However, things clearly did not develop in the direction Van Augur had imagined. The moment he pulled the trigger, Renedia cried out, and then a broad figure stood in front of Renedia, emanating a brilliant hue.
Clang!
The bullet, imbued with powerful Haki, sparked upon contact with that brilliance.
It was a large humanoid shimmering within the darkness.
But soon, the darkness dissipated, revealing a diamond physique.
The man had a very familiar crescent-shaped white mustache, with terrifying stitched scars on his cheeks and neck, and he was holding a large naginata, roaring wildly, "I am Weevil!!"
One of the Three Phases, known for his storm-like power and oppression, the 'Wind Phase' Weevil.
He also represented the Inner Three Phases, with the tempestuous assault represented by Renedia!
"Did you think I'd use an ability to block your bullet?"
Renedia jumped onto Weevil's shoulder, emulating Sage's sinister laugh at Van Augur, saying, "Hahaha! Forget it, such a simple trap won't fool me. About snipers and gunslingers, you're not the only one; I am one too!"
The real core officers all hold multiple roles.
Renedia's primary role is a shipwright, but she is also a cannoneer, sniper, gunslinger, and weapons master.
Her Observation Haki isn't inferior to anyone's; she knew what Van Augur was up to!
At the same time, she admitted her weakness in resistance; she couldn't match even the skinny Van Augur, so the best strategy was to use Weevil as a meat shield to assist her in battle.
"Teach is already dead; I don't know where you get your confidence from, but I'll teach you that all schemes are futile. As Sage said, in the face of absolute power, those tricks are but petty calculations from the gutter, unworthy of the stage!"
Renedia pointed with one hand, "Weevil! Use burst mode!"
"Roar!!"
Weevil roared furiously, his neck veins bulging, and his eyes turning violently red. Under the surge of Haki, as he swept around, he charged right in.
Bam!!
On the other side, Marika leaped high into the air, slamming down a punch that shattered the ground into a massive concave, the impact sending scattered people flying.
Devon jumped back to avoid the shockwave, but as she stopped, a flying stone fragment grazed her face, leaving a cut and drawing blood.
"Hehehe..."
Devon stuck out her tongue, licking the blood on her cheek near the corner of her mouth and smiling, "Such a pretty and delicate face paired with an incredibly powerful body—is this polarization even possible? It's so fascinating, I want to peel off your face and see if the flesh underneath is muscles twisted—otherwise, where does all that strength come from?"
"Oh dear, saying such perverted things, that's just like you from before. But then we were allies; now as enemies, aren't you afraid I'll beat you to death for such words?"
Marika smiled, "No one here says anything about us being partners anymore, right? It doesn't matter that much if you're killed."
"Every one of the Catastrophe officers is arrogant, talking about killing and all. I've lived on the sea for so long, if I were going to die, I would have long ago."
Devon prepared to charge, then suddenly leaped, her spine exploding into nine tails. The tails, like swords, quickly extended, their tips sharpened, all striking towards Marika.
"Dog-Dog Fruit · Mythical · Nine-tailed Fox form..."
Marika remained unmoved, just tightly clenching her fist, pulling back, and then striking swiftly. With a booming sound, she launched a massive horizontal shockwave, like a barrier, suppressing the tails from coming closer, and after resisting for a while, they were quickly bounced away.
"Just transforming into a humanoid beast? That's not right; you seem to be able to turn into anyone... I just don't understand what this ability is for." Marika maintained her smile.
If according to what Sage wanted to achieve with his theory, all imitation type fruits' core power would align with the nine-tailed fox. However, powers can only be similar; there's no exact duplicate. They might be the same in essence, but their expression is definitely different.
She knew the nine-tailed fox could turn into anyone, but if that's all it was, Paramecia types should also be able to, and it wouldn't be classified as Mythical.
To be considered Mythical, the fruit must have some unique ability that's not merely incorporating existing ones.
"Hehehe, do you want to witness it?"
Devon retracted her tails, crossing her arms and licking her lips at Marika, "Alright, then, the new power, it wouldn't do not to use it, I've always wanted to find a chance to experiment with this newfound power..."
The voice at this moment became rough and grand.
The figure became layered with illusions, reassembling amidst the circling phantoms, transforming into a dignified elder in formalwear, leaning on a cane, his beard and hair white as snow.
"New power."
The elder glared, and Marika immediately frowned, raising her arms to protect her head.
Bam!
A shock struck her arms, causing her body to recoil.
"This power..."
Marika shook her hand, looking again at this suddenly appearing elder, "And this familiar headache... I see, you touched Saturn back at Egghead."
The elder before her, who had already died, was hailed by Sage as one of his household and had refined the Eye Staring Killing Technique from him... Saturn!
"Indeed."
Saturn, transformed by Devon, spoke deeply, "Although his death ruined our plans... A chance for the appearance of a Five Elder Star is rare. After the encounter, Teach intended to use this identity to force the World Government to recognize us as an affiliated nation, but unfortunately, he died."
"Although the person has died, this power is real, and it would be a shame not to use it. Now is a chance to let the world witness again the name of my Lunar Hunter!"
"It's quite convenient to use powers from people who have died, but... it's not strong enough, is it?"
Marika chuckled, "Otherwise, you just need to touch Sage and you'd become invincible. Although the technique is abrupt, Haki and Ability Development are still within your limits."
"Enough!"
Saturn's eyes turned red, his body surging, transforming into the most formidable Ushioni form.
"It's more than enough to deal with you! This battle, we will undoubtedly win, Sage... cannot kill Teach!"
Clang!!
On the other side, the battlefield turned into a personal Room with Lily transformed into a bolt of lightning, only to be abruptly interrupted by a scarlet blade light.
The slender two-finger-wide sword clashed in an 'X' shape with a demon sword whose blade glowed scarlet.
"Shiryu."
Lily coldly said, "Is it you who comes to be my opponent?"
As she spoke, she glanced around.
On the battlefield, some strong auras loomed, but none of them seemed to have made a move yet.
Lily couldn't fathom what those individuals were waiting for, but assuming she took them all down, it wouldn't be an issue.
"There's no choice; some people are useful."
Shiryu exhaled smoke, "I'm not interested in a swordsmanship competition; I'm much more captivated by slaughter... I've always wanted to say this, no wonder back at Impel Down, Sage rejected my offer to join. You and I are the same type—executioners. Bienta Lily, let's compete, shall we? On who is the truly qualified slaughterer, and as for time... let's see who falls first."
Upon hearing this, Lily's pupils narrowed.
The 'falling' he mentioned certainly didn't refer to the two of them.
It certainly referred to the main forces, but now that Teach had been turned to ash by Sage, yet he still said this, it represented...
"The power of the Five Elders?" Lily spoke up.
"Zehahaha!"
Behind Sage, those areas of ash dissipated, and the ashes gathered again, morphing into the figure of Teach.
He spread his arms, laughing defiantly at Sage, "You cannot kill me, Aibo!!"