Chapter 173: Gion's Fiery Awakening!
The smoke cleared, and the dust settled. As everyone blinked and peered toward where Ross had swung Poseidon's Trident, jaws dropped at the sight.
From the moment he'd gripped the ancient weapon to the fading roar of that crimson lightning cascade, the ground had split open. A gaping chasm yawned before them—ten meters wide, plunging into an endless void like a ravenous black hole. It stretched out of sight, a jagged scar tearing across Upper Yard Island, bisecting the once-pristine land in two.
This cataclysmic rift, a force of nature in itself, was just a casual swing from Ross.
"This..."
Gan Fall's eyes bulged in disbelief. He'd witnessed Roger in action once, but nothing like this. One strike, and Upper Yard lay halved. And Ross? He stood there relaxed, barely breaking a sweat. He could do this again—easily. A few more, and the whole island would crumble into the clouds below. Where would the Sky Island folk go then? No more Upper Yard, no more home.
Gan Fall's gaze shifted, now laced with awe and wariness. If the former god felt this way, the God's Guardians were shattered. Moments ago, they'd brimmed with haughty defiance; now, terror gripped them. Resistance? Forgotten. Facing a monster like Ross filled them with raw dread. In their eyes, he wasn't human—he was divine, wielding godlike power.
"Amazing..."
Conis whispered, repeating it like a mantra. Ross's display shattered her worldview. Human strength—no, godly power—could reach such heights?
She glanced at Gan Fall and shook her head. He was outclassed; Ross was the real deal. Suddenly, Sora's tales of Ross's might made sense. Curiosity pulled her eyes to Gion next. Just how strong was she? Could she cleave Upper Yard with one blow too?
"What're you staring at? I'm not on his level. But a year back, he couldn't touch me," Gion huffed, catching Conis's look. She pouted, frustration bubbling up.
She could stomach being weaker than Ross—he was a freak of nature, after all. But the growing chasm between them? That stung. Back when they'd clashed with the Redfield, Ross hadn't even tapped Conqueror's Haki. They'd been equals, her edge sharper. Then they both devoured Mythical Zoan Devil Fruits. So why the massive gap now? She hadn't cracked admiral potential, while he'd ascended to legend.
Every leap Ross made poked at her pride. Deep down, Gion burned with rivalry—especially after sitting out the Redfield fight, deemed too green. It gnawed at her.
And then—
Sizzle!
A razor-sharp, unyielding aura exploded from Gion's lithe frame, like a volcano bursting free.
"Hm?"
Ross turned, surprise flickering as he sensed the surge. With a casual flick of his wrist, an invisible force scooped up Conis from Gion's protective hold and drew her into his arms.
"Ah!"
Conis yelped, her small frame quivering against Ross's warm chest. Her heart hammered as she processed the shift—then horror hit as Gion's aura washed over the God's Guardians. One by one, they crumpled unconscious. Even Gan Fall hit the dirt, out cold.
"Conqueror's Haki?" Sora blinked at Gion, piecing it together. Ross's own Haki shielded her and Conis, leaving them unscathed.
"I didn't peg her for the type," Ross said, a grin tugging his lips. "You lit the spark, though. Once she shakes this off, she'll owe you thanks."
Sora chuckled. She knew Gion's fire—how the Redfield bout had left her brooding for weeks. To snap her out of it, Sora had dragged her to Ross for a pep talk. Mostly, it'd been Ross dropping wisdom on Gion. Who'd have thought one glimpse of his power would flip the switch?
"That's her hidden fire," Ross said, eyes gleaming with respect. "Zephyr and I dug into this. Theory goes, anyone at Vice Admiral level could awaken Conqueror's Haki—it's about embracing your core self, no holds barred."
"So, most who don't awaken are just too chained down—by rules, or themselves?" Sora mused, finally grasping it. She'd never wield it herself, but the logic clicked.
"Spot on," Ross nodded. "The Grand Line's crawling with heavy hitters, but even admirals get boxed in—by the world, or their own doubts. Vice Admirals? Forget it."
He meant Zephyr, of course—the guy was a powerhouse, but his rigid code held him back. Break free, and bam—Conqueror's Haki unlocks.
"Pirates awaken it more 'cause they're wild cards?" Sora caught on quick.
"Exactly. That's why most users sail the seas. Navy's got Sakazuki, Garp, Sengoku, and Kong with it, but only Garp's mastered the full Conqueror's Haki infusion." Ross shrugged. "The thing is, Conqueror's Haki's no game-changer in a scrap. Even peak-level stuff folds against a tag-team of equals. Redfield went down easy to me and Sakazuki."
The Marines sat at their zenith—fewer in number than the pirate hordes, but their elite muscle crushed any opposition. Top dogs aplenty didn't mean the Great Age of Pirates was done, though. Overkill on small fry wasted ammo. Chaos reigned because the World Government let it—tolerating the storm.
But if they wouldn't rein it in...
Ross smirked inwardly. He'd handle it. Ruthless pirates gone mad, innocents caught in the crossfire—they were all under his watch now. His domain, his rules. His property to protect.
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