Marco stared at the four Gorosei before him, a mocking smile on his face. "It looks like your plan to kill Straw Hat failed, Gorosei. And what happened to the Soul Divine Blood this time? Could not use it, or did you forget to bring it?"
The Gorosei's expressions turned cold at his words. What should have been a simple mission had spiraled out of control. Saint Nusjuro spoke with a chilling tone, "Hmph, from the way you speak, you think you have us cornered."
Even so, the Gorosei were not truly afraid. Without the Four Soul Divine Blood, they knew they could not defeat Marco, but they could still retreat to the Holy Land by dispelling their magic. Even if Marco had surpassed them in strength and broken their immortality, escape remained an option.
At that moment, they communicated telepathically with Saint Garling.
"Garling, hurry and deal with the Joy Boy reincarnation. Once that is done, we retreat."
"I understand," Garling replied.
Within the raging flames, Saint Garling released a sharp energy blade that instantly extinguished the surrounding sea of fire. With his powerful Observation Haki, he quickly locked onto Fire Fist Ace and gave chase without hesitation.
Marco's expression darkened. He wanted to save Ace, but the four Gorosei blocked his path.
"You really think you old men can stop me?"
As his voice fell, Marco unleashed his Haoshoku Haki. It surged forward like a violent tsunami, crashing toward the Gorosei.
Even they could not ignore it. Saint Peter immediately spoke through telepathy, "If anyone is critically injured, do not hesitate. Dispel your magic and return. Lord Imu will not blame us."
"Garling, we cannot hold this monster for long. It depends on you," Nusjuro added.
During the battle on Egghead, even with the Four Soul Divine Blood, Nusjuro had been defeated. He had escaped early to recover, avoiding the same fate as Saint Mars. That defeat left a deep scar on him. As a Gorosei, a being revered above nearly all others, he refused to risk his life recklessly against someone like Marco.
The others shared the same caution. They had witnessed Saint Mars die, a Celestial Dragon who had stood beside them for centuries. That memory made them wary. Having lived so long, they valued their lives above all else.
Marco suddenly suppressed his aura, concealing his presence. The Gorosei sensed the shift and grew more alert.
In the next instant, Marco moved.
He shot forward, targeting Nusjuro directly.
But this time, Nusjuro did not meet him head-on. He retreated instead, catching Marco slightly off guard.
At that moment, Saint Peter spat out thick webs toward Marco.
Marco raised his hand, forming a blade of Armament Haki. With a swift strike, he cut through the webs and continued his pursuit of Nusjuro.
Nusjuro felt a surge of panic. He had fought Marco before and knew the gap between them. Marco's Haki-forged blade was far too sharp, something his own defenses could not withstand.
Meanwhile, on Amazon Lily, the chase intensified.
Ace could not foresee the future with his Observation Haki, but Garling could. Not only that, Garling had reached the level of Observation Kill, making it impossible for Ace to predict his attacks.
Ace could only rely on his Flame Flame Fruit to stall.
Even so, the difference in strength was overwhelming. Several energy blades struck his back, tearing into his flesh and leaving deep, bloody wounds. He coughed up blood and collapsed, dropping Luffy as he fell.
Still, Ace forced himself back to his feet. Ignoring the pain, he fixed his gaze on Garling and growled, "Great Flame Commandment..."
Flames erupted outward from his body, spreading in all directions.
Garling frowned and released another energy blade, slicing through the flames with ease.
But when the fire cleared, Ace had already grabbed Luffy and fled again.
Garling's expression darkened. Ace's strength was respectable, even among the God's Knights, he ranked above average. But to Garling, that level was insignificant.
The problem was his persistence.
Ace kept running, and it irritated him.
Back in the sky, Marco finally caught up.
"Blade of Destruction."
A blade of pure Armament Haki formed in his hand and came down in a flash.
Nusjuro reacted instinctively, raising his guard, but it was useless. Even at full power, he could not withstand this attack. Now, he stood no chance.
With a single strike, his right arm was severed.
The force of the slash continued through his body, splitting him cleanly in two.
Blood sprayed into the air as Nusjuro's eyes rolled back, his body falling apart under the overwhelming power.
◇ I'll drop one bonus chapter for every 10 reviews
(Leave a review/comment)
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100
Power Stones.
◇ Read chapters ahead on P-a-t-r-e-o-n.com/_Zeph