams.

Two were digging at his chest, two at his shoulders, two more at his kneecaps, and the final two right into his eyes!

The Vice Admiral was robbed of his sight and the sensations of his body—the atomic dismantling wasn't working perfectly, but it was frying his nerves!

"Uh oh."

A surge of energy, and Garp was shoved alongside the eight rays, finding himself rocketed through the skies.

*Vzzz!* The unsettling sound of dismantled air followed the yelping Vice Admiral. The man found himself on a rollercoaster; he'd be sent up for a few moments before the beams would dart off the air, bringing him with them. 

"Ou-woah-woah…" He yelped, dizzied from the experience. Garp's eyes widened once more as he saw where the rays were taking him next.

BOOOM!

An entire marine ship ate the nine-and-a-half footer, falling apart from the man's momentum.

"L-Look out, it's Garp-sam–!"

"We're sinking!"

"Hit the deck!!!"

A chain of explosions and fireworks rang through the battlefield as Damien used Garp as a weapon to obliterate almost a dozen marine standard ships.

The Vice Admiral finally had enough. He felt the eight rays digging into him at eight different points across his front side while sensing the marine ship he was en route to crashing into—unlike the previous ships, this was a 60-meter-tall battleship!

"Ha!" The bold marine roared, slamming both sets of fingers into the floorboards.

*Creak* Thick cracks ran from around the digits and opened up entire chasms in the vessel; the beams were not giving up!

Garp growled under the weight as he was dragged along the spanning deck.

"W-We're all gonna die!" a recruit yelled.

Another soldier tossed aside his weapon and ran to the edge, seeing the horizon getting broader. "The ship's gonna tilt over… Jump to sea!"

A thousand troops were on the battleship, but they all ran to the safe side and leaped off immediately. 

A moment later, a humongous tidal wave was born from the tragedy.

A few shaken eyes trailed the collapsing Vice Admiral—he had been swallowed by the ocean and buried under a warship weighing over 30,000 tonnes!

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"..." The silence after the bursting seas was loud. 

A few hundred pairs of dreaded eyes fell on the floating armoured figure, gulping at the seething mist in its eyes.

A Vice Admiral with pink and blue stripes huffed a cloud of smoke, stroking his wet beard. "Not only did the Sin Incarnate survive Garp's punches, but he even sank him… what is his body made of!?"

Another such veteran hummed, slashing the throat of five pirates with his scimitars. "But if I know Garp, there's no way he'd take that lying down," the blue-haired man chimed.

"The Sin Incarnate's readying an attack; take cover!" a Rear Admiral bellowed, sending thousands to crouch aboard their ships.

After all, Damien's entire left arm had warped into a weapon on its own. 

It all left to a spiked fist engulfed in a chaotic surge of red energy and electricity. The fist was covered in glowing, red orbs pulsing with raw power. Lightning arcs and energy bolts radiated from the fist, intensifying the sense of overwhelming destructive force.

They watched the monstrous pirate make a full-180, turning around and reeling his punch.

*Boom!* A jet of water erupted soon after, followed by the heroic figure of Garp shooting from the depths at the pirate.

"Bwahahaha! You want to meet my fist head-on? Let's do it, Damien!"

The two men grinned at one another as their bodies swam with thick, black lightning. The clouds above grew thunderous from the impending clash.

*Pop!* The Vice Admiral showcased his mastery over Moonwalk as his crackling purple fist shot out.

Damien tightened every muscle group, preparing to take the full brunt of the future Marine Hero.

*Purrup* Molten atomizing energy popped all over his fist, circulating with endless power. It was so dense that it was distorting the air around it!

[Image (in Discord)]

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"Galaxy Conquest!"

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"Atomic Rupture!"

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BOOOOOOOM!

An ear-rattling screech, a mind-numbing shockwave and a sea-quaking spectacle ensued. The dark sky was overshadowed by a giant bubble of dark red and heroic blue with the two men at the center.

Garp's right fist smashed upon his enemy's as it took in the atom-dismantling energy and Infused Haki.

Yet even under all of this, they were not actually in contact! A space existed, borne out of the rage of their Conqueror's Haki. It was so chaotic that the leaking energy was sent to the clouds above, separating them with a spanning scar!

The Vice Admiral's eyes turned white in fury, but his spirit remained unwavering.

Damien felt the weight of the seven seas thrust onto his body as he further released endless fruit energy, and Haki was channelled into his left fist.

The gap finally closed, allowing the two to touch.

BOOOOM!

Garp's Haki was layered and swarming with unequalled Armament. Whereas the bubbles of red over Damien's knuckles burst from the crashing weight, sending thick streams of atomic-dismantling energy into its adversary.

Suffice to say, both sides were assaulted with bone-shattering attacks tearing them from the inside out.

Giant waves of water exploded around the two men clashing in the sky, causing their own disaster-like presence to the ones nearby.

Thousands of bodies were lifted into the air as they cried out in fear. Like a rainstorm, the bodies showered down onto the broken ships, shaking waters and the cracked rock platform.

It was something out of a fantasy, simply apocalyptic.

To Be Continued…

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Author's Corner.

More of a way to showcase the final abilities of Hadean Release alongside the future Marine Hero. 

Atomic Fracture → Piercing Attack; deals damage inside out. 

Atomic Rupture → Crushing Attack; deals damage outside in.

The arc is definitely on the longer end (it is a war, after all), but it is nearing its conclusion.

Images are available on Discord alongside other niche details: https://discord.gg/aJHHHPvb6q