Pirates on Rocks' Ship 996

So when Luffy came to help, he didn't cooperate with Luffy's attack, but instead immediately gave the order to retreat.

Seeing this, Kizaru had no choice but to give up the pursuit and instead launched an attack on Luffy, thinking that as long as they captured the Straw Hat Luffy, their goal would be achieved.

Given Kizaru's strength, in a one-on-one situation, once you're entangled with him, you basically won't have a chance to escape. This is because he excels in speed. As long as he keeps fighting, if you want to leave, you'll have to pay a huge price, or even lose your life.

But just as Kizaru was exchanging blows with Luffy, he suddenly felt a sharp slash coming from behind him. After quickly dodging, he realized that it was Shanks who had arrived.

"Shanks!" Luffy was overjoyed to see Shanks, as his purpose in coming here was to rescue him.

"Luffy... I'm so sorry, I need your help to rescue me!" Shanks greeted him with a smile.

"I say... don't you guys even look at the current situation? Why are you acting like you have the upper hand now?" After dodging Shanks' attack, Kizaru did not stop the two from reuniting.

Even with his strength, without any help, he wouldn't stand a chance against Shanks and Luffy.

However, in the current situation, although the Straw Hat crew has gained a slight advantage in local battles, they are still under pressure in the overall battle. They may not even be able to escape once the Navy and the World Government have completed their encirclement.

"Luffy, let's go! Break through!" Shanks naturally knew the current situation, especially with the Five Elders here. If they fought head-on, none of them would be able to escape.

“Okay!” Luffy nodded and prepared to cooperate with Shanks to begin the retreat.

However, Kizaru showed no intention of letting them leave. A flash of light appeared, and countless laser beams flew towards the two of them.

"Is it too late to leave now?" Kizaru said with a light laugh, watching the two who were constantly dodging his attacks.

Chapter 1102 Signal Flares

Just as the Straw Hat crew received Luffy's order and were about to begin their retreat, the Navy and the World Government immediately surrounded them, seemingly with no intention of letting them leave.

"Something's not right... Their target... is Luffy!" Jinbe, with his excellent strategic vision, immediately realized the Navy and the World Government's objective and began frantically searching for his captain, wanting Luffy to escape as soon as possible.

"boom!"

Zoro cleaved the awakened giraffe away with a single sword strike, then looked at it seriously and said softly, "I really didn't expect your strength to have improved so much in such a short time!"

Kaku, his face darkening with anger, glared at Zoro and roared, "You bastard... why... why has your strength increased so quickly? Last time, in my awakened state, I clearly had the advantage in strength, so why are you able to suppress me in strength this time?"

Zoro shrugged and replied, "I don't know either, that's just how it's grown!"

Zoro's attitude enraged Kaku even more, and his neck stretched out rapidly, becoming like Luffy's rubber neck, as he attacked Zoro.

In fact, Zoro didn't say anything. During this time, apart from going to the North Blue, he had been fighting against extraterrestrial visitors and hadn't felt any increase in his strength.

Even in the North Sea, because he hadn't fought any particularly powerful enemies, he himself was unaware that his strength had naturally increased so much.

However, now is not the time to consider these things, so Zoro stepped forward and launched another attack on Kaku.

On the other side, Sanji was even more passive against Lucci. Although he had the stealth black battle suit and awakened the Vinsmoke family's exoskeleton, which greatly increased his defense.

However, if Lucci hits you, it will still cause damage.

Moreover, Lucci's strength surpasses that of Kaku, making the battle quite difficult for Sanji.

"boom!"

Sensing that the invisible Sanji had come to his side, Lucci, having awakened his powers, punched the air next to him. Sanji, having no other option, could only kick out to counter.

Because Lucci's Devil Fruit is a Zoan type, after awakening, not only did his strength and vitality increase significantly, but his sense of smell and fighting instincts also improved considerably. Therefore, Sanji's invisibility ability, apart from playing some role at the beginning, is now basically useless against Lucci. Instead, Lucci has used it to cause him considerable trouble.

"boom!"

As the two clashed, an explosion occurred at the point where their fists and feet collided.

Lucci and Sanji retreated simultaneously. Because Sanji crashed into the air, he retreated a greater distance, but since he was wearing his Raid Suit, he didn't suffer much damage.

After awakening, Lucci didn't care about this minor injury at all, and he recovered completely in the blink of an eye. This is the terrifying thing about the awakening of Zoan-types. Ordinary attacks have little effect on them, and their own recovery ability can easily restore their bodies.

Taking advantage of the brief moment when the two retreated after their fight, Sanji roughly surveyed the surrounding battlefield. His heart sank slightly, because the Navy's encirclement was about to be completed. However, apart from Lao Cai's group, who had already broken through the encirclement due to their early withdrawal, the rest of them were basically unable to escape.

"You guys really underestimated me for being distracted during the fight!" Just as Sanji was thinking about what to do, Lucci suddenly appeared in front of him and stabbed him in the shoulder with a finger gun.

"Pfft!"

Blood immediately streamed down Sanji's shoulder, but he still launched a counterattack, kicking Lucci and sending him flying.

Sanji glanced at his shoulder injury, then quickly surveyed his surroundings. He sighed and pulled a flare from his pocket.

He originally didn't want to use it. Nami gave it to him when she left, telling him not to use it unless absolutely necessary, because it was a signal flare for the Whitebeard Pirates. If he used it, it would mean that the Whitebeard Pirates would get involved in the matter.

Moreover, before Nami handed him the signal flare, she told him that there weren't many people left on Crescent Moon Island, so even if they saw the signal flare, there probably wouldn't be many reinforcements coming.

This is also why Sanji hesitated; he didn't want to drag the Whitebeard Pirates into it. If the other side could send strong reinforcements, he would have already released a signal flare.

However, given the situation, he had no choice but to ask for help, hoping that the signal flare would scare away the Navy and the World Government. After all, with the addition of the Whitebeard Pirates, there would be three Yonko pirate crews here.

Even the Navy and the World Government would probably have to consider this.

"Whoosh~ Bang!"

A signal flare from the Whitebeard Pirates suddenly appeared in the sky, and everyone on both sides in the battle involuntarily looked up.

"Whitebeard... Pirates?" Kizaru looked at the signal flare exploding in the air with some surprise, quite astonished.

Although this is Whitebeard Pirates territory, it is not garrisoned here because it is adjacent to the Straw Hat Pirates' territory. This is why they dared to take action here.

On a World Government warship, Jegarcia Satan Saint, one of the Five Elders, frowned slightly upon seeing the Whitebeard Pirates' signal flare and said softly, "Let's finish this quickly and not get the Whitebeard Pirates involved!"

"Yes, sir!" The naval soldier behind him immediately turned and left to relay the order.

On the other side, Shanks, who was fighting Kizaru alongside Luffy, looked at Luffy with surprise and asked, "Do you have the Whitebeard Pirates' signal flare?"

"Huh? I don't know!" Luffy looked completely bewildered.

Judging from the location of the signal flare, it should be the place where the Straw Hat crew and the Navy were fighting. The Navy would not have possessed signal flares, and even if they did, they would not use them. Therefore, the only person who used the signal flare could be the Straw Hat crew.

However, Luffy, as the captain, had no idea about this.

Shanks smiled slightly, not minding at all, because he often did the same.

Moreover, if the Whitebeard Pirates get involved, it will be difficult for the Navy and the World Government to achieve their goals, since this is, after all, Whitebeard Pirates territory.

However, Shanks and Luffy soon discovered that the attacks from the Navy and the World Government had become even more intense.

"They want a quick victory!" Shanks immediately guessed the Navy's intentions and said to Luffy, "Leave Kizaru to me, you go help your crew!"

"Alright, Shanks, I'll leave this place to you!" Luffy nodded and prepared to leave.

"Trying to leave?" Seeing this, Kizaru wanted to go and stop Luffy, but Shanks blocked his way and said with a smile, "Your opponent is me!"

Chapter 1103 Marco's Speculation

On a small island not far from where the Straw Hat crew and the Navy were fighting, this island belonged to the Whitebeard Pirates and was therefore within their sphere of influence.

However, because it was located in the rear and not far from the Straw Hat crew's territory, Whitebeard did not station any pirate crews here. He only sent a few ordinary members to recruit some pirates and form a temporary base.

"Big brother... no... something bad has happened!" Kuki, who was resting on a recliner, was suddenly woken up by his subordinate.

"What's going on?" Kuki asked, clearly annoyed.

He was a full member of the Whitebeard Pirates, unlike the ordinary pirates he recruited or the local thugs; he was a worldly man.

"Big brother... the brothers patrolling the port just now spotted what looks like the Whitebeard Pirates' symbol in the distance. I remember you once said that our Whitebeard Pirates' signal flares look like that! So I rushed over to report it!" the younger brother said, his face a mixture of excitement and nervousness.

If a Whitebeard Pirates signal flare appears in a place like this, there is only one possibility: a member of the Whitebeard Pirates is calling for help.

And now is the time for him, as a member of Whitebeard's crew, to shine?

But Kuki's expression changed after hearing this.

If the Whitebeard Pirates could use a signal flare to call for help, it proves that they encountered a powerful enemy. With so few men, they probably wouldn't even be qualified to be sent to their deaths.

So Kuki asked directly, "Are you sure you're not mistaken? Are you sure it's a signal flare from the Whitebeard Pirates?"

"Well... Brother, I'm not sure either! I've never seen what our Whitebeard Pirates' signal flares look like! But it's exactly the same as the one you described to us!" the underling said, somewhat embarrassed.

"I understand. You take your men and head towards the direction of the signal flare immediately. Remember, your objective is to assess the situation. Do not expose yourself beforehand. If my comrades can release the signal flare, then the enemy will be far beyond your capabilities! Take the Den Den Mushi and stay in touch with me at all times. I will contact Xuan Yue Island immediately!" Kuki said in a deep voice.

"Yes, boss!" The younger brother nodded excitedly and turned to leave, but then seemed to remember something and turned back to ask, "Boss, should we fly the Whitebeard Pirates' flag?"

Kuki nodded solemnly and replied, "Of course!"

He turned and went back into the room, took out a brand-new Whitebeard Pirates flag, and handed it to his underlings, saying, "This thing might save your lives, but I need you to promise me that you'll protect it with your own! You're going to scout ahead. If you spot an enemy ship, don't approach. Once you've raised the flag, just make sure you know who they are, then contact me immediately. Keep your distance from the enemy and don't get close!"

"Don't worry, big brother!" The younger brother took the Whitebeard Pirates' flag from Kuki's hands, his whole body trembling with excitement.

He understood the significance of that flag. Even a fishing boat could sail freely on the sea as long as it flew that flag. Anyone who dared to attack them would be declaring war on the entire Whitebeard Pirates. No other force would dare to act so blatantly.

After watching his underling leave, Kuki took a deep breath and returned to his room, immediately picking up the Den Den Mushi (snail phone) to contact Xuan Yue Island.

"This is Xuan Yue Island!"

After the Den Den Mushi was connected, the voice of the Whitebeard Pirates' liaison officer came through.

"Hoo~" Kuki took a deep breath and said, "I am Kuki, the administrator of Kaka Island, the outpost of the Whitebeard Pirates. Just now, our signal flare was spotted in the direction where our territory and the Straw Hat Pirates' territory meet! I have sent people to check, but we do not have enough troops here, so I don't think we can undertake the rescue mission!"

"Our signal flares? I understand. I will report to Chief Frank immediately. Also, please contact me as soon as you have any news! I will keep an eye on your intelligence!" the liaison officer said immediately upon hearing this.

"Understood!" After hanging up the Den Den Mushi, Kuki took a deep breath, walked out of the room, and rang the bell for the gathering of people.

He established a simple base here, with more than ten ordinary pirates and more than twenty local thugs under his command. Apart from the underlings who came to report earlier, he had to gather all the rest of them together and send them out in batches to investigate the situation.

On the other side, Frank, upon receiving the message, immediately contacted Marco, because Marco had previously said that he had given a signal flare to the Straw Hat crew, instructing them to release the flare immediately if they encountered any force they could not resist, and he would rush to their aid.

When Marco received Frank's message, he was at home having dinner with his wife and son.

"Is Nami in danger?" Nojiko asked her husband with a worried look.

"Don't worry, everything's fine! The Straw Hat Pirates aren't so easy to deal with, and I reckon their biggest enemy is Shanks! But Shanks wouldn't actually attack them; his target is only Uta, so Nami is definitely safe. I'll head out to check on them right now!" Marco reassured his wife.

"Daddy...Daddy...hug me!" Marco's youngest son seemed to know that his father was leaving and stretched out his hands for Marco to hug him.

Marco smiled, hugged his son, handed him to his wife, and turned to leave.

Watching her husband leave, Nojiko suddenly had a very bad feeling, and she forcefully shook the feeling out of her head.

Her husband was no ordinary man. As the first division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, he was a big shot no matter where he was. Even the Marines would be very nervous when facing her husband, so she could only comfort herself that there would definitely be no problem.

After leaving home, Marco went straight to Frank to ask about the situation.

After Frank explained the situation to Marco, Marco smiled and said, "It's probably a conflict between the Straw Hat crew and Shanks' group because of Uta, but given their relationship, it's unlikely they'd actually fight. Nami probably used the flare to intimidate Shanks. I'll go check it out myself!"

After saying that, Marco transformed into his phoenix form and flew towards the Straw Hat crew.

Although the phoenix is ​​not good at long-distance flight, the environment in the North Sea is much better than that in the New World. It can find a place to rest along the way, unlike in the New World where even flying over a small island is very dangerous.