Musashi and Lapulapu barely had time to react. Both of them leaped back, their movements fluid despite the chaos. Lapulapu raised his Kalasag shield instinctively, able to block the force of the explosion, with his immense strength, the sheer force sent him skidding back several meters, dust and embers clinging to his frame.

The ground where they had stood moments before was now a smoldering small crater, the edges still glowing with embers. Smoke curled up in thick tendrils, blending into the already charred mess.

Some distance from them Edward chuckled darkly, he yanked the chain back with a swift the massive black steel anchor dragging back through the air returning to by his side. His eyes, filled with menace, locked onto the two warriors.

“What’s wrong, lads? Too scared to get closer?” he sneered, rolling his shoulders sparks of flame dancing in his eyes.

“I know you two sh*theads want to take our golden medallions that we work so hard for… but you know what? F*ck you!!! Eat your own *ss!” Edward clenching the chains tightly sparks coming out.

Edward’s grin widened, enjoying the thrill. He spun the chain slowly beside him, the anchor circling with a low, ominous hum, ready to strike again.

Musashi and Lapulapu stood firm, despite the madness that happened to them. They both knew this plan had already gone up in flames the moment unknown elements were introduced. Logically, escaping was the best option. But deep inside, their pride wouldn’t allow it.

Then gunshots are heard and a few bullets are heading towards the trio.

Edward Teach reacted instantly. His massive arms flexed as he grabbed the second steel chain wrapped around his body, pulling it free in one smooth motion. With a swift, brutal movement, he whipped the heavy chain in front of him, the iron links forming a makeshift shield. Sparks flew as bullets ricocheted off the metal, their impact sending vibrations through the chain.

Zheng Yi Sao was just as fast but faster. Moving in perfect sync, she positioned herself beside Edward, her cutlass in her grip. The modief weapon has a circular handle allowing it to rotate a full 360 degrees, creating a rotating blade shield in front of her.

Together, they spun their weapons at incredible speeds, their combined force almost lifting up a mid-sized boulder caught in the ground, also making the bullets slightly slow down before it could fully reach them. The storm of lead slowed but didn’t fully dissipate—several bullets clanged off their weapons, others barely missing them by inches.

“Haha! You stupid *ss! My parrot cound aim better than you lot! But the thing is, it's blind! Hahaha!” Edward cackled.

Zheng Yi Sao scoffed. “You brainless, flea-ridden sea rats! That’s your best shot?!”

In the distance, the bushes rustled. The source of the gunfire had already moved.

It was Billy the Kid!

Hidden within the thick undergrowth, Billy the Kid smirked as he reloaded his revolver, still crouched low to the ground.

Muttered under his breath. “Damn, what a buncha loudmouths. Guess they really are pirates, huh?”

Before he could relocate, another burst of gunfire erupted. In another direction, a sharp whistle pierced the battlefield. Gunfire erupted behind the tree line, bullets ripping through the air straight toward the trio. Instead, the bullets struck the ground beneath them. Edward’s eyes narrowed. Zheng Yi Sao paused mid-movement. Yasuke, though silent, was slightly tense.

But no explosion occurred.

“The f*ck?! You think I’m dumb enough to put explosives directly under my own damn feet?!” she roared.

From another vantage point, George Washington adjusted his stance, his modified rifle with two sharp blades at the end of the barrel at the bottom a blade placed horizontal while the other blade was placed vertical glinting as he took aim again.

His eyes scanned the battlefield with precision muttering to himself. “They’re not completely trapped… That means there’s an escape route hidden around in these landmines. But thinking about that just wastes time. We have to move before something unpredictable happens.”

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Without hesitation, he adjusted his aim, now targeting this time at the path ahead of Musashi and Lapulapu.

BOOM! BOOM!

George’s well-placed shots purposely detonate buried explosives to clear debris and open a way forward.

Billy grinned, taking the cue, fired another round at the trio, forcing them to stay defensive, keeping them distracted. “Looks like our good ol’ general’s makin’ us a shortcut!”

“He's making a path for us!” Said Musashi.

“Careful,” Lapulapu warned, “Step in the wrong place and you’ll lose your leg. Move precisely.”

Musashi grinned. “Tch. Like I needed that advice.”

The battlefield had turned into pure madness. Explosions rocked the earth, debris rained from the sky, and monsters began emerging from the shadows—lured in by the sound.

The sound of metal clashing, gunfire, and inhuman roars mixed together into a twisted symphony of war. The once-dense forest had been transformed into a nightmarish wasteland—craters littered the ground, broken trees burned like torches, and the scent of gunpowder, blood, and charred flesh thickened with every second.

Creatures slithered, prowled, and screeched from the darkness—hulking beasts with twisted limbs, amalgamations of different predatory animals, their hollow eyes glowing with unnatural hunger.

A storm of violence erupted.

Some monsters fell into buried explosives and were instantly blown apart. Others clashed with each other, turning the battlefield into a blood-soaked frenzy.

The deafening roars of creatures echoed through the burning wreckage. The monster's twisted forms, illuminated by the flames, made them look like demons straight out of hell.

In the midst of it all, Edward Teach, Yasuke, and Zheng Yi Sao stood their ground, caught between their own trap and the relentless assault from attackers.

Not far from the main battlefield, Jeanne d’Arc and Fu Hao remained hidden among the trees.

…

At a distance but not too far away. Both Jeanne and Fu hao were on standby watching from a high vantage point, and saw the full scope of the battle unfolding.

Fu Hao, arms crossed as she tapped her fingers against her elbow impatiently and a deep frown on her face, growled, “Man, why the hell can’t I jump in? This is some bullsh*t thing ever!”

Beside her, Jeanne remained kneeling, clasping her hands in silent prayer.

Fu Hao rolled her eyes. “Tch. You’re seriously praying? We could be down there kicking *ss instead.”

Jeanne remained calm. “We have our own mission. We must remain unseen. If others discover us, our advantage is lost.”

Fu Hao clicked her tongue. “Yeah, yeah, I get it. I ain't stupid. Doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

Jeanne sighed. “Besides remaining unseen, our job is to watch for other participants.”

Upon hearing Jeanne says Fu Hao eyes gabe a predatory feeling.

“Hmm… I haven't felt so nervous for so long.”

…

Back to the chaos.

Edward clenched his jaw. “With all this chaos, even the f*cking dead can hear us! Multiple monsters are approaching”

“Sh*t! Where the hell are they?!” Zheng Yi Sao growled, gripping her cutlass tight, her blood boiling with frustration.

“Oh, shut your damn mouth!” Edward snapped back, his raspy voice thick with amusement.

Despite his words, Edward smirked internally. Perfect. Let them come. Let them tear each other apart. Then we take what’s left and dip.

Yasuke, ever silent, kept his trepidation-masked face fixed ahead, his grip tightening around his onyx steel kanabo. His breath was steady, his posture unwavering. But deep inside, he despised his current situation.

“How did I get paired with these lunatics?” he thought bitterly.

But for now, Yasuke's focus was on Musashi and Lapulapu—the two warriors rapidly closing in through the chaos, his eyes locked onto them. They were the real threat.

“What a peerless duo…”

Lapulapu kept his shield raised, blocking the explosions as Musashi followed closely behind. They were almost there.

At this point, monsters had begun swarming the battlefield. Some lunged at Musashi and Lapulapu, only to be cut down mid-charge. Others, sensing weakness, turned on each other, tearing each other apart. The field had become a breeding ground of chaos and carnage.

From a distance, George continued firing strategically, each shot either clearing the path for the duo or at random times forcing the trio into defense. Billy, grinning like a madman, kept up his relentless barrage, making sure their enemies had no time to breathe. Still moving between the shadows, never staying in one place for too long.

More and more monsters poured into the battlefield—low-ranking creatures drawn by the noise and destruction. Some lunged at the fighters, only to be blown apart by stray gunfire or consumed by flames.

Zheng Yi Sao, growing increasingly annoyed. At that moment, she hurled several gold coins forward towards the duo. The moment they are about to hit them.

BANG! BANG!

Both George and Billy shot them mid-air, causing them to detonate prematurely. The shockwave blasted away some of the surrounding debris, but neither Musashi nor Lapulapu slowed their approach.

Zheng Yi Sao let out a furious scream.

“I’M GONNA KILL THOSE LITTLE RATS!”

She then redirected her attack toward Billy, flinging coins in his direction, knowing where the other gunner was, but he smirked, shooting down every coin before they reached him.

Billy snapped up and took a quick potshot at Zheng Yi Sao, but before it could hit, Yasuke stepped in, deflecting the bullet with a swift movement of his kanabo.

Before he could react, Edward’s heavy anchor chain shot forward, the whistle of metal cutting through the air as it aimed straight for Billy.

Billy dove to the side, rolling as the chain smashed into the ground, sending a wave of force rippling outward.

But just as Billy was about to fire back, Yasuke suddenly moved, stepping forward and ready to block the bullet with his massive kanabo.

Billy whistled. “Damn. Big guy moves fast for someone his size.”

Meanwhile, Musashi and Lapulapu were closing in—only a few meters left before they reached the trio for direct combat.

Zheng Yi Sao gritted her teeth. “Sh*t! What now?!”

Yasuke, calm despite the madness, took a step forward, gripping his kanabo tightly and finally spoke, his deep voice calm and unwavering

“Let them come. They’re surrounded on all sides. You two keep focusing on the gunners. I’ll handle these two.”

Edward grinned, cracking his knuckles. “Fine by me.”

Zheng Yi Sao sighed, rolling her shoulders. “Tch. Just don’t die, you smug bastard.”

Edward and Zheng Yi Sao prepared to deal with Billy and George, while Yasuke held his ground, waiting for Musashi and Lapulapu to make the final approach.

The battlefield was a storm of death and fire, and approximately five minutes had passed since the chaos had begun.

The real battle was about to start.