One Piece Solar Rift Conqueror!

The ocean roared as Solian's sailors sped away from the Marine base, cutting through the waves like a knife. Smoke and burning wood filled the air, carried on the sea breeze. Panic gripped the Marine outpost behind them—sections of buildings were ablaze, alarms wailed across the island, and cries of terror echoed as Marines rushed to respond.

But they weren't free yet.

Three of the Marine ships had already departed the harbor in chase. The lead ship was an enormous war vessel, its sails unfurled as it gained momentum. Its captain, Verroc, commanded it, his coat blowing back and forth as he glared at the pirates' backs. His headquarters had been raided, Lieutenant Roderick had been killed, and worse still—thirty million berries had been stolen from the treasury.

His grip tightened on the railing. "We'll sink them before they leave this sea. All cannons—fire!"

The Chase Begins

Explosions rocked the sea behind them. Cannonballs crashed into the water, sending columns of spray high into the air. One barely missed their stern, the force of the blast making the entire ship lurch forward.

Kael ducked as a cannonball whizzed past his head, exploding in the ocean in a fury of water and debris. "Shit! That almost blew my damn head off!"

Jorin, clinging to the wheel, snarled under his breath. "They're closing the gap!"

Solian looked back to see what was going on. They were a smaller, more agile ship, but the Marines had speed, firepower, and numbers. If they were caught in a full salvo, they wouldn't stand a chance.

"If we can't outrun them, we need to force them to slow down," Solian growled. He glared at Kael. "Can you take them from here?"

Kael popped his knuckles and smiled. "You just gave me an idea."

Kael Strikes Back

Kael dashed along the side of the vessel, releasing all his accumulated kinetic energy from past conflicts. His body tensed as he channeled it into his fists, the surrounding air vibrating from the sheer force.

The nearest Marine vessel was coming straight at them, its weapons recharging for another round.

Kael took a deep breath. Then—

"Shockwave Barrage!"

A massive shockwave of pressurized air blasted out from between his hands, tearing the air across the heavens like an otherworldly cannon. The concussion struck the Marine vessel dead center, destroying its sails and breaking its mast.

The boat recoiled viciously. Marines onboard staggered, some collapsing over the rail as the vessel drifted off course.

Kael chuckled. "That'll hold 'em busy."

But the flagship continued towards them.

Jorin's Counterattack

Jorin's intense stare snapped to the flagship. Their guns were readjusting, targeting their vessel for a devastating broadside.

He clasped his sword more firmly, tracing his fingers over its blade. "I need to prevent them from taking that shot."

With a single fluid motion, he charged with his sword. The blade extended out in an unnatural manner, elongating like a pointed spear.

"Piercing Edge!"

His sword sliced through the air, severing one of the flagship's forward cannons just as it was about to fire.

BOOM!

The cannon exploded in a fiery blast, the blast wave flattening Marines nearby. Two other cannons were destroyed by the explosion, wreckage shattering through the air in every direction.

Jorin exhaled, his mouth twisting into a sneer. "That should give them a moment's peace."

Solian's Final Move

Despite the destruction of their fleet, the Marines were closing in. If they didn't get away now, it would only be a matter of time before reinforcements showed up.

Solian's eyes glinted as he focused on the energy flowing through him. He could feel the edge of his Solar Rift Fruit straining against the limit, but this was not the time to be careful.

He tossed both arms up, calling on his Devil Fruit's power. Two light gates snapped into existence—one over the Marine flagship, and the other a few feet away out in the ocean ahead of their own vessel.

Verroc's mouth fell open. "What the bloody—?!"

A gargantuan wave of water, whipped up by the acceleration of the ship, was sucked through the first portal—

—and fired back down onto the Marine flagship.

The effect was catastrophic. Water swept over the deck, flinging Marines into the drink as the ship lurched drunkenly to one side. The wave's power inundated lower decks, crashing sailors into flight for their lives.

Solian laughed. "That should do it."

Escape to Freedom

The flagship disabled, the rest of the Marine ships hesitated, unwilling to pursue without their commander. The gap between them grew until, finally, the Marines gave up the chase.

Jorin turned the ship away from land, the strain in his shoulders easing a little.

Kael let out a shaky laugh. "Damn, that was close!"

Jorin nodded. "But we're through."

Solian leaned on the railing, his gaze out over the empty horizon ahead. This was only the beginning. The Marines would not soon forget this.

And neither would the world.