"Jupiter" Saint Shepherd Ju Peter, the bizarre giant worm lurking under the earth—Sand Worm!
"Venus" Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, the giant skeletal horse clad in tattered horse hide—Horse Bone!
Behind the five great demons, all are surrounded by the flame clouds, only attainable through the Zoan-type Awakening.
But those flame clouds are not pure white; instead, they are a heart-pounding purplish-black.
These flame clouds roil and surge like karmic fire from Hell, dyeing the entire sky in ominous darkness!
"This sense of oppression..."
Shano squinted, looking up.
Above him is the massive skeletal horse, with its large vertebrae forming the main trunk, extending multiple long bone spurs, terrifying and grotesque.
Looking up at its abdomen from below, it feels like the Ancestor Giant after an Earthquake.
"Shano."
The skeletal horse's face changes, transforming into a half-human beast form. The elderly man with a bald head, holding the First Generation Kitetsu, coldly gazes down, the blade pointing straight at Shano:
"You blasphemous one who dares to slaughter the Creator's descendants... your crime is unforgivable, today you shall meet your end here!"
"The conflict in the Lower Realm should come to an end now."
The phoenix-headed, snake-bodied monstrous bird that covers the sky also looked down upon Shano, speaking indifferently:
"We have not come to join the battle, but to execute annihilation, and to declare to audacious rebels like you, who the true and eternal ruler of this world is."
"Sakazuki."
The bull-headed, spider-bodied Saturn Satan Saint, leaning on a cane, said blandly: "Your performance is truly disappointing, but we are willing to give you a chance to redeem yourself."
Akainu, scolded in person, tightened his fists, his expression dark, but still asked in a deep voice: "Chance? What do you mean?"
Saturn did not answer.
Instead, he looked up, exchanged a glance with the other four giant demons, and then spoke in a deep, harmonious voice:
"Divine Binding!"
Swish!
Before the words fell, five purple-black energy beams shot out from their bodies, entwining tightly around Shano's limbs and neck like vines.
Securing him firmly in mid-air!
Hmm?
Shano's expression changed slightly, his muscles tensed instantly, struggling fiercely. The purple-black beams vibrated with crackling sounds.
Yet they seemed infinite, continuously healing and replenishing.
For a moment, completely unable to break free!
"What are you waiting for, Sakazuki! Maintaining this Divine Binding is no easy task. Act quickly, and end this audacious defiant one!"
Saturn's eyes lowered, speaking coldly!
Akainu, initially stunned, suddenly snapped awake at the sight, his eyes brimming with murder.
If viewed merely from the perspective of a strong man's duel, this behavior is undoubtedly disgraceful, and he scorns it.
But now it's different; factional stance takes precedence over everything. To uphold justice and order, slaying the Pirates leaves no room for hesitation!
"It's over, Shano!"
Akainu roared, his arms instantly transforming into rolling lava, charging with full force at the bound Shano!
"Meigo!"
Shhh!!!
This strike, with all the force behind it, hit Shano's chest solidly, instantly piercing through, incinerating the heart, and burning a shocking, huge hole!
"Very good."
Witnessing this scene, the Five Elders all showed satisfaction; they could clearly see that Akainu's strike had pierced right through Shano's heart.
The farce, is over!
This man, who had given them countless headaches, along with the Endgame he founded, would cease to exist on the seas from today onwards!
"..."
Akainu, on the contrary, stood there stunned, his eyes filled with doubt and uncertainty.
Something's not right.
It was too easy.
As someone who had battled Shano multiple times, he knew well the other's formidable physique; even if bound, it shouldn't have been so easy to strike him down.
Moreover...
He suddenly looked up, staring intently at Shano's face.
The black-haired youth, whose chest had been pierced and heart lost, was actually... smiling?!