Chapter 71: fight II
The battlefield erupted into chaos as each fighter clashed, their attacks igniting the air with energy and raw determination. Dave charged toward Akainu with one goal in mind: to beat the absolute hell out of him. Cold-hearted and ruthless, Akainu was the kind of Marine who justified any means to achieve his idea of "justice," and Dave had no reservations about giving him a long-overdue lesson.
Still, Dave knew he couldn't outright kill him. Akainu may have been a merciless figure, but he was a Marine—a necessary force in the chaotic seas. Not everyone could be trusted, and pirates weren't universally noble; the world needed some form of order, even if it was flawed. That balance was a bitter truth known by many, including Garp and Aokiji, who, despite their disdain for parts of the Marine system, remained in its ranks to temper its extremes from within.
What Dave didn't know, however, was that the Marine structure itself was on the verge of a seismic shift. Rhode, one of the Vice Admirals, had plans that could transform or even break apart the very Marine system. Dissatisfied with the current corrupt and flawed structure, Rhode was quietly amassing followers—Marines who believed in a fairer, stricter code of justice and were ready to abandon the current leadership if it meant bringing real change to the seas.
Dave's immediate focus was on handling Akainu, but the tides of power and allegiance within the Marines were shifting in ways even he hadn't foreseen. And those unseen forces could alter the balance between pirates, Marines, and the world government in ways no one could predict.
Switching out his sword Rebellion for the tri-headed weapon Cerberus, Dave swung directly at Akainu. The magma admiral launched a punch, his fist blazing with molten lava. At first, Akainu assumed Dave would try to defend or dodge, seeing that his hands weren't cloaked in Armament Haki. But Dave moved with precision, bypassing the lava-coated fist and aiming straight for Akainu's chest.
Just as Akainu smirked, thinking Dave lacked the skill to use Armament Haki, he realized his mistake. With a flash of black energy, Dave coated Cerberus in Armament Haki at the last moment, slamming it into Akainu's chest with a force that created a shockwave across the battlefield. A sickening crunch rang out as several of Akainu's ribs fractured under the impact. The admiral was launched backward, skidding across the ground, a painful gasp escaping him as he disappeared from view, momentarily incapacitated.
Dave smirked at his handiwork but didn't wait to admire it for long. Turning his gaze toward the CP0 agents who were gathering the Celestial Dragons, he spotted an opportunity. With a fierce determination, he charged toward them at full speed, his sights set on cutting off their escape.
"Let's finish this properly," he murmured to himself as he closed the distance, preparing to end any hope they had of leaving with the Celestial Dragons unscathed.
As Dave closed the distance, the CP0 agents realized his intent, hastily attempting to shield the remaining Celestial Dragons. But Dave was relentless, his presence radiating an aura of intimidation that only heightened as he approached. With Cerberus gleaming in his grip, he swung it with a forceful precision, each strike calculated and unwavering.
The first CP0 agent stepped forward, cloaking himself in Armament Haki to defend against Dave's assault. But Dave was already two steps ahead—he anticipated their reactions and adjusted his movements, striking at weak points in their stances. With a sweeping strike of Cerberus, he broke through the agent's guard, slamming him back with such power that he collided with two other agents, sending them sprawling across the ground.
The remaining agents scrambled, but Dave pressed forward with brutal efficiency, weaving between them like a dark whirlwind. His swordsmanship and speed were unmatched, and the CP0 members quickly found themselves overwhelmed. One by one, they fell back, battered and unable to hold their ground.
Meanwhile, Tony and Enel continued their fierce fights against the Vice Admirals and Admirals. Tony had just landed a powerful punch on a Vice Admiral, sending him reeling, while Enel, crackling with electricity, darted around Kizaru, testing the limits of his own speed against the light-speed admiral. Enel's lightning strikes were relentless, and Kizaru barely managed to dodge, noting with surprise that Enel was nearly keeping pace with him.