Chapter 401: The Battle Begins!
Chapter 401: The Battle Begins!
As Findus fell silent, the marines raised their muskets as one, leveling them at him.
Never in his wildest dreams had Findus imagined a bunch of "dogs" would dare point their spears at him.
"Sakazuki, I’ll give you one last chance!" Findus growled, his voice deep and venomous. "Those who still stand with the World Government may yet have a sliver of hope left!"
He inhaled slowly, steadying his fury. He knew a direct clash with Sakazuki here would lead to immense losses. The men he’d brought—those he had carefully chosen—were not all expendable. If he fought recklessly and triumphed only to leave the Navy a hollow shell, then what was the point?
That outcome was unacceptable.
"The Navy is no one’s weapon!" Sakazuki’s voice thundered back, cutting through the tension like a blade. "We represent justice on the seas—not the Celestial Dragons’ lapdogs!"
The declaration echoed across the harbor.
A second voice followed, powerful and familiar:
"At last, someone says it clearly!"
All eyes turned toward the sea. There, a fleet approached—the New Navy. At its head stood none other than Zephyr, the former admiral and chief instructor.
Findus’ expression darkened. Zephyr. Of all times... this troublesome old man had to show up now.
If he’d known, he should have killed him back then.
"Teacher Zephyr!" Tokikake and several others shouted, their faces alight with excitement. His return strengthened their resolve.
They were not pawns. They were the guardians of justice.
"Lord Findus," Sakazuki said mockingly, "what’s your choice now? Surrender, and I’ll make sure your corpse stays in one piece."
Just moments ago, Findus had mocked him. Now, Sakazuki returned the favor.
Findus threw back his head and laughed. "Hahahaha! Sakazuki, did you think I came unprepared? You want to resist the World Government? Fine. Then prepare to die!"
His aura exploded outward, a storm of killing intent that swept over the harbor. Sakazuki and Borsalino immediately stepped back, unwilling to meet the full brunt of a desperate man’s wrath head-on.
Above, the flapping of wings drew everyone’s attention.
"News birds..." Findus spat, his eyes narrowing. "Morgans! Watch closely. If I don’t die here today, I’ll wipe your filthy News Island off the map!"
The birds circled overhead, cawing loudly—as if mocking him.
"Enough!" Sakazuki roared. "No more hiding. Our Navy is not as weak as you think, Findus!"
A lieutenant commander stepped forward, fearless, and stood before Findus.
Findus sneered. "Some random insect dares stand in front of me? Pathetic. Die."
His form melted into shadow. In an instant, the marine’s torso was obliterated, his body collapsing in a pool of blood.
The air grew heavy. Findus’ aura swelled even further, more sinister than before.
But when he turned back, expecting fear on their faces, he was met with indifference. Sakazuki and the others hadn’t even spared him a glance. Instead, they and their men pressed forward, attacking his guards.
"Damn you... you ignore me? After I kill one of yours?" Findus’ face twisted in rage. "Sakazuki, you—"
"Hey, hey, hey..."
The same voice from before cut him off.
Findus whipped around—and froze.
The man he had just killed stood there again, alive and unharmed. Naked, but unmistakably the same marine.
"What...?!" Even Findus, a Five Elder, felt a chill creep down his spine.
"Lieutenant Ben," the man said calmly, "now, fight me seriously."
This was Ban, concealing his true identity under an alias.
A black staff materialized in his grip, its aura pressing down on Findus with suffocating force. For the first time, unease flickered in his heart.
"Merry was right," Ban said, eyes glinting. "You reek of something unnatural."
"Merry..." That was how he referred to Meliodas.
Findus narrowed his eyes. "Even if you can sense what I carry, so what? They’ll all die before they can whisper a word."
He lunged again, striking with terrifying speed.
BOOM!
Ban’s staff met the blow—and with a single counter, the attack rebounded, hurling Findus through the air.
"No way! I struck first!" Findus hissed, skidding across the ground.
"Step aside," Ban muttered, clearly annoyed. "Once I finish him, I’ll handle the rest."
"Don’t forget Chelsea’s ability," Meliodas warned sharply. "You only get five deaths without revealing who you are. Don’t waste them. If you want to play, go hunt the small fry."
Ban clicked his tongue, but nodded. "Fine. Then let’s end this together!"
The two surged forward, their combined aura shaking the ground.
Elsewhere, Melin’s eyes gleamed as she studied the guards. "Perfect prey... these specimens are ideal for research."
Her magic trapped many of the altered soldiers, their bodies twisted by strange modifications. The World Government had not limited its experiments to the powerful. Even ordinary soldiers had been turned into living weapons.
To Merlin, it was grotesque—yet fascinating.
On the ship, Ilok’s face turned pale. Just moments ago, they had been greeted politely by the Navy. Now, in a blink, the tides had turned. The Navy’s strength was overwhelming—and the World Government’s proud warriors were already crumbling.
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