One Piece: Burning the Sun God to Ash

The Kuja Pirates.

Erinsna, current Empress of Amazon Lily and Captain of the Kuja Pirates, lowered her longbow. The guard beside her put down the telescope and spoke:

"Your Majesty, the attack was intercepted by the Marines."

"Shall we continue?"

Erinsna frowned slightly and looked toward the distant warship. Her voice was cool and clear:

"Continue."

"Get closer. Launch a full-scale barrage."

"Yes!"

Following the command, the guards began preparing for battle. At the same time, the Kuja Pirate Ship, drawn by three giant snakes, sped toward the warship.

...

On the other side.

The adjutant on the Marine warship also lowered his telescope, pulled out his notebook, flipped to a certain page, and reported to Sakazuki:

"Vice Admiral Sakazuki, the flag on the other side belongs to the Kuja Pirates."

Sakazuki replied in a cold voice:

"The warrior tribe... the Kuja."

Hearing Sakazuki's words, the adjutant looked down at the notes and continued:

"Yes."

"According to the records, the Kuja Pirates belong to the country of women located within the Calm Belt."

"That country is built upon Amazon Lily."

"It's a pirate nation, similar to the Kano Country."

"The Kuja Pirates are an official institution of Amazon Lily."

"They usually wander between the Calm Belt and the Grand Line."

"They plunder passing merchant ships, pirate ships, warships, and any vessel that drifts into the Calm Belt."

"The Kuja Pirate Ship, drawn by three giant snakes, can move freely in the Calm Belt and is extremely fast."

"Due to the lack of power on our current warships, and the heavy presence of super-giant Sea Kings in the Calm Belt, there have been many pursuit attempts recorded by headquarters, all of which ended in failure."

Sakazuki nodded. That was indeed the case.

At this time, Vegapunk had yet to make a name for himself. Seastone-equipped warships were only developed a few years before the current storyline.

The Calm Belt was teeming with enormous Sea Kings, some the size of entire islands.

If one appeared, an Admiral might be safe, but the soldiers would be doomed.

Without Seastone warships, Sea Kings could attack at any moment.

And since the Kuja are familiar with the waters of the Calm Belt, failed pursuits were inevitable.

"Moreover, according to records, before every raid, the Kuja Pirates always launch a probing attack."

"If the attack lands, they begin a series of high-frequency strikes within minutes."

"This is to gauge the strength of the target."

"If they can easily overwhelm the enemy, they'll immediately close in and launch a boarding massacre."

"If the first probing attack is intercepted..."

"Then they switch to long-range bombardment, using Haki-infused arrows in combination with cannon fire to damage the ship."

"If that proves ineffective, they retreat."

"This is one of the reasons the Kuja Pirates are so troublesome."

After reading the last word of the report, the adjutant closed the notebook and looked at Sakazuki, awaiting orders.

"Long-range attacks, huh..."

Sakazuki thought for a moment, then said:

"Use cannon fire to suppress the Kuja Pirates beyond a certain range."

"Neutralize the effectiveness of their artillery."

"As for the arrows, have the boys infuse their Haki and block them."

"Yes, sir!"

Marine cannons had a much greater range than pirate artillery, so the adjutant responded promptly.

Then he went off to notify the gunners and the exhausted men.

Sakazuki stepped onto the top deck of the warship.

Looking at the ancient-style ship pulled by giant snakes growing steadily larger, he activated his Observation Haki.

One by one, figures and positions appeared in his mind.

"Hmph."

On the Kuja Pirate Ship, a cold snort rang out.

Erinsna's expression darkened, and a burst of Conqueror's Haki erupted from her, enveloping the entire pirate ship.

It disrupted and interfered with Sakazuki's Observation Haki in that sector.

The crew on the Kuja ship were slightly startled, unsure why their Empress had suddenly unleashed her Conqueror's Haki.

At that moment, a guard stepped forward to report:

"Your Majesty, we're about to enter firing range."

Erinsna gave a slight nod. Her cool voice rang out:

"Initiate a probing attack. The other side has strong fighters."

"If it's ineffective, then..."

BOOM! BOOM!! BOOM!!!

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