168. Battle

On an island somewhere in New World.

Several people were carrying big boxes into a ship. A man holding a candy cane stood on board and yelled.

"Hurry it up! We are already behind schedule."

This man is one of the officers in Big Mom pirates, Perespero.

Four pairs of eyes were staring at the port and at Perespero.

"Dali, Flare you take out the ship."

Leo said.

Flare couldn't help but ask, "Sir, I don't want to sound too arrogant but isn't one of us enough to take on Perespero?"

Leo explained, "Ever since Big Mom pirates lost two Sweet Commanders the navy has been keeping an eye of them. So they got cautious and always travelled in a pair of two. There must be another officer nearby."

Dali and Flare nodded. Both of the rushed out towards the dock.

Violet pointed to herself and asked, "Sir, what about me?"

Leo said, "Your job is to take out the rest."

"From here?"

Leo nodded.

Violet shook her head and said, "It's not possible, sir. My pistols don't have that kind of reach even with busoshoku haki."

Leo smiled, "Do you think I don't know about that?"

He pointed to a large suitcase behind them and said, "That's for you."

Violet was curious. Leo brought it with them and she was curious as to what was inside.

She opened it and saw a rather large gun. It had a black body and long thin barrel.

Leo said, "I made this after a lot of trial and error. It's a sniper rifle, it's got a long reach and tremendous penetrating power."

He explained how it worked. As a gun specialist it took no more than a couple of minutes for her to understand how the gun worked.

She raised the gun and looked through the scope. She also used kenbunshoku haki at the same time. She got a clear view of the docks and the position of every target.

"Spare no one."

Leo's voice echoed in her ears.

Violet focused. She spotted a man taking a break behind the woods, the crosshair was aimed at him and she pulled the trigger.

Pa!

A small sound was heard from the barrel. Violet saw her target's head pop like a balloon.

She exclaimed. Even without busoshoku haki her attack power was way off the charts.

Leo was satisfied when he saw the power of the rifle. It took him a while to craft all the parts and refine them several times. Even then the gun could only be considered as a common Skilled Grade weapon.

While Violet was started to put down her tragets Dali and Flare reached the docks. They were immediately spotted and several of the crew tried to stop them but all of their head popped like a balloon before they got close.

Perospero immediately noted Dali and Flare. He realised they were marines and had an ugly expression.

If this was the past the navy wouldn't dare attack them. But now, having lost two Sweet Commanders Big Mom pirates were lacking in upper level fighters.

"Damn, marines!"

He jumped off the ship and stretched out his arm. Pink candy emerged from his palms and shot at Dali and Flare.

Soru!

Dali and Flare used the instantaneous movement technique and dodged.

Perospero jabbed his sword at Dali.

Raising his sword Dali clashed against Perospero.

While Dali was clashing against Perospero Flare focused his attention on the ship. His kenbunshoku haki was picking up another strong presence inside.

Not long after a tall figure walked out. He had broad shoulders and a shaved head. He wore blue clothes, a cape on his back and a thick belt on his waist.

Flare knew who this was, an officer under Big Mom pirates, Charlotte Daifuku!

"Marines! You guys really think us as weaklings!?"

Daifuku glared at Flare and said.

Flare ignored him and rushed forward.

Daifuku scoffed and rubbed his belly. Flare focused and slashed his sword at Daifuku.

Suddenly smoke came out of Daifuku's belt and took the form of a halberd wielding genie.

Flare's sword struck the genie's halberd and created sparks.

Narrowing his eyes Flare put more power into his sword only to find himself being pushed back.

What immense strength!

Knowing his opponent had raw strength excelling his, he stepped back and created distance.

Pu!

Another one of the crew fell down. His head was missing from his neck.

This attracted the attention of Daifuku and Perospero.

"A sniper! Take cover, you idiots!"

Both of them yelled at the same time.

The crew immediately his behind anything that was large enough to cover their body.

However...

Pu!

A man hiding behind a boulder had his head blown apart. There was narrow hole on the boulder where his head was a second ago.

What?!

Daifuku and Perospero were shocked. Even with busoshoku haki it's impossible to accurately hit someone who was hiding behind a boulder at this distance, much less hit the head.

This either means the sniper had top notch kenbunshoku haki and busoshoku haki or he had a powerful gun!

Daifuku stared into the distance. He couldn't see that far but he did sense a person far in the distance.

"You are distracted!"

Flare suddenly appeared behind Daifuku and swung his sword. A wisp of sword ray flashed on his sword.

Kill!

The genie's murderous intent blew through the sky as it met Flare's sword with it's halberd.

Bang!

A shockwave swept out. Flare was thrown back by the sheer power behind that strike.

Perospero battling Dali made candy and tried to trap him in it.

Dali knew it would be over if he was caught in the candy. His busoshoku haki wasn't strong enough to break through the candy.

Bull Charge!

He swung his sword and rushed forward with incredible momentum.

Perospero's candy was cut in half as Dali reduced the distance between them.

"Do you think I am weak in close combat?"

Scoffing to himself Perospero jabbed his candy cane at Dali.

Bang!

The cane struck squarely at Dali's sword. They held on for a second before Dali took a step back, avoiding the cane.

"Sir was right. We still haven't acclimated to our newfound strength."