Authors Note:
Thank you, everyone, for continuing to read my story! This chapter is a special one, because this is basically two chapters combined into one! I was originally going to split this into two chapters, but I decided not to, since I didn't want to leave you all on a huge cliffhanger! Your welcome for being so nice! Haha!
Note: Admirals are often given code names and do not go by their real name. Akainu's real name is Sakazuki. Aokiji's real name is Kuzan. Please keep this in mind when reading!
As always, I do not own Overlord or One Piece. Thank you very much, and I hope you enjoy it!
Punk Hazard, a once tranquil island, had been forever scarred by the cataclysmic battle that had raged upon its shores. Half of the island lay engulfed in an unending blaze, while the other half had been turned into an icy wasteland. It was a testament to the destructive power of the two men who had clashed there.
And currently, on that island, the two people responsible for this change have just reached a conclusion in their fight. Amidst the desolation, Admiral Aokiji lay upon the ground, battered and bruised. His injuries ranged from minor scrapes to severe burns and lost limbs. In fact, his leg had been tragically lost to the fiery fury of his opponent.
Standing over him, Admiral Akainu gazed down at Aokiji with a mixture of pity and frustration. This had been a battle to the death, a fight to determine which of them was truly the stronger. Yet, despite the brutal conflict, Akainu wouldn't bring himself to deliver the final blow. Aokiji was still his comrade, a fellow Marine who had fought alongside him for years.
But in Akainu's eyes, Aokiji was weak. His heart was soft, his sense of justice misguided. This battle was meant to change that, to show Aokiji the uncompromising nature of Akainu's Absolute Justice. To make him see the world as Akainu did.
Approaching the fallen Aokiji, Akainu extended a hand, his voice filled with a strange mix of sincerity and determination. "Stay by my side," he implored. "Remain in the Marines. Fight for my vision of Absolute Justice. Together, we can reshape the world."
In fact, all of these words were true to Akainu. He genuinely believed that they could make a difference together. He recognized Aokiji's formidable power and wanted to harness it for the greater good.
Aokiji, however, met his offer with a resolute gaze, then looked towards the sky. He refused to be swayed by Akainu's words. "I won't join you," he replied firmly. "I can't serve under someone as ruthless and single-minded as you. You're too cruel and blinded by Justice."
Pausing, he continued, "I'm leaving the Marines."
Akainu's anger flared at Aokiji's rejection. "Are you abandoning your duty?" he demanded, his voice accusatory. "Have you no sense of Justice?"
Aokiji's response was calm but unwavering. "I'm not running away. I'm following the path I believe is right. And right now, that path doesn't lead to you."
With a dismissive gesture, Aokiji pushed away Akainu's outstretched hand, using his ice powers to craft a makeshift leg to replace the one he had lost. Bracing himself on this new appendage, he began to make his way towards the sea.
From a nearby Marine ship, he commandeered a rowboat, leaving behind the island and the Marines. Aokiji embarked on a journey of his own, forging a path guided by his own sense of justice, away from the man who had once been his comrade.
Akainu merely watched as he rowed away, having some regrets at letting him leave, but respecting his choice nonetheless. It's time for a new era to begin. He wouldn't hold any regrets, and neither should Aokiji. No, he no longer goes by that name now. He lost that name when he left the Marines. In fact, Akainu would also lose his Admiral name, using his true name after becoming Fleet Admiral Sakazuki.
The rowboat now out of sight from the now devastated Punk Hazard, Sakazuki looked around the island. The island was a chaotic blend of lava and ice, forever altered by the intense battle that had taken place there. Though a sense of victory hung in the air, Sakazuki couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret over letting Aokiji, or rather Kuzan, go his own way. The era of the old generation was over, and a new one had begun. The transition marked the start of a new era for the Marines.
"Tsk. What a damn shame." Sakazuki then began walking towards the five Marine ships that awaited them, Sakazuki received salutes and congratulations from the crew. "Fleet Admiral Sakazuki! Congratulations on your victory and your promotion!" they cheered, acknowledging his triumph over Aokiji.
Grumbling his acknowledgment, Sakazuki ordered the crew, "Prepare to leave. Let's head back to base. I need to inform Commander-In-Chief Kong of the battle's outcome."
With the orders given, the Marines set about their tasks, readying the ships for their journey back to Marine headquarters. The crew moved with a sense of purpose, efficient in their duties.
As the ships sailed away from Punk Hazard, the chaotic battleground disappearing from view, Sakazuki couldn't shake an uneasy feeling. Suddenly, as if to answer his uneasiness, he noticed a peculiar disturbance in the waters ahead. A small, ominous purple hole seemed to tear through the sea, emitting a palpable sense of foreboding.
Sakazuki's instincts warned him of danger, and he was about to halt the ships when the hole began to expand rapidly. Reacting swiftly, Sakazuki ordered, "Prepare for battle!"
The Marines went into action, readying themselves for whatever threat lay ahead. Sakazuki, though battle-worn from his recent clash with Kuzan, steeled himself for combat. His wounds were far from healed, but he would not falter in the face of danger.
As the rift in the sea continued to grow, a massive ship emerged from its depths. Starting originally as a small piece of wood, it eventually revealed itself to be a large ship. The flag that adorned the ship was unfamiliar to Sakazuki, so he was sure it was not a popular or powerful crew. Yet, its audacity in attacking the Marines spoke of a bold and daring crew.
With a hooded figure at the helm, the pirate ship finally revealed itself fully. The robed individual, standing on the ship's deck with arms outstretched, uttered a single word that sent shivers down Sakazuki's spine.
"Begin."
Currently, Ainz was currently back in his office at Nazarick, contemplating recent events and his responsibilities as the ruler of the Great Tomb of Nazarick. His return from his pirate adventures had been met with success, increasing his bounty and garnering recognition in the world. However, his thoughts often drifted to his loyal Guardians and the denizens of Nazarick. He couldn't ignore the home he and his friends had built, and he felt a growing sense of duty towards them.
Despite having returned recently, a restlessness gnawed at him, and he yearned for new adventures on the high seas. 'I kind of feel bad for Albedo, though. Every time I said I was going to leave, Albedo would look so sad.'
The NPC's sadness had weighed on him, and he wondered if Shalltear's current idleness had something to do with her recent sadness. 'Is it because she's the only one that isn't doing anything right now? She should probably be patrolling her floors, but she probably isn't doing anything else.'
Suddenly feeling guilty for not paying attention to Shalltear, Ainz entered into a deep thought,
'I guess I need to pay more attention to everyone. I can't keep having fun by myself.'
Ainz sighed, pondering what kind of leader he wanted to be and reflecting on the past bosses he had served under.
'What kind of boss am I if I'm having fun while everyone else is working hard? I don't want to be like my shitty bosses. I need to change. I mean, it's not like everyone can leave, though. I'll probably have to come up with some schedule, so everyone has a chance to go outside and experience the world. Maybe-'
His musings were abruptly interrupted as a [Message] from Albedo appeared before him.
[Yes, Albedo? Has something happened?]
Ainz's concern flared, worried that this message might bring unwelcome news. After all, he understood that in the real world, things could take unexpected turns, and the consequences of his actions could ripple far beyond what he could predict. The butterfly effect will definitely take effect sooner or later. And when it came, Ainz needed to be prepared to address any issue that would occur.
However, Ainz's initial worries dissolved as he received Albedo's message, [Of course not, Ainz-sama! I am merely telling you that I have received word from Nigredo. She says that the target is currently alone.]
His eyes sparked with excitement, and he wasted no time in issuing commands to his trusted subordinates. [Gather Cocytus and the three Pleiades sisters. It's time to take action.]
Ainz's swift response conveyed his eagerness to seize this opportunity. With the message to Albedo delivered, he promptly ended the [Message] with Albedo and activated another [Message] to contact Shalltear.
[Shalltear. I hope I'm not interrupting anything.]
Shalltear, ever eager to serve Ainz, responded with fervor. [Of course not, Ainz-sama! How could you ever interrupt me? My will is your will!]
Ainz felt a brief flicker of embarrassment, but it was quickly suppressed with his Emotional Suppression skill. He needed to stay focused.
[U-Umu. Anyway, coordinate with Nigredo to open a [Gate] at a certain location. We'll be taking the ship as well, so be sure to make it large enough.]
Shalltear's enthusiasm shone through her response.
[Yes, Ainz-sama! I'll have it done perfectly and immediately!]
With his instructions conveyed and his subordinates ready to act, Ainz ended the spell and made his way to the ship. The anticipation of their first formidable encounter in this new world coursed through him.
'The day is finally here. It's our first real fight against someone formidable in this world.' Despite the potential dangers that lay ahead, Ainz couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement.
'It seems that something fun will finally happen.'
As Ainz walked onto the ship, he noticed that his entire crew, including Cocytus, Lupusregina, Narberal, Entoma, and the skeleton crew, were already assembled and awaiting his arrival. Thoughts of their expectations weighed on his mind.
'I kind of feel nervous. All of them always expect so much of me. Hopefully I don't fail their expectations. I don't want to make any mistakes in Demiurge's or Albedo's plan, either. Ughhh. So many things to worry about. Why can't they be more comfortable?'
Clearing his throat, Ainz addressed his crew, trying to dispel any formalities.
"Cough… Cough… Umu. Thank you all for coming so quickly. Please, don't kneel or anything. We don't really have time for that."
Upon his request, those who had started to kneel stood back up. Ainz sighed internally before continuing.
"Anyway, I want everyone to remember our main mission today. Our main mission isn't to kill our target. We are merely testing our current skills and abilities against the people of this world. This will give us a more accurate representation of the strength of this world's people. It will also allow us to test our current capabilities against them. This includes against Logia Devil Fruit users, who can usually only be damaged by Haki. We need to test whether our weapons, skills, and abilities can harm them or whether we must rely on finding new ways to deal damage. There's a lot we don't know about this world, so don't act recklessly. I want you to learn from everything you can, striving to always improve yourselves. Is that understood?"
In unison, everyone kneeled and responded with loyalty.
"Yes, Ainz-sama! We will follow your orders perfectly!"
Ainz sighed again, turning his attention to Cocytus.
"Cocytus, I want you to use a sword against our enemy. If you don't wish to use [God Slaying Emperor Blade], I will understand, but I wish for you to use swords against the enemy."
Cocytus responded with unwavering determination.
"I. Will. Use. [God Slaying Emperor Blade] Ainz-Sama! Your. Orders. Are. My. Will!"
Ainz nodded in approval.
"Good. I want you to see if you can damage our target with your swords normally. If that fails, I want you to use your skills and abilities. We must experiment. I apologize for making you be our guinea pig."
Cocytus knelt deeper, showing his dedication.
"Do. Not. Apologize. Ainz-Sama! I. Will. Gladly. Follow. This. Order!"
With the matter settled, Ainz dismissed the group, heading to his room on the ship. His thoughts turned inward as he slowly sank into his chair.
'I'm so tired. Why do they all have to worship me so much? Sometimes, it's fine to argue! Not that I can change their minds even if I tried. I feel like I'm abusing them too much.'
After a sigh and shaking his head, Ainz stood and returned to the ship's deck. He sent a [Message] to Shalltear.
[Open the Gate.]
Then, he addressed the crew with determination.
"Prepare to set sail! Prepare for battle! As soon as the [Gate] opens, we're going through!"
With his command, the ship's skeleton crew sprang to life. As preparations surged forward, Ainz focused on buffing himself.
'I guess I better buff myself and everyone else as much as possible. Hopefully, nothing goes wrong.'
As Ainz surveyed the five Marine battleships before him, his usual nervousness before a battle was replaced by excitement and determination. He attempted to use [Discern Enemy] and [Detect Magic] to gain insight into his opponents, but both spells proved ineffective in this unfamiliar world.
'It's something I expected, since they're from another world. But to not even give me a hint about their level…'
Ainz sighed, frustrated by the lack of information. Raising both arms, he shouted a single word, "Begin!"
With Ainz's command, Cocytus leaped from the ship and confronted Sakazuki. Cocytus introduced himself and warned Sakazuki not to disappoint Ainz.
"I. Am. Cocytus. Weapon. Master. Of. The. Nazarick. Pirates. Do. Not. Disappoint. Me. As. Ainz-Sama. Is. Watching."
Cocytus swung his sword downward, slicing Sakazuki in half. However, although it seemed like the sword cut Sakazuki in half, Cocytus noticed him reforming into his solid state.
Sakazuki confidently taunted, "You're gonna have to do better than that, you goddamn pirate! [Great Eruption]!" Turning his right fist into pure magma, he expanded his fist and threw it forward towards Cocytus, burning everything within its path.
Seeing the incoming attack, Cocytus immediately responded, unleashing his technique, "[Vidyārāja Strike]!" The sword gained speed and power, clashing with Sakazuki's attack.
Observing the battle, Ainz commented, 'Interesting. Normal attacks, even with Divine Weapons, seem to do no damage to Logia Fruit Users. It seems that skills or abilities have the potential to damage them.'
Meanwhile, the Marines aboard the battleships finally recognized the situation and turned their cannons toward Ainz's ship.
"Fire!" one Marine ordered, and a barrage of cannonballs was unleashed, converging on Ainz's location.
"[Explosive Talisman]!" "[Chain Dragon Lightning]!" Entoma and Narberal swiftly reacted to the approaching cannons, causing them to explode harmlessly before they reached Ainz.
A few cannons were able to hit the ship, which immediately caused a small explosion. However, to the Marine's surprise and fright, no damage was done on the ship.
Ainz, while observing their actions, contemplated his role in the battle.
'It seems Entoma and Narberal know how to deal with attacks in a situation like this. That's nice. Hopefully, they can learn more and get better in the future. I guess I should do something too.'
Ainz decided to join the battle, raising his hand toward the enemy ships.
"[Summon Undead 3rd]!"
Skeletons materialized on two of the Marine ships, attacking the Marines on board. Ainz then turned his attention to Cocytus and cast "[Ultimate Disturb]," a spell that rapidly increased an ally's magic resistance while disabling the casting of spells. Since Cocytus didn't use spells and mainly used his skills, he should be fine. Ainz hoped this boost in magic resistance would be beneficial, hoping that Sakazuki's attacks counted as having magical properties.
Narberal's initial attempt at attacking Sakazuki with [Lightning] proved futile as her spell passed through him, inadvertently striking another enemy. She gritted her teeth in frustration and decided to go all out, "Tsk. [Twin Maximize Magic]! [Chain Dragon Lightning]!"
As her magical power surged, two immense lightning dragons materialized in her hands, crackling with electrifying energy. She unleashed the supercharged spell at Sakazuki, and this time, it struck its mark. Sakazuki grunted, clearly affected by the lightning, but the damage appeared minor, leaving only a slight bruise.
Observing this, Ainz contemplated, 'It seems that Logia Fruits function similarly to my [High Tier Physical Immunity III] and [High Tier Magic Immunity III]. Narberal couldn't damage him with a Tier 3 spell, but a Tier 7 spell proved effective. However, their ability to negate all regular attacks, even those from a level 100 NPC like Cocytus, is rather astonishing.'
Ainz sighed inwardly, 'But isn't that excessively OP? It's as if those shitty devs are still around, making things too chaotic.'
He then issued orders to the Pleiades, "Entoma, Narberal, deal with the two ships that are still firing cannons at us. Lupusregina, stay here and prepare to heal."
"Understood, Ainz-sama!" The two sisters immediately moved to engage the enemy ships still bombarding them. Two ships remained occupied with Ainz's Skeleton Warriors, while Sakazuki's ship struggled to manage the ongoing battle.
Observing that the Marines were gradually overcoming his skeletons, Ainz decided to handle the remaining enemy ships with a more potent spell, "[Undead Army]!"
The seventh-tier spell promptly took effect, summoning a horde of undead onto these ships. The sheer number of undead combatants overloaded the decks, causing some skeletons to topple overboard due to overcrowding.
'I guess that was too much for a ship, huh? Guess I'll know for next time.'
With his command executed, Ainz continued his duel against the two Marine ships, all the while keeping a watchful eye on the confrontation between Cocytus and Sakazuki.
Admiral Sakazuki found himself facing a sudden and unexpected assault from the mysterious pirates who had emerged from a strange portal.
As Cocytus swung his sword at Sakazuki, the Marine Admiral's initial thoughts revolved around the absence of Haki in the pirate crew's attacks. 'They aren't attacking me with Haki? Who do they think they are?' Sakazuki would soon regret thinking that as his attack was then blocked by this weird looking bug called Cocytus' attack.
"These blasted pirates! Attacking me right after my battle with Kuzan! Where did they come from? What's with that strange portal? And why is the air so icy? Just like Kuzan..."
Shaking off the distractions, Sakazuki decided to focus on the present fight. As an Admiral, he was far from weak, despite his exhaustion from the grueling 10-day battle.
But before Sakazuki could initiate an attack, a bothersome lightning bolt struck him, only to pass through harmlessly. He glanced up at the pirate responsible, a dark-haired figure who seemed visibly annoyed at the ineffectiveness of the attack.
Just as Sakazuki was about to resume his attack, he was zapped by two large lightning dragons. Although it hit him and was annoying, it wasn't enough to worry about it. He was more worried about the bug pirate in front of him.
"[Hound Blaze]!" A wave of magma began to form around his left fist and eventually shaped into something like a menacing fanged doghead. Having his attack formed, he immediately launched it against his opponent.
"[Cutting Wind]!" Sakazuki heard the attack and looked at Cocytus's sword. It seemed to be gathering wind, which quickly grew stronger and deflected his attack.
"[Kulika Blade]!" Immediately, Cocytus followed up with another attack, swinging his sword down on Sakazuki. Sakazuki, through the use of [Observation Haki], morphed his body around the attack and appeared next to Cocytus.
"Hmph! [Hell Hound]!" Sakazuki transformed his hand into magma and lashed out at Cocytus with a claw-thrust. Unable to react fast enough, a small chunk of Cocytus's armor seemed to fall off.
Sakazuki scoffed at the small amount that fell off, 'That attack should have been more powerful. What's happening?' Before he could process this information, he heard a woman's voice from the pirate ship.
"Oh no! Cocytus-sama! You're damaged! We can't have that! [Heal]!" The otherwise idle woman suddenly did something, which caused the damage done on Cocytus to reduce by a significant amount. 'Tsk! To think they had someone who can heal on their crew. And to think that their healer is so powerful! That Devil Fruit will be annoying. I should get rid of her now.'
However, before Sakazuki could even think of aiming for the healer, he suddenly had to deal with another attack. "[Yakshanarata]! [Vidyārāja Strike]!" While he managed to dodge one attack, he wasn't fast enough to dodge the second and was sliced across his arm, causing a huge cut to start bleeding.
'If only I wasn't so tired from fighting damn Kuzan!' Getting angry, Sakazuki started spreading his magma, no longer caring about the crew on his ship, "DON'T UNDERESTIMATE ME! I'LL TEACH YOU DAMN PIRATES ABSOLUTE JUSTICE!" He roared as he prepared to unleash his fiery wrath upon his adversaries.
Narberal, the most highly leveled member of the Pleiades sisters, was well aware of her place within Nazarick's hierarchy. While she was formidable, she recognized that the Floor Guardians surpassed her in power. Nevertheless, she was on a mission to deal with humans—creatures she considered insignificant and beneath her notice.
Having assisted Ainz-sama in gauging the extent of their abilities against their new adversaries, Narberal was assigned the task of halting the attacks from one of the Marine ships. These Marines were nothing more than lowly insects in her eyes, and she had no trouble snuffing out their lives.
"Keep shooting! Fire your weapons! Don't let her attack!" the panicked Marines yelled, desperately trying to fend her off.
Narberal smirked as she effortlessly deflected their attacks. Her seemingly ordinary maid outfit was, in reality, a formidable piece of equipment fitted with Data Crystals, typically reserved for level 90 players. It offered her unparalleled protection and allowed her to deflect bullets and withstand the onslaught of their weaponry.
Narberal found it exceptionally easy to dispatch these weak foes. With the skill "[Twin Maximize Magic] [Electrosphere]!" she conjured two immense orbs of electricity, hurling them toward the ship. The electric balls struck their target with deadly precision, causing massive explosions and electrocuting countless Marines. The ship started to show signs of cracking under the onslaught.
"Don't let the lightning hit you!" panicked voices cried out as they scrambled to avoid the electrifying assault. The Marines were clearly outmatched.
Growing weary of the prolonged battle, Narberal closed the distance between herself and the ship, clutching her formidable weapon, the "[Keraunos MK 3]." This staff-like weapon, adorned with a golden core and a silver outer shell, boasted both elegance and strength.
Determined to conclude the conflict with one decisive strike, Narberal began channeling a formidable spell. "[Twin Maximize Magic]! [Chain Dragon Lightning]!"
As a 7th-tier spell, "[Chain Dragon Lightning]" was devastating, capable of inflicting massive damage upon numerous foes. Amplified by "[Twin Maximize Magic]," the spell's potency, size, and destructive potential were further increased.
Narberal released two colossal lightning dragons from her hands, directing them toward the remaining Marines, who were desperately seeking an escape route. Despite their efforts, they were powerless to elude their impending doom. The dragons struck with relentless fury, engulfing the Marines in a storm of electricity. There was no escape, and the Marines were left smoldering and electrocuted in their wake.
As the battle drew to a close, Narberal turned her attention to Entoma, who appeared to be struggling in her own fight. Without hesitation, Narberal knew she had to step in and assist her fellow Pleiades sister before any harm befell her.-
Entoma, another member of the Pleiades sisters, possessed a unique power as an entomancer, allowing her to control a diverse array of insects. Unlike Narberal, who excelled in combat, Entoma's forte lay in supporting roles. Nevertheless, she was far from helpless in battle, as her well-rounded abilities allowed her to adapt to various situations.
On this Marine ship, she chose to take a more direct approach, reveling in the opportunity to get up close and personal with her adversaries. The bewildered Marines couldn't fathom where this seemingly innocent girl had come from.
"Where did this girl come from?" they mumbled, taken off guard by her sudden appearance.
But some among the Marines understood that she wouldn't be part of a pirate crew if she were harmless. "Don't get distracted! She's still a pirate! Shoot her!" they shouted, quickly raising their weapons.
Entoma wasted no time, summoning her insect allies. "[Hard Armor Bug]! [Blade Bug]!" Two bugs materialized and attached to her arms, forming a shield and a sword. She was now ready to engage the enemy.
"[Spider Talisman]!" she chanted, throwing a talisman to her previous position. In an instant, four spiders materialized and began attacking the bewildered Marines. The tables had turned, and the Marines were now under siege.
As the Marines attempted to regroup and fight back, they found themselves struggling to keep up with Entoma's blinding speed. She darted through their ranks, her sword spinning and slicing with precision, while she effortlessly blocked or evaded bullets.
Amidst the chaos, Entoma severed the arm of a Marine and began munching on it, treating it as a mid-battle snack. The Marines, witnessing this grotesque act, no longer saw her as a mere girl or pirate but as a monstrous threat.
"Yo...Yo...YOU MONSTER!" they stammered, their determination to kill her intensifying.
Countless Marines rushed her, determined to end her reign of terror. However, they found themselves ruthlessly cut down by Entoma's swift and precise strikes. It was almost too easy, and she grew disappointed that her adversaries offered no real resistance. Where was the thrill in defeating foes who didn't fight back?
But her arrogance was her downfall. Just as she thought the battle was a cakewalk, she sensed a powerful adversary approaching. Entoma raised her [Hard Armor Bug] just in time to block an attack from a formidable Marine. The bug struggled against the immense force and eventually cracked.
Jumping back to create some distance, Entoma dodged a potentially deadly strike. She was genuinely curious about the identity of this formidable opponent.
"I am Vice Admiral North. You have committed countless crimes, including gorging yourself on the remains of our fellow Marines. Prepare to DIE!" North declared, his eyes filled with determination.
Entoma knew she needed to buy time and regain her advantage. She threw several talismans as a diversion. "[Lightning Bird Talisman]! [Explosive Talisman]! [Thousand Lash Bug]!" A massive centipede-like creature appeared, connected to her, and wreaked havoc on the ship. The battle raged on, with Vice Admiral North struggling to defend against the relentless centipede.
Just as North prepared to counterattack, a bolt of lightning struck where he stood. Narberal had joined the fray, adding her formidable power to the mix.
"Thank you for the help!" Entoma exclaimed, acknowledging Narberal's assistance.
Narberal nodded and unleashed her own attacks. "[Bullet Bug]!" "[Dragon Lightning]!" The combined might of the Pleiades sisters overwhelmed Vice Admiral North, leaving him with no opportunity to strike back.
As North rushed toward Narberal, she employed her [Dimensional Move] to evade him, leaving him open to Entoma's onslaught. "[Dragon Lightning]!" While he would still be able to fight, he was once again attacked by Narberal, causing him to be overwhelmed by their combined power. North finally succumbed to the damage and lost consciousness.
With their enemy defeated, both sisters exchanged smiles before turning their attention to the main battle unfolding before them.
"DON'T UNDERESTIMATE ME! I'LL TEACH YOU DAMN PIRATES ABSOLUTE JUSTICE!" The enemy's defiant shout snapped Cocytus back to the battle. He couldn't afford to disgrace himself again in front of Ainz-sama. The previous encounter had shown him a disgraceful outcome; he had come perilously close to sustaining severe damage from this adversary. If not for Ainz-sama's protective buff, Lupusregina's timely healing, and his innate resistance to fire-based attacks, he would have brought shame upon Nazarick by succumbing to such a foe.
Determined to avoid such a humiliation, Cocytus reached into his weapon arsenal and drew another katana. While it wasn't as formidable as the [God Slaying Emperor Blade] crafted by the esteemed Warrior Takemikazuchi-sama, it still held tremendous power as a Legendary weapon. With renewed resolve, he launched into a relentless offensive.
But as the battle raged on, Cocytus noticed a troubling development—the ship was beginning to transform into magma. Recognizing the impending danger, he expanded the range of his [Frost Aura] to encompass the entire vessel. While it couldn't entirely halt the spread of the magma, it slowed its advance toward him.
Cocytus wasted no time and unleashed a barrage of attacks before the enemy could retaliate. "[Vidyārāja Strike]! [Acalanātha Strike]! [Kulika Blade]!" The relentless strikes left his adversary with little respite. Though the opponent displayed a limited ability to sense the trajectory of his attacks, there was a limit to such foresight. Moreover, it was evident that the enemy's strength was waning. The prolonged battle had sapped their strength bit by bit.
'For an opponent to endure against me despite their weakened state, it is admirable,' Cocytus thought as he pressed his advantage.
In response, the enemy launched their own attacks. "[Hell Hound]! [Hound Blaze]!" They fought on with determination and power, but Cocytus could discern their growing weakness. Time was not on their side. With every passing moment, Sakazuki's wounds deepened, and he couldn't contend with Cocytus at full strength, especially with the support of a skilled healer like Lupusregina.
Amidst their frenzied exchange, Cocytus heard a voice from behind him. "Enough."
With that single word, Ainz-sama cast a spell that eventually forced Sakazuki to kneel over, coughing up blood. Cocytus turned to his Supreme Overlord.
"I. Apologize. For. Showing. You. Such. Bad. Results." Cocytus managed to say between breaths.
Ainz-sama shook his head, his crimson eyes showing understanding. "You are not at fault. He was merely stronger than we anticipated. You did well."
Gratitude welled up within Cocytus as he thanked his master. "Thank. You. For. Your. Praise. Ainz-Sama!"
As the intense battle drew to a close, many of the Marine ships were battered, but remained afloat. However, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the once-mighty Marine fleet had been reduced to debris floating in the sea. Countless lifeless bodies of the fallen Marines drifted alongside the wreckage and the sea. All of the Marine battleships showed signs of devastation, teetering on the brink of collapse from the fierce confrontation.
Sakazuki, the fallen Fleet Admiral, was on his ship, kneeling amidst a pool of his own blood and magma, breathing heavily. He bore the physical toll of the battle, and his defeat was evident.
Cocytus and Ainz stood tall on their ship, gazing down at the defeated Marine officer. The three Pleiades sisters, too, joined in, their expressions a mix of indifference and curiosity.
"This is a mere warning. A testament to our strength," Ainz declared with a condescending tone. "If you think that you couldn't defeat us because you weren't in your prime, feel free to challenge us. But know that you will face defeat every time. Ainz Ooal Gown does not know defeat."
With a majestic gesture, Ainz turned his ship around and initiated the [Gate] spell to return to Nazarick. However, as he was about to depart, he glanced back and added, "Oh, that's right. I almost forgot the entire reason I came here."
Pausing for dramatic effect, he continued, "Congratulations on your promotion, Fleet Admiral Sakazuki."
Sakazuki, consumed by rage, screamed in response, but his cries grew fainter as the ship completed its journey through the [Gate], leaving him behind in the aftermath of a grueling battle.
Back in the safety of Nazarick's home island, Ainz reflected on the encounter. 'Oh my god, that was so cool,' he mused to himself. 'I can't believe I just said all of that. All those hours of thinking about what to say and rehearsing it really paid off. We've learned a lot today, and I'll need to analyze this with the other guardians.'
Pausing again, Ainz continued his thoughts, "But the fact that he could resist [Death] wasn't entirely unexpected, although it seems to cause injuries rather than outright killing. We'll need to conduct more research on that matter. Nevertheless, this mission was a success."
Filled with a mixture of nervousness and excitement about the future, Ainz departed the ship and made his way back into the tomb. The encounters with powerful adversaries had left him with much to ponder, but he couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation for what lay ahead.
The following day, news of significant events swept across the world, carried by News Coos soaring to various corners of the globe. The announcement of the World Military Draft's initiation reverberated throughout the land, heralding a massive recruitment effort by the Marines. The institution that had long struggled to maintain control over the New World was undergoing a profound transformation.
Hopes of achieving peace in a world fraught with chaos were kindled, but before people could fully digest this news, another revelation jolted them.
The shockwave of the second announcement rippled through society, leaving many in disbelief. The revelation that followed seemed implausible, yet it was undeniably true. What left people most astounded was not just the occurrence itself but the identity of those responsible.
In the wake of his battle with Admiral Aokiji, now Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, the highest-ranking officer in the Marine hierarchy, had been attacked. The culprits were none other than the newly formed Nazarick Pirates, who had ambushed him by materializing through a mysterious purple portal. While Sakazuki's injuries were not life-threatening, they were severe enough to necessitate a lengthy period of medical recovery.
This audacious act by the Nazarick Pirates led to an immediate and substantial increase in their collective bounty, raising it to a staggering 5,845,000,000 Belly. Such a rapid escalation in bounty for a newly established pirate crew was unprecedented, and it sent shockwaves throughout the world.
However, it became increasingly evident that this was just the beginning of the Nazarick Pirates' ascent, and the world could only watch with bated breath as their influence continued to grow.
In a certain Marine base, the air was filled with tension as a furious shout echoed through the corridors.
"GODDAMMIT! WHO RELEASED THIS INFORMATION?! FIND OUT WHO DID IT!"
The revelation of recent events had sent shockwaves through the Marines, and the hunt for those responsible had begun.