[155] The Last Stand (VI)

[3650 words]

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While the mess at Hachinosu was closing in on its climax, another massive confrontation occurred in the stretch of water from the Calm Belt to Mariejois, exiting from the West Blue. 

...

Bang! Bang! Bang! 

The pistol fired cold and hard rounds, covering the assault of a band of violent women. They wore rather revealing outfits that belonged to the Amazonians of the myths—equipped with wooden bows that fire Hali-clad arrows.

Boom!

Bam!

*Rumble*

It was upon a red-coloured ship with two giant snakes in the Calm Belt. "Continue firing!" a towering woman yelled across the ship's deck.

The volley of hardened arrows continued, raining down at a distant ship.

Boom!

Blazing fires began forming across the enemy ship, releasing a cloud of black smoke.

"Shakky, we've done significant damage to the ship!" a beautiful young woman reported, her eyes filled with desire to learn.

They reached a short-haired woman who casually leaned on the railing, one hand holding a cigarette. At the same time, the other fired a hail of bullets from a revolver. Around her body was a crimson-spotted snake with a bandana, hissing delightfully.

[Shakky Image (in Discord)]

Shakuyaku hummed at the information, nodding at the slim young woman. She had shoulder-length, straight dark hair curly at the ends, bold lipstick, an orange V-neck blouse and a pale yellow skirt.

"Get used to these annoying World Government guys, Toritoma. You'll need to when Rocks' influence dies out."

The future Empress nodded with starry eyes; she saw Shakky as her idol.

[Toritoma Image (in Discord)]

"Keep firing now. But keep it superficial."

…

On the blazing ship were booming noises that quickly overpowered the hail of thick arrows.

Clang!

Boom!

BAM!

A Haki-clad saber crashed hard against a metal fist, eliciting dull explosions from the clash of Haki. It was enough to spark the air as they collided, raining a frightening tune.

"Damn it, Rayleigh, why are you here!" the defending Marine questioned with evident irritation.

The swordsman returned a smirk, "Don't be so uptight, Zephyr. How about this: we act like we're duelling and sink the Celestial Dragons; the world is better without them."

Zephyr narrowed his eyes and shook his head, "Then what? Who do you think controls the budget of the Navy? At the end of the day, we are the only things standing between order and anarchy."

With another thunderous bang, he slammed hard on Rayleigh's blade, forcing him back. Irritation flashed in the Black Arm's eyes—a mix of anger and helplessness. "I have to live with how things are!!!"

BOOM!

The swordsman grunted under the heaving weight. Looking at the Admiral Candidate with reluctance, he said, "Very well. Then I suppose I can give you the excuse to not save them directly."

*Purrup* Both used dense Armament Haki that flowed in Emission, forcing the deck below them to tear apart.

"Ahhh, I broke my pinkie!"

"Fire, fire, I'm on fire!"

"Trash marines, protect us!"

"Ouchie, a splinter!"

"Commoner air is disgusting; I want my helmet!"

The background noise was rather distasteful to Rayleigh and Zephyr, but they could only pretend not to hear it. Alas, a small collection of ships was seen on the horizon.

"It seems you can rest assured," Rayleigh muttered, turning in the distance.

Zephyr sighed, leaning away from the minor skirmish. "It shouldn't be this way, but it is the only way to keep the seas peaceful."

A few Dragons saw it, too, rejoicing at the majestic vessel in the distance.

"Saint Garling, our champion!"

"Damn those pirates, they even took Sant Garling's well-deserved prize!"

"Holy Knights, finally here!"

Under the blanket of reignited hope was a young Noble with messy white hair, grinning to himself, "Ahahaha! I'm glad I came along to God Valley; it really was fun!"

"Shut up, Vadin! I'm still angry that I couldn't make the Sin Incarnate mine!" Roxia cried out, her perfectly whitened teeth gnashed together.

…

"Shakky, it's time. We managed to pull away a decent force from God Valley; this is all we can do-nyo."

The black-haired woman glanced at her dear friend's warning.

"You're right, Gloriosa," Shakky nodded. "It's too bad we can't kill some of them too… but that would probably damn Amazon Lily."

The current Empress Gloriosa rolled her eyes. It had taken a lot to convince Shakky not to kill the Nobles. Although she appreciated Damien helping her friend, it didn't mean she was willing to put their island in harm's way.

'Good thing Rayleigh strung along. He does well to bear the anger of the Nobles from this. I doubt Roger would mind, either,' the white-haired woman thought. For once, she saw some use of the Dark King being friendly with Shakky.

"Hmm, what's that?" Gloriosa suddenly asked, gesturing to the item in the smoking woman's hands.

Shakky responded by waving a Devil Fruit that had a stone-like colour, sporting hundreds of gray swirls in the shape of serpents.

"It should be the prize for the winner of the Nobles' little game, replacing the stolen Azure Dragon Fruit," she muttered, holding the fruit up to her eyes.

"Zoan-type, Model Medusa," she explained. "I hear it allows its user to turn anyone to stone as they please; quite the treasure."

However, the boons were of little care to the Black Death as her mind was busy with something else. "I hope you can get out of that mess fine, Damien-chan. Whatever it is you're up to."

"Kuja Pirates, fall back to Amazon Lily!"

[Medusa Fruit Image (in Discord)]

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As the pirates fled from the turbulence against the World Nobles, the Navy at Hachinosu felt the same haste.

...

"Ma-Ma-Mam-Ma! Kaido, let's try that move out!"

The hulking brute grinned and lifted his kanabo club. The marines felt an ominous breeze, their instincts blaring. With a thundering roar, the tag team of Napoleon and Kaido's club swung forth, creating a torrent of destruction.

.

""Conquest of the Seas!""

.

It spanned a large radius, hot enough to melt through islands—an unstoppable attack.

The trio of marines jumped to the side, their bodies moving subconsciously. Lucky for them, the attack was slower than expected and raged at a pace they could dodge: Ginrou and Yochou dove rightwards while Kurojū flickered to the left.

BOOOOM!

The stream of destruction howled onwards, not stopping even after hundreds of meters beyond its origin.

It lit through the entirety of the Pirate Paradise, bursting beyond its borders and stretching as far as the eye could see.

"Cheh, Kaido, you're too weak to keep up with my power; that was way too slow!"

The Hundred-Beast grumbled, slamming his club on the ground. "Don't piss me off, Linlin, or I'll rip out that brat cooking in your belly!"

"!!!" Kaido's eyes suddenly widened as he felt a rush of air by his side—a dark shadow had appeared.

.

"Six King Fallen Gun!"

.

The resulting explosion was faster than the two pirates could see as it befell the weaker link, Kaido.

"Aughhh!" The Oni rocketed through the air, soaring across Hachinosu until he was nailed to the Skull Rock with a large boom.

Linlin's burning eyes fell on the dark enemy, raising her arms against an incoming punch.

BAM!

"Ugh!" Linlin groaned, feeling the aching pain. "Seastone again! That damn Fulcrum is really giving you guys too much!" 

But her anger was interrupted by a cane poking at her towering back.

She looked down at her body and saw green strings of data running all over her arms and even her clothes. Her entire body was fizzling.

.

"Malware Plague!"

.

A feeling of weakness fell over the notorious pirate, eating away at her energy. *Vvoosh!* Kurojū appeared once more, his entire hand straightened like a blade.

.

"Fallen Spear!"

.

The Seastone-encrusted gloves shot forward and nailed the woman's face, sending ripples of aching pain through her mind, evoking a shrieking cry.

…

"Damn, he sent me far!"

Kaido slowly rose from the crater that happened to be at the nose of Skull Rock. He wiped some blood off his mouth, feeling a headache.

"Huh?"

He looked around, seeing a purple haze surrounding him.

"Smells funny…" The pirate felt doozy, his mind slowing down.

"Tell me, Hundred-Beast, what is your deepest fantasy?" The voice belonged to a woman bouncing within the amethyst cloud. Slowly but surely, Kaido fell in and out of conscience.

"Fantasy…? I want… to usher in… a world of violence…"

"One where a… person's worth is… measured from their strength…"

"Also… I want to… beat up Damien…"

Yochou tilted her head at the second wish, somewhat surprised. "Your wish is my command~"

The woman breathed out a thicker fog of energy, which floated into the beast's mind, resulting in a devious smile. His thoughts warped into his greatest desires.

"That's it, now be trapped in your fantasies forever~" Yochou seductively whispered into his ears, resembling a demoness.

*Rumble*

The trembling island attracted the female Marine's attention. One glance at an area a kilometer away left her breathless.

"A natural disaster!" 

Reina's words were confirmed as Charlotte Linlin's cackling voice erupted across the Pirate Island.

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"God of Lightning Tenjin!"

.

The roaring voice bellowed, unleashing a cloud of lightning that spanned half the island! The thick and dense electricity was an agent of destruction, obliterating entire buildings with a light tap.

"Hehe," Linlin laughed. Her angry eyes turned to the side, falling at Yochou near Skull Rock.

"You!"

*Vvoooo!* Reina gasped while the Titan rushed atop a thundercloud, covering a kilometer within seconds. "Return me my children!"

With speed beyond what her size should be able to rush at, the Evil Spirit slashed down her living weapon without mercy.

.

"Ikoku Sovereignty!"

.

The Spear of Elbaf, Charlotte Linlin's signature move, came with a vengeance and quickly swallowed Yochou whole. The female marine couldn't even react before her body was obliterated into dust.

Boom!

The attack continued, digging through Skull Rock and opening a two hundred meters wide hole.

[A/N: If you've seen the anime, Big Mom's Ikoku Sovereignty is op as hell.]

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"Ma-Ma-Mam-Ma! That's one down!" She then turned to the side and readied a fist. "Wake up, brat!"

The Haki-clad punch shot at Kaido's face, drilling into his cheek and sending tremors through his skull, sending him bouncing across the dry land.

"Is it morning already?" the Hundred-Beast murmured, shaking his head.

"Rocks is dead, Kaido! I see you as my little brother; come with me, and we can rule the seas!"

The hulking pirate clawed out from the ground, standing tall against the even taller Big Mom.

"I refuse!" he spat, heaving a scorching breath.

Linlin grumbled, then broke out in a laugh, "Ma-Ma-Mam-Ma! I expected as much…"

She then took out a tiny box from under her bikini and tossed it over. It arched through the air, landing in the pirate's grasp.

'What is she up to?' Kaido absently thought before opening the box to see the treasure within. "Hmm, a Devil Fruit?" 

The female pirate widely smiled, licking her red lips. "You want to get stronger faster? Eat it!"

The tempting voice left Kaido suspicious. However, a glance at the inviting fruit was enough to convince him—the blue-scaled fruit was calling his name!

…

"Ara~!"

A sultry voice resounded from the mind of a sleeping pirate nearby, slowly escaping his thoughts.

The purple cloud of smoke materialized into the voluptuous figure of a blond woman. Her heels clacked onto the ground, inhaling a healthy dose of her pipe.

"So many depraved men here… it's not hard to make them fantasize about me," she muttered, kicking away the drooling pirate.

She then popped through the air, rushing to the distance where her allies were regrouping.

Thud!

Not only Yochou but Ginrou and Kurojū also landed simultaneously, only to see Kaido inhale a Devil Fruit in a single gulp.

"..."

The young pirate burst out with a grin as he felt the power surging through his veins.

His arms turned thicker, blue metal-like scales springing out. His body began to transform, exploding with thundering energy. Kaido's face warped into something monstrous, his jaw growing out, sharp teeth shooting in place. 

Two more yellow horns protruded from his head as his hair flapped wildly. His arms extended out, growing dozens of meters long. The body followed, and the legs formed a thick, bushy tail.

*Rumble* Boom!

A dense storm arrived in the pirate's wake, raining lightning down.

"WORORORO! I like this power!"

Kaido rolled around in the sky, seeing his snake-like body. The size was a good kilometer in length, more than enough to wrap around a mountain!

Linlin cackled by the side, breathing in its power."Ma-Ma-Mam-Ma! Fish-Fish Fruit – Mythical Model: Azure Dragon!"

[Dragon Image (in Discord)]

…

The Admiral and Admiral Candidates were shocked.

"Mythical Zoan!" Ginrou remarked, popping his monocle back into place. "That must be the stolen treasure of God Valley."

Kurojū clenched his fist, glaring at the creature. "Such an ability is unprecedented!"

"He looks terrifyingly fitting to wield such power!" Reina remarked, her eyes flooded in surprise.

Soon enough, a terrifying duo appeared before them.

Big Mom sat on her thundercloud, holding a sword in one hand and a sun in the other. Kaido coiled around Skull Rock, looking at the tiny enemies below.

"WORORORO!"

A scorching heat began to build in the dragon's maw, lighting up the sky. Linlin matched her ally's energy as well.

.

"I'll just call it Blast Breath!"

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"Ikoku Sovereignty!"

.

Their combined assault was beyond devastating, equalling that of two natural disasters.

*Bam!* Kurojū readied a punch and smashed forward.

*Swish!* Ginrou slashed his cane, sending a flickering collection of digitizing energy.

*Fuuu!* Yochou exhaled a plume of purple smoke, reaching a horde of pirates asleep nearby. The dream-locked pirates rampaged their way forth, jumping into the coming attack headfirst.

BOOOM!

The widespread explosion easily detonated Hachinosu, turning the streets below into ashes.

The only natural land left on the island was Skull Rock, blanked with a thick cloud of dust.

*Cough* *Cough* An elegant cough resounded, escaping the bloody mouth of Gomon. He opened his numb eyes to feel the cold grasp of death around him.

He was effortlessly lifted off the ground, eventually locking eyes with the face of the giant Big Mom. 

Orange-ringed pupils, gazing into his soul. A monstrous smile etched across her disastrous beauty.

"Give me back my children!"

Linlin squeezed the life of Ginrou and proceeded to smash him into a small stream of seawater, fully dipping him in the liquid.

*Vvooo* A green crack appeared in the air, expelling twenty or so young brats. 

"Mama!" they rejoiced with tearful faces.

"Ma-Ma-Mam-Ma! My cute babies are back!" The world's best mother danced alongside her relieved children, humming a tune.

But it was then that her face warped into a scowl. "Kurojū, you still want to keep going?"

The dark figure of the Admiral appeared, standing tall, his armoured body lacking scratches or cuts.

"Charlotte Linlin, look around."

"Hmm?" She spanned her Haki and felt distant threats. 

"Buster Call!"

An annoyed look appeared on her face, glaring at Kurojū. "You came here just to stall us until your cavalry arrived? But they must be nothing but fresh recruits from the Outer Sea."

She looked at her wounded and injured children. Then, she examined the surroundings. Ten thousand pirates, that's how many were stationed here. And now, there were none left.

The woman sighed, feeling the tides of the era shifting out from the pirates' favour. "That no-good Rocks... His death will return control to the Government."

She couldn't help but remember a sentence from her former Captain: "Xahaha! Even in my death, my secret weapon will keep the seas out of their clutches! My Will can never be crushed, not even with death!"

"I'll wait and see this weapon of yours," Linlin whispered under her breath, turning to her self-declared younger brother. "Kaido, let's retreat."

The giant, menacing dragon lowered its head, its snake-like pupils filled with annoyance. "Why should I listen to you?"

"Isn't it natural to listen to your elders?"

The two bickered on and off.

"Mama!"

Katakuri appeared, his face bruised all over. The others came, too, rounding up the children.

*Fwooo* The duo of Shinrai and Dragon landed by the Navy's side, just in time for Linlin to call for her Homies.

"I can't safely take my babies away with you five breathing down my necks…"

She grabbed Zeus and opened him up. Prometheus, the Sun, was tossed in the mouth, making the cloud fiery. Napoleon was also infused into the creation, turning it into something truly fearsome.

.

The appearance of the Super Duo reinforced the Marines' side. Yet their arrival was met with alarm.

Kurojū glared out from under his darkness, feeling a budding threat. "Retreat, now!"

The star marines didn't question, quickly rushing back where they came.

Yochou grabbed Ginrou from the water, disappearing into a dream of a nearby scum.

Their sharp movement came at the same time as the towering Linlin's homies manifested into the shape of a giant Homie nearly four times the size of their master.

*Crackle* It was a giant genie-like woman composed of flames and lightning. She had long, flowing hair, a pointy nose, and sharp nails. A loud scratching screech, resembling a banshee, exploded from the creation.

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"Mother's Visit Cannon: 3000 Leagues of Misery!"

.

The combination of fire and lightning stood fifty meters tall and turned the world upside down, truly showcasing the power of Big Mom.

Misery shrieked impatiently, shooting forward to obliterate her targets in an unforgiving fashion of relentless assaults.

Chains of explosions lined up half of Hachinosu, sending earthquakes through its filthy roots. The clouds above were dense with ash and fire while the shockwaves sent howling tides in all directions.

[Attack Image (in Discord)]

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"My children, let's go!"

A giant pink ship was docked, ready to leave. The Charlotte Family climbed on and left post haste, though not before a final statement from their matriarch: "Kaido, remember you owe me big-time for that fruit!"

The deafening voice echoed through the island, reaching the dragon wrapped around the Skull Rock.

His beast-like eyes glared at the disappearing ship and the coming fleet of marines. "Cheh, it's better to leave; if Rocks is really gone, then things are about to get out of hand…"

He looked at the horizon. "That Damien guy better not die too, WORORORO! I want to see how he stands against my new powers…"

He looked to the sky, reaching out to grab the sun to showcase his great ambition.

"Hmm?"

Oddly enough, the extending hand began to emit clouds the colour of fire, and suddenly, Kaido felt much lighter.

"Worororo!" he laughed, slowly grasping the air, climbing up and disappearing into the stormy skies.

…

"This is Kurojū," The Admiral answered his snail.

Kong's voice arrived: "How did it go?"

The marine sighed in anger, "The Evil Spirit escaped, and the Hundred-Beast got his hands on a Mythical Zoan Sol robbed from God Valley. However, every last trace of the Rocks Pirates is gone."

The snail thought for a second and nodded.

"Cancel the Buster Call and set off to G-1. It needs to be protected immediately."

The snail went to sleep, but interestingly enough, the other side of the phone at God Valley was ringing up with another call.

"Katcha~!" "Is it done, Kong?"

The resounding voice was laced with prestige, naturally belonging to that of an Elder.

It was a conference call. The departed Saturn was also on the line while the other four spoke from the Room of Authority.

Kong sat on a boulder, his muscular body brimming with power, though unable to hide the bruised skin and broken ribs—the missing right arm was the cherry on top.

.

The Fleet Admiral looked around and saw devastation.

The once-spirited island of God Valley was known for its bountiful resources and natural reserves. Now, it was a hellish land bubbling with lava and molten minerals. The air was filled with the stench of blood, the soil turning red from the innumerable deaths.

Crimson dust slowly shifted across the apocalyptic terrain, hiding the giant craters littered everywhere.

The only living souls here were Kong, Sengoku and Garp.

.

Kong finally answered his esteemed superiors, "Yes, he lasted for ten whole minutes, even against our combined might." 

The Fleet Admiral glanced at the collapsed body before him. The condition of the infamous pirate was near death. 

"I'm sure his insufferable father would be proud..."

Kong clenched his hands with uncertainty, remembering Damien's words moments before his fall…

"I don't regret not killing Basara. If not for him, tens of thousands of Rocks Pirates would still be kicking, and Xebec may still be alive."

Kong could still remember the crimson eyes that mirrored Ares from long ago. 

"The death of my Fodder was a consequence of my gamble, and I accept that. But just you wait, Kong. I'll take more than an arm from you next time."

A cold chill ran down the Strange Beast's back while the right side of his body was throbbing. 

Only when Nusjuro's sharp voice came from the receiver did Kong break from his reverie: "You need not worry, Kong. You did well in vanquishing him. His life will forever remain behind the impenetrable walls of Impel Down." 

Kong slowly nodded, feeling a wave of relief. "Yes… No one has ever escaped from that abyss. Devil Fruits users against a prison of Seastone, ever more so."

"He will be forgotten soon enough."

With the troubles in his heart cleared, the Fleet Admiral loudly summarized the fate of God Valley: "It came at the cost of the Chief of Cipher Pol, an Admiral and one hundred thousand marines… But I can say without doubt that the Rocks Pirates have been utterly annihilated!"

The booming voice echoed across what remained of the Cradle of the Gods, signifying the end of an era.

To Be Continued…

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Author's Corner.

Big Mom had stolen the Azure Dragon from Sol, who stole it from the God's Knights' transport. The Government took out another equally impressive fruit to replace this treasure (since it was a prize for the winner of the Triennial Hunt). Unfortunately, they lost both.

Damien assured Solomon he would return to Mortem Island within a month. What do you think will happen at Impel Down?

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