As the ships of the Big Mom Pirates advanced, everyone on Aether's side returned to their assigned positions. Facing an attack from one of the Yonko crews, even the smallest mistake could decide the outco of the battle.
Under Marco's command, the fleet gradually spread out along both sides of Raina Island. Each pirate ship moved into its designated position, muskets loaded and cannons prid, ready to fire at any mont.
In response, the Big Mom Pirates maintained their montum. Their fleet ford a sharp arrowhead formation and drove forward without hesitation, aiming to pierce through the defensive net.
At the forefront of Marco's attention stood Charlotte Linlin, the most dangerous presence on the battlefield. Towering at nine ters, she stood at the bow of her flagship, her sheer size and presence lifting the morale of her crew.
At so point, Silvers Rayleigh appeared beside Marco and spoke in a relaxed tone.
"Well, Marco, feeling the weight of this?"
Marco kept his gaze fixed ahead. "Of course I am. This is a clash between Yonko crews, and I am the one directing everything. Even you are following my lead. One mistake could cost us everything."
Rayleigh watched Linlin closely, a faint smile on his face. "If you cannot handle it, who can? Take it easy. I will deal with Linlin."
Marco raised his binoculars again, his expression tightening. "Sothing feels off. Their numbers are too low."
Less than half of the ministers from Totto Land were present, and among the Sweet Commanders, only Charlotte Smoothie stood beside Linlin. It was clearly not the full strength of the Big Mom Pirates.
Whether it was caution or strategy, Marco did not ignore the possibility of a hidden move. He turned toward the nearby Byrnndi group.
"Byrnndi World, hold your position for now. I want you to act as the reserve force."
Seeing Marco's serious expression, Byrnndi World nodded without hesitation.
As the enemy fleet entered firing range, the tension finally snapped.
The coastal defense cannons fired in unison. Nearly thirty specially prepared shells tore through the air toward the advancing ships.
"Incoming fire!"
"Intercept them!"
The Big Mom Pirates reacted instantly. A powerful gust of wind pushed their ships forward, accelerating them through the danger zone. At the sa ti, their stronger fighters intercepted the incoming shells.
The most notable among them was Charlotte Perospero. Wielding the power of the Lick-Lick Fruit, he swung his candy cane and generated a massive flow of candy. It spread like liquid across the sky, forming a wide net that hardened instantly, blocking a large portion of the cannon fire.
Other powerful fighters stepped in as well, intercepting most of the remaining shells. Only a few managed to slip through.
Explosions erupted across the sea. One unlucky ship was struck directly and split apart, sinking rapidly. Pirates were thrown into the water, struggling to survive as nearby ships rushed to rescue them.
A second wave of bombardnt followed, crippling two more ships and reducing them to drifting targets.
After enduring the barrage, the Big Mom Pirates entered their own attack range.
Twenty-five ships opened fire simultaneously. Cannonballs streaked across the sea while Devil Fruit users launched long-range attacks. In response, the ships around Raina Island returned fire, turning the battlefield into chaos.
The ocean churned violently as explosions erupted on all sides. Water surged into the air, and ships were torn apart under the relentless exchange. Even the reinforced port suffered heavy damage as steel structures were blasted apart.
When a cannonball flew toward Linlin's flagship, she casually caught it in one hand while continuing to eat cake with the other. Seconds passed, and under the pressure of her powerful Haki, the shell remained inert.
"Mamama, Marco has so skill," she said with a grin. "But this will not stop my children."
Despite the intensity of the battle, she remained completely at ease. Her attention wandered, searching for any sign of Gol D. Roger or Rayleigh. She was confident, but not careless. Without her strongest sons present, facing those legends directly would be troubleso.
She had no intention of risking everything here. Not when she had already made arrangents with Kaido. His forces were likely attacking Roger's northern territory by now. The only irritation was the price she would have to pay him.
"That damn Kaido," she muttered. "Smoothie, begin the plan."
Smoothie bowed slightly. "Understood, Mama."
Soon, large sea snails surged forward across the ocean, carrying pirates on their backs like living vessels. So moved along the surface, while others swam beneath like submarines. Nearly a hundred white trails cut through the water as they rushed toward Raina Island.
Marco remained calm as he watched. This was expected. He had long anticipated Linlin's use of these creatures.
"Advance, everyone! Wipe them out!"
One of the squad leaders shouted, excitent flashing across his face.
Suddenly, the sea snail beneath him flipped violently, throwing the pirates into the water. As a Devil Fruit user, he sank instantly.
"Help... glug..."
Weighted down by armor and abandoned by those around him, he quickly disappeared beneath the waves.
This was not an isolated incident. Nearly half of the sea snails capsized in the sa way.
Attached to their undersides were snake-like fish, natural predators that parasitized sea snails. Their venom rendered the creatures unconscious, causing them to lose control.
Marco allowed himself a small smile. Releasing those creatures into the battlefield had taken significant preparation, and now it paid off.
Seeing the failure of the sea snail assault, Smoothie stepped forward.
Using her ability, she extracted moisture and stored it within her body, rapidly increasing her size. In monts, she grew from 4.5 ters to nearly 15 ters, her strength approaching that of a giant.
Raising her sword with both hands, she unleashed a massive slash. The Sword Energy tore across the sea, powerful enough to split large ships apart.
Panic spread among the pirates in its path.
At that mont, a figure stepped forward onto the bow of the targeted ship.
Vista, the Flower Sword, captain of the 5th Division, drew his blades.
"Rose Dance."
He slashed forward, crossing his twin swords. A cross-shaped wave of Sword Energy filled with swirling petals t Smoothie's attack head-on.
The two forces collided, locked briefly in a fierce clash, then dissipated, canceling each other out completely.
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