One Piece Thundergod Marine

Chapter 717: Chapter 601 The Straw Hats' Doomsday



Boom! Boom! 

Cannonballs fell into the ocean, sending white sprays of water into the air.

The surging waves rocked the [Going Merry], causing it to tilt over 30 degrees multiple times. However, Nami, with her deep understanding of the ocean, expertly steered the ship, regaining balance each time.

"Watch out, they're firing again!" Zoro shouted loudly from the lookout.

Nami instinctively jerked the helm, causing [Going Merry] to carve a sharp 'J' shaped white wave across the sea. In the next moment, a heaven-shaking roar erupted from one side of the ship, the wind pressure like a solid hammer, making everyone aboard painfully endure it.

"As expected, they've noticed me," Nami thought to herself.

After that first shot, the following three rounds of the Super Electromagnetic Cannon also missed [Going Merry].

No one aboard understood the ocean better than Nami. Each time the enemy fired, it was precisely when [Going Merry] was about to ride a wave, causing the ship to rise with the water.

This meant that the spot the enemy aimed at was always several meters lower than [Going Merry].

Given the speed of the Electromagnetic Cannon, by the time the cannonball reached them, the ship had already risen above the line of fire.

So, Nami was very confident that even if they didn't evade, those three shots would miss just like the first, grazing past [Going Merry] without causing serious damage.

Their opponent was a well-trained Marine crew. There's no way they would make the same mistake three times.

Knowing this, their intention became crystal clear.

"Well done, Nami! Just like that, keep going!" Luffy cheered, relieved to have survived. He didn't even bother wiping the blood from his ears caused by the powerful sound explosion. He gave Nami a thumbs up.

"I'm leading you all to your graves, you idiot!" Nami's heart was tormented as she forced a smile onto her face.

"Of course, I mean, who do you think I am?!"

"Oh, Nami, you're the best!" *times two*

The others, unaware of her inner turmoil, just assumed Nami was shaken by the near misses. Usopp and Chopper, grinning, linked arms and waved flags they had somehow prepared, jumping around in celebration.

"You two, if you've got nothing better to do, get down here and row! We can't outrun a battleship on speed alone!" Sanji, holding the mast rope, had a black line of frustration on his forehead. How could those two be goofing off at such a critical time?

"Watch out, they're firing again! This time it's regular cannonballs!" Zoro suddenly called out from above.

"Leave it to me!" Luffy's eyes burned with fury as he pounded his fists against his chest, his face set with determination.

"I won't let them harm [Going Merry] any further!"

Fool! Their target isn't [Going Merry] at all! Nami bit her lip hard, drawing a streak of blood that ran down from the corner of her mouth.

G-10 Branch, Base Head Office.

"Oh? So they're almost here?" Rowen asked after finishing arrangements with the Assassination Force. Ain knocked and entered, bringing him "good" news.

The Straw Hat Pirates' ship was now very close to the G-10 Branch, and they could initiate the capture operation at any time.

"That's correct. Colonel Henry has the submarine force lying in ambush nearby, while the aircraft force is hiding behind the clouds, forming a surrounding net."

After reporting the situation, Ain hesitated, lowering her head as her sky-blue hair fell forward, obscuring her face. She asked hesitantly, "Rowen, isn't this approach a bit too harsh?"

In Ain's eyes, the role the Marines played in this operation seemed dishonorable. Despite having overwhelming force, they were still aiming for the most lethal blow against their enemies.

The betrayal of comrades!

Few could withstand such a blow.

Hearing this, Rowen paused his paperwork and stubbed out his cigar.

"What are you thinking?" In an instant, Rowen appeared before Ain, placing his broad hand on her head.

"This is the plan we agreed on. It has nothing to do with you, so you have no reason to feel guilty or responsible for our decisions."

Why couldn't Zephyr become Fleet Admiral?

Losing hope was one thing, but the more crucial reason was that he lacked Sengoku's ability to make decisions without regard for his conscience.

"The Admiral who doesn't kill"!

Such integrity, such steadfastness— it could even earn the respect of pirates!

And so, Ain, who grew under his influence, was also a very upright Marine. Without the threat of betrayal, Ain had developed her own independent mindset, unlike in the original movie, where she blindly followed Zephyr without thinking.

Rowen was pleased that Ain could express such thoughts. It showed she was on a different path than in the original story, progressing toward becoming a truly independent Marine.

"But…"

"No buts, Ain." Rowen looked at her stubbornly raised face and smiled. "We are Marines. Instead of respecting a pirate's sense of honor, we should prioritize the safety of our soldiers."

"They have families too. They want to return home every day and see their parents and children smile. Achieving our goals with the smallest sacrifice is always what they hope for when carrying out a mission."

"Indeed, this operation isn't the most honorable, so let us bear any blame that comes from it. You just focus on enjoying the victory."

A leader must be ruthless but never confuse the priority.

Mercilessness toward enemies must always outweigh coldness toward one's own.

Ain fell silent.

Yes, this is the difference between Marines and pirates.

To pirates, we are dishonorable enemies.

But to Marines, we are their heroes.

"If only there were no pirates in this world," Ain suddenly sighed.

If there were no pirates, there would be no situation where we are seen as "villains by some, heroes by others."

Rowen looked at her and raised an eyebrow.

"For that question, I think you need to start by understanding the geographical environment of this world. Because the seas are vast, and transportation methods are limited, islands rely almost entirely on ships for communication. This creates a fertile ground for the birth of pirates, so..."

"Shut up, you iron-headed idiot!" Ain rolled her eyes, gave him an impatient look, and then shook off his warm hand from her head with a huff before turning and leaving.

Bang!

As the door slammed shut, Rowen blinked, scratched his cheek, and after a moment, a look of horror crossed his face.

Σ(д;)!!!

Damn it!

So I'm single because of my own strength too?!!

_(:3」∠)_

"Colonel Henry, what is your current position?"

On the battleship, Dante stood at the bow, his eyes locked on the [Going Merry], which was darting left and right ahead. A faint smirk played on his lips.

They're nearing their doom and don't even realize it. Truly worthy of the title "pirate"!

In response to his question, a reply quickly came through the Den Den Mushi: "We're directly ahead of them."

"They've already crossed our first blockade line. Should we act immediately once they enter the center of the encirclement?"

"Yes, take action when you see fit. We will attack together based on your judgment, ensuring that we trap them on the spot."

This tactic has always worked wonders against pirates— none of them ever seem to back down…until they crash headfirst into the iron wall of G-10, leaving them battered and bruised.

So far, no pirate has ever escaped the encirclement of G-10's forces. Even if some had overwhelming strength, difficult to subdue, don't forget— the G-10 fortress houses two of the world's only Super Large-Scale Electromagnetic Cannons!

When technology isn't enough, we make up for it with firepower. One shot from those, and no one survives!

"Hold tight!"

Aboard [Going Merry], Nami suddenly felt a pang of anxiety. She turned her head and noticed several dark shadows appearing under the water.

Immediately, an indescribable fear gripped her heart.

She shouted loudly and sharply turned the ship's wheel, causing [Going Merry] to veer 90 degrees, its side facing forward.

"Not good, they're trying to escape!"

Seeing this through the surveillance Den Den Mushi, Henry decisively issued an order.

"All units, attack!!"

"Yes, sir!"

Boom, Boom, Boom!

Grappling hooks shot out from beneath the water, latching onto [Going Merry] with precision. The sudden jolt shook the ship, causing everyone on deck to stumble.

"We've been ambushed!"

Zoro grabbed onto the mast to steady himself, noticing the ropes connected to the grappling hooks. Drawing his sword, Wado Ichimonji, he swiftly sliced through them.

Clang!

The sharp sound of metal reverberated in the air, crisp and piercing.

Sanbyakurokuju Pound Ho (360 Pound Cannon)

After the battle in Alabasta, the Straw Hats' combat abilities had significantly improved. The ability to unleash sword waves with a single blade was a skill Zoro only mastered in the second half of the original series.

Swish, Swish, Swish!

A visible storm of sword energy slashed through the ropes connected to the grappling hooks, severing them instantly and causing [Going Merry] to lurch forward.

Thud!

Zoro leaped down from the lookout, his eyes sharp as blades, locking onto Nami.

"Now I realize what I've been overlooking."

"Wha…what?"

Nami couldn't bear to meet his gaze. She sat on the ground, turning her head away as if the fall had left her unable to stand.

"You said we would use the Knock Up Stream to escape, but I remember that the Knock Up Stream appears randomly and doesn't occur often—only a few times each month."

"So how do you know we'll encounter the Knock Up Stream at just the right moment?"

"This part of the story isn't just to showcase Rowen's strength; it's laying the groundwork for something important."

(Chapter end)

You can read ahead up to 90 chapters on my patreon and I've also activated (date to date) subscription model on my patreon https://www.patreon.com/darkshadow6395

As long as I reach 200 dollars on my Patreon, I will post 10 extra bonus chapters per month in batches of 5 for that month. If I reach 300 dollars then I will post 15 extra bonus chapters in batches of 5 for that month. If I reach 400 dollars then I will post 20 extra bonus chapters in batches of 5 for that month. So come and support me.


Tip: You can use left, right, A and D keyboard keys to browse between chapters.