Markus Mazesaint erupted with savage Armament and Conqueror's Haki, directly blocking Fang Huo's Moonlight weapons and invisible Gravity.
The terror of a Mythical Zoan awakening let the colossal bird charge through the Gravity and pounce on Fang Huo.
"As expected of an old monster!!"
Watching the fearsome creature practically ignore his Gravity, Fang Huo hastily beat his demon bat-wings and veered away.
"Ant, you won't escape!"
Markus Mazesaint likewise flapped his gigantic wings and gave chase.
This was a target personally named by Lord Imu.
Even if it cost a little more time, he would capture Fang Huo alive.
If the boy wanted a contest of stamina, he'd show him the endless endurance of an awakened Mythical Zoan and undying power.
Nothing more than a lucky brat with a Multi-Fruit Constitution.
They would not let Kozuki Fang Huo mature.
They had to crack the secret of his multi-fruit body so the Celestial Dragons could obtain it too.
Fang Huo, face grave, kept flying in the opposite direction, farther and farther from Charlotte Linlin and Red Line Island.
That way Charlotte Linlin and Stussy could escape safely and have enough time to reach Red Line Island and rendezvous with Rocks.
Two and a half hours later.
"Relentless damn ghost of a cur!"
The monstrous bird still hadn't given up; Fang Huo cursed loudly over his shoulder.
"Brat! You'll pay for that mouth!"
The insult darkened Markus Mazesaint's face; even if Imu wanted the boy alive, he'd beat the insolent wretch half to death.
"Old fossil! Want to know how to shake off Imu's leash?"
"Care to replace Imu and become the new king of the world, holding everything in your hand!"
Seeing Mazesaint couldn't close the gap, Fang Huo flashed a wicked grin and shouted.
At this moment the two looked like the famous "Dou Qi turns into a horse" chase.
A Dou Emperor behind me, yet I fear nothing—his horse can't outrun mine.
Vampire Demon Bat-Wings against the titan wings of the Itsumade; both were top-tier Mythical flying forms, neither outclassing the other.
An awakened Itsumade might be a shade faster, but Fang Huo's Gravity offset that edge.
"You actually know Lord Imu?"
"Audacious! How dare you spout such madness!"
Mazesaint was shaken; if Imu heard those words, Kozuki Fang Huo would be doomed—and the Gorosei might lose Imu's trust.
That thought made Markus Mazesaint's heart flutter with panic.
Still… could this brat truly know a way to escape Imu?
Was it even possible in this world to break free of Imu's control?
Everything the Gorosei and the God's Knights possessed had been granted by Lord Imu—could they ever rebel?
Though he dismissed the boy's wild claims, Fang Huo's "nonsense" plucked a string buried deep in Mazesaint's soul.
Could he really throw off Lord Imu? Could he become the new king of the world?
At that instant Markus Mazesaint was like Saturn of a hundred-fifty years ago—Science Defense Martial God—when Imu ordered him to destroy the Ancient Robot Emmet.
Saturn seemed to sense Imu's dread of the ancient automaton.
Perhaps he truly wished to study its scientific secrets.
Or perhaps a restless ambition stirred within him.
Whatever the reason, for the first time Saturn defied Imu, secretly preserving the robot for research.
After all, who wants to be forever controlled, forced to kneel every time they enter Imu's presence?
Each of the Gorosei is a Conqueror's Haki wielder; deep inside they nurse ambitions and convictions of their own.
Figarland Garling longs to head the God's Knights, longs to join the Gorosei… have none of them dreamed of becoming the supreme sovereign?
They have, yet dare not show it, crushing the desire in the deepest recesses of their souls.
Because Imu holds their very lives.
Should Imu ever detect such ambition, instant obliteration would follow.
And now this whelp Kozuki Fang Huo claimed there was a way to escape that control.
Mazesaint itched to secretly keep the boy and torture the truth out of him.
—"Stop pretending, Maz! After all, no one likes having their life in another's hand!"
"Especially a king who wields Conqueror's Haki!"
"I know you're afraid!"
"But don't you want to gamble for it?"
"Or at least gain one more scrap of intel that might keep you alive…"
Sensing Mazesaint's wavering, Fang Huo realized these Gorosei weren't as loyal as they seemed.
Saturn's secret preservation of robot Emmet had already hinted as much.
The Gorosei and God's Knights were absolutely loyal only because Imu had granted them immortality and held their lives in hand.
Thus they had to obey; defiance meant death.
Absolute loyalty earned supreme power, an undying body, even eternal youth—benefits worth any price.
Yet let them glimpse a chance to supplant Imu, and if the payoff outweighed the risk, they would strike in classic fashion: overthrow the sovereign and slay Imu.
Who wouldn't wish to become the one true god, holding everyone's life in his grasp?
"Shut up! Shut your mouth!"
"My loyalty to Lord Imu shines brighter than sun and moon!"
Though tempted, Mazesaint could never let the boy sway him so easily.
Once he caught Fang Huo and wrung the secret out of him, he would erase the brat utterly.
If a method to escape Imu truly existed, only he must ever know it.
Even if capturing Fang Huo alive became impossible, the knowledge would be worth any failure.
"Yeah, yeah, sure!"
"Saturn of the Gorosei defied Imu's order and secretly kept the ancient robot—maybe he too dreams of god-slaying, of becoming the sole deity to rule you all."
Sensing Mazesaint's subtle shift, Fang Huo grew ever bolder.
Like a true demon he hurled another bombshell, driving a wedge between Imu and the Gorosei, sowing distrust among the five stars themselves.
He wanted the Gorosei at each other's throats.
"!!!"
Mazesaint's pupils shook—Saturn had dared disobey Lord Imu?
So that bastard had begun preparations so long ago?
The revelation rattled him; how did this brat know such secrets?
More than a century ago the ancient robot had invaded Holy Land Mary Geoise; news had been completely sealed.
How could Fang Huo of this era possibly know?
"Crap! Imu's coming!"
"Maz! Look behind you!!"
Spotting a sudden swift current on the sea, Fang Huo shouted at Markus Mazesaint…