Somaz Saint was taken aback for a moment, then laughed. "Interesting. It seems someone is very interested in that new Emperor."
It wasn't just Number 46 who was interested. Everyone present had their first target set on that Straw Hat.
He had killed three Celestial Dragons on the Sabaody Archipelago.
Everyone knew that after the God Valley incident, nothing like that had ever happened again.
"Come to think of it,"
Somaz Saint said thoughtfully, "that Straw Hat kid is named Monkey D. Luffy, isn't he? D... what a troublesome surname."
And it was Monkey, at that.
Somaz curled his lip, recalling some not-so-pleasant memories.
Killingham Saint also stood up, his long, slender neck swaying. "Then I'm going out too."
"So impatient."
Somaz sighed. "Fine, let's go. I want to kill someone, too."
There were quite a few people from God Valley back then on this battlefield.
The four walked out.
The sounds of battle washed over them. The air was thick with the scent of blood and burning.
In the distance, on the vast ice plain battlefield, tens of thousands of people were fighting. The flashes of various abilities rose and fell.
Somaz Saint took a deep breath, as if savoring the scent of chaos.
"Then, let the hunt begin."
His figure instantly vanished from the deck.
Next, Gunko turned into a silver streak of light, shooting toward Byrnndi World's position.
Killingham Saint let out an excited shriek.
And Number 46, who had left first, had already silently approached the area where Luffy and Hawkeye were fighting.
Sengoku stood on the command platform and saw the four figures darting out from the warship.
The God's Knights had finally made their move.
He felt a slight sense of relief, but at the same time, a complicated feeling arose in his heart.
Asking these Celestial Dragon janitors to act meant that the Marines had already used one of their last trump cards in this war.
Regardless of victory or defeat, the World Government would use this as a pretext to tighten its control over the Marines afterward.
Sengoku's gaze followed Number 46, his brow furrowed.
That masked man was heading straight for Straw Hat Luffy.
All God's Knights members were strong. And they possessed a special power.
But—
"Can he handle Straw Hat?"
Sengoku murmured to himself.
...
"We just received intelligence that Red-Haired Shanks of the Four Emperors seems to have clashed with Emperor Kaido in the New World. It looks like no new forces will be joining this battlefield!"
Ivankov's pupils contracted. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead—not because of the news Lightning had brought, but because he saw several figures on the distant warship.
The terrifying pressure radiating from those few individuals in their special uniforms swept over him.
That presence...
The last thing Ivankov wanted to recall came to mind.
And one of them was charging straight toward Luffy.
"Straw Hat Boy!" Ivankov shouted in alarm.
There was no need for Ivankov to warn him. The moment Luffy used a slash from Magi to push back Hawkeye, he could feel his Observation Haki screaming warnings.
Finally here.
These guys.
Chsss!
A silver thread, so thin it was almost invisible, grazed past his neck, cutting a few strands of black hair.
On the ice, a man wearing an orange mask stood silently. The rapier in his hand was slightly tilted, its tip pointing to the ground.
Hawkeye also stopped and looked at this uninvited guest, frowning slightly.
"Who are you?" Luffy asked warily.
Number 46 did not answer.
He simply raised his rapier slowly and pointed its tip at Luffy.
"D. You people shouldn't exist," Number 46 said coldly.
The moment his voice fell, his figure vanished.
He was fast. The next instant, his sword tip was already pressing against Luffy's chest.
Clang!
Seeing Luffy block his weapon with a blade held in a reverse grip, Number 46 was momentarily stunned.
He could keep up with my speed?
This guy's Observation Haki must be very strong, too.
Luffy tightened his grip on Magi, grinning at the man before him. "Now that you're all out, I won't hold back."
"What do you mean?"
Crack.
"So fast!"
Number 46 was horified. A flash of blade light passed, and his right arm was cut off.
"I've been waiting for you for a long time."
Ssss...
Haki spread from Luffy's body. Pitch-black patterns began to wrap around him. He exhaled. "I thought you were stronger."
Fighting Hawkeye for so long, Luffy had barely used his fruit's power.
His energy and stamina were limited.
Like Magellan, Luffy had fought the entire time.
Using his fruit ability would make his Haki and stamina consumption skyrocket.
When his Observation Haki—no, perhaps Nika's fruit itself—instinctively sensed several ominous presences on the battlefield, Luffy had been waiting.
This was not the time to rely on hot-blooded recklessness.
It wasn't until Number 46 and his group stepped out that Luffy finally relaxed.
At last, he could cut loose.
This guy looked strong, but not overwhelmingly so.
Just about average.
"Gear Second Plus!"
Before his severed arm could even recover, the attack had already arrived. Number 46 instinctively raised his remaining arm, holding his rapier up in front of him to block.
He blocked it!
But the force of the attack was astonishing. Number 46's entire body was sent flying, sliding dozens of meters across the ice before barely stopping.
He looked down at his chest. A fairly deep sword wound had appeared there.
"He's actually that strong?" Number 46 frowned. "As expected, we can't let you D-clan bastards grow up."
"Why could your severed arm recover? And those wounds on your body, too. So this is where the strangeness comes from."
Watching Number 46 quickly restores his original state, Luffy frowned. "Is it a Devil Fruit ability?"
No. That wasn't right.
His slash had been coated in Haki. Even a Devil Fruit ability should have been useless against it.
"Warlord of the Sea, Dracule Mihawk. Coordinate with me."
Number 46 turned and stared at Hawkeye, giving orders. "Like just now."
If you were strong, he would look at you slightly more favorably.
On this battlefield, Hawkeye was one of the few who had that qualification.
Whether Hawkeye listened or not, he took a step forward.
"Kokutō: Yashū!"
The pitch-black blade dimmed everything ahead. The area where Number 46 stood was enveloped in impenetrable darkness.
Under the cover of night, the deep, solid ice layers were completely cut through. The seawater within the area was instantly evaporated.
This attack made even the Admirals turn their heads.
"Finally getting serious?"
Kizaru narrowed his eyes at the sight. "Kowai ne. This man."
A power worthy of the World's Strongest Swordsman.
But—
"Not dead yet?"
Watching Number 46's body returns to its original state beneath the blade of night, Hawkeye also frowned slightly.
This situation was very similar to certain individuals that man Shanks had mentioned before.
The legendary "immortal body"?
"Hawkeye!"
Number 46's voice was sharp with anger.
Was he trying to hit him?
Even if that powerful sword technique was supposed to include Straw Hat, why did the blade stop exactly in front of Straw Hat's face?
This was blatant discrimination!
"I'll be your opponent, Hawkeye."
A large number of crimson rose petals scattered through the air. Then two rapier blades swung toward Hawkeye. Hawkeye blocked them with Yoru.
"Vista the Flower Sword, 5th Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates?"
Looking at Vista, who was clearly excited, Hawkeye nodded. "I've wanted to face you for a long time."
His fight with Straw Hat had been interrupted. He wouldn't be able to enjoy it properly.
This swordsman before him also had a long-established reputation. He would do for a bit of light entertainment.
As for the masked man?
Hawkeye was quite irritated at being interrupted. If not for his immortal body, that man would already be dead.
Vista was sweating. The man before him was the lifelong goal of every swordsman. Even to receive this kind of evaluation from Hawkeye was a form of recognition.
Having just witnessed the full exchange between Luffy and Hawkeye, Vista had seen the gap between himself and this man.
All he could do was to stop him with all his strength!
Clang!
Their blades collided. Vista was momentarily surprised.
Wait. If this was the level of intensity... maybe he could manage?
"That bastard Hawkeye!"
Watching this, Sengoku almost ground his teeth to dust.
Stopped by one of Whitebeard's division commanders?
The Warlords were truly untrustworthy.
"This feeling is a lot like that Blackbeard guy's ability earlier,"
Luffy watched Number 46 recovered completely from that attack and said, "I refuse to believe someone can't be killed."
If one slash wasn't enough?
Then two!
He took a deep breath. Conqueror's Haki erupted. Black-red lightning wrapped around his entire body.
"Conqueror's Haki Infusion?!"
Seeing this, Number 46's expression changed.
The God's Knights' immortal bodies could be immune to any attack. Even a slash as powerful as Hawkeye's was useless against them.
But what they feared most was Conqueror's Haki Infusion!
If killed by that, they would truly die.
The God's Knights knew this. They possessed a kind of immortal body. Even someone as strong as Rocks, or King Harald of the Giants, had been killed.
But that was Conqueror's Haki Infusion!
How many people on this sea even had Conqueror's Haki, let alone mastered its infusion?
The God's Knights had only been wary of old-timers like Whitebeard and Golden Lion.
They knew Straw Hat had Conqueror's Haki. They hadn't expected him to master Conqueror's Haki Infusion so quickly.
Their intelligence was outdated!
It was all Somaz's fault. The man had done nothing but eat and have fun since they got here.
"As expected, you're afraid too."
"Show some respect, you commoner. Me, afraid?!"
Number 46 was angry and embarrassed.
"Your tone reminds me of those guys I killed before. Are you a Celestial Dragon?" Luffy asked.
He looked quite different from those helmet-wearing types.
But it didn't matter. He was still an enemy!
"You truly are a heinous criminal. The D clan truly must be eliminated."
Number 46 stared at Luffy. "Opposing the World Government, opposing us gods—it comes with a price."
Then, a faint gray airflow appeared on his rapier.
"Boom, crash!"
Their blades collided.
An instant later, Luffy's other fist was slammed into Number 46's head.
"You bastard?!" Number 46 was sent flying, staring at Luffy in shock.
What kind of move was that?
"Who told you I was a swordsman?"
With a cold laugh, Luffy punched him hard in the stomach.
"Gomu Gomu no Dangan!"
"Bang!"
Hit in the stomach, Number 46's eyes bulged. He spat out a large mouthful of blood.
The damage was caused by Conqueror's Haki Infusion. It couldn't be restored!
Then Number 46 was sent flying.
The God's Knights had failed on this front.
Over on Gunko's side, however, she was cutting through everything like a hot knife through butter.
"Hey, what is that ability?"
"A Paramecia-type?"
"Don't get caught by those arrows!"
A pirate found an opening and slashed his sword into Gunko's shoulder. "Die!"
Not even a drop of blood spilled. Gunko glanced at the sword in her shoulder. An arrow shot straight through the pirate's head.
"Hey, hey, hey, Marines. Are you still this weak?"
Byrnndi World was laughing, using his Momo Momo no Mi to enlarge a massive block of ice several times over, preparing to smash it into the Marines' formation. Then an arrow flew toward him.
"Swish!"
The massive block of ice was cleanly cut in half and came crashing down.
World frowned and looked ahead.
"A woman?"
World grinned. "Move aside. I don't kill women."
Gunko didn't waste words. The arrows behind her charged straight at him.
They were all targets to be eliminated. In her eyes, they were as good as dead.
Fast.
World's pupils contracted. He quickly raised his hand. His Momo Momo no Mi activated, and his arm instantly swelled a hundred times its size, punching out.
Boom, crash!
Fist and arrow collided. A shockwave swept through the area.
Gunko was pushed back a few steps but immediately attacked again. Arrows blanketed World like a net.
"Interesting!"
World laughed wildly. "I'll play with you!"
Meanwhile, in the air.
Several tangible and intangible thorns flew toward Golden Lion in the sky.
"Those attacks—"
Golden Lion frowned, swiping his swords with his feet and sending sword slashes to cut the thorns. He looked down, his pupils contracting. "You bastards came too?"
Somaz Saint stood atop a snake-shaped monster, looking down. "Hahaha! I've missed you. Back at God Valley, we never settled things!"
"Tch. I still don't understand where you monsters get your strange powers."
Golden Lion narrowed his eyes and looked around.
There wasn't just Somaz. There were three others like him, weren't there?
And Killingham Saint had already come to face Redfield the Red Count.
This "lonely Red" had just easily taken down over a dozen Marine officers with his rapier and was now elegantly wiping the blade. Seeing Somaz Saint appear, he raised an eyebrow slightly.
"A Celestial Dragon?"
Redfield's tone was calm. "No. God's Knights?"
"Oh? You know about us?" Killingham was somewhat surprised.
"Live long enough, and you learn a few things."
Redfield said flatly. "So, you're here to eliminate us?"
"Hahaha! Of course."
Killingham laughed loudly. "Our job is to wipe out all you bastards. With Shamrock gone, you're my prey. The man who alone rivaled Roger and Whitebeard... I'm curious. What is your fear?"
Redfield looked at him and suddenly smiled.
"Want to taste my fear? But it seems your fears are much more flavorful."
Killingham's pupils narrowed slightly.
Redfield could read others' memories and emotions. That was one of his abilities.
"Besides, you don't seem unkillable either."
What?
Killingham looked down and his expression changed dramatically.
"Monsters! All monsters!"
Owen, clutching his flintlock rifle, was just an unremarkable Marine soldier drafted into this war. His eyes were filled with terror as he watched one powerful fighter after another battle.
He didn't even know what had happened. He had just woken up from unconsciousness. The only thing he remembered was the clash between Straw Hat Luffy and Whitebeard.
When he opened his eyes, the escape from Luffy and Hawkeye's collision sent him flying.
Crack!
Everywhere he looked were enormous blocks of ice and burning warships.
This was not a battle that ordinary people like him could join.
Now another masked man had appeared and was fighting Straw Hat.
Covered by Hawkeye's terrifying attack, he hadn't been hurt at all.
Was he immortal?
On a stage full of monsters like these, what use was someone like him?
In the distance, the Pacifistas' lasers were more damaging than cannonballs. Pirates hit by them collapsed, but the Marines caught in the crossfire also suffered badly.
Run. He wanted to run!
Owen's world was reduced to the noise of gunfire and screams.
"Brother! Where are you? Brother!"
Owen instantly locked onto the source of the voice: his younger brother, trapped under a massive block of ice in the distance.
He instinctively wanted to run to him.
His legs wouldn't listen.
He looked down. They were gone.
What—what should he do?
On this battlefield, he couldn't even protect himself.
"What... what is that sound?"
A drumming sound began. Owen heard it. His heart seemed to beat along with its rhythm.
A terrifying presence appeared in the distance, immediately drawing Owen's gaze.
There—a white giant.
"That guy is... Straw Hat?"
He had a body as large as Little Oars Jr., who had appeared not long ago, but then he shrank in a short time. Though still large, he was within a range that normal people could accept.
"Have you gone insane?!"
The masked man near Straw Hat, despite apparently having an immortal body, kept retreating for some reason. He seemed to be afraid of something.
"I told you—I'm going to save Ace!"
Luffy roared. "I'm his little brother!"
Hearing these words, Owen was thunderstruck. Then he resolutely charged toward his brother.
"I'm his big brother!"
Crack!
The black blade swung through Number 46's body. The power of Conqueror's Haki completely shattered the black, sinister power inside. Blood poured from the body, spreading into the ice.
"So what if you're a Celestial Dragon?"
Luffy looked at Number 46's corpse. "I've already killed three. You'll be the fourth."
A hush fell over the battlefield.
Everyone stared blankly at the scene.
What had Straw Hat just said?
That was another Celestial Dragon?
What happened on the Sabaody Archipelago had been in the news. But this was happening right in front of them.
Straw Hat Luffy had killed another Celestial Dragon!
"Straw Hat!"
Sengoku's eyes widened. "Does this bastard have any idea what he's done?!"
One of the God's Knights... had been killed just like that?
Sengoku hadn't expected these so-called immortals to be defeated so easily.
Just moments ago, they had looked full of energy and completely unstoppable.
"Fufufufufu…"
Doflamingo laughed wildly. "You've crossed the line again and again. I really want to kill you, Straw Hat!"
As a Celestial Dragon, having his dignity trampled like this was something he found extremely hard to tolerate.
***
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