One Piece: Groudon the Beasts

Chapter 336 The Decisive Battle Between Marshals

New World, Punk Hazard.

Four years ago, a major accident occurred on Punk Hazard: a laboratory exploded, leaking toxic gas that enveloped the entire island, which was then bombed by a Buster Call.

The island was reduced to ruins, and the important equipment in the laboratory was moved to Dressrosa by Caesar and the Don Quixote family.

Years later, Dressrosa has been revitalized, burying the traces left by the shelling.

Not far away on the sea, a handsome young man on a bicycle is approaching the island.

"Oh my, it's so lively!"

Aokiji gazed ahead, where hundreds of ships of all sizes were scattered around the island, their flags representing almost all the various factions.

They're all here to watch!

Although it was just a duel, its impact on the world order was several times more severe than that of the Marineford War.

Whether it's him or Sakazuki.

Neither of us can afford to lose.

"Ring ring~ Excuse me!"

Aokiji rang the bicycle bell and slowly passed through the gaps in the fleet, then went to the center of the island alone after landing.

The other side of the island.

warship.

The officer put down the Den Den Mushi: "Report! Aokiji has landed on Punk Hazard and is heading towards the center of the island!"

"understood."

Below the mast.

"Slurp~~"

As Kizaru slurped his ramen, he glanced at Akainu beside him and asked, "Sakazuki, if we lose this battle, will our Navy be disbanded?"

"Will win!"

Akainu responded coldly.

This duel was no longer a personal feud between him and Aokiji; they were also burdened with the weight of their respective factions.

The duel can only end when one of them dies.

Akainu strode forward and leaped off the ship.

Kizaru put down his chopsticks and silently watched Akainu's departing figure.

By now, he has long understood that the navy under the World Government's rule has no future, and Sakazuki could not possibly have been unaware of this.

But they also dedicated most of their lives to the Navy, and they couldn't bring themselves to betray it.

Aokiji's challenge was exactly what he wanted.

Let's put an end to this.

Above the center of the island.

The World Economic News Agency's hot air balloon hovered in the air; in order to get firsthand exclusive news, Morgans had brought the entire news agency headquarters with him.

His previous live broadcast from Egghead Island made him realize that the newspaper's existence was threatened, so even though it was extremely dangerous this time, he had to be on the front lines.

"They're coming!"

"Aokiji and Akainu!"

Below, on the land, two figures were walking towards each other. Behind them, thick smoke billowed from one side, while frost covered the land on the other.

Even before the war began, the island's climate underwent a dramatic change.

"Long time no see, Sakazuki."

"Kuzan."

They gazed at each other, as if they had returned to that summer years ago.

Kuzan took a deep breath and said what he had kept hidden in his heart for decades: "Sakazuki, I really hate you!"

"Yeah, me too."

Sakazuki adjusted the brim of his hat.

They weren't in the same cohort, and their enlistment dates differed by a few years, but under the Navy's training system, this difference is negligible, and they can catch up quickly.

Fate seemed to have been predetermined.

After joining the Navy, they were all hailed as monsters, with incredibly similar achievements and career paths, even their promotions to vice admiral and admiral occurred at roughly the same time.

But from their first meeting, they didn't get along. Not only were their personalities incompatible, but their ideals of justice also differed greatly, and even the abilities they possessed were opposing.

They were destined rivals! Aokiji slowly raised his palm, and a bone-chilling cold aura burst forth from his body, causing the celestial phenomena to change, with countless snowflakes fluttering down.

Magma erupted from Akainu's right arm, and the ground beneath his feet cracked and spewed forth countless streams of magma.

Needless to say.

The person who knows you best is often your opponent!
"boom!!!"

Icefalls and lava surged into the sky, each occupying half of the sky!
Dressrosa, the port.

Groudon raises its sails.

His subordinates urged anxiously, "Boss Goode, Aokiji and Akainu are fighting! Why are you still so slow?!"

"Aha~~ What's the rush?"

Goode boarded the ship at a leisurely pace.

Aokiji and Akainu are like childhood sweethearts, having fought countless times and knowing each other's abilities and fighting styles inside and out. It's not going to be a quick victory or defeat.

He was more concerned about how the World Government would allow Akainu to act recklessly.

Even if Akainu defeats Aokiji, it will only slow down the Hoenn government's progress, but if he loses, the Navy will completely collapse.

The risks are clearly disproportionate.

Or perhaps, Akainu stubbornly disobeyed the World Government's orders.

"Set off."

"Yes!"

Groudon sets sail.

Goode lay down on the beach chair, opened his mouth, and ate the peeled grapes.

"Any news about the Kozuki Samurai?"

"Lord Goode, a battle took place at the port yesterday. Big Mom's subordinate, Capone Bege, captured several Kozuki Samurai."

While peeling grapes, Kikara reported, "We've also received news from Zou that they've captured a strange ninja, who is very likely one of the Nine Red Scabbards."

"Come on, open your mouth."

"what--"

Goode ate the grape in one bite, a smile appearing in his eyes.

It's normal to capture the Kozuki samurai; those samurai are completely unfamiliar with the outer seas, how could they possibly escape his pursuit?

It was a little unexpected that Big Mom's subordinates beat them to it, but it wasn't a big problem. The matter was left to the pirates to handle anyway, and it was possible for anyone to capture the samurai.

Bege didn't come looking for him, probably because he's waiting until Aokiji and Akainu's battle is over. It would be a bit rude of him not to send him over by then.

"Lord Goode, Mr. Apoo has also sent word that after this duel, he will go to the Kid Pirates' secret base with Urouge."

"Yes, just keep an eye on it."

Goode nodded slightly.

We have to pay attention to what our boss Kaido asked us to do. The Fire Festival will be held soon, and the Beasts will also begin their expedition.

Hours later, Punk Hazard.

"It's Groudon!"

"That esteemed person has arrived!"

“Stay away!”

The crowded pirate ship automatically parted to the sides, creating a wide passage and leaving the best spot for the Groudon.

Not far away, a yellow submarine.

Bepo pointed forcefully at Groudon.

"Captain, look over there!"

"Quiet down, Bepo."

Luo, leaning on his crutches, limped to the edge of the deck, his body wrapped in bandages, one of his feet completely wrapped up like a dumpling.

What happened a few days ago still haunts him.

"Damn it, the gap is so huge!"

Luo gritted his teeth and clenched his fists, blood quickly seeping through the bandages.

He was defeated in a single move. If it weren't for his companions who had followed him for many years and were skilled in treating external injuries, he would have been dead by now.

He had thought he might lose, but he never expected to lose so badly!
He's way too far behind!

(End of this chapter)