Chapter 230

Luo Xing smiled faintly, his gaze stretching out over the boundless sea.

On the distant horizon, dozens of massive warships were sailing toward the Sabaody Archipelago.

Flying from those warships were the flags of the Marines and the World Government.

It was the fifty-thousand-strong army led by Koby and Sengoku Already!

Luo Xing's voice said:

"Since you all feel so good, then let me see it—your current power!"

Hyougoro rubbed his fists together, bloodlust flashing in his eyes, and said:

"We will not disappoint you, my lord Luo Xing. Your subordinate will slaughter those pirates until not a single piece of armor remains!"

Next.

Hyougoro, Jinbe, Edward Weevil, Moon Hunter, Big Bucket, and Wolf—the six who had just consumed the Monster Cells—boarded a single warship and sailed straight to meet the World Government's massive fleet.

Luo Xing, meanwhile, brought Zoro, Enel, and Moria, and of course the ghost girl Perona with her pink twin tails, to watch from the shore.

……

……

"Report to Fleet Admiral Koby and Admiral Sengoku Already: The Beasts Pirates have dispatched a single warship and are approaching our position!"

A lookout on the watchtower relayed the intelligence.

Koby and Sengoku Already could not help but show confusion on their faces.

The enemy sends only one ship? What for? Are they seeking death?

Their side had a full fifty thousand troops!

And they also had Aokiji, Huang Yuan, CP0, Momonosuke, and Tsuru, among many other high-level combatants.

Aokiji said:

"The Fifth Emperor Luo Xing truly does not take us at all seriously!"

The ever-lazy Aokiji, this time, intended to fight a great battle..........

Because Sengoku Already had already confided in him, recommending him to succeed as Fleet Admiral, but the Five Elders believed Akainu's merits were greater and preferred Akainu for the position.

Aokiji also had ambition; of course, he wanted to be Fleet Admiral.

Furthermore,

Even if he did not take the post, he absolutely could not let the extremist Akainu take it!

As someone who had been following Koby's tail since long ago, Aokiji was extremely opposed to Akainu's ideals.

Especially during the Ohara incident, when Akainu actually bombarded a civilian ship, which gave Aokiji a tremendous shock.

From that time on, Aokiji and Akainu, who were from the same school, could not get along.

It was also from that moment that Aokiji began to doubt the World Government's justice, which is why he let Nico Robin go.

Throughout his subsequent career as a Marine Admiral, he never regarded the Marines as his only path, but continued to seek his own justice.

And if there were an opportunity to become Fleet Admiral, to lead the Marines and transform them into an army conforming to his own justice, Aokiji certainly would not let it pass.

He would compete with Akainu for this Fleet Admiral position!

"Arrogant soldiers are sure to be defeated!"

Sengoku Already said:

"The path the Fifth Emperor Luo Xing has traveled so far has been too smooth; it is inevitable that arrogance and self-conceit have taken root, dooming him to failure in this war!"

"Aokiji, take men to sink that ship and give the Beasts Pirates a warning!"

Aokiji nodded and accepted the order.

He boarded a nearby warship and sailed to meet the Beasts Pirates' vessel.

Gazing at Aokiji's back, Fleet Admiral Koby felt a vague unease in his heart and said:

"Judging from the Fifth Emperor Luo Xing's past deeds, he does not seem like a foolish or complacent person; that ship may be a trap."

Sengoku Already and Luo Xing had already clashed across the distance several times.

He knew Luo Xing better than Koby did; of course, he knew Luo Xing was no fool.

Not only was he no fool, but he was instead a genius of the world, brimming with clever stratagems and wise judgment.

Then why had Sengoku Already just spoken those words?

It was simply to boost the Marines' morale.

The Marines' morale was currently very low; after all, the Summit War had just ended, and there had been no time to rest and regroup.

Moreover, the enemy this time was the Fifth Emperor Luo Xing, whose depths were unfathomable and who had never known defeat; the Marines could not help but feel anxious in their hearts.

As for sending Aokiji forward, Sengoku Already had also given it deep consideration.

Because Aokiji's Ice-Ice Fruit ability held a tremendous advantage in naval warfare.

Even if that ship of the Beasts Pirates was a trap, Aokiji could withdraw calmly.

Their main force in the rear could then prepare in advance.

Sengoku Already was indeed worthy of the title "Strategist General"; even at such a time, he calmly made the optimal choice.

Unfortunately,

His opponent this time was Luo Xing.

The Monster Cells invented by Luo Xing would give him another huge surprise!

197. Aokiji's Shock, the Fuming CP0! The Great Battle Begins!

The warship Aokiji was aboard soon sighted the Beasts Pirates' vessel approaching head-on.

Gazing at the several figures with powerful auras on the opposing ship, Aokiji's pupils contracted slightly.

"No wonder the Fifth Emperor Luo Xing dared to send only one ship; it turns out they are all these monsters!"

Aokiji recognized the six figures opposite him.

Hyouzou of the Rain, the former Chief Warden of Impel Down; Aokiji had seen him a few times.

Jinbe the Pirate, the former Warlord of the Sea, who had attended the first Warlord meeting at Marineford.

The remaining four utterly vicious fellows were all criminals from the Sixth Floor of the City.

Aokiji narrowed his eyes, a dangerous light flashing in his gaze.

These six were all great enemies of the Navy and the World Government.

If he could arrest or kill them, his merit would instantly rival Akainu's.

By then, the Five Elders would have no reason to disagree with his ascension to Fleet Admiral.

However, before Aokiji could speak,

Hyouzou of the Rain drew his sword Raimei, licked the sharp blade with his tongue, and said with a bloodthirsty tone:

"So it's the Navy's highest combat power, Admiral Kuzan. Perfect. I'll use your blood to test my blade right now!"

Hearing this, Aokiji's face darkened and he said:

"Hyouzou, you traitor, how dare you speak so arrogantly!"

"Because of your betrayal, Impel Down was destroyed and Magellan was killed. Today, I will execute you!"

"Ice Age!"

Aokiji extended his right arm; endless ice condensed into a giant ice bird, which shot fiercely toward Hyouzou.

If struck by this giant ice bird, the entire ship would surely sink.

Yet the six people on board showed no sign of panic.

Although Aokiji's move was powerful, for them who had consumed the Monster Cell, it meant nothing, far from enough to decide the battle in one strike.

In fact, except for Hyouzou, the others had no intention of acting for the moment.

Hyouzou grinned with a cigar in his mouth and slashed a blade toward the giant ice bird.

Voom!

A powerful slash wave cut through the air, splitting the giant ice bird in two directly, and with its residual power undiminished, continued slashing toward the warship where Aokiji stood.

Aokiji was clearly startled.

When did Hyouzou's strength become so formidable?

Although Hyouzou was strong before, he still could not defeat Magellan, and there was certainly a significant gap between him and an Admiral-level Aokiji.

Yet Hyouzou's sword strike just now had effortlessly broken his Ice Age.

Aokiji's heart suddenly skipped a beat, an unease vaguely rising within him.

Hyouzou's strength had absolutely increased dramatically compared to before!

And the only one capable of achieving this was the Monster Cell invented by the Fifth Emperor Luo Xing!