Boom!
The shockwave from the exploding cannonball caused the roof of the café and the wall facing the square to instantly begin collapsing!
In the blink of an eye, Xiano decisively positioned himself in front of the window, using one hand to support the collapsing beam, shielding his companions from the flying bricks and shattered glass.
At the same time, he turned his head and shouted sharply:
"Agin!"
"Arf—!" Agin instantly understood, letting out a roar as his fur bristled, and crackling electricity sparked around him.
In an instant, a semicircular electric force field expanded and formed, enveloping the entire area where the café was located.
This was an advanced version of the basic Bloodline Talent skill he had comprehended during his childhood—"Electric Arc Body Protection."
The protective shield of the electric force field could expand up to a radius of ten meters, safeguarding everyone within the field from any physical harm from the outside.
Crash! The collapsing bricks and walls were held back by the force field. Meanwhile, explosions echoed across the square, and the screams of people rose and fell.
"Ugh, ugh, ugh!" Nami wiped the soot off her face and rushed anxiously to the staircase. "Are you okay, Cafe Owner?"
"Y-yes, I'm fine!" came the shaken voice of the female café owner from downstairs.
Nojiko also hurried over, helping to check for any injured people.
Fortunately, the café wasn't large, and both floors were within the protective range of the force field. All thirty or so customers and employees were saved without exception.
"Phew." Nami finally let out a sigh of relief.
However, those outside the café were clearly not as fortunate.
Through the holes in the walls, they could see that many shops and houses on both sides had been hit by the cannon fire, with large sections collapsed, leaving a scene of devastation.
"I'll go up and take a look!"
Kuina's expression was grim. After uttering these words, she was the first to rush out through the gap in the roof above.
Damn it!!
What Pirate crew could be so brazen as to launch a cannon attack on Loguetown in broad daylight?
The Pirates in the East Blue are nothing but small fry. Who would dare…
Could it be that another group of Pirates like Arlong has returned from the Grand Line?
Swish! Kuina drew Wado Ichimonji and, using Moon Walk, leaped to the top of the nearby clock tower, which offered a clear view, and looked toward the harbor.
With just one glance.
Her expression suddenly changed, revealing a look of astonishment.
How could this be…
The ones firing the cannons were actually the Navy?!!!
At the harbor.
A massive luxury cruise ship was docked there.
Surrounding it were three Navy warships, which had already turned their cannons toward the entire square in front of the execution platform!
...
Rewind to five minutes earlier.
At the bow of the luxury cruise ship.
A Golden Scepter adorned with gemstones was held in a fat hand, pointing toward the area in front of the execution platform.
"Hey, hey, hey, can anyone tell me who those people crowding the square are? They're such an eyesore."
Altai turned his head, his gaze finally settling on Smoker's face. "If I recall correctly, you're the Navy officer in charge of this island, so you should know the answer to this, right?"
"If it were an ordinary day, probably more than half would be tourists, with a small number of Pirates mixed in."
Smoker narrowed his eyes and, under the intense gaze of Vice Admiral Onigumo, finally spoke coldly, "But given the recent circumstances, I'd say more than half are likely Pirates."
"Pirates?!"
Altai covered his mouth with his hand and let out an exaggerated exclamation, "Wow, are they all Pirates? This is the first time I've seen so many! How come they're not afraid at all and are acting so brazenly right next to your base?"
Isn't this all to escort you, you idiot?
Smoker's expression darkened instantly.
When he was stationed at the Loguetown base, Pirates who came ashore always kept a low profile, fearing they might expose their identities!
How dare they gather so openly now?
"I should head back, Vice Admiral," Smoker extinguished his cigar and turned to Vice Admiral Onigumo, muttering, "My station is already here. The remaining distance isn't much, and I doubt you'll need me anymore."
In truth, he had always felt that the higher-ups were overreacting with this escort mission.
Aside from Vice Admiral Onigumo and himself, who had been temporarily assigned, there were also two Rear Admirals from the Grand Line's G-branch, as well as two Rear Admiral-level Lieutenants under Onigumo's command.
One Vice Admiral from Headquarters, four Rear Admirals from Headquarters, plus himself, whose strength was on par with a Headquarters Rear Admiral.
This was naturally to show the importance placed on the personal safety of the three allied kings, one of whom could even be considered half a Celestial Dragon.
If they were traveling through the Grand Line, he could somewhat understand it.
But this was just an escort from the South Blue to the East Blue.
No matter how you looked at it, there was no need to assemble such an extravagant, almost wasteful, lineup.
In comparison, it was far more urgent for him to return to the island and intimidate the gathered Pirates.
The Pirates from the East Blue were manageable; they couldn't cause much trouble.
But among the crowd in the square, there were also Pirates from other seas mixed in.
North Blue, West Blue, and even the Grand Line… Compared to the East Blue, the Pirates coming from these places included quite a few troublesome individuals!
What he feared most was that, in his absence and with the island's defenses weakened, they might get carried away and suddenly decide to plunder, burn, and kill.
If that happened, the townspeople would suffer…
"You want to go back now?" Vice Admiral Onigumo frowned slightly, about to say something.
"Great, great!!" Altai, standing behind them, suddenly clapped his hands excitedly. "The more Pirates, the better! The more brazen, the better! I've never seen the Navy fight Pirates in person before. Hey, Onigumo, fire the cannons! Go on, fire the cannons!"
"As you wish, Your Majesty," Vice Admiral Onigumo glanced toward the execution platform, nodded, and then used Moon Walk to head straight for his flagship.
Smoker, left behind, was utterly stunned.
"Have you lost your mind, Mr. Onigumo!" Smoker quickly transformed into smoke and followed him onto the warship's deck. The moment he landed, he questioned in disbelief, "You're actually listening to the whims of a war-ignorant noble? Firing directly at the town center would harm so many innocent civilians! This is downright insane!"
"Don't get it wrong, Smoker," Vice Admiral Onigumo gave him a strange look and sneered, "Out of respect for his Celestial Dragon Bloodline, I can tolerate his nonsense in trivial matters. But when it comes to military affairs, that brainless pig has no right to command me."
"Then why are you still following his orders!!!"
Smoker roared furiously.
He had already seen three warships slowly turning, raising the cannons on their sides over the dock, directly aiming toward the square. He couldn't help but feel both anxious and furious. "And you all, do you even know what you're doing? Stop this immediately!!"
However, the command of the three warships did not belong to him.
The few rear admirals glanced at him, then turned their heads away indifferently,
continuing to follow Vice Admiral Onigumo's orders, instructing their gunners to load the cannonballs.
Onigumo flicked the ash off his cigarette and spoke calmly:
"Although we've known each other for a long time, it seems you really don't understand me that well, Smoker..."
(End of Chapter)