Chapter 366: He's Going to Die, Isn't He?
Sakazuki's body began to emit waves of scorching heat.
The temperature was so high that even the air around him started to ripple and distort.
Moments later, a layer of magma surfaced over his skin. The molten rock radiated an even more intense heat, making the air twist and shimmer violently.
Sensing the might of Sakazuki's Magma-Magma Fruit, the surrounding Marines immediately straightened, morale rising.
Meanwhile, the pirates' expressions grew grim.
Up in the sky, Uchiha Dali's face also turned serious.
He had deliberately weakened his clone.
As it was now, the clone possessed less than one percent of his true power.
Although it retained some of his basic abilities, he had no idea whether it could withstand Sakazuki's assault.
That remained an unknown.
Ōtsutsuki Kyōshiki was the first to notice the change in Dali's expression.
"What's wrong? Worried your clone won't hold up against that guy?"
"I'd say they're about evenly matched."
He gave his judgment casually.
Uchiha Dali, however, smiled faintly again.
"In that case, perfect."
"It'll give my clone the greatest possible stimulation—helping him grow faster."
At this moment, Dali could clearly feel it: even without taking a single hit, simply standing on the battlefield under the threat of death, surrounded by hostile gazes, his replicated clone was evolving.
Compared to just a few minutes earlier, the clone's aura had grown noticeably stronger.
That tangible sense of progress was unmistakable.
It wasn't some vague surge of energy—it was genuine growth.
At this rate, Dali's hypothesis was likely to be proven true.
Under constant pressure and danger, his clone would continue to evolve, eventually transforming into a permanently independent existence.
Ōtsutsuki Kyōshiki agreed silently.
The two fell quiet again, eyes shifting back toward the battlefield.
Sakazuki had now fully transformed into his magma form—his fruit's power condensed to its peak.
He asked in a deep voice, "You're certain you won't fight back within the next ten minutes?"
Countless eyes turned toward Uchiha Dali's clone.
Some even began to sneer.
"Heheheh, this kid's chickened out—he doesn't even dare respond to Admiral Sakazuki!"
"Right? Who in their right mind would stand still and let Admiral Sakazuki attack freely for ten whole minutes? That's suicide!"
"Even that Diamond Guy, Jozu from the Whitebeard Pirates, couldn't pull that off! Admiral Sakazuki's Magma-Magma Fruit is the strongest of all the Logia types!"
"Look at him—he won't even speak. Guess he's too scared to fight."
"…"
Whispers spread rapidly through the crowd.
Some didn't even bother lowering their voices; they spoke loud enough for everyone to hear.
Whether whispered or spoken aloud, Uchiha Dali's clone heard every word clearly.
The corners of his mouth curled up slowly.
"The Magma-Magma Fruit, huh…"
"Quite the presence you've got there."
"Since three minutes have already passed, I don't mind resetting the clock for you. Let's start fresh from zero."
"From this second onward, you have ten minutes."
With that, he spread his arms wide—indeed taking a stance of complete non-resistance, daring Sakazuki to do his worst.
Even Sengoku and the others on the execution platform were stunned.
"Is this brat really not afraid of dying? Or… does he actually have some countermeasure in mind?"
Even Doflamingo—normally arrogant and amused by everything—was taken aback.
That was the Magma-Magma Fruit, after all.
Among all the Logia-type Devil Fruits, it was one of the most destructive.
A normal human body struck once by such heat would die instantly.
Let alone enduring ten full minutes of Sakazuki's relentless onslaught—there wouldn't even be ashes left.
"What's he planning? Testing his own limits?"
Even Dracule Mihawk couldn't understand it.
As powerful as he was, Mihawk never underestimated Sakazuki.
As the world's greatest swordsman, he could launch devastating long-range attacks—but he would never claim he could withstand ten minutes of Sakazuki's power without fighting back.
"Uchiha Dali, was it? Heheheheh… such an interesting name. Sakazuki, make sure you don't completely destroy his body—I want to turn him into a zombie afterward! Heheheheh!"
Moriah's eyes gleamed greedily as he let out his grotesque laugh.
The Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock, however, showed no particular reaction.
She didn't care about some mysterious man challenging the world, nor whether Sakazuki could kill this so-called Uchiha Dali.
At this moment, her heart was consumed by thoughts of only one man—the one who had made it race, for whom she'd gladly face life and death:
The pirate, King Luffy!
Luffy, too, was fully focused.
But unlike Hancock, his mind wasn't on any woman—not even the one who adored him most.
Right now, Luffy was taking advantage of the chaos.
As everyone's attention was drawn to Uchiha Dali's clone, he was sprinting desperately toward the execution platform.
His one thought: seize this chance to rescue Ace in one bold move.
Almost every eye in the plaza was fixed on the impending clash between Uchiha Dali's clone and Admiral Sakazuki.
And not only in Marineford—across the entire world, through live broadcasts and radio, countless spectators held their breath.
"Uchiha Dali? Who's that? Anyone know him?"
"No idea. He's definitely not a Celestial Dragon—we'd never have such a stupid name."
"He's not on any wanted posters either. If he's a pirate, he must be some no-name rookie."
"…"
On the Sabaody Archipelago, nobles from all over the world had gathered to watch the broadcast.
When they heard Uchiha Dali announce himself, whispers immediately filled the air.
"In any case, since an admiral himself is taking action, whoever that freak is—he'll be reduced to ashes soon enough."
"Well said! That's a Navy Admiral we're talking about—his power's terrifying!"
"Let's just watch. The real show's about to begin! Heheheheh!"
"…"
The whole world's attention was locked on this battle.
Meanwhile, far away—beyond the eyes of the public—on the towering Red Line, the Five Elders, the highest authorities of the World Government, were also watching the video feed intently through a Den Den Mushi.