One Piece: Silent-Silent Fruit

The Extreme Collapsing Fist was a technique that condensed power into a single explosive point.

Ordinarily, after throwing one such punch, the user would need a short interval to gather and concentrate energy for the next.

But after reaching the rank of Admiral, that interval had been nearly erased for Rosinante.

Now, with his body's natural limitations suppressed by his Silence ability, he could forcibly gather and release power without regard for injury. That was what allowed him to unleash this rapid-fire version of the Extreme Collapsing Fist—what he now called the "Infinite Strike."

Brutal, relentless, and devastating.

Of course, it also meant the damage to his own body increased dramatically.

But Rosinante wasn't the only one who had ascended to the level of Admiral. His own life force had evolved with his promotion, becoming incredibly resilient.

Combined with his recent mastery of Tai Chi and a deeper control over his internal force, Rosinante was now able to wield this terrifying Infinite Strike without tearing himself apart.

"If this keeps up… Sakazuki might actually lose!" Sengoku said grimly.

Every punch from Rosinante's Infinite Strike could easily kill an ordinary Vice Admiral. Even someone with Sakazuki's monstrous durability wouldn't be able to endure for long.

"We can't let Sakazuki fall here. The report promoting him to Admiral has already been submitted. If he's defeated now, the Navy will be publicly slapping itself in the face!" Fleet Admiral Kong said with equal seriousness.

"I understand," Sengoku replied, nodding solemnly.

With that, he stepped forward—disappearing from the rooftop in an instant.

When he reappeared, he was hovering high above the fierce clash between Rosinante and Sakazuki.

Golden light surged from Sengoku's body as his form rapidly expanded. Within that glowing aura, his skin turned radiant gold, and an ancient chanting sound echoed faintly in the air.

It was as if a Golden Buddha had descended from the heavens.

"What the hell is that?"

"A golden giant?!"

"That's Admiral Sengoku's ability!"

"It's Sengoku the Buddha!"

"The Admiral has entered the fray! His aura is terrifying!"

Whether within the defensive perimeter or beyond it, all who witnessed the emergence of the golden Buddha were struck dumb with awe.

"Sengoku the Buddha is making his move! We've already won this battle!"

"Kill them all! Kill these filthy pirates!"

"With an Admiral here, victory is guaranteed!"

The moment the golden form appeared, Navy morale soared sky-high, and their soldiers surged forward with renewed fury to assault the Second Division.

"Don't get too cocky! Our Captain is still fighting!"

"Charge!" the Second Division roared, launching a fierce counterattack.

At that moment, the golden Buddha thrust out a glowing palm—

A devastating shockwave exploded down toward Rosinante, forcing him to halt his attacks on Sakazuki and cross his arms in defense.

The shockwave was so powerful that even the air itself seemed to twist and distort.

Rosinante's feet dug into the ground as he was driven backward step by step.

Only after the shockwave finally dispersed was he able to stabilize his footing—

—but Sengoku had already launched a second palm!

This one was exponentially stronger than the first.

Where the earlier shockwave had merely pushed Rosinante, this one struck with the full fury of a thunderous shock blast, overflowing with destructive force.

"Urgh!"

Rosinante coughed up blood as the concussive force slammed into him.

The ground beneath his feet shattered and collapsed, leaving a jagged crack stretching across the battlefield.

"Admiral Sengoku… I didn't think he'd actually make a move. What terrifying power," Raelmann muttered with a grim face.

"Sengoku's entered the fight? Looks like it's over for your side," said one Vice Admiral. "We need to speed this up."

"No choice. If we don't wrap this up soon, Fleet Admiral Kong is going to blow a fuse," Doberman said, narrowing his eyes. "But I've got to admit… you're a real tough nut to crack."

It was no wonder they thought so.

As the user of the Blast Blast Fruit, Raelmann was like a walking minefield. Whether he hit you or you hit him—something blew up.

And now, with his wounds sealed by the Silence ability and his punches accelerated by the Jet Shell, he was nearly impossible to suppress.

"You think I'm some nobody? I'm "Raelmann the Bomber!" he bellowed with a manic grin.

He was a seasoned veteran of the New World. Back when he was tearing through the seas, Hawk and Doberman were still nobodies scrubbing decks in the Navy's lower ranks.

With a shout, the three resumed their violent melee, explosions echoing like cannonfire across the battlefield.

…

Meanwhile, Rosinante slowly raised his gaze to the looming golden Buddha above him. His expression shifted between light and dark, thoughts racing.

"Admiral Sengoku…" he murmured. "To think someone like me could draw out a giant like you… I'm flattered."

He chuckled dryly, a bitter edge to his smile.

He couldn't help but marvel at fate's cruel twist.

Had things gone differently—had he never interfered with destiny—Sengoku might have become the person closest to him in the world.

But now, they stood on opposite sides of an unbridgeable divide.

"To think the one leading an assault on Marineford would be called a 'nobody'… then I suppose this world has no great men left," Sengoku said coldly.

"In all my years, only two people have dared attack Marineford: the Red Count and the Golden Lion. You carry the same weight and threat as they once did."

Rosinante blinked in mock surprise. "You're comparing me to two living legends? I'm flattered. But they both ended up locked away in Impel Down, didn't they?"

He grinned. "Are you trying to say I'll be joining them?"

"Anyone who dares assault Marineford will never leave unscathed," Sengoku declared, eyes sharp as blades.

"Oh no! You're scaring me!" Rosinante said with exaggerated fear.

"But I didn't come here with bad intentions, you know. I came for… dialogue and exchange. We pirates are trying to spread goodwill!"

"I've never heard of a goodwill ambassador storming Marineford," Sengoku snapped icily.

"Then that's unfortunate. I guess I'll have to offer you an even grander gift to get my message across."

With a snap of his fingers, Rosinante called out,

"Bins—has the special delivery arrived yet?"

"What are you planning?" Sengoku barked sharply, suddenly tense.

He had been watching Rosinante carefully this whole time, waiting for some kind of trap. And now, this cryptic statement sent alarms blaring in his mind.

Just then—

BOOM!!!

A thunderous explosion ripped through the air, shaking the entire battlefield.

A colossal mushroom cloud surged into the sky from somewhere deep within Marineford.

"What was that?!"

"This tremor—where did it come from?!"

"That's… that's the A3 Armory!"

"The A3 Armory has been detonated!"

"All the marines stationed there—are they… are they gone?"

"That can't be… there was a Vice Admiral commanding that squad!"

"Rosinante, YOU—!!" Sengoku's face contorted with fury.

Rosinante just smiled. "Oh relax. That's just the first of my presents today…"