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While the Government tacitly allowed Warlords like Mihawk to associate with pirates, on the battlefield, appearances had to be maintained. At least a show had to be put on for the Marines.
Mihawk didn't care about the title of Warlord, but it did save him a lot of trouble.
So, he offered a few subtle assists, just enough to keep up appearances.
Unfortunately for Enel, his crewmates were struggling to pull him out of the water after Mihawk's "help."
Ain, who was close to capturing Robin, glared at Mihawk. "Dracule Mihawk! What are you doing?!"
Mihawk, having just finished his performance, didn't even flinch. "Lending the Marines a hand," he said calmly.
Ain almost laughed in disbelief. "You call that helping?!" she exclaimed, gesturing towards her injured comrades on the battlefield.
The members of the Underworld Pirates shuddered.
Those indiscriminate sword slashes hadn't exactly looked like they were meant to help anyone in particular.
Mihawk was about to reply when his expression suddenly darkened. He ducked his head, and a pink projectile whizzed past his ear.
Everyone turned to see the woman who could capture a man's soul with a single glance, standing on the deck of her ship like a regal goddess.
Boa Hancock tucked a strand of black hair behind her ear, revealing her golden snake earrings. With an air of unadulterated conceit, she declared, "Your attack struck my ship."
Mihawk blinked. Did it? I thought my control was impeccable.
"..."
Then it hit him. This woman was looking for a fight!
And was he going to let that slide?
Mihawk gripped Yoru, his own pride flaring. "And if it did... what are you going to do about it?"
Hancock smirked, her slender fingers reaching up to touch her crimson lips. Pink, heart-shaped bubbles filled the air.
"Slave Arrow!"
Hancock drew back an invisible bowstring, and a volley of pink energy arrows rained down, forming a dense curtain of projectiles.
Mihawk watched her calmly, his golden eyes unwavering. His black-clad form weaved through the pink arrows without a single one making contact.
The nearby Marines weren't so fortunate. Many were struck, their bodies instantly turning to lifeless stone.
The petrified Marines cried out in terror, trying to flee, but the arrows seemed to follow them, unerringly finding their targets.
Mihawk blinked again. Why does this seem so familiar?
He shrugged, deciding to use the opportunity to help Noir while engaging Hancock.
Hancock, seeing the usually stoic Mihawk seemingly riled up, felt a surge of satisfaction.
Fighting Mihawk while helping Noir... I'm a genius!
And so, two Warlords with the same hidden agenda began a mock battle.
Sword slashes and blasts of Mero Mero no Mi energy flew across the sea, hitting everything except their intended target.
Marines, pirates, Vice Admirals, – anyone was fair game for their "accidental" attacks.
Even Noir narrowly avoided being skewered by several arrows, and Mihawk's flying slashes sent him scrambling for cover.
Are these two helping or hindering us?!
Z, panting slightly, glared at the two Warlords who were now fully engaged in their "fight."
But there was nothing he could do. They weren't directly opposing the Marines...
Besides, several members of the Underworld Pirates had also been caught in the crossfire.
The once clearly defined battlefield had descended into chaos thanks to these two troublemakers.
Meanwhile, the fight between Noir and Z was reaching a turning point.
Z, with the advantage of his Seastone arm, was steadily pushing Noir back.
Noir retreated, struggling to parry Z's attacks with Devil Blade. A strange smile appeared on his face.
Finally, Z's overwhelming strength broke through Noir's defenses. The massive metal arm clamped around Noir's neck, lifting him high into the air before slamming him into the ground.
This was the opportunity Noir had been waiting for. Z, confident in the Seastone's ability to nullify Devil Fruit powers, hadn't bothered coating his arm in Haki.
Without the protection of Busoshoku Haki, Noir's Amaterasu could burn anything!
Black flames, like the breath of a Devil, erupted from Noir's body, engulfing Z's Seastone arm.
The Amaterasu spread rapidly. Sensing the abnormal heat, Z's expression darkened. He released Noir and plunged his burning arm into the water.
But the black flames showed no sign of extinguishing, even in the cold seawater. They even began to evaporate the water around them.
The Amaterasu grew stronger, consuming Z's entire arm. His Seastone Smasher was completely useless, locked in place by the unyielding flames.
With a grimace, Z coated his left hand in Busoshoku Haki, gripped his burning right arm, and ripped it off.
Noir stared at the now one-armed Z, a cold smile on his lips. "How does it feel, Admiral Z?"
Z glared back at Noir, his one remaining arm reaching out to attack despite his injuries.
Ain, who had been fighting Robin, saw her teacher's predicament. Abandoning her opponent, she rushed to Z's side and intercepted him.
Z looked at his student coldly. "Get out of my way!"
Ain looked up at him, her voice filled with concern. "Your right arm is gone, Sensei. Fighting further will only worsen your injuries. Leave the rest to Admiral Kizaru!"
Kizaru, who had vanished momentarily, reappeared, staring silently at the battered Z.
Z turned away with a grunt. Noir, unwilling to waste any more time, called out to the two Marines. "Well, gentlemen, I'll be taking my leave now."
Kizaru narrowed his eyes, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "And you think you can just leave?"
Noir grinned, raising his hand and unleashing a thick black fog across the sea. He shouted to his crew,
"Everyone, into the Underworld!"
His crew, upon hearing the order, abandoned their opponents and boarded their ships, sailing towards the black fog, ignoring the cannon fire raining down upon them.
Noir, using his lightning speed, zipped across the battlefield, scooping up Robin and the others.
Wyper transformed into his massive winged form and soared towards the black fog. Noir, standing on Wyper's back, taunted Z and Kizaru.
"With this ability, you'll never catch me!"
If Noir had used the Underworld River from the start, a veteran like Z wouldn't have fallen for it. But now…
Z, and all the Marines, were frustrated and enraged by the pirates. Their understanding of the Underworld River was likely limited to a simple "teleportation gate." They wouldn't have guessed it led to a separate dimension.
The Marines wouldn't let Noir escape so easily. The deadline set by the Government was fast approaching...
As expected, upon hearing Noir's taunt, the Marines, realizing he was about to use his mass escape ability, sprang into action.
"After them! Don't let them get away!"
Noir, watching the Marines pursue them into the fog, couldn't help but smile.
Once inside the Underworld, they were on his turf!!
...
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