Several hours later, the enormous warship continued cutting rapidly through the waves.
Doll and the others stood gathered behind Lucas, straining their eyes toward the distant horizon, eager to discover where exactly the special combat forces Lucas had mentioned were hiding.
Unfortunately, no matter how long they stared until their eyes began to ache, they still couldn’t make anything out.
"Admiral Lucas, we’ve spotted an island ahead. However, two years ago, the World Government designated that place as a dead zone. Are you sure there will still be someone there?"
Ain poked her head out from the lookout tower and called down.
Lucas took a gulp of wine and gazed at the gradually emerging outline of the island.
"Don’t worry. We might be in for a pleasant surprise."
"It’s almost time for afternoon tea. I’ll go ahead first. I’ll leave the ship to you."
With that, Lucas took a single step.
His figure vanished from where he stood like a ghost.
When he reappeared, he had already crossed several hundred meters, rapidly advancing through the air toward the distant island.
The people remaining on the deck were obviously unwilling to be left behind and immediately pushed the ship forward in pursuit.
Even Tesoro and the others were eager to find out where the remaining special combat forces were—and who they were.
Meanwhile, at the entrance to Punk Hazard...
A pirate ship flying a Jolly Roger was anchored there.
A closer look would reveal that this was none other than the pirate ship of the Heart Pirates, who had recently risen to prominence across the seas and earned a reputation as one of the Worst Generation.
However, the atmosphere at the harbor was clearly tense.
The Heart Pirates, led by the two-hundred-million-Berry bounty holder known as the Surgeon of Death, Trafalgar Law, were staring grimly at the figure standing on the shore, his entire body enveloped in gas.
Traces of battle were scattered throughout the surrounding area.
"Shurorororo! So this is the power of the so-called Worst Generation?"
"I was wondering who had the nerve to come causing trouble on my territory."
Caesar Clown laughed sinisterly.
His clothes fluttered erratically as though they were made of gas.
"But you’ve underestimated the power of science."
"Forget someone like you. Even if the Heavenly Emperor himself came here, he still wouldn’t be able to capture me."
"Is that so?"
Trafalgar Law’s expression darkened.
After learning that the Warlords of the Sea had been summoned, he had assumed that Doflamingo would no longer have the time to interfere.
He had therefore rushed to Punk Hazard without delay, intending to capture Caesar Clown and use him as a bargaining chip.
Unfortunately, after luring Caesar out, Law discovered that his opponent was far more troublesome than he had imagined.
Caesar’s subordinates were gathering in increasing numbers.
And with poisonous gas spreading behind him, Law knew very well that his failed attempt had already cost him the initiative.
Staying here any longer would accomplish nothing.
Looking at Caesar’s smug expression, Law coldly said,
"I may not be able to capture you right now."
"But if I want to leave, not even the Heavenly Emperor himself can stop me."
"Remember this, Caesar. The next time we meet, I’ll capture you."
"Leave?"
Caesar burst into laughter.
The gas surrounding his body suddenly expanded violently.
"It’s already too late to leave!"
"Some rookie actually dares to run wild on my territory. Now I want to see whether I have what it takes to keep the rookie whom even the Heavenly Emperor supposedly can’t stop!"
"Gas Clap!"
BOOM!
Caesar rapidly struck the clappers in his hands.
The sparks produced by the impact instantly ignited the thick layer of gas that had already spread throughout the harbor.
The next moment, it exploded like thunder.
Law’s expression darkened slightly, but his hands were just as quick.
He turned his hand and instantly expanded his ROOM.
As the flames of the explosion rolled backward, Caesar finally recovered.
But by then, Law had already taken the opportunity to move himself and his subordinates a hundred meters away.
That speed immediately caused Caesar’s expression to darken as well.
He knew very well that Law currently had no way to do anything to him.
Likewise, with the Ope Ope no Mi, Law was equally difficult for Caesar to deal with.
Just as Law had said, neither side could do anything to the other.
Faced with this deadlock, they could only stare each other down.
The battlefield once again fell into silence.
"Master Caesar, I just received word. A Marine warship is rapidly approaching this location. It should arrive in about five minutes."
Brownbeard, who had been standing nearby, suddenly spoke.
"The Marines?"
Caesar’s expression changed immediately.
Two years ago, after stubbornly detonating the poisonous slime and destroying the entirety of Punk Hazard, he had been expelled from Vegapunk’s scientific research team.
He was also carrying a 300-million-Berry bounty.
If the Marines really caught him, even Doflamingo’s protection and influence would make things extremely troublesome.
Thinking of this, Caesar clearly no longer wanted to continue entangling himself with Law.
He gave an awkward laugh.
"Kid, looks like you should thank the Marines for arriving in time."
"Otherwise, I would’ve tried to figure out why even the Heavenly Emperor couldn’t keep you here."
"Brownbeard, let’s go."
With that, Caesar turned around and prepared to leave.
However, when he saw the expression on Brownbeard’s face—as though he’d just seen a ghost—Caesar froze.
Before he could say anything, a sudden shout rang out.
"No! C-Captain! I think... I think I see a Marine flying over here!"
Bepo, standing behind Trafalgar Law, suddenly cried out in alarm.
Law and Caesar’s expressions tightened instantly.
Without wasting another second, they hurriedly followed Bepo’s gaze.
The next moment, their pupils contracted violently, their eyes nearly bulging from their sockets.
BOOM!
A figure accompanied by a fierce sonic boom descended like a cannonball and slammed into the harbor.
The tremendous impact instantly caused the entire ground to shake violently.
In an instant, clouds of dust rolled through the air while countless fragments flew in every direction.
A figure carrying a wine gourd slowly emerged from the crater.
The sight caused Trafalgar Law and Caesar’s expressions to turn deathly grim.
"Sorry about this."
"I’m no Heavenly Emperor..."
"But I can keep you here!"
Lucas walked slowly out of the crater, wine gourd in hand, smiling.
Caesar and Trafalgar Law’s expressions changed drastically.
Neither had expected a Marine Admiral to literally descend from the sky.
During this period, Lucas the Glutton, the Marines’ Fourth Admiral, had already become the talk of the entire sea.
Especially after Marine Headquarters declared war on two Yonko, the Fourth Admiral had become one of the most discussed figures across the seas.
At this point, anyone who still couldn’t recognize the Marines’ Fourth Admiral probably had no business continuing to sail the seas.
For a moment, Trafalgar Law and Caesar Clown instinctively exchanged glances.
Faced with this unexpected intruder, both men believed they had their own ways of escaping.
And they instantly reached the same conclusion.
"Trafalgar Law!"
"You just said that not even the Heavenly Emperor could stop you."
"So why aren’t you making your move?"
"What are you waiting for?"
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