180 With the Justice System

"Don't move~"

Borsalino's lazy voice rang right beside Benn Beckman's ear.

A glowing golden fingertip pressed against his temple.

"!!!"

Beckman froze instantly, his entire body going stiff as he slowly raised both hands.

Marine Headquarters Admiral, Borsalino!

This man always looked like some half-hearted salaryman, but his strength was beyond doubt—absolutely top-tier!

Just a moment ago, Aokiji had instantly defeated Jinbe...

And now, could Borsalino be planning to do the same to him?

That thought alone was terrifying!

"Whoosh—!!!"

At that instant, while Beckman was held at gunpoint, a figure shot toward the Red Force!

Hawke had made his move—without a moment's hesitation!

The earlier battle had been too fast-paced for him to focus much on his Justice Points balance.

But in his mind, the system's notifications had never stopped ringing.

[Ding, subordinate soldier has slain a member of the Whitebeard Pirates, Justice Points +10000...]

[Ding, ..., Justice Points +15000...]

[Ding, ..., Justice Points +20000...]

The downfall of the Whitebeard Pirates was only a matter of time.

And now—the second Yonko crew had arrived.

The Red-Haired Pirates!

A string of cold, calculated numbers flashed through Hawke's eyes.

Captain "Red-Haired" Shanks, bounty: 4,048,900,000 Belly!

That number alone represented at least 400,000 Justice Points.

And his crewmates—famous across the New World as one of the most balanced Yonko crews—were all renowned powerhouses.

First Mate Benn Beckman, sniper Yasopp, combatant Lucky Roo...

Together, the entire Red-Haired Pirates could easily earn him another million Justice Points!

Which meant—by the time this war ended, he'd have collected over two million Justice Points in total!

Two million!!!

With that, beyond the Top-Tier physique he'd already prepared to enhance, he could raise another ability—either martial arts, Observation Haki, or Armament Haki—from Top-Tier to Peak level!

Peak!

That was power beyond an Admiral's reach—standing at the very summit of the world!

"..."

The thought set Hawke's gaze ablaze.

Shanks—there's no need to hesitate.

Stay right here.

Offer your head for the cleansing of this sea!

"Red-Hair!!!"

Hawke's fist roared out toward Shanks!

"!!!"

Shanks didn't even hesitate—Griffon swung upward in a gleaming arc!

"Divine Departure—!"

"BOOM—!!!"

Fist and blade collided midair in a deafening explosion!

At that moment—"crack—"

A chilling sound echoed from across the bay.

No one knew when Aokiji had moved, but he now stood at the edge of the harbor, hands in his pockets, eyes full of cold indifference.

"Clack... clack... clack..."

Centered on him, an icy-blue frost spread outward at a speed visible to the naked eye, racing madly toward the Red Force!

In the blink of an eye, the Yonko's flagship—and the surrounding several hundred meters of sea—were completely frozen solid!

With action alone, Aokiji had sent a clear message to everyone present—

You came here... don't even think about leaving.

"Captain!"

On the Red Force, Yasopp raised his sniper rifle, crosshairs locking onto Hawke.

But before he could even pull the trigger—

"Zzzzt—"

A blinding bolt of lightning streaked past his cheek, searing a hole in the deck behind him!

"!!!"

Yasopp's head snapped up toward the execution platform.

There stood a young Marine girl wearing a headset, sniper rifle in hand, lightning crackling along its barrel!

"Click—"

Yasopp tried to re-aim at Hawke—

But the next instant—

"Ratatatatatatatatata—!!!"

A storm of lightning bullets poured down like torrential rain!

Each shot struck precisely around him, blasting blackened craters into the deck!

The raging thunder formed a relentless barrage that pinned him down—he couldn't even lift his head!

"???"

A massive question mark popped into Yasopp's mind.

This is a sniper?!

You call this sniping?!

This is a mobile lightning turret!

"BOOM—!"

As Hawke unleashed his fierce attack—

The war... erupted once again!

...

Calm Belt, Amazon Lily.

Before the grand palace, thousands of Kuja warriors held their breath, gazing up at the enormous projection cast by the Den Den Mushi.

On the massive screen—a vision of hell.

Marineford, the fortress symbolizing the Navy's supreme Justice, had become a grinder of flesh and blood.

At the highest point of the palace—

"..."

On her luxurious throne, the Empress of Amazon Lily, Boa Hancock, rested her chin on her hand, watching the live broadcast below.

"Sigh..."

"Newgate... you're leaving us too, huh..."

A weary sigh came from beside her.

It was the former Empress of Amazon Lily, once a crewmate of the Rocks Pirates—the elder everyone called Gloriosa.

Her cloudy eyes were filled with worry and fear.

"Han...cock..."

"The Marines... they're no longer the same Marines we once knew."

Gloriosa's gaze locked on the figure clashing with Shanks on the screen.

"This isn't a war!"

"This is a purge—a Marine purge of all pirates!"

"Hancock! You refused the compulsory summons!"

"The title of Shichibukai will be stripped from you!"

"When this war ends, the Marines will begin their purge!"

"They'll flatten this island—just like they flattened God Valley!"

Her voice rose with every word.

"Amazon Lily... will be destroyed because of your refusal!"

"..."

Hancock slowly turned her head, glancing down at the old woman from her throne.

Her face showed no sign of panic.

"Gloriosa."

"They're just a bunch of crude men, engaged in a filthy slaughter."

"Nothing to make such a fuss about."

"You…!"

Gloriosa nearly choked with rage.

"Do you not care about this country at all?!"

"Heh—"

Hancock let out a soft snort and gracefully rose to her feet.

"You're becoming more senile by the day."

"They're men."

"And I..."

She suddenly leaned back, pointing her finger arrogantly down at Gloriosa, adopting a pose of divine contempt.

"...am the most beautiful woman in the world!"

"No matter what sins I commit..."

"The entire world will forgive me!"

"Because—"

Hancock's voice dripped with unshakable confidence.

"I am simply... too beautiful!"

Gloriosa opened her mouth, but no words came out.

She stared at the woman before her—utterly lost in her own beauty, beyond all saving.

A deep, crushing helplessness welled up inside her.

It's over.

Everything is over.

This country... will perish under the rule of its current empress.

"That Marine named Hawke..."

"When he comes to Amazon Lily and witnesses my beauty with his own eyes, he will naturally kneel before me... and beg for forgiveness."

Gloriosa closed her eyes in despair.

"Then..."

"Let's wait and see, shall we."