Chapter 546: Onigashima Battle Preparations!Just as Kaido was immersed in this extreme longing for a top-tier battle."Big Brother Kaido."From the shadows of the throne hall, King the conflagration stepped out silently.He wore a jet-black tight-fitting uniform, with the massive black wings representing the survivor of the Lunarian Race folded behind his back, and that spiked pitch-black mask covering his face.As the head of the All-Starss of the Beasts Pirates,King was not only Kaido's most loyal right hand but also the brain and actual dispatcher of this massive war machine.King walked with steady steps to the foot of the throne and bowed his head slightly.In his hand, he held a trembling den den mushiwhose eyes were bloodshot."The latest battle reports have come in from the Flower Capital and the various regions."King's tone was terrifyingly calm, as if he were recounting a trivial matter that had nothing to do with him."The Oniwabanshu and ronin samurai left over from Orochi have been completely purged.""However, when our low-level Gifters units attempted to take full control of those territories, they encountered uncontrollable variables."Kaido half-squinted his violent eyes and let out a disdainful cold snort from his nose:"Variables? Based on those trash civilians in Wano Country who have been starved for twenty years and can't even hold a blade steady?""It's Kozuki Hiyori."A sharp cold light flashed through the eye holes of King's mask."That woman, rumored to have died long ago, has been hiding her identity as the legitimate princess of the Kozuki Family.""...Just now, she appeared on the ruins of the Flower Capital."King reported the images sent back by the intelligence network truthfully."She used some unknown method of demagoguery to forcibly deify the Straw Hat boy into the 'Sun God' who can save Wano Country.""Under this woman's instigation, the civilians of all Wano Country have now fallen into a sort of morbid, fanatical religious fervor.""They are like madmen who have lost the sense of pain, launching suicidal counterattacks against our armed forces with complete disregard for their own lives."King paused, his voice becoming even colder:"Additionally, an unidentified woman appeared at the scene. She used some kind of unknown pink poison over a wide area.""This poison is fatal to low-level personnel who haven't mastered advanced Armament Haki!!""Thousands of our Gifters and Headliners were unilaterally slaughtered in less than ten minutes.""The current situation is... our grassroots control over the mainland of Wano Country is being completely dismantled."Hearing King's report, the Tobi Roppo and some Headliners who were still reveling below the throne couldn't help but stop their movements.The atmosphere in the hall grew momentarily stagnant.The instantaneous evaporation of thousands of combatants, combined with the collective riot of the country's lower-class civilians.Even for the wealthy and powerful Beasts Pirates, this was not a trouble that could be casually ignored.Several short-tempered Headliners had already drawn their weapons, shouting loudly that they would immediately lead troops to completely raze the Flower Capital and bring back the head of that Kozuki princess.However, Kaido, sitting on the throne, showed no reaction.His massive frame remained lazily leaned against the back of the chair.In those dark yellow eyes, there wasn't the slightest heartache for the tragic deaths of his subordinates, nor any anger over the foundation of his rule being shaken."Wororororo...!"Suddenly, Kaido burst into a fit of laughter."Sun God? Salvation? Faith?"Kaido abruptly stood up from the throne.His terrifying height, illuminated by the firelight, cast a massive shadow that blotted out the sky, completely enveloping all the pirates below."Let those pathetic ants desperately cling to their fake deity!"Kaido raised his thick leg and kicked the massive wine table in front of him into splinters."BOOM—!!!"Accompanying this violent movement,An uncontrollable, peak-level Conqueror's Hakipoured out frantically from Kaido's body like a black ocean bursting through a dam!Black-red materialized lightning raged and danced within the hall, as if it were going to completely tear this space apart.The air instantly became thick and heavy.A massive sense of pressure descended instantly; those weaker fodder didn't even have time to let out a scream before their eyes rolled back, foam came to their mouths, and they fainted, falling in swaths.Even those Headliners with bounties over a hundred million felt their legs go weak and cold sweat pour down; they had to exert all their strength to circulate their Armament Haki just to barely maintain a standing posture.But under this despair-inducing pressure, not a single pirate dared to take a step back.Everyone who remained conscious looked up at their peerless King with a gaze so fanatical it bordered on a loss of reason."Listen up, King! And all you trash!"Kaido's voice carried an unchallengeable dominance."That trash Orochi is dead, the Flower Capital is burned to ashes, and those Wano Country civilians are rioting... I don't give a damn about any of these trivial matters!"Kaido suddenly spread his arms, the cross-shaped scar on his chest looking even more hideous under the agitation of his Haki."Do you think I built the Beasts Pirates and nested in this isolationist shithole for twenty years to play some house-like ruling game of pacifying civilians?!""Don't make me laugh!""This is an era that belongs only to the strong!""...The weak don't even have the right to breathe the air of this sea!""That kind of ridiculous resistance, relying on a few demagogic speeches and born out of despair.""...In the face of my absolute violence, it's as fragile as a single layer of window paper!"Kaido strode to the edge of the throne, looking down at King from above.In those fanatical eyes, the flames of war burned, enough to drag the entire world into the abyss."What I want has never been some bullshit peaceful country.""What I want is a top-tier war that can completely tear this hypocritical, boring, and rotten world into pieces!!!"Kaido's roar echoed in the hall for a long time, shaking everyone's soul.King raised his head slightly, the look in his eyes under the mask also flashing with cold and extreme fanaticism.He knew his lord too well.Kaido didn't care about the gain or loss of territory; he only believed in the purest destruction and rebirth!!"I understand, Big Brother Kaido."King placed his hand over his chest, performing a military salute of absolute obedience."Then, how should we deploy the suppression forces across Wano Country?"Kaido gave a large wave of his hand,"Pass down my orders!""Abandon all strongholds on the Wano Countrymainland! Stop all boring suppression of those civilians!""Leave all those worthless ruins and messes for that Kozuki princess to clean up slowly!""Order all garrisons everywhere, all Headliners, Gifters, and Numbers, to immediately discard all unnecessary supplies and contract and assemble at Onigashima at full speed!"Hearing this command, King nodded without hesitation."As you command!"King raised the den den mushi in his hand and quickly dialed a special encrypted channel."I will immediately contact that idiot Queen, who is still at the Udon Quarry.""Tell him to stop those boring torture games and get his ass back to Onigashima with all the elite jailers to set up defenses."..."Wororororo! That's right! Concentrate all our power, all the gears of this war machine, on Onigashima for me!"Kaido sat back down on the throne with a bold, wide-legged stance.He casually grabbed a wine jar from the side and held it high above his head."Since the Straw Hat boy has been treated as a savior by those pathetic civilians.""Then let him come!"Kaido's smile became extremely cruel."Remove all obstacles for me! Leave them a clear, unobstructed path straight to Onigashima!""I'll be right here!!""On this Skull Island where the world's strongest demons gather, in this ultimate fortress belonging to the Beasts.""Prepare the finest wine and the sharpest Spiked Clubs!""Host an ultimate banquet... enough to bury the entire new era!!!""Cheers!!!"Kaido's roar reached its peak, and he slammed the wine jar onto the ground."Cheers—!!!""Kill them all!!!""For Boss Kaido!!!"A frenzied roar capable of lifting the roof instantly erupted within the hall.Tens of thousands of thugs simultaneously raised their wine bowls and weapons, drinking the strong liquor in one gulp, their eyes filled with extreme longing for the upcoming bloody slaughter.Driven by this arrogant and insane will that transcended everything,This already eerie and terrifying Onigashimacompletely transformed into a massive meat grinder with its bloody maw wide open.The fangs of the Beasts Pirates have been fully bared!!
Chapter 547: Eve of the Storm!The camera turns to the most despair-inducing abyss in Wano Country—the Udon Quarry."Click, click, click, click..."The grating sound of mechanical gears meshing echoed in this confined underground space, each sound like a direct grind on one's nerves."Mwahahaha! Keep going! Don't stop!"In the center of this gloomy dungeon, a grotesque, specially made execution chair was placed.The Beasts Pirates' All-Stars, Queen the plague, was excitedly pulling a large lever next to the execution chair.Behind his small round sunglasses, his small, pea-like eyes gleamed with undisguised cruelty and excitement.And directly in front of that terrifying execution chair...The Scabbards who once dominated the seas and struck fear into countless enemies—Ashura Doji, Duke Inuarashi, and Master Nekomamushi—were now firmly pinned to the cold iron wall by Sea Stone chains as thick as wrists.Tragic!!This was the only word that could describe their current state.Large areas of Duke Inuarashi's and Master Nekomamushi's once smooth fur were scorched and fallen off, revealing their curled skin and flesh underneath.Ashura Doji's massive body was crisscrossed with dozens of whip marks and burns.Crimson blood trickled down their skin, gathering little by little at their ankles, finally dripping onto the muddy ground, splashing out shocking blood flowers."Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle—!!!"As Queen violently pulled down the operating lever, a surge of azure high-voltage current instantly rushed up the chains, fiercely drilling into the bodies of the three.Even with the Sea Stone suppressing most of their physical strength as powerful individuals, this intense, soul-piercing pain still caused all their muscles to instantly tense to the extreme.But what was moving was that even though their bodies had been ravaged to the brink of collapse...These three old-era samurai, who had carried the Kozuki Clan's twenty years of blood and tears, clenched their jaws tightly, refusing to let out a single cry of surrender."Mwahahaha! What tough bones you have!"Queen released the lever, lit a thick cigar, and took a deep puff.Spicy smoke billowed into Ashura Doji's face."I love watching you idiots who think you're tough guys, finally begging for mercy on your knees like stray dogs!"Queen walked up to Ashura Doji, extended a fat finger, and mercilessly poked the deepest scar on his chest.Ashura Doji's eyes snapped open, glaring fiercely at Queen.There was no fear of death in that gaze, only the ferocity of a lone wolf wanting to devour the other alive."Ptooey!"A mouthful of bloody spit, mixed with broken teeth, landed directly on Queen's greasy, fat face."You fat, dead pig..."Ashura Doji's voice was hoarse, like sandpaper rubbing together,"If you have the guts... kill me now! As long as I have a breath left... I will slaughter all of you beasts!"Queen wiped the blood from his face, but instead of raging, the smile on his face became even more twisted and perverse."Kill you? That would be too easy for you!"Queen stepped back two paces, spread his arms, and declared loudly in an exaggerated and mocking tone:"Are you still dreaming that ridiculous dream of restoring your country? Still waiting for some bogus savior to appear from who knows where?""Stop dreaming! Let me tell you some good news!""The Flower Capital has long since turned into a sea of fire and ruins!"Queen watched the slight change in their eyes, feeling immense satisfaction."The country you fought so desperately to protect is now being thoroughly ravaged by our Beasts Pirates brothers!""Your Kozuki Family, your twenty years of waiting, it's all a complete and utter joke! Mwahahahaha!"These words were more venomous than any high-voltage current.They precisely pierced the deepest line of faith within the Scabbards' hearts.Master Nekomamushi, tied to the left, suddenly raised his head, his cat face filled with unbelievable rage."You're lying!! They would never let the Flower Capital be destroyed!""As long as that person is there..."Duke Inuarashi also struggled violently, the Sea Stone on his wrists rubbing against the iron wall with a piercing screech,"The dawn of Wano Country... will never be extinguished by people like you!"Looking at these prisoners, who were clearly trampled underfoot yet still had bright eyes, Queensuddenly felt a bit bored.These guys' eyes were too annoying, just like those ignorant pirates from overseas.Just as Queen was about to initiate the next round of even more cruel mechanical torture..."Buruburuburu..."The specially encrypted den den mushi in his pocket suddenly rang urgently.Queen frowned and reached for the den den mushi.As soon as the den den mushi's snail shell popped open, its mimicked face transformed into one wearing a pitch-black mask.It was King the conflagration."Queen."King's voice came through the receiver, cutting straight to the chase without any pleasantries."Immediately stop your boring interrogation games in the Quarry. This is Big Brother Kaido's order."Queen bit his cigar and pouted:"What order? I'm teaching these old-era wastes a lesson! Orochi is dead, so I'm taking over Wano Country's defense!""Didn't you understand what I said, you idiot."King's voice instantly turned cold,"Abandon all strongholds in Wano Country proper. Immediately take all your elite jailers and the developed biological weapons, and retreat to Onigashima at full speed!""The Four Emperors Monkey D. Luffy has already started a riot in Wano Country!!""...Total war is about to begin!!"Upon hearing the words "total war".The impatience on Queen's face vanished instantly, without a trace,"Total war?! Has Big Brother Kaido finally decided to go on a rampage?!"Queen excitedly clenched his fists, his fat body trembling violently,"Mwahahaha! This is great! My newly developed 'Ice Oni' virus finally has a place for large-scale testing!""Bring all those scumbags to Onigashima, and I'll show them what true despairing science is!"After hanging up the den den mushi, Queenexcitedly spun around twice in place.Then, he stopped, his gaze coldly returning to the three Scabbards on the wall."Since total war is about to begin, I don't have time to come here every day to serve you."Queen casually threw the half-smoked cigar on the ground and crushed it fiercely with his mechanical foot.His right hand slowly reached for his waist."Zheng—"A dark green short blade was drawn.This was his proud creation—the Plague Venom Blade.It was coated with a highly concentrated mixed toxin that could kill even large Sea Kings in three seconds."Anyway, keeping trash like you around is a hidden danger. If you cause any trouble in the rear while we're fighting that Straw Hat kid, that would be a real buzzkill."Queen toyed with the venom blade, approaching Ashura Doji step by step,"So, for me to participate in that ultimate banquet on Onigashima with peace of mind...""You remnants of the old era, just die here!"Killing intent instantly enveloped the entire bottom dungeon.On the dark green blade, a drop of deadly venom slowly condensed, finally dripping onto the ground, instantly corroding a smoking pit.Facing this undisguised death threat.The three did not flinch, did not beg for mercy!They just stared fixedly at Queen; even in death, they wanted to engrave this enemy's face into their souls.But, how unwilling they were.Twenty years of bitter endurance, was it all to end in this cold, damp dungeon?Lord Oden's dying wish, the back of that straw hatman... would they, after all, not see it?Queen raised the venom blade, aiming it at Ashura Doji's heart."Go to hell and continue your dream of restoring your country! Mwahahaha!"Just at this critical moment!"Stop! Queen!"This voice did not come from somewhere in the dungeon, but directly from the den den mushi in Queen's pocket!This sudden roar shook dust from the dungeon ceiling.Even through a small den den mushi, the supreme dominance and pressure belonging to the Four Emperors Kaido of the Beasts still descended like a tangible force.Queen's hand, holding the venom blade, suddenly froze, and he stopped in place."K-Kaido Big Brother..."The arrogance on Queen's face instantly receded, and he responded somewhat stammeringly.The den den mushi's appearance had already transformed into Kaido's extremely authoritative face."I don't need you to do such superfluous foolishness!"Kaido's voice carried a bone-chilling coldness."But Big Brother, keeping these guys is a threat! They are, after all, Kozuki..."Queen tried to explain."Shut up!"Kaido rudely interrupted him,"The Kozuki Family? What is that supposed to be!""These defeated subordinates who couldn't even withstand one of my Thunder Bagua attacks, even if you remove their Sea Stone and fully arm them now, they wouldn't change the outcome of any battle!"Kaido's words not only pierced Queen's eardrums but also the pride of the Scabbards.This was the ultimate arrogance of a Divine Dragon!!"In a war of the strong, the lives of ants don't matter at all!""My target is that Straw Hat kid, known as the Sun God! It's a top-tier battle that can completely overturn this world!""Don't waste even a second on such worthless trash! Get back to Onigashima and set up defenses immediately!""Beep—click."The den den mushi was unilaterally cut off, and the dungeon returned to dead silence.Queen stood stiffly in place, looking at the short blade in his hand that glowed with venom, his expression alternating between green and white.After a full dozen seconds."Tch! What a willful boss."Queen clicked his tongue in displeasure, but ultimately re-sheathed the deadly venom blade.In the Beasts Pirates, Kaido's orders were absolute law; no one dared to disobey.Even if he thought killing these few people was more prudent, since Kaido had spoken, he couldn't act further."Consider yourselves lucky, you wastes."Queen turned around and savagely kicked Ashura Doji in the abdomen.The immense force made Ashura Doji vomit a large mouthful of blood, and he painfully curled up."However, stuck in here, you'll just slowly starve and die of thirst!"Queen straightened his clothes, no longer sparing a glance at these"Get out! Gather all elite jailers! Empty out all the weapons in the armory!"Queen roared at the door,"Leave only a small squad to guard the gate! The rest of you, immediately evacuate Udon with me and head to Onigashima at full speed!"Accompanied by a flurry of footsteps.Large numbers of Beasts Pirates guards quickly evacuated the Quarry."Boom—"The dungeon once again plunged into pitch-black darkness and dead silence.Only faint gasps echoed intermittently in the air.Was it humiliating?Of course, it was humiliating!!As Kozuki Oden's proudest retainers, to be regarded by the enemy asBut...They survived!!...In the darkness, an unknown amount of time passed.Ashura Doji, tightly bound to the iron wall, his body seemingly devoid of life signs, slowly moved."Hoo... hoo..."Ashura Doji gasped for air, greedily inhaling the murky dungeon air into his lungs."Old dog... big cat...""Did you hear..."Not far away, Duke Inuarashi and Master Nekomamushi, also bound, trembled slightly.Their previously lowered heads slowly rose.The fire in their eyes was identical to Ashura Doji's.Of course they heard!!Even though their bodies were severely damaged,In the conversation between Queen and Kaido just now, they keenly caught the signal that they would sacrifice everything to follow.One of the legendary Four Emperors,He really came!"Ah... heard it loud and clear."Master Nekomamushi's voice, though weak, carried an irrepressible wildness,Twenty years of waiting!Twenty years of enduring hardship!!For this day, they had sacrificed too much.And now, the horn of decisive battle had sounded!If they were to die in this dark dungeon, what face would they have to meet Lord Oden in the afterlife!"How can... how can we fall here!"Ashura Doji let out a low roar like a beast.He suddenly lifted his head, unleashing a terrifying burst of power that made one's heart pound!"Clang, clang, clang—!!!"The incredibly thick steel chains were pulled taut by him, emitting a piercing shriek of unbearable strain."Kaido! You arrogant fool!""You think we're ants? You think you've already won?!""Just you wait... once I crawl out of this hellhole!""We will definitely become... the sharpest blade to pierce your throat!"The storm was unstoppable!!
Chapter 548: The Fleet Admiral's Gambit!New Marineford, Fleet Admiral's Office.Sakazuki sat behind the massive desk that symbolized the highest authority of justice in the world, silent.A cigar was held between his fingers, its burning tip flickering. Thick smoke enveloped most of his body, obscuring the churning emotions deep within his eyes.Scattered across the desk were several top-secret battle reports that had just been urgently delivered by the intelligence department.They prominently displayed the current chaotic situation in Wano Country, the abnormal movements of the Beasts Pirates,and the name that constantly shattered the balance of the seas like a nightmare—Monkey D. Luffy!!Sakazuki took a deep drag of his cigar and slowly exhaled the acrid smoke.As a former Marine Admiral whose creed was "Absolute Justice,"he had originally thought that after taking the seat of Fleet Admiral, he would be able to mobilize the largest fleet on the ocean to completely exterminate those lawless pirates.But he was wrong, utterly wrong!!Since becoming Fleet Admiral, far from feeling the exhilaration of power, he felt that this chair was the most frustrating shackle in the world.Those five old men at the top of the World Government didn't care about justice at all, much less the lives of commoners.All they cared about was that ethereal "world balance" and how to maintain the absolutely inviolable ruling status of the Celestial Dragons.In the eyes of those power-holders in Mary Geoise, he, the dignified Marine Fleet Admiral, was nothing more than a watchdog wearing a spiked collar!He could only bark within the limits allowed by his masters; any slight overstepping would be met with a merciless scolding.Veins bulged on the back of Sakazuki's hand!!The terrifying Magu Magu no Mi power within his body began to exhibit uncontrollable restlessness.Dark red magma slowly seeped from his fingertips."Sizzle—!!"The high-quality cigar was incinerated into nothingness, and a scorched hole was even burned into the expensive mahogany desk.Just then,"Bulu bulu~"It was the private line from the Holy Land Mary Geoise, the center of the world's highest power—the Gorosei!Hearing the sound, Borsalino, who had been sitting on the sofa nonchalantly clipping his nails, paused slightly.He looked up, a sharp glint flashing behind his tinted sunglasses as his gaze fell upon Sakazuki.Sakazuki took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the magma roiling at his fingertips, and reached out to pick up the receiver."This is Sakazuki."The shell of the den den mushi popped open, its facial expression instantly mimicking a high-and-mighty, cold demeanor.It was the [Warrior God of Science and Defense], Satan Saint."Sakazuki, halt all unnecessary Marine military operations in other sea regions immediately."Satan Saint's voice carried not a hint of emotion, as if he were issuing the most ordinary of verbal commands."Dispatch a Marine Admiral at once to depart and head for Wano Country at full speed."Hearing this nonsensical, forced order, Sakazuki's chest, already heavy with suppressed rage, heaved violently."Now? To Wano Country? I didn't mishear you, did I!""Wano Country isn't even a member nation of the World Government! It's currently Kaido of the Beasts' absolute stronghold, and the Straw Hatcrew has incited a massive riot there!""...That country is currently a powder keg ready to blow!"Sakazuki's fingers gripped the receiver tightly."Right now, Revolutionary Army branches all over the world are frequently rising up. Marine forces are already stretched thin, and every branch is requesting reinforcements.""To deploy the highest combat power of Marineford to a non-member nation at this critical juncture, just for the infighting of a few pirates, is absolutely not a wise move!""If we intervene rashly and trigger a full-scale war with a Four Emperor, leaving the defenses of other sea regions empty, who will take responsibility!"Sakazuki's questioning was well-reasoned, a protest issued entirely from the perspective of a military commander's strategic overview.However, the Gorosei on the other end of the den den mushi remained completely unmoved."Watch your attitude, Sakazuki."The voice of the [Warrior God of Justice], Saint Peter, cut in, carrying the displeasure of being contradicted by a subordinate."Your duty is to execute orders, not to teach us how to weigh the world's situation here.""As for the Marine manpower problem, find a way to overcome it yourself.""The World Government allocates such a massive military budget to you every year not so you can make excuses at critical moments."Sakazuki's cheek muscles twitched frantically, and his teeth ground together audibly.This condescending scolding, this cold-blooded attitude that completely disregarded the lives of the frontline Marine soldiers..."I must be responsible for the lives of the soldiers under my command!"Sakazuki endured his anger, making a final stand."If you insist on sending an Admiral, at least give me a reasonable explanation!""Sending an Admiral alone into the territory of a Four Emperor without the fire support of a fleet—how is that any different from sending him to his death!"There was a silence on the other end of the den den mushi for a full five seconds.This brief pause caused the atmosphere in the office to become oppressive to the extreme.Then, the slightly raspy voice of the Warrior God of Environment, Marcus Mars Saint, came through the receiver, dropping a bombshell sufficient to make the entire ocean tremble."An explanation? Then we shall give you an explanation.""The Marine Admiral heading to Wano Countrythis time does not need to engage in a so-called full-scale war with Kaido of the Beasts or the Straw Hat crew."Mars Saint's tone revealed a hair-raising certainty and chill."The Admiral's task is merely to 'coordinate' and 'blockade the sea area,' ensuring that no living soul can leave that country.""Because, the ones truly responsible for exterminating the Straw Hat crew and cleaning up all unstable factors in Wano Country...""...is God's Knights!!""They have already mobilized!!""Click."After saying this, Mars Saint didn't give Sakazukiany time to react or follow up, cutting off the call unilaterally.Bang!The receiver in Sakazuki's hand slammed heavily onto the desk.His somber eyes suddenly contracted, and a monstrous wave of shock surged deep within his pupils.God's Knights!"My, my... that really was something incredible to hear."Borsalino, who had been sitting on the sofa in silence, now completely cast aside his cynical and lazy attitude.He put down his nail clippers and sat up straight."Those arrogant fellows who usually only know how to hover around the Celestial Dragons and call themselves the 'Spear of the Gods'... are actually going to take the field personally?"Borsalino pursed his signature lips."If I recall correctly, this terrifying unit that only takes orders from the highest level and even possesses the authority to directly execute Celestial Dragons hasn't left the Holy Land Mary Geoise in formation for decades, has it?""That straw hat kid... has he actually reached the point where those big shots at the top are this wary of him? How scary~"Borsalino wasn't joking.As a Marine Admiral, he knew all too well the weight represented by the name "God's Knights."They were a group of extreme killing machines with the blood of Celestial Dragons flowing in their veins, yet possessing monster-like strength.Once they were mobilized, it meant the World Government had abandoned all pretenses and was prepared for the most thorough physical erasure.Wano Country would absolutely become a scorched wasteland where not a single blade of grass could grow.Borsalino stood up and brushed off non-existent dust from his yellow-striped suit.He walked to the desk, looked at the flickering expression on Sakazuki's face, and suggested:"Since the situation has escalated to such an uncontrollable degree, why don't I take a trip there, Sakazuki?"Borsalino spread his hands, appearing very relaxed."After all, on this sea, no one is faster than me.""Even if the situation in Wano Country spirals completely out of control, or even if those lunatics from God's Knights want to deal with the Marines as well, I have a 100% certainty of escaping unscathed and bringing back the most accurate intelligence."This proactive offer was actually a subtle form of concern from Borsalino.He knew this was a mess; going to serve as a so-called "coordinator" assistant to God's Knightswould not only be a loss of face but also make one very easy cannon fodder.However, to his surprise,Sakazuki suddenly looked up and refused without hesitation."No! Borsalino, you absolutely cannot go to Wano Country!""...You must remain here at Marineford on standby!!""Oh?"Borsalino raised an eyebrow slightly, a glint flashing through his sunglasses."Is there actually something more important on this sea right now than the mobilization of God's Knights and the Four Emperors going berserk?"Sakazuki took another cigar from the drawer and bit down on it."To be a watchdog for those knights who think they're gods—how could I trouble you with such a dignity-less errand?""I'll send that idiot Aramaki."Hearing the name "Aramaki," Borsalinoimmediately understood something, and a knowing smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.[Aramaki] Aramaki!!The new Admiral who possessed a near-pathological fanatical worship of the Celestial Dragons and the class system."That fellow Aramaki has always revered the Celestial Dragons as gods!""His twisted sense of justice and extreme admiration for power make him the most suitable person to deal with those arrogant Knights.""Sending him to Wano Country won't make him feel humiliated; instead, he'll be like an excited hound, biting the prey frantically just to show off in front of his masters.""Let him draw the fire from Kaido and the Straw Hat kid!!""No matter what kind of mess Wano Countrybecomes, it has nothing to do with the fundamental interests of our Marines!!"These words gave Borsalino a whole new understanding of his old friend before him.Since taking the position of Fleet Admiral, although Sakazuki was still hot-tempered, his thoughts had become harder to fathom than the deep sea.He had learned to use the minimum cost to perfunctorily deal with the World Government's unreasonable demands.But was it just perfunctory?Borsalino keenly sensed that Sakazuki's schemes definitely didn't end there.Sure enough.Sakazuki suddenly stood up, his tall and burly frame leaning forward, hands heavily supporting himself on the desk.He lowered his voice to the extreme, saying word by word in a volume only the two of them could hear:"As for you, Borsalino.""I need you to personally go to..."Sakazuki's eyes became unfathomable at this moment, burning with a frantic ambition sufficient to overturn the entire world's power structure!!...Meanwhile.Inside a certain Marine base in the New World."La la la~~ la la la la~~"A burst of out-of-tune humming echoed in the base's courtyard.Marine Admiral Aramaki, Aramaki, was lying comfortably on a large lounge chair woven from vines.He had his eyes closed, enjoying a massage from several beautiful female soldiers.The surrounding ground was covered in all kinds of brilliant flowers due to his Mori Mori no Mi ability."What a peaceful and beautiful day!!""If it weren't for those lowly commoners making trouble every day, how perfect this world would be under the rule of the gods."Aramaki opened his mouth, waiting for a nearby female soldier to feed a peeled grape into it.Just then, a Rear Admiral from the base ran over with a panicked expression, holding an encrypted den den mushi that had just been hung up in both hands."A-Admiral Aramaki! An emergency transfer order from Marineford!"The Rear Admiral was running out of breath."An order personally issued by Fleet AdmiralSakazuki! You are required to terminate your current vacation immediately and head for Wano Country at full speed!""Ah? Wano Country?"Aramaki impatiently opened one eye and casually plucked a nearby flower."That remote and backward non-member nation? What am I going there for?""Sakazuki's temper is still so irritable, actually sending an Admiral to such a barbaric place without the protection of the law.""No! Your Excellency!"The Rear Admiral swallowed, his voice trembling with extreme shock."The Fleet Admiral said... this time, the highest combat power of Mary Geoise, the l-legendary 'God's Knights,' will also intervene in the Wano Country battlefield!""Your task is to go and cooperate with them in executing the blockade and cleanup operations!"Plop.The flower Aramaki was playing with fell to the ground.Then.BANG!!!Aramaki suddenly sprang up from the vine chair, the force of his movement knocking several nearby female soldiers to the ground.On his wild face, a near-pathological state of extreme fervor and excitement instantly surged!"You... what did you say?!"Aramaki grabbed the Rear Admiral by the collar, lifting him into the air, his eyes bulging out."God's Knights?! Those supreme knights who possess the noble blood of the Creators and are closest to the gods?!""They are actually going to personally descend upon that filthy country?!"Aramaki was trembling with excitement, the Mori Mori no Mi power within him running wild due to his loss of emotional control.Countless thick trees and vines instantly burst through the concrete floor of the base, crushing the surrounding buildings to pieces."Hahahaha! Fantastic! This is simply a gift from the Creators!"Aramaki threw the Rear Admiral to the ground and let out a hysterical laugh toward the sky."I finally have the chance to fight alongside those legendary lords! What an honor!"Aramaki's eyes were filled with bloodthirsty light."Prepare the fastest warship for me! Depart immediately!!!"...
Chapter 549: The Pierced Bounty Poster!At the peak of the Red Line, in the Holy Land Mary Geoise.As the heart of absolute power in this world, the [Room of Authority] deep within Pangea Castleusually exudes an air of lofty superiority.This is where the top brass of the World Government—the Gorosei—issue their commands.A single word spoken here, even a soft sigh, is enough to trigger a world-shattering Buster Callacross the four seas, deciding the fate of countless nations.But now,the faces of these five old men standing at the pinnacle of world power were each more grim than the last."The God's Knights... why have they suddenly mobilized?"Finally, Saint Maz broke the suffocating silence.There was a hint of an uncontrollable tremor in his voice."Stop playing dumb, Mars!"Saint Varcolica looked up."Isn't it obvious?! Without an order from *that* person, how could those arrogant fellows possibly leave the Holy Land Mary Geoise in force!"As soon as these words were spoken, the temperature in the room seemed to drop by a dozen degrees instantly.The five old men, who usually viewed the world's inhabitants as ants, all showed a flash of fear in their eyes at the mention of "that person.""I think we all know what this means."Satan Saint's gaze swept over the other four present, his voice kept very low as if fearing eavesdroppers."That Lord... has lost patience with us!!!""He is... extremely dissatisfied with our recent incompetence in handling the global situation!"These words directly tore the Gorosei's mask of superiority to shreds.Yes, they were the highest authorities of the World Government, the direct superiors of the Marine and CP agencies.But before the master of the Empty Throne, they were essentially no different from the enslaved commoners.—They were merely slightly high-ranking servants.And servants,once deemed worthless by their master, faced only one fate: to be ruthlessly eliminated!"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!!!"Saint Nusjuro suddenly acted like an out-of-control madman."How can this be entirely our fault! Who could have expected the situation to rot to this point!"He paced back and forth in the room in a fit of rage, his thin chest heaving violently; his entire being was the definition of a "mental breakdown.""Those rats in the Revolutionary Army are inciting rebellions all over the world, cutting off the Heavenly Tribute transport lines everywhere!""And those guys at Marineford—they obey orders on the surface, but in reality, the young faction led by Sakazuki has been constantly feigning compliance while acting in opposition!""How many messes do we have to clean up every day! But... but of all times, that cursed fruit had to awaken right now!"At the mention of the "fruit," the Gorosei's faces turned pale instantly."Joy Boy..."Saint Peter turned around, gritting his teeth as he uttered that taboo name that could wake them up in a cold sweat even in their dreams."Eight hundred years! A full eight hundred years! How much manpower and resources has the World Government spent trying to reclaim that Rubber-Rubber Fruit!""But it's as if it has a will of its own, slipping through our fingers time and time again!"Saint Peter clutched his head, his expression distorted and pained (pain_mask.jpg)."Why didn't it awaken a hundred years ago? Why not two hundred years ago?""Why did it have to awaken in this era, the most chaotic time on the seas!""That Monkey D. Luffy... he's practically a... jinx born specifically to destroy the World Government!"The hall of power had completely become a scene of impotent rage.These politicians who controlled the world's lifeblood looked absolutely pathetic when facing the true child of destiny and the wrath of Lord Imu."We should never have let him live this long!"Saint Maz slapped his thigh, his tone full of hindsight-driven regret."From the moment he emerged in the East Blue, from when he defeated Crocodile and caused an uproar at Enies Lobby,""...we should have directly sent three Admirals to completely erase that brat along with his entire ship from this world!""If we had issued a top-level extermination order sooner, we wouldn't have this mess in Wano Country today! We wouldn't have let that Lord be disappointed in us!"Facing Saint Maz's complaints, Satan Saint gave a cold snort and retorted:"What's the point of talking this nonsense now?!?!""His grandfather is the marine hero Garp, his father is the Revolutionary Army leader Dragon, and he has Red-Haired Shanks backing him up!""Do you think killing him is that easy?""Every time we issue an extermination order, all sorts of accidents pop up to save his life!"Satan Saint slammed his cane against the floor."The most important thing now isn't to dwell on past mistakes!""It's to find a way to appease that Lord's anger and keep our five heads on our shoulders!""We must act immediately!"Saint Nusjuro stopped in his tracks, his gaze becoming incredibly sinister."Since the God's Knights have already set out, the destruction of Wano Country is a foregone conclusion!!!""Those arrogant guys may be conceited, but their strength is undeniably top-tier.""What we need to do now is immediately impose a total blockade on the waters around Wano Country! Cut off all information flow!"Saint Peter shook his head."It's too late!!!""That bastard Morgans, who loves nothing more than chaos, has already spread the news of the uprising in Wano Country through his pervasive News Coos.""Now the whole world is watching that isolationist country! The Revolutionary Army will surely make a move too!""If Wano Country is suddenly wiped off the map, no matter how much evidence we forge, we won't be able to cover up the fact that the God's Knightswent on a killing spree."..."Then pin the whole thing on Kaido of the Beasts!"Saint Varcolica proposed viciously."Say that the destruction of Wano Country was a super-disaster caused by the infighting between the Four Emperors, Kaido and the Straw Hat Pirates!""...The World Government expresses its regrets!""Anyway, as long as Nika's flames are extinguished once more, those foolish commoners will eventually forget everything that happened today!"Just as the four of them seemed to have caught a lifeline and were desperately refining this scapegoating plan,Satan Saint, who had been brooding, suddenly spoke up in a low tone."Are you all... thinking too simply about this?"Satan Saint looked up, large beads of cold sweat streaming down his wrinkled face."You just said that since the God's Knights have gone, the Straw Hat is as good as dead?"He swallowed hard, his voice trembling uncontrollably."But... everyone!!! That is Joy Boy, who has awakened the Nika Form!!!""That is an absurd monster that even those of us with immortal bodies cannot suppress!"Satan Saint's eyeballs bulged out from extreme fear, bloodshot."If...""I mean, if.""If even the God's Knights can't stop that monster?""What if he tramples the God's Knights underfoot and then leads the samurai army of Wano Countryand that group of lawless pirates to charge straight at our Holy Land Mary Geoise?!?"For a moment,inside the Room of Authority, even the sound of heartbeats could be heard clearly.The Gorosei looked at each other.In the eyes of these five old men who controlled the world, an abyss called despair appeared for the first time.mental_breakdown.jpgYes.If even the God's Knights couldn't take down that Sun God who represented freedom and liberation,then this false world order would truly be finished....On the other side.The scene moves past the oppressive Room of Authority, following the bottomless, pitch-black corridors of Pangea Castle all the way down.Through heavy solid gold door after door, past countless insanely tight traps and guards.Finally, it arrived at the deepest, most sacred, and most taboo part of the Holy Land Mary Geoise.—The [Room of Flowers].It is like spring here all year round, with an incredibly comfortable climate.Rare flowers and exotic plants, long extinct in the outside world, bloomed here in competition, filling the air with their fragrance.Colorful butterflies fluttered among the flowers; it was truly a secluded wonderland.However, in the deepest part of this wonderland stood a massive structure whose style was a jarring contrast to the beautiful surroundings.It was a staircase piled high with countless tattered weapons.Each weapon represented an oath made eight hundred years ago by a king who knelt before the World Government.And atop that weapon-strewn staircase sat a throne symbolizing absolute world equality, one that no one was supposed to sit on.—The [Empty Throne]!!But now, on that throne which should have been empty, a figure sat quietly.The figure was completely hidden within a black robe that trailed on the floor, leaving only an eerie and slender black silhouette visible.A beautiful butterfly emitting a ghostly blue light, seemingly attracted by some mysterious aura, fluttered its wings and slowly landed on the armrest of the Empty Throne.Just as the butterfly was about to settle down,a bloodless hand slowly reached out from the darkness."Snap."With a casual pinch of two fingers,that beautiful ghostly blue butterfly didn't even have a chance to struggle before it instantly turned to ash between the fingertips!In Imu's other hand was a brand-new bounty poster, fresh off the press and still smelling of ink.In the photo on the bounty poster, Luffy, wearing his straw hat, grinned widely at the camera, showing two rows of white teeth, laughing carefree and unrestrained.In the darkness,a pair of eerie eyes with ripple-like patterns, emitting an intense crimson glow, slowly opened beneath the shadow of the robe."Joy Boy..."Imu slowly stood up.The robe brushed against the broken swords on the staircase.He stepped down from the throne and approached a stone platform nearby.On the platform, a slender and sharp rapier of ancient design was quietly embedded.Imu reached out with that pale hand and pulled out the rapier effortlessly.Then, with a precise flick of the wrist,"Schwing!"The sharp rapier blade turned into a silver flash of lightning.With the sound of a sharp blade piercing parchment, the wanted poster with Luffy's smiling face was pinned to the wall by Imu's rapier.The crimson ripple-eyes glimmered in the dark.A silent verdict had already been issued by the supreme will of this world.
Chapter 550: Luffy VS Kaido, the Battle of Onigashima Begins!Kuri, the shore on the edge of Jianlou Village.The haze of the great battle has completely shrouded the sky, and even the air is filled with a murderous aura.Trafalgar Law used his scabbard to quickly draw several intersecting attack routes on the gravelly ground, then looked up, his gaze sweeping over everyone present."Listen up, everyone."Law's voice was deep,"The Beasts Pirates have now fully retracted most of their forces toward Onigashima!""It's unrealistic to try and settle everything with a frontal assault. We must split into two groups and strike directly at the enemy's heart!"He turned his gaze toward Hiyori and the tall, burly Denjiro."Hiyori-ya, you and Denjiro must immediately lead the remaining samurai and head to the Udon Quarry at full speed!""According to intelligence, Shutenmaru, Nekomamushi, and Inuarashi are still trapped there!!""Completely liberating the power of the Red Scabbards is the key to controlling the overall situation in Wano Country and preventing a counterattack by the remnants of the Beasts!"Denjiro gripped the katana at his waist and nodded without a second thought:"Leave it to us! For Lord Oden, we will surely rescue our comrades and use our blades to wash away twenty years of humiliation from this land!"Hiyori did not respond immediately.Her cold and beautiful eyes were fixed unblinkingly on Monkey D. Luffy, who was standing not far away, fiddling with his straw hat.She stepped forward slowly,"Lord Luffy.""Hiyori will lead the army of samurai to welcome your triumphant return on the land of Wano Country! Please... take care of yourself!"Luffy grinned, casually pulling the straw hat onto his head, revealing a row of bright white teeth."Don't worry! Hiyori!""I will definitely send him flying with my own hands! I'll return the freedom of this country to you, completely!"Receiving Luffy's promise, Hiyori stood up and retreated to Denjiro's side, her eyes slightly red.The two did not stay any longer, and with a group of samurai, they soon disappeared into the night heading toward Udon.Law withdrew his gaze and turned to look at the Straw Hat crew behind him."We set sail on the sunny immediately!"Law pulled down the spotted brim of his hat and cautioned repeatedly,"Under the cover of the night and sea mist, we will sneak in through the hidden port on the side of Onigashima!""Before finding Kaido of the Beasts, you absolutely, absolutely must not alert the enemy! Do you understand, straw hat-ya?!""Oh! Let's go!"Luffy shouted and was the first to jump onto the deck of the sunny....Raging waves rolled, and night mist filled the air.The sunny broke through the waves on the turbulent sea.In the distance, Onigashima loomed like an ancient beast hidden in the darkness, its silhouette emerging through the mist.Oppressive!Law stood at the front of the deck, his nerves strained to the limit."We're almost there, everyone hide your presence."Law lowered his voice, emphasizing to everyone again:"The main gate of Onigashima is heavily guarded, and there are countless whirlpools and sentries!!""We'll skirt around the cliff on the left..."However, before Law could finish, the sharp sound of a blade being drawn interrupted his tactical deployment."Clang——!!!"Luffy stood on the lion head of the ship,His right hand drew the nidai kitetsu, which was emitting a purple-black demonic aura.Under the suppression of Luffy's absolute dominant will, the violent demonic aura was as docile as a kitten, yet it still radiated an extreme sharpness that thirsted for blood."Shishishi!"Luffy casually shouldered the nidai kitetsu,"Infiltrate? I'm not doing something as boring and sneaky as that!"Law's breathing stopped, his eyes nearly popping out of his head, and he stomped his feet and roared in anger:"Idiot Captain! What the hell do you want to do now?!""...Did you even listen to my damn plan just now?!!!""Plan? That kind of thing is too much trouble!"Luffy met Law's gaze, the fires of battle burning in his eyes,"Since the enemy's Admiral is right there, we should obviously just charge in through the front gate and send them all flying!""You—!"Law was so angry he almost spat out a mouthful of blood, his hand gripping the kikoku trembling violently.He swore that if he couldn't beat this guy, he would definitely slice open this idiot's brain right now to see what was inside!But this irrational boast triggered completely different extreme reactions among the Straw Hatcrew."Hahaha! Exactly right!"Zoro didn't even think twice before drawing the Enma from his waist, deep green Oni Aurainstantly wrapping around the blade."Sneaking around isn't our Captain's style! Since we're going to fight, let's cut that evil dragon down from his throne fair and square!""Oooooh! Is this Luffy's adventure! This is great!"Yamato excitedly swung the huge Spiked Club in her hand, her blue and white long hair flying wildly in the sea breeze.She had a nearly blind admiration for Luffy, and at this moment, she was so excited she almost jumped straight into the sea,"Go for it! Luffy! We'll charge in from the front together!"Watching these two total battle maniacs, the atmosphere on the other side of the deck was filled with deep helplessness."I knew it... I knew it would turn out like this! o(╥﹏╥)o"Nami clutched her forehead in pain, letting out a howl of despair.Although she had long been used to her Captain's selfishness, facing a Four Emperors' stronghold with such illogical recklessness still gave her a splitting headache."Sigh... what a bunch of idiots who only cause trouble."Sanji took a lighter from his pocket, lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and exhaled a long trail of smoke rings.Despite his words, dangerous sparks of electricity and fire were already flickering on his right foot clad in a black leather shoe."Hahaha! Since the Captain has spoken, we can only obey orders!"Jinbe held the helm steadily, a heroic smile appearing on his broad whale shark face.This former Seven Warlords of the Sea had long been won over by the lawless spirit of freedom of this pirate crew.Of course, besides these powerful warriors, the cowardly trio on the ship had completely broken down."It's over, it's over! We're going to be chewed up by Kaido!"Usopp, Chopper, and Pudding were shivering in fear, tears streaming down their faces.Pudding's three eyes were full of terror as she clutched Sanji's sleeve tightly:"Sanji-san! We're going to die, aren't we!""Don't be afraid, Pudding-chan! Even if I turn to ash, I will protect you! ♦"Sanji instantly turned into a chivalrous protector, his eyes turning into pink hearts.Just as the deck was in chaos,The guards at Onigashima's main gate in the distance had already spotted the pirate ship that was making no effort to hide its presence in the night mist."Enemy attack—! That's the Straw Hat crew's ship!""Sound the alarm, quickly! Fire! Sink them into the sea!"Dozens of heavy cannons immediately turned their muzzles, the dark openings aiming at the sunny, and the Gifters guards on the shore let out hideous roars.Facing this stern barrier, Luffy, standing at the bow, suddenly had an incredibly cold gaze."Want to block my path? You're a hundred years too early!"Boom——!!!A surge of Conqueror's Haki that directly broke through the ceiling suddenly exploded from Luffy's body!!!The gale stopped, and the waves calmed.That domineering pressure, in an unstoppable and arrogant manner, instantly swept across the entire sea area in front of Onigashima's main gate!"What is this aura...""My consciousness... is so heavy..."Those Gifters on the shore who were just shouting wildly didn't even have time to finish the action of firing before they fell to the ground in heaps, eyes rolling back and foaming at the mouth under the impact of that terrifying Haoshoku.In less than three seconds.The thousands of guards outside the main gate of Onigashima were taken out in one wave, instantly cleared by this absolute kingly power."Franky!"Luffy didn't look at the fallen grunts; he gripped the nidai kitetsu in his hand and roared."Oooooh! SUPER——!!!"Franky at the stern laughed and pushed down a huge control lever, his mechanical parts making a deafening roar."Since the Captain has spoken, let's show these bumpkins the super romance of the sunny! Fully loaded with cola energy!""Coup de... Burst!!!!""Boom!!!!"Accompanied by a world-shaking explosion, a huge amount of cola energy erupted from the rear of the sunny, turning into a dazzling white beam of light.Under the powerful thrust, the ship's hull soared into the sky at an incredible angle, directly leaping over the massive main gate wall of Onigashimaand heading straight for the Skull Dome that symbolized absolute power!"Seriously, I'm really going crazy!!"Trafalgar Law gripped the railing tightly, the gale blowing his face out of shape.His infiltration plan was completely turned to dust in this Coup de Burst.Sure enough, this undisguised earth-shaking commotion and the unscrupulously released top-tier Conqueror's Haki finally alerted the monster perched at the highest point of the island!!"Roar——!!!!"A violent dragon roar that could almost shatter the soul suddenly exploded from deep within the Skull Dome.Immediately after, the wind howled and thunderclouds rolled.A massive azure dragon, large enough to cover the sky, rose into the air from the main hall of the dome with a terrifying power that tore through the heavens.Dense thunderclouds rolled around it, and purple-black lightning flickered wildly between its scales.——Kaido of the Beasts!"Wororororo!"Kaido's massive dragon body circled in mid-air, his dark yellow dragon pupils full of violence staring intently at the sunny flying through the night sky."Straw Hat! You actually dare to come see me in such an arrogant way!"Kaido's laughter was deafening, the sound waves even causing visible ripples in the air."It seems you really are tired of living!""Cut the crap! Kaido!"Luffy stood at the bow of the flying sunny, looking up without backing down, facing the terrifying divine dragon."I came here today to kick you out of this country's land once and for all!"The moment his voice fell, Luffy's legs suddenly kicked off."Bang!"Luffy's body launched directly from the flying ship, charging head-on toward Kaido in mid-air!In mid-air, Luffy's gaze became incredibly focused.He gripped the cursed blade nidai kitetsu tightly with both hands.The extremely violent Conqueror's Haki in his body was compressed and compressed further, and finally poured frantically into the blade of the nidai kitetsu."Hum——!!!"The nidai kitetsu, which originally emitted a purple-black demonic aura, actually erupted with rare red-gold lightning that was so bright it made people's eyes sting, under Luffy's absolute dominant will!!!Sensing this terrifying sharpness that was enough to threaten his life, an extreme craze flashed in Kaido's eyes in mid-air."Well done! Joy Boy!"Kaido's massive dragon body instantly twisted and deformed in mid-air, switching to the Hybrid Form, a perfect combination of speed and power, in the blink of an eye.His muscular arms tightly gripped the huge hassaikai.Purple-black lightning with an aura of destruction burned wildly on the hassaikai."Let me see just how much you're worth, brat!"Kaido roared, his body falling like a meteorite, swinging the hassaikai wrapped in top-tier Conqueror's Haki, slamming it hard against Luffy's blade.The peak strikes of two top-tier powerhouses collided crudely in the night sky of Onigashima!"Boom——!!!!!"After a brief pause, an indescribable and terrifying shockwave exploded from the two of them, blasting in all directions!In an instant, the world lost its color!The incredibly thick, pitch-black thunderclouds in the sky were forced apart into two halves by the aftershock of the collision, revealing a huge rift in the sky spanning the entire Onigashima!A violent hurricane swept down, and the solid Skull Dome atop Onigashima began to crack inch by inch, with giant rocks turning to dust under the sweep of the air currents!!!Gold-red and purple-black!Two world-dominating powers clashed frantically in mid-air, the tearing lightning illuminating the entire night sky of Wano Country as if it were day."Kaido——!!!"Luffy held the blade with both hands, his red-gold Haoshoku outputting frantically, not backing down a single step."Worororo! Show me your true strength! Straw Hat!"Kaido pressed down with his Spiked Club, his eyes full of the madness of meeting a top-tier opponent.This Ragnarok, sufficient to determine the direction of the new era, has completely raised its curtain at this moment!
Chapter 551: Sanji's Entrance, Confronting King the Conflagration!" Rumble — —!!! "It was as if Onigashima had been torn open." Worororo! Well done! Straw Hat! "Kaido of the Beasts, in his massive Hybrid Form, withstood the shockwave in mid-air.He gripped his hassaikai, which was coated in top-tier Advanced Armament Haki, and roared at Luffy, who was right in his face:" How many years has it been!!! It's been a long time since anyone on this great sea has gotten me this hyped!!! ( ✧ ∀ ✧ ) "Kaido's arm muscles bulged even further," Didn't you want to become the Pirate King!!! Didn't you want to save this boring, broken country!!! "" Then show me what you're really made of!!! Use all your strength and try to take my head!!! "" Stop talking nonsense! Kaido!!! "Luffy gripped the cursed blade nidai kitetsu with both hands, veins popping on his forehead." Boom — —!!! "Another clash ensued.The Beasts Pirates, who had been partying in the Great Hall, fell into complete chaos.Amidst the rubble, two "giant figurines" stood firmly on the ruins, radiating an overwhelming sense of oppression." plague " Queen and " drought " Jack!" Brother Queen, it sounds like they're fighting pretty hard up there. "Jack's dual shotel blades were coated in black Armament Haki." Shut up, Jack! That's Boss Kaido's fight; we just need to clear out these annoying small fries down here. " Queen chomped on his cigar!Just then," ROOM! "" Swish! "A translucent, ghostly blue sphere instantly expanded, enveloping Queen, Jack, and a bunch of grunts.Trafalgar Law walked out of the smoke, shouldering his kikoku." Hey, you two idiots. "Law adjusted his spotted hat," Stop blocking the way! Your opponent is me!! "Being mocked like this by a newcomer, Jackimmediately snapped." Damn brat! Who do you think you're talking to?! "Jack let out a roar, and his massive body instantly shifted into his Mammoth form." Die!!! Trafalgar Law!!! "Facing a charge capable of smashing warships to pieces, Law didn't even flinch.He simply raised his left hand." Armament! "Armament Haki instantly covered his palm." Bang -!! "A loud crash echoed.Jack's eyes nearly popped out of his head!He had charged with all his might, yet this skinny guy in front of him had stopped him dead with just one hand!!!Law's left hand pressed firmly against the tusk; no matter how hard Jack pushed, that hand wouldn't budge." Being big doesn't mean you have high damage output, you stupid elephant!! Your Armament Hakiis pathetic!! "Law gripped the hilt of his kikoku with his right hand." Shambles. "" Swish! "Jack's multi-ton body instantly swapped places with falling debris in the sky.While Jack was still spinning in the air, Law's blade was already locked onto his head." High-frequency Scalpel. "The kikoku lit up with blue, high-frequency electric light." Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle, sizzle! "Four basic attacks, faster than an afterimage, exploded in mid-air.Jack's Ancient Type hide, which came with a high-defense buff, was sliced like tofu under the cutting power of Law's god-tier gear." Jack?! "Queen, standing to the side, watched in a daze, cold sweat pouring down.One move!!!Just one damn move and he'd severely wounded a full-health Jack!!!What kind of cheat is this Trafalgar Law using!!!" Don't get too cocky!!! Brat!!! "Queen screamed at the top of his lungs, opening his massive mechanical mouth as a high-energy laser cannon hidden in his throat finished charging." Taste my scientific output!! Laser Beam!! "" Boom! "A yellow beam, carrying extreme heat, shot straight for Law's face.But Law just tilted his head, his eyes looking as if he were watching an idiot." Your science is useless in my domain. "Law swung his kikoku." Tact. "The laser drifted in mid-air, making a 180-degree turn, and slammed hard into Queen's own massive belly!!!" Waaahhh!!! My belly!!! "Queen was blasted into charcoal by his own ultimate move, his fat body rolling over a dozen times on the ground.Just as he tried to scramble to his feet, the tip of Law's blade was already pressed against his neck." Is this the level of a All-Stars? Go repent in hell. "Just as Law was about to finish him off...A dark shadow floated in the sky, landing steadily on the smoke.The number one All-Stars — King the Conflagration.Nothing could be read from his masked face, but his exposed eyes were locked onto Law, who was dominating the battlefield." You took out Jack in seconds and critically wounded Queen... The Ope-Ope no Mi is truly a cancer. "Behind King, those black wings of the Lunarian Race unfurled.He knew very well that if he let Law keep killing like this, the Beasts Pirates' grunts would be wiped out.The point was, once this guy freed himself to help Straw Hat, Boss Kaido would be ganged up on." I can't let him continue!! "King drew the serrated sword from his waist, and the red fire of the Lunarian Race instantly erupted from the blade.With a flap of his wings and a piercing sound of breaking wind, he dove towards Law below!!!" Die!!! Trafalgar Law!!! "King reached maximum speed, even creating a sonic boom cloud.However," Rumble — —!!! "A streak of azure lightning suddenly descended, striking precisely in front of King!Hundreds of millions of volts of electricity forced King to a stop." What the hell?! "Seeing the lightning, King's reaction was lightning-fast; he braked in mid-air and held his sword horizontally in front of his chest to take a defensive stance.The smoke cleared..." Click. "The sound of a lighter clicking echoed amidst the lightning.Vinsmoke Sanji, wearing a black suit, stood with one hand in his pocket, the other holding a freshly lit cigarette.Sanji took a deep drag, exhaled a smoke ring, and looked up from behind his blonde bangs to stare at King in the sky." Interrupting someone else's 1v1 fight is pretty unsportsmanlike, big bird. "In mid-air, King steadied himself, his eyes locked onto Sanji." The Vinsmoke Family's technological genes, and... the Logia-type Rumble-Rumble Fruit. "King spoke from behind his mask,"... You are indeed a dangerous opponent!! "King slowly raised his serrated longsword, the flames atop his head instantly burning to their peak state." I will never allow anyone to threaten Boss Kaido's throne!! "" Black Leg Sanji, I will burn you to ashes right here! "Facing King's declaration filled with killing intent, the cigarette at the corner of Sanji's mouth tilted slightly upward." Want to burn me to ashes? Then let's see you try. "" For the sake of my comrades, and for the ladies I must protect, I will never fall here! "The moment his words fell." Zzzzt — —! "Sanji's figure vanished into thin air!With the enhancement of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, Sanji's speed instantly broke through the limits of physics." So fast! "King's heart jolted, his Observation Haki fully unleashed.Without a moment's hesitation, he swung his longsword, slashing out a massive, tens-of-meters-long flame sword energy!" Imperial Flame Blade! "The scorching flame sword energy, carrying a heat that burned everything, attempted to seal off Sanji's movement space.However, the speed of lightning is unstoppable!!" Too slow! "A cold voice exploded right above King's head." Diable Jambe: Billions of Volts, Thor's Hammer! "Sanji's right leg, wrapped in high-pressure lightning and Diable Jambe, descended like divine punishment, crushing King's flame sword energy with overwhelming force and striking straight at his face!King abruptly raised his left arm, his pitch-black Armament Haki hardening to the extreme in an attempt to block the blow." Bang — —!!! "The ultimate collision of lightning and fire exploded in mid-air, creating a massive mushroom cloud of energy.The peak showdown between the two top-tier officers had officially begun at this moment.
Chapter 552: All-Out War on Onigashima, Luffyand Kaido's Peak Deathmatch!Inside Onigashima, the fires of war have been completely ignited.In mid-air, azure lightning and crimson flames clashed violently.Bolstered by lightning, Vinsmoke Sanjitransformed into a series of hard-to-track afterimages, suppressing King the Conflagration, the head of the All-Starss.On the other side of the hall, the famous blade kikoku in Trafalgar Law's hand flickered with high-frequency electricity.With just a few space displacements and surgical cuts, he forced Queen the plague into an inescapable dead end.Seeing these two high-end battlefields completely divided by his teammates,Roronoa Zoro, who had been standing on the edge with his hands already on his sword hilts, froze completely."Hey, hey, hey! What the hell are you two bastards doing?!"Veins popped on Zoro's forehead as he roared in frustration at the two people in the air and in the distance."I was the one who set my sights on that winged bastard first!""And that fat guy in overalls—I already had my hand on my sword and was ready to draw! How dare you snatch my prey right in front of me!"Zoro gritted his teeth. The Great Grade Blade[Enma] he had just acquired began to hum under his fury, and deep green asura Oni Aurabegan to leak out.In mid-air, Sanji kicked and shattered a flame sword wave unleashed by King.He even had the leisure to hover for a second in mid-air, glancing down at Zoro with an arrogant look."Stop embarrassing yourself, Mosshead."Sanji took a deep drag of his cigarette, his tone full of mockery."You're so slow you can't even touch the enemy's shadow. Why don't you go play in the mud in the corner!!""A high-level battle like this is more than enough for a knight like me!!"Hearing this, Zoro almost spat blood in rage.He snapped his head around and locked his gaze on Trafalgar Law."Tra-guy! Let that fat guy go! I'm going to slice him in half with one strike!"Law was effortlessly controlling his "ROOM" space, reflecting all of Queen's attacks back at him.Hearing Zoro's shout, he didn't even turn his head, only coldly dropping a sentence."Don't get in the way!! This is my prey!""If you're really that bored and feel like you have nowhere to use your strength, then go clear out that eyesore trash below.""You bastard—!"Zoro was furious!!He was the future World's Great Swordsman!!On this peak battlefield that could determine the course of the world, he had actually fallen into the embarrassing situation of having no enemies to fight.That feeling of frustration was almost more painful than being hit head-on by Kaido's club."Fine... very well!"Zoro took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the urge to cut down his teammates.He turned around abruptly, his eyes turning terrifying with rage as he stared fixedly at the Beasts Pirates army below, who were preparing to launch a sneak attack amidst the chaos.At the forefront were the Tobi Roppo, who considered themselves the backbone of the Beasts Pirates.Sasaki, Who's-Who, Black Maria, and the others felt a sudden chill run down their spines as Zoro's killing intent locked onto them."Since the big ones were snatched away, then I'll take all your lives instead, you pieces of trash!"Zoro gripped wado ichimonji and sandai kitetsu in his hands, with Enma clenched in his mouth.Conqueror's Haki exploded around him."All of you... prepare yourselves to go to hell!"Without another word, Zoro lunged forward, charging like a released tiger directly into the formation of tens of thousands of Beasts Piratesfodder."Three Sword Style Secret Technique: Billion-fold World Trichiliocosm!"With Zoro's roar, deep green sword energy bloomed in the crowd like a meat grinder."Aaaaagh!"Screams echoed through the hall.The ordinary Gifters and fodder didn't even see Zoro's shadow before they and their weapons were shredded by that brutal sword energy."Don't get too cocky, pirate hunter!"Sasaki, one of the Tobi Roppo, roared and immediately entered his Ancient Type Triceratopsform, launching a savage charge at Zoro."Too slow."Zoro's figure shifted uncannily in mid-air, easily evading Sasaki's charge.He landed on Sasaki's broad back, the Enma in his mouth flashing with a cold light."One Sword Style: Yakkodori!"A sharp flying slash instantly cut through Sasaki's proud Ancient Type dinosaur hide, and blood sprayed everywhere."How... how is this possible!"In the distance, Who's-Who watched this scene, cold sweat soaking his back."Don't just watch! Everyone, attack together!"Just as the Beasts Pirates fell into panic, the rest of the Straw Hat crew finally arrived at the battlefield."Sea Current Over-the-Shoulder Throw!"Jinbe's broad whale shark face was full of composure.He suddenly grabbed the moisture in the air, and with an over-the-shoulder throw, he whipped up a water tornado in the dry hall, sweeping hundreds of pouncing fodder into the air and then slamming them heavily against the walls."Thunderbolt Tempo!"Nami held her clima-tact high, and dark thunderclouds rapidly gathered above the hall.Lightning struck precisely where the enemy crowd was densest."Mil Fleur: Gigante Mano!"Nico Robin crossed her arms.Countless arms pieced together in mid-air to form two giant hands like those of a titan, and every swing could crush dozens of Gifters into pulp."Pink Hornet."Vinsmoke Reiju strode through the crowd with a cat-like grace.She didn't even make any intense combat moves, just gently exhaling a puff of pink fragrance.The surrounding Beasts Pirates members fell in droves, foaming at the mouth."Luffy is fighting up there; we can't let him have any worries!"Uta stood on high ground, using her ability to construct musical note shields, blocking hidden arrows for Zoro and Jinbe who were charging ahead."That's right! This is the strength of our Straw Hat Pirates!"Usopp hid behind Jinbe's broad back, firing all sorts of strange plant bullets while not forgetting to boast loudly.A bitter battle that should have had a huge disparity in Numbers turned into a one-sided massacre in front of these monster-level executives of the Straw Hat crew.Meanwhile, at the highest point of Onigashima—atop the Skull Dome.The sky had been torn in half, and thunderclouds rolled as if the world were ending.Kaido of the Beasts stood in his massive Hybrid Form amidst the ruins, his violent dragon pupils staring at Monkey D. Luffy not far away.Kaido panted heavily, every breath accompanied by thick white smoke.There was no trace of fatigue in his eyes; instead, a frenzy that had been suppressed for decades burned within them."Wororororo! Straw Hat!"Kaido raised the hassaikai in his hand. On that blood-stained Spiked Club, purple-black Haoshoku lightning intertwined and exploded."Your Haki is strong! Truly strong!""But if it's only at this level, it's not enough to pull me down from this throne of the New World!"Kaido suddenly threw his head back, letting out a violent dragon roar that shattered the clouds.His foundation as the Strongest Creature was triggered at this moment.The natural elements in the world, which were already violent, seemed to be summoned by some supreme will and began to converge around him."Kaifu!"Kaido opened his bloody maw, and hundreds of huge wind blades, like materialized slashes with the sharpness to slice through steel, swept towards Luffy."Heat Breath!"Immediately following, a scorching heat capable of melting mountains erupted from deep within his throat, turning into a pillar of fire dozens of meters in diameter, incinerating the air along its path."Narukami!"Kaido swung his hassaikai, and the thunderclouds in the sky were drawn down, with countless thick bolts of lightning pouring down like a rainstorm.Wind, fire, lightning!Three natural disasters were forcibly blended together by Kaido's dominance as the Strongest Creature, forming a chain of natural catastrophes enough to destroy an island!"Let me see where your limit is! Joy Boy!"Kaido roared, carrying these triple disasters as he lunged at Luffy like a demon god of world destruction.Facing this devastating blow that could make anyone despair, Luffy stood his ground without taking a single step back.He held the nidai kitetsu, which radiated crimson-gold Haki, and the straw hat on his head fluttered in the gale.There was not a hint of panic in Luffy's eyes."Limit? Don't be so full of yourself, Kaido."Luffy's legs suddenly exerted force, and the Skull Dome beneath his feet crumbled.He rose into the air like a reverse meteor, heading straight into the triple disasters."Stop trying to fool people with those messy natural elements!""...In the face of absolute power, all these things are trash!"Luffy gripped the hilt with both hands, infusing it with Conqueror's Haki."Kamisari—!!!"A crimson sword energy that pierced heaven and earth erupted.The crimson-gold crescent-shaped shockwave crashed into Kaido's triple disasters."Screech—!"The Kaifu wind blades that could tear through steel were forcibly crushed upon contact with the crimson sword energy.The scorching pillar of fire that could melt mountains was split directly in half by the sword energy.The lightning pouring from the sky was even pushed back by Luffy's Haoshoku lightning, unable to get within three meters of him."What?!"For the first time, a trace of shock flashed in Kaido's frenzied dragon pupils.His natural power was actually sliced to pieces by the opponent in the most brutal way!"Your power... has indeed exceeded my expectations!"Kaido laughed wildly. Although his natural disasters were broken, his battle-hungry blood was boiling.He immediately changed his move, gripping the hassaikai with both hands and smashing it against Luffy's sword energy.Just as these two peak combatants were about to collide again,A white figure suddenly leaped up from the ruins below the dome with an air of confidence, inserting herself directly into their battlefield."Luffy! I'll help you!"Yamato held her massive Spiked Club high, her blue-and-white long hair flying in the wind.Her face was full of excitement and passion.After witnessing Luffy's power with her own eyes, she wanted to prove her value before this man."I will end Kaido's rule with my own hands! I'll clear the obstacles for you!"Yamato roared, the power of her Mythical Zoanfully exploding as icy air coiled around her Spiked Club, which she swung toward Kaido's flank.However, this declaration was met with a harsh reality check.Facing Yamato's sudden interference, Luffyfrowned, while Kaido's eyes turned cold.In this duel between Emperors seeking a fight to the death, any overconfident intruder would be seen as an unforgivable desecration.Even if the person was his own flesh and blood."Playing house is for children! Get out of my way!"Kaido didn't even turn his head. His violent eyes were locked on Luffy in front of him as he casually swung his arm back."Thunder Bagua!"No charging, no preparation.But the hassaikai, wrapped in top-tier purple-black Advanced Armament Haki, whipped through the air in a blurry afterimage, striking first and hitting Yamato's chest at a speed she couldn't possibly react to."BANG—!!!"A huge, muffled thud exploded in mid-air..Her Mythical Zoan defense was fragile before Kaido's casual strike."Pwah—!"Yamato spat out a large mouthful of blood, her eyes rolled back, and her consciousness faded instantly in the intense pain.Her body was like a kite with a broken string, flying back out over the edge of the Skull Dome at ten times the speed she had jumped up.Accompanied by scattering ice shards, Yamato fell heavily toward the battlefield on the lower floor.In the lower battlefield, Trafalgar Law had just used his high-frequency scalpel to cut a massive Number into pieces.He felt the rushed sound of wind from above and looked up, just in time to see Yamato falling with her eyes rolled back and blood spitting from her mouth.Law's eye corner twitched, and his aloof face was written all over with speechlessness."What kind of idiot is that woman?!"Law complained in his heart as he reluctantly raised his left hand."ROOM: Tact."Yamato, who was falling, was forcibly caught by an invisible spatial force less than two meters from the ground and then tossed onto the nearby ruins."She actually dared to charge right into the center of that Haki collision while holding a club?"Law simply couldn't understand such suicidal behavior!...Back on the dome.Seeing Yamato being knocked down by Kaido's one-hit kill, Luffy's gaze became even darker.Although he didn't approve of Yamato's rash interference, seriously injuring someone right in front of him was undoubtedly another provocation to his bottom line."Kaido!"Luffy lowered his hands and casually stabbed the nidai kitetsu into the hard rock at his feet.He lowered his head slightly, the shadow of his straw hat completely covering the upper half of his face."It seems that ordinary moves like these won't be enough to make you feel the pain.""Since you're so eager to see the limit..."A low chuckle began to echo in Luffy's throat."Hee hee hee... Ahahaha!"...