Chapter 502: Battle on the Approaching Island

“There’s a deserted island up ahead.”

“Commander, should we take precautions or change course?”

Alsto stepped onto the deck, looking at Viaz, who stood enjoying the sea breeze.

All the intel pointed to the Four Seas being practically the main base for the Revolutionary Army these days. With such a large force sailing in, the enemy surely already knew they were coming.

There could easily be a Revolutionary Army ambush on that island. If they weren’t careful, it could cost them big.

If they lost a bunch of elite soldiers before even meeting the Revolutionaries, explaining that to the Five Elders would be next to impossible.

“Ahahaha!”

“Relax, Alsto. The fact the Revolutionary Army dared take action last night shows they’re afraid of our entire fleet. That means they’re not nearly as powerful as they want us to think.”

“Enough talk. Keep moving, full speed to the Goa Kingdom! I want to show the Revolutionary Army just what I’m made of.”

Viaz announced with pride, ignoring Alsto’s warning completely.

In his mind, the Revolutionary Army was clearly terrified of their arrival.

As soon as his troops landed, the Revolutionaries hiding in Goa Kingdom would fall to his blade. If he could bring back the Army soldiers Kuma scattered, they’d have something solid to report to the Five Elders.

Alsto realized he couldn’t persuade Viaz. After all, Viaz was the commander of the Fifth Army Corps—his orders were absolute.

Left with no other choice, Alsto ordered all units to pick up the pace and race through the island. He could only hope there wasn’t an ambush waiting ahead.

“Sabo, these Army guys really think they’re untouchable, huh!”

“On such a huge island, they don’t even bother scouting or taking a detour. Do they seriously think the Revolutionary Army is that easy to handle?”

Clarke glanced at the Army barreling forward like a reckless mob and couldn’t help but wonder if they were actually idiots.

Did they really come to attack the Revolutionary Army without gathering any intel first?

Charging through the Four Seas like they owned the place—what, did they think the Revolutionaries didn’t even matter?

“Who knows? Doesn’t matter now. The fight’s about to start.”

“Drop the disguise. Aim at the warships. Fire!”

Sabo stepped up, stretching his hands and cracking his knuckles in excitement.

At Sabo’s command, the Revolutionary Army began removing the camouflage from their cannons by the shore, swiveling them toward the oncoming Army warships.

Just as the lead Army vessel reached firing range, Alsto saw flashes glinting from the island, reflected in the distance.

“What the—?”

Before he could react, booming thunder from deep within the island erupted. A barrage of shells rained down, smashing toward the Army warships.

“Anti-cannon defense!”

The very first round of bombardment sent three Army warships plummeting to the seafloor.

“Return fire! Hit them back!”

Viaz hadn’t expected Alsto to be right. The Revolutionary Army wasn’t afraid to bleed. They actually dared to spring an ambush here—did they forget who they were messing with?

But in the end, they were Army, not Navy. They weren’t trained for sea battles. Even with volleys of shells returned and explosions rocking the island, not one Revolutionary cannon by the shore had been destroyed.

“Advance! Head straight for that island!”

Viaz wasn’t the sharpest, but he read the scene well enough—their lack of naval artillery training left them at a big disadvantage. The only answer now was to storm the island and fight the Revolutionary Army on land.

“Woooo!!”

On command, the remaining ships sped straight toward the island.

Boom, boom, boom!

Even then, the cannons by the shore only intensified their barrage.

After more than ten minutes of disastrous shelling, just thirty-six Army warships made it to the island intact.

“Damn Revolutionary Army, they made me suffer so many losses.”

Viaz gripped his blade and was the first to leap onto the island.

Swish!

A surging wave of silver sword aura slashed toward the distant row of cannons.

A strike like that wouldn’t just wipe out all the cannons, those Revolutionary soldiers manning them wouldn’t stand a chance either.

“You Revolutionaries are nothing but dead men walking. Dying by my blade is the best end you could hope for.”

Viaz could barely contain his excitement at the thought of cutting down Revolutionaries himself.

But to his surprise, the Revolutionaries simply aimed their cannons at him, showing no sign of retreat. They even stayed busy reloading. Did they seriously not care about dying?

Clang!

The crisp sound snapped Viaz from his thoughts. In front of that sword aura, a man in a blue cloak appeared—Dragon. With a casual wave, he sent a wind blade slicing through the attack.

“The ones who deserve to die are the World Government and the Celestial Dragons. Revolutionaries are the people—they’re not yours to slaughter.”

“Dragon! Navy traitor. Garp’s own son.”

“If not for Garp, you wouldn’t have lasted this long.”

“Since you’ve shown yourself, let me do you a favor and end your life here.”

Seeing Dragon appear, Viaz was overjoyed. If he took Dragon down now, the Revolutionaries would lose their leader and the rest would be easy prey.

“Spouting off too early just leaves you embarrassed.”

“Why don’t you come find out for yourself?”

Viaz swung his blade and charged at Dragon, who didn’t flinch. Wind blades shot out, his blue cloak billowing as he vanished on the spot and became a wisp of breeze.

Silver and blue flashes clashed in midair again and again.

Down below, no one stayed idle—Revolutionary Army troops launched shell after shell at the Army’s landing force. Before the Army could even join the fight, casualties piled up.

“Don’t get cocky, Revolutionaries!” Alsto yelled, charging forward with iron fists ready, aiming for the Revolutionary artillery position.

“You won’t pass this way!”

Kuma appeared in front of him, expressionless. He pulled off his gloves and handed his Bible to Clarke.

“Kuma! You’re the one who scattered my men, right? Where did you send them?”

As Alsto spoke, he hurled his iron fists straight at Kuma.

His fists gleamed with Armament Haki, whistling through the air with devastating force.

“They’re dead!”

“If you could travel anywhere—where would you go?”

“Hmph. That trick won’t work on me.”

“Better pray for yourself.”

Bang!

Their fists and palms collided for just an instant before separating.

Kuma realized he couldn’t send Alsto flying at all—every spot he targeted was covered in Armament Haki, perfect for countering Devil Fruit powers.

But Alsto wasn’t getting away unscathed either. Kuma’s devastating power and Devil Fruit pressure made Alsto’s chest tighten—he coughed up blood on the spot.

“Alsto!”

Marty and Russ saw what happened and stopped hanging back, charging forward—only for Alsto to be knocked down first, unable to block Kuma’s blows.

Just like that, the tide of battle could shift in an instant.

“This one’s tough—let’s hit him together.”

Alsto knew he wasn’t a match for Kuma. With the other two here, he doubted even Kuma could handle all three at once.

Marty and Russ nodded, and the three launched their attack at Kuma in unison.

“Finger Gun!”

“Great King Gun!”