NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 20: "Resistance In Vain", Flying Squirrels And Even Pacifists Are Wiped Out!
Hot Hell!
Boom...!
With Bai Ye unleashing the power of Ryūjin Jakka for the first time, an unprecedented and catastrophic disaster unfolded at sea.
Along with dozens of towering pillars of flame capable of scorching the land within a 100-kilometer radius, the sea erupted in chaos.
Boom...!
A massive amount of seawater evaporated before everyone's eyes, transforming into a dense fog that covered the entire sea.
But this was no ordinary mist.
The intense heat radiating from the flames colored the vapor in hues of orange and red, making the sea resemble a fiery inferno under a night sky—like 'clouds set aflame.'
The entire ocean was engulfed in this apocalyptic scene.
Flying Squirrel's Fear
At the heart of this chaos stood Marine Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel. His eyes widened in disbelief as he witnessed the sea transform into what could only be described as a molten hell.
Dozens of flaming pillars reached toward the heavens, their sheer intensity overwhelming.
"Are... Are you kidding me?!" Flying Squirrel stammered.
For all his experience as a Marine Vice Admiral, for all the life-and-death missions he had endured, nothing could prepare him for this.
His gaze shifted toward the small, sturdy figure standing amidst the thick, flame-colored fog. Bai Ye's indifferent eyes bore into him, sharp and unwavering, as though he were a god looking down on an insect.
For the first time in his career, Flying Squirrel felt pure, unadulterated terror—a terror that clawed at his chest and refused to let go.
A Futile Counterattack
Flying Squirrel gritted his teeth, forcing himself to push past the fear.
Blue veins bulged on his forehead as he drew his saber, his voice roaring across the burning sea:
"It's just a mere retired veteran! Don't be so arrogant!"
With a leap into the air, he unleashed a barrage of slashes aimed at one of the flame pillars.
However...
Hiss!
The attacks vanished upon contact, swallowed whole without leaving even a ripple.
"How... How is this possible?!"
Flying Squirrel's voice cracked, disbelief etched across his face.
As one of the strongest Vice Admirals in the Naval Headquarters, his attacks should have left a mark. Yet, they amounted to nothing.
Desperation gripped him as his mind raced for answers. His gaze darted to the pacifists aboard his fleet.
Each pacifist, equipped with firepower equivalent to a Marine Rear Admiral and armed with Admiral Kizaru's laser technology, was one of the latest weapons designed for the upcoming war against Whitebeard's Pirates.
"Attack! All units, fire at the flame pillars!" he commanded, his voice trembling with urgency.
Golden beams of light erupted from the pacifists, streaking toward the inferno.
But this time...
The golden beams vanished like droplets in an ocean of fire, leaving the pacifists powerless against the onslaught.
Hot Hell Unleashed
From within the sea of fire, Bai Ye stood motionless, his grip on Ryūjin Jakka firm.
Watching the futile efforts of the Marine fleet, a faint smirk appeared on his face as he echoed Flying Squirrel's earlier words:
"A futile resistance."
And then...
BOOM!
The "Hot Hell" revealed its full fury.
The five largest Marine warships, equipped with the most advanced weaponry, were consumed in an instant. The inferno tore through them as though they were nothing but paper, their towering forms reduced to ash and debris.
Everything—ships, pacifists, and even the ocean surface—was engulfed by the raging flames.
The Aftermath
For a moment, silence reigned.
The once-bustling sea was now a vast graveyard of wreckage and flames.
On the distant island, the spectators could do nothing but stare in stunned silence.
Those who had come seeking Bai Ye's bounty, filled with greed and ambition, now found themselves trembling uncontrollably.
Even those who had secretly informed the Marines, hoping for reward and recognition, felt cold sweat pouring down their backs.
They had all witnessed the terrifying power of the pacifists—how a mere dozen lasers had wiped out two pirate crews with bounties of tens of millions.
Yet, that terrifying Marine weapon was nothing compared to this.
Their eyes were drawn to the lone figure at the center of the inferno. Bai Ye stood firm, his aged but powerful frame exuding an aura that seemed to shake the heavens themselves.
An Unforgettable Image
On the distant shore, people knelt, their bodies trembling uncontrollably.
"This... This can't be real..." someone muttered, rubbing their eyes in disbelief.
Others clutched their chests, their hearts racing as though they might burst.
And then there were those who simply collapsed, unable to withstand the overwhelming fear.
At that moment, one thing was clear:
For all who had witnessed it, the image of Bai Ye standing amidst the fiery hellscape was seared into their memories forever.
He was a force of nature—an entity no mortal should dare provoke.