bookbashuk Chapter 48 Loguetown Survives, Holy Grail War Accelerates
Chapter 48 Loguetown Survives, Holy Grail War Accelerates
The burning port, billowing thick smoke, obscured the sky over the East China Sea.
On the sea, half of the Buster Call warships, symbolizing the navy's highest level of force, are now billowing smoke, their turrets twisted, and their hulls listing.
Like a stranded shark, it has completely lost the dignity of fighting.
The other ships, though not severely damaged, ceased firing in fear under the threat of Napoleon's massive cannons, maintaining an awkward silence.
Sabo's small boat was anchored in the middle of the chaotic sea.
Napoleon stood proudly at the bow of the ship, his giant cannons pointing diagonally to the sky, the muzzles still radiating a lingering magical glow, his sharp gaze sweeping over the naval fleet.
He didn't continue firing, but the invisible pressure was more suffocating than the artillery fire.
His very existence was an insurmountable barrier, buying precious time for Loguetown and the Straw Hat crew.
"Your target has vanished without a trace; do you still insist on issuing meaningless orders?"
Napoleon's voice carried the air of a victor, and he turned his head slightly to look at Saab.
"Retreat at once! Otherwise, without even a Master's order, you will all be condemned to eternal slumber at the bottom of the sea!"
As Saab listened to Napoleon's domineering declaration and gazed at the direction where the Merry disappeared on the horizon, his tense nerves finally relaxed a little.
He adjusted his top hat, a gentle yet firm smile curving his lips: "Thank you, Archer."
"I could never have paved the way for 'freedom' by myself. Luffy was able to escape today thanks to your firepower."
The Command Seals on the back of his hand shone brightly: "Today's deeds are absolutely resounding enough."
"Master, don't underestimate yourself. You certainly don't exist in my dictionary. Besides, I only intervened to save innocent people. Just like you said, this world is full of despair and opportunities for change..."
Upon hearing this, Sabo, standing beneath the billowing smoke, paused for a moment before revealing a relieved smile.
"I...no, it is our good fortune that the Revolutionary Army was able to summon you."
Napoleon lowered the muzzle of his cannons, as if he did not consider the distant warships a threat at all.
He burst into laughter: "Hahaha...no, no, no! Meeting a group of people like you who pursue possibilities is my good fortune!"
Countless naval personnel watched the two men talking animatedly from afar, but dared not make the slightest move, for orders from above had not yet been issued.
The atmosphere in the Admiral's office at Naval Headquarters was as heavy as a tomb.
The screens of several Den Den Mushi in front of Sengoku were transmitting images of the horrific scene in Loguetown: burning towns, capsized warships, and terrified civilians.
And... the little sheep boat that escaped safely and the two figures that stood in front of countless warships.
"..." Sengoku remained silent, crumpling the report paper in his hand into a ball of waste paper.
Karp's almost roaring roar still echoed in his ears.
"Sengoku! Stop! Stop immediately! Luffy and the others have already escaped! There's a formidable Heroic Spirit covering their retreat!"
"Continuing this fight will only wipe Loguetown off the map and cause more soldiers and civilians to perish! Stop the Buster Call!!"
Garp's voice was full of anger, but deeper down, it was a plea to an old friend.
Sengoku closed his eyes in anguish. He saw Aokiji's ice wall, the soldiers' spontaneous rescue efforts, and Smoker's futile charge.
They also witnessed Napoleon's earth-shattering, precise, and terrifying artillery bombardment that paralyzed his fleet.
Fine, if the higher-ups come down to hold us accountable, we'll just have to take the blame...
"Command..." Sengoku's hoarse voice broke the deathly silence.
"...The Buster Call... is terminated. All remaining warships shall immediately cease fire, remain in place, and prioritize the rescue of the wounded and soldiers who have fallen into the water. Conduct disaster relief and maintain order."
The lieutenant generals shook their heads reluctantly after receiving the order. But seeing the burning town of Rogue, they all turned and gave the order.
"Heroic spirit who stood alone at the pass! We cease our attack! We shall begin the rescue!"
"That's more like it! If there are musicians, we must play a triumphant song!" Napoleon laughed, and the giant cannon in his right hand turned into specks of golden light and disappeared.
Sabo nodded: "We'll give you a triumphant song when we get back. Now it's time for us to leave."
Amidst Napoleon's resounding laughter, the small boat, like an arrow released from a bow, nimbly turned its bow, ignoring the surrounding naval wreckage, and swiftly disappeared into the smoke-filled sea in the direction of the Merry.
They completed their mission cleanly and efficiently, leaving behind a stunning impression.
The order was given, but the atmosphere in the office did not ease.
Lieutenant General Tsuru, the staff officer, sighed deeply: "The losses... are heavy. Of the hundred Buster Call warships, half were completely destroyed, some were severely damaged and rendered combat ineffective, and the rest sustained damage."
"Soldier casualties... are still being tallied, but... civilian casualties are probably... even greater." She paused, then looked at Sengoku.
"More importantly... Gol D. Roger... escaped. Straw Hat Luffy... was also rescued. And... Sabo, the Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army, has been confirmed as a 'Master,' and the Heroic Spirit he summoned wields a giant cannon, whose identity is unknown. He has demonstrated... strategic-level power."
Every word struck Sengoku's heart like a heavy hammer. The shadow of the Pirate King once again loomed over the sea, and the Revolutionary Army... had unexpectedly become deeply involved in this bizarre Holy Grail War, gaining such powerful assistance!
It seems things are definitely not going to be peaceful on the side of justice...
On the ruins of Rogge, the roar of artillery fire finally ceased, leaving only the crackling of burning flames, the groans of the wounded, and cries for help.
Aokiji slowly withdrew the power that had been maintaining the ice wall, and the massive ice wall began to melt slowly, turning into cold water that washed over the scorched earth.
His tall figure appeared somewhat weary, and beneath his icy expression lay a turbulent inner world.
He looked at the dusty, naval soldiers bustling about in the ruins. In their eyes, besides the relief of surviving the disaster, there was more confusion and... questioning of orders.
"General Kuzan..." Smoker dragged his wounded body over, his voice hoarse. "The orders... are over. Next..."
"Prioritize saving lives, Smoker." Aokiji interrupted him, his voice regaining its usual languidness, yet carrying an undeniable air of authority.
"Counting casualties, rescuing civilians, and maintaining order. This is... the only 'justice' we can still do."
"Yes!" Smoker nodded emphatically and turned to join the rescue.
His anger did not subside, but was replaced by a heavier sense of responsibility and a concern for the future of the navy.
He slowly raised his hand, and the three bright red strokes reflected the sunlight that had just cleared up. The two bright lights intersected, but in his eyes they appeared somewhat dark.
"What exactly is true justice...?"
Many other people share these questions.
Some naval soldiers who participated in the rescue and witnessed Napoleon's heroic figure had complex expressions in their eyes amidst their silent busyness.
They saw that figure, also dressed in military uniform, who, with invincible power, crushed the Buster Call fleet that was slaughtering indiscriminately.
That figure covered the pirates' retreat as they were rescuing people, and then drifted away.
That power, that spirit, that... a presence that was completely different from cold commands, carrying a certain "ideal" light.
"That... Heroic Spirit, he's wearing a military uniform, he's fighting to stop the destruction..."
"Sabo of the Revolutionary Army... what exactly do they want? And what is our Navy's 'justice'...?"
At this very moment, the two figures that lingered in their minds were riding the waves, following the Merry.
Just ahead, the colossal Reverse Mountain came into view; beyond that lay the Grand Line…
The Grand Line, Alabasta, Rain Banquet Casino.
One of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Shakurokuda, had a cigar dangling from his lips. The iron cage in front of him was buzzing, but he remained perfectly calm.
He sat in front of the iron cage, his tall figure exuding a powerful sense of oppression.
Inside the cage, an unnamed pirate begged for mercy, tears streaming down his face.
"Lord Crocodile!!! Please, please spare me! I really don't know where this thing in my hand came from..."
Crocodile's hook sliced across the iron cage: "This isn't the answer I want. Just cut off my hand."
The pirate cried even louder; at this moment, he was no longer the young man thinking about finding treasure.
What a load of bull! I threw those dreams aside long ago.
The rain outside the window was pouring down harder. In the dimly lit room, a flash of red light disappeared.
Old Sand looked with great interest at the pirate's empty right hand in the cage, and at the Command Seal on his own right hand, which was reddish with a hint of black.