...
The chaos on the light screen did not subside with the defeat of the Worst Generation; instead, it snowballed, developing toward an even larger scale and becoming increasingly uncontrollable.
A multi-sided free-for-all—many familiar faces appeared!
As the Marines launched a full-scale landing and encirclement, the pirates remaining on the island who hadn't been directly affected by Bullet naturally refused to sit idly by.
A massive chaotic battle between Marines and pirates erupted across various parts of the island.
In these battles, the viewers in God Valley saw quite a few "familiar" faces.
Garp's disciple, Coby—who had blocked Akainu during the Summit War and was later suspected of "deserting in battle"—along with his friend Helmeppo, were leading a squad of Marine soldiers in fierce combat against a group of ferocious pirates.
Coby's Soru had become even more proficient. Though his face still carried a trace of youthfulness, his eyes were resolute, and his combat skills had clearly improved significantly since the Summit War.
On the other side, Marine Headquarters Captain Hina, user of the Cage-Cage Fruit, was using black iron bars to trap several pirates.
Tashigi was now swinging her long sword, clashing with a pirate captain who wielded dual blades in a shower of sparks.
Even more eye-catching was a white smoke surging into the fray like an enraged dragon—wherever it passed, pirates were sent flying or restrained.
It was none other than Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral Smoker, the natural-type Smoke-Smoke Fruit user!
He still had that tough-guy look, cigar clenched in his mouth, brows furrowed, striking with ruthless decisiveness.
The appearance of these "future" pillars of the Marines made Garp, Sengoku, and the others in God Valley nod slightly.
At least it showed that the Marines' new generation was growing.
Chopper and Brook's search, Bullet's rampage!
Chopper carried Brook on his back, anxiously weaving through collapsed buildings and billowing smoke and dust, searching for any trace of Luffy.
They avoided the main battlefield, but the violent tremors in the air and the distant towering combined giant figure all proclaimed the extreme danger of the situation.
The super-gigantic combined monster that Bullet had transformed into was now like a true god of destruction, moving and attacking aimlessly across the island.
A casual punch from it could level an entire block.
A single step crushed deep craters into the ground.
Wherever it went—whether pirate temporary strongholds, Marine landing zones, or the island's own buildings and terrain—everything turned to ruins and became part of its body.
Absorbed and fused by its combination ability!
"What... what kind of monster is that?!"
A Marine Vice Admiral stared at the distant moving steel mountain range, his face pale.
"Quick! Notify all units—avoid that area! Prioritize capturing the scattered pirates!" another experienced Vice Admiral ordered.
However, their reaction was still too slow.
Smoker turned into smoke and rushed urgently to the front of a rallying Marine unit, shouting loudly: "Don't go over there! Retreat now! Evacuate this island! He's trying to gather us all together!!!"
Smoker's warning had barely finished when the giant that Bullet had become suddenly turned its head, its "eyes" locking onto the spot!
"Boom!!!"
Without any warning, the giant raised one foot and stomped down viciously toward the Marine assembly area like a collapsing mountain!
Covering several nearby medium-sized warships along with it.
"Dodge!"
The Marine officers used every trick to evade or defend, but the ordinary soldiers and large amounts of equipment had no time to react!
In an instant, screams, the screech of twisting metal, and explosions rang out together!
At least a hundred Marines perished on the spot, several warships crushed or absorbed!
The true purpose of the awakening and form evolution!
Standing atop the ruins and absorbed metal wreckage!
Bullet's voice echoed across the island once more through amplification, carrying a satisfied yet cruel calm: "Did you see? This... is the true power of the Combine-Combine Fruit after awakening... Devour, assemble, 'become one'!"
"My goal was never simply treasure hunting or killing... I want to devour all the power on this island!
Whether from pirates or Marines—their ships, their weapons, their fighting spirit, even their flesh and lives—everything devoured! Fused into one!"
"Only by gathering all power into myself and evolving endlessly can I infinitely approach... that absolute strongest!"
Accompanying his declaration, the combined giant—which had just devoured a large number of Marine warships, cannons, and metal debris—underwent another astonishing transformation!
Its size expanded further, its structure grew more complex and grotesque, the armor on its surface thicker, with faintly visible cannon barrels and ship fragments forcibly fused in, not yet fully digested!
Its aura was even more terrifying and despair-inducing than before!
Even worse, Bullet seemed to feel the "nutrients" weren't concentrated enough. He controlled the evolved giant, plunging both arms into the seabed on either side of the island, erupting with unimaginable force!
"Rumble rumble—!!!"
The entire large island hosting the expo had become an invisible cage!
Unless Bullet was defeated from within or the power forcibly broke through, everyone on the island would be trapped like turtles in a jar.
"Ultimate... Giant Cannon!"
The evolved Bullet giant's right arm—a massive fist formed from countless cannon barrels, armor, and rock—was instantly covered in dense, pitch-black Armament Haki!
Jet-black as ink, gleaming with metallic and destructive luster!
It raised high, then smashed down mercilessly toward the central area of the island!
"Dong!!!!!!!"
An indescribable terrifying roar!
The entire island jumped from this punch! Centered on the impact point, a visible ring-shaped shockwave mixed with Haki spread madly in all directions!
Like a tsunami, it swept outward!
Wherever it passed, the ground flipped and shattered as if plowed; buildings collapsed like sandcastles!
Whether Marines or pirates, anyone directly hit by this shockwave was either killed or gravely injured!
The island trembled violently, even emitting groans as if it could no longer bear the burden and was about to fall apart!
Cracks spread from the impact point, seawater pouring in through the fissures!
"To become so huge... yet still control and use top-tier Armament Haki with such precision..."
In God Valley, Zephyr watched this world-destroying punch, his expression extremely grave: "This guy... has combined 'quantity' and 'quality' to some extreme!
The massive body provides near-infinite power and defensive foundation, while top-tier Haki gives that power an indestructible 'quality'! How can such a monster be defeated?"
Garp, Sengoku, and Tsuru also wore solemn expressions, nodding slowly.
"But..."
Sengoku pushed up his glasses, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes: "How exactly did the future Marines lock away such a monster in Impel Down?
From the earlier escape footage, he clearly spent quite a long time in prison."
This question lingered in many minds.
The strength Bullet displayed—especially the Combine ability after awakening—was practically the ultimate weapon born for war and destruction.
How did the Marines arrest him? At what cost?
Earlier, the light screen had flashed a segment of Bullet escaping from Impel Down Level 6.
It was precisely when Blackbeard Marshall D. Teach invaded Impel Down in chaos before the Summit War, releasing the Level 6 prisoners, that Bullet regained his freedom.
At that time, Blackbeard's subordinates had tried to recruit Bullet, but Blackbeard himself decisively refused.
Recalling that scene and looking at Bullet's god-and-demon-like posture on the light screen now, the people in God Valley seemed to understand somewhat.
"That guy Teach... though mad, his vision and instincts are indeed sharp."
Whitebeard's low voice rang out, carrying a complex emotion: "He was once a crewmate on my ship, so he must have heard of Bullet's name and knew exactly what kind of 'trouble' this guy was.
Recruiting such a monster who believes only in his own power, has no loyalty, and whose strength has no upper limit is like planting a bomb beside yourself.
From the future scenes, what Blackbeard Teach wants are 'controllable' powerful subordinates, not a madman who could turn on him at any moment."
Shiki also snorted coldly: "The Blackbeard kid is shrewd. For a guy like Bullet, his world probably only has room for himself."
On the light screen, after completing his earth-shaking punch and further intimidating the entire battlefield, Bullet's massive "eyes" swept once more over the devastated, wailing island.
His "hunt" and "devouring" had clearly only just begun.
...