Chapter 257

Future chapters at patreon.com/FFAddict.

Additionally, I have many new works readers may be interested in. Go look, if you wish! 

Bang! Bang! Bang!

A barrage of bullets hit Abel's body.

Although his Armament Haki wasn't perfected, it was more than enough to shield him from these ordinary firearms.

Thus, all the bullets that struck him were immediately deflected without leaving so much as a scratch.

Seeing that guns were ineffective, many brave Marine soldiers charged forward, slashing with their swords.

Abel really wanted to clear the field with Conqueror's Haki against these Marine fodder.

But with his family around, there were certain powers he absolutely couldn't use.

So instead, he just stood there, letting these Marine fodder attack him while continuing to increase his strength.

Boom! Boom!

Compared to the Marines' futile efforts, Vice Admiral Ackhende's desperate elbow strikes were somewhat more effective.

But to Abel who was entirely indifferent to pain, such retaliation was of no concern.

Clang!

That was the sound of the Marines' swords breaking.

"Our attacks can't break through his defense!" one of the Marines finally cried out in despair.

At that moment, Vice Admiral Ackhende's counterattacks were growing weaker.

"Bring out the cannons! Get the cannons here!"

"But if we do that, Vice Admiral Ackhende will be..."

"What other choice do we have?! Take the risk!"

"Alright, let's go all out!"

...

Several cannons were quickly brought forward by the Marines and aimed at Abel.

But as they were about to fire, Abel made a simple move that completely deterred them.

"No good! That bastard is using Vice Admiral Ackhende as a shield. If we fire now, Ackhende will be the first to die!"

"Damn it, that's so despicable!"

"Bring more cannons! Surround him!"

"It's too late."

Before the voice even finished, a clear sound of bones breaking was heard.

With sheer power, Abel had crushed Vice Admiral Ackhende's throat.

Even the double defense of Iron Body and Armament Haki couldn't withstand this ferocious force.

Thud!

The limp body of Vice Admiral Ackhende crashed onto the deck, weighing heavily on the hearts of every Marine present.

Gulp.

The sound of someone nervously swallowing their saliva was distinctly audible at that moment.

Abel moved his slightly sore arms, seemingly dissatisfied with the waste of time.

He bent down to pick up his scythe saying, "Too bad there's no bounty on the Navy, or else I could've made some money."

"Right, I almost forgot about you guys. You were pretty happy shooting at me and even broke your swords, right?"

"Although Captain Doflamingo instructed us not to kill too many people, it's still quite annoying."

"Right now, half of you who drop your weapons can become prisoners; you won't have to die."

"Or you can try to kill me, but then it's uncertain how many of you will survive."

No sooner had Abel finished stating the rules of the game than many of the Marines started shifting their gaze towards their comrades.

After all, not everyone can face death with valor.

But just then, someone suddenly shouted: "Don't believe him! If we can't protect the 'Heavenly Gold', we're dead anyway! If we surrender, our families will suffer too, the Celestial Dragons won't let us off, so we might as well fight him!"As soon as the word "Celestial Dragon" appeared, fear was the only thing left in the eyes of all the marines!

It was a misconception to believe that becoming a prisoner would grant them survival.

Having lost the 'Heavenly Gold,' these marines, tasked with its protection, could not shirk their responsibility. What awaited them might be a fate worse than death.

"I don't want to become a slave. I'd rather die!"

"That's right, as long as we die protecting the 'Heavenly Gold,' I believe Fleet Admiral Sengoku will not let our families suffer."

"If we don't fight, we're sure to die. If we do, there might be a chance to live. Charge!"

"Yes, we must kill him and protect the 'Heavenly Gold'!"

Suddenly, the marines who had other ideas grew bloodthirsty, recklessly charging toward Abel with a fear of death greater than that of facing a pirate.

In their eyes, the Celestial Dragon was ten thousand times more terrifying than the pirate before them!

A fight now meant a certain death, but if the 'Heavenly Gold' were stolen, what would become of them if they were still alive?

The marines' ranks would not protect them, not even Fleet Admiral Sengoku's direct intervention!

At most, it might save a few of the vice admirals.

"It seems you've all made your decisions."

Abel, after a moment of silence, mercilessly swung his scythe, unleashing a slaughter.

This was no longer a battle.

It was more akin to the marines committing suicide!

They were practically delivering themselves to be killed.

Their likely only aim was to obtain a recognition for 'brave sacrifice' to avoid burdening their families.

On the other warships, the situation was the same.

This undoubtedly angered Doflamingo who did not wish to be delayed.

After swiftly defeating Vice Admiral Onigumo, he unleashed a myriad of parasite strings, forcing the marines to turn their blades against their former comrades.

Thus, a unique kind of hell commenced.

Many cried while thrusting their swords into the chests of their peers, and after repeating this a few times, they practically collapsed.

Even as they were being killed by others, they showed expressions of relief.

This allowed Abel some downtime, as he no longer needed to carry out his clearing operation to the end.

Surveying the surroundings, the situation looked very favorable.

Two rear admirals from the Navy HQ, one slain by him, another captured alive by Lao G and two others.

Of the three vice admirals, one was easily dispatched by Doflamingo, another overwhelmed by Trebol, Senor Pink, and Gladius — defeat was only a matter of time. The last, Vice Admiral Onigumo, was locked in a heated battle with Diamante, with the outcome still uncertain.

Yet, the scales of victory still tipped in favor of the Donquixote family.

Several officers had defeated their enemies and retained a considerable combat strength.

Most importantly, no one could stop the strongest among them — Doflamingo — as not every vice admiral was named Crane.

Abel thought it over and concluded that he had already made quite an impact by killing a rear admiral from the Navy HQ. Desiring no further involvement, he called upon Buffalo and took himself and Baby-5 directly to the ship transporting the 'Heavenly Gold.'

The most valuable possessions were unlikely to be on the surrounding warships but certainly on the central transport ship.

At that moment, sensing the changing tide of the battle, even Giolla, who had been hiding, dared to show herself.