BOOM!
Redfield's lightning spear unleashed a massive explosion, hurling Devo across the battlefield. Brook, riding his Hera, charged forward to deliver the finishing blow.
This wasn't a turn-based game—once you gained the upper hand, you pressed the advantage, chaining relentless attacks to crush the enemy.
Demon Regeneration!
Dark red energy erupted from Devo's body. His shredded demon wings and gaping wounds began to heal rapidly, rivaling even the octopus siren's recovery powers.
"I'll be back, Brook!" Devo roared, his face pale as he flapped his demon wings and bolted. He could heal from Redfield's Conqueror's Haki-infused lightning spear, but Brook's soul-slicing attack had left him battered, wracked with pain.
His horned demon form had stronger soul defenses than Kong's pure physical prowess, but even that couldn't fully withstand Brook's spiritual assault.
Seeing Devo flee, Brook couldn't keep up. Redfield transformed into a bolt of lightning, chasing after him, their clashes flashing across the sky. But even he couldn't halt the admiral's retreat.
Brook's Cloud Hera granted flight, but its speed was lackluster—fine for getting around, but a liability in combat.
"Qilin Lion!" Brook bellowed, summoning his signature beast. Leaping off Hera, he landed on the golden lion, which surged forward with blazing speed.
The wind howled past. His eyes stung, barely able to stay open. No wonder the Revolutionary Army's commanders, like Karasu with his mysterious crow fruit or Dragon with his storm powers, wore goggles for high-speed aerial chases. It made offense and retreat a breeze.
The Hell Pirates' Golden Island and its airship fleet didn't rely on such breakneck speeds, so goggles were less common. Still, everyone had a pair—especially Shakky and Stussy, who owned a collection of stylish ones.
Brook coated his eyes with Ryuo Haki, shielding them from the wind and restoring his vision. He urged Qilin Lion to accelerate, pushing it to its limits.
...
Up ahead, Redfield did his best to block Devo's escape, but he was still a step below admiral-level strength. Slowing Devo down was manageable, but stopping him outright was another story.
The chase carried the trio beyond Punk Hazard's airspace, out over the open sea.
"Shiki, hurry up, or you'll miss the action!" Charlotte Linlin barked, riding her thundercloud Zeus in pursuit.
Whitebeard Newgate glanced at the departing Linlin, then stayed put to guard Shiki, keeping Punk Hazard afloat.
Am I the only one who can't fly?
Newgate gripped his naginata, mulling over his options. Maybe Linlin could whip up a flying cloud Homie, like Brook's Hera? Or perhaps a pair of oversized Wind Shell jet boots.
He couldn't help but envy his airborne comrades. Shakky's Vampire Fruit, Stussy's Siren Fruit, even Memory Seahorse with its Hornet Fruit—everyone was zipping through the skies except him.
The only non-flyer among the four main fighters. It stung a bit.
...
Over the sea, Devo spotted Brook closing in on his golden lion. Desperate to escape, he avoided further tangles with Redfield, but the lingering pain from Brook's soul attack echoed Kong's agony from a similar strike.
Good thing he was a Horned Demon Fruit user. If Kong had taken a full-powered soul slash from Brook at this level, he'd likely be on his knees, combat strength shattered, with no chance to flee.
Brook eyed the demon silhouette with excitement. This Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit was perfection—maybe even surpassing Sengoku's Buddha Fruit. A flying Mythical Zoan? Pure gold.
Only Kaido's Azure Dragon and Marco's Phoenix could rival it.
"Devo, where's that justice you love to preach? Why not stop and face this 'heinous pirate' in a proper duel?" Brook taunted, grinning wide. "Redfield and I took down a Celestial Dragon, you know. Don't you want to avenge your masters?"
Brook's mockery was strategic—he coveted Devo's Devil Fruit and was itching for a high-stakes showdown on the open sea.
But the risk was real. If Devo took out Qilin Lion or dragged Brook and Redfield into the ocean, it'd be trouble. All four—Brook, Redfield, Linlin, and Devo—were Devil Fruit users. No one nearby could pull them out if they sank.
Brook wondered if his Yomi Yomi no Mi immortality could survive a seawater bath. Gotta test that in Golden Island's experimental pool sometime, he mused.
"Brook, punks like you never last long! The World Government and Navy will wipe you out!" Devo snarled, not slowing his frantic flight.
In his mind, he schemed. If he could lure Brook and Redfield to Kong's reinforcements, he and Kong, plus CP0, could turn the tables and crush the Celestial Dragon killers.
Brook and Redfield, isolated from the Hell Pirates' crew, were vulnerable. Without their swarm of officers, they couldn't withstand a combined assault from Devo, Kong, and CP0.
Blinded by his lust for the Horned Demon Fruit, Brook had lost touch with his crew, chasing Devo too far alongside Redfield.
...
When Brook spotted the Navy fleet on the horizon, alarm bells rang. He shouted for Redfield to halt. Their primary target was Punk Hazard, not Devo. The admiral was just a bonus.
But as they prepared to retreat, Devo's resolve hardened. As if possessed, he turned fearless, ready to take on both Brook and Redfield to stall them.
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+400 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg