Logia and Mythical Zoan Devil Fruits are considered the rarest and most powerful.
This is common knowledge.
However, in reality, many Paramecia-type Devil Fruits possess unique characteristics that make them incredibly formidable.
Fruits like the Hollow-Hollow Fruit, Op-Op Fruit, Hobby-Hobby Fruit, and Slow-Slow Fruit...
Their distinct traits allow them to exhibit power on par with Logia and Mythical Zoan types.
Among these potent Paramecia Fruits, the Shadow-Shadow Fruit does not stand out particularly.
Many even believe that the Shadow-Shadow Fruit barely meets the threshold of usefulness, offering little to no outstanding advantages.
But to Maude,
The Shadow-Shadow Fruit is the Paramecia type with the widest array of abilities, excelling in both versatility and functionality.
However, because of its extreme adaptability, its raw offensive power often appears somewhat lacking.
That being said—
Among the many traits of the Shadow-Shadow Fruit, the ones Maude favored the most were its powerful crowd-control abilities and one particularly aggressive skill—Shadow's Asgard.
And so, following Sabo and Morley's successful repulsion of Fujitora, Maude activated Shadow's Asgard, absorbing the shadows he had collected one by one into his body.
He stopped only when he had assimilated 500 shadows—the limit of what he could endure.
As for the remaining prisoner shadows, Maude did not hold onto them; instead, he harvested them directly, converting them into additional strength while restoring some stamina and Haki.
"The Shadow-Shadow Fruit is truly incredible..."
This thought arose naturally within Maude's mind as he absorbed 500 prisoner shadows into his body.
With his strength and speed experiencing an explosive surge, his first move was to use the Solid Shadow Trait to completely immobilize the Straw Hat crew.
His terrifying speed was so overwhelming that even Usopp and Bartolomeo—who had been maintaining Observation Haki—failed to react in time.
"Stand there and behave for a while."
A cold, emotionless voice sounded from behind them.
Oppressed by Maude's overwhelming presence, the Straw Hat crew finally realized that he had appeared behind them.
Instantly, a soul-piercing chill surged through their bodies.
If Maude wanted to kill them...
The terrifying images that involuntarily flashed through their minds left them uncertain whether to feel fear or relief.
"So this... is Maude's true strength..."
"We don't even have the right to fight back... What kind of nightmare is this?"
"Move... damn it, move!!!"
Even though they had once again experienced Maude's monstrous strength firsthand, the Straw Hat Pirates, with their unyielding will, never even considered giving up.
Maude could have eliminated them in an instant.
That was a fact.
But Maude would not kill them.
That, too, was a fact.
And that was their only source of confidence.
Their logic was sound, but no matter how they struggled, they could not break free from Maude's control.
Maude could sense their resistance, but he paid it no mind, instead turning his gaze toward Sabo, Luffy, and Morley nearby.
"Maude..."
Sabo looked at Maude in shock, taking in his transformed appearance.
His physique had become even larger, his muscles bulging with power to the point of tearing through his outer clothing, leaving only a stretchable, form-fitting inner shirt.
From his shoulders to his elbows, swirling black flame-like markings coiled around his arms. Similar markings extended across his collarbone and cheeks.
Against his now pale-gray skin, these markings stood out starkly.
An unknown transformation had taken place, and simply standing still, Maude exuded an oppressive aura that made it difficult to breathe.
On the execution platform, Sengoku and Ace watched intently.
Fujitora, who had returned to the battlefield, the nearby Marines closest to the execution platform, and even figures as powerful as Whitebeard and Akainu—
All eyes were now fixed on Maude.
Most of them had no idea what Maude had just done.
All they had witnessed was Maude appearing behind the Straw Hat Pirates, after which they froze in place, unable to move—as if paralyzed.
In such a state, even ordinary soldiers could have easily executed them.
"What did you do to Zoro and the others!?"
Seeing his crewmates in such a condition, Luffy glared at Maude in anger.
His skin was flushed red and steaming—he was still in Second Gear mode.
But Maude ignored his question entirely, shifting his gaze toward Whitebeard and Akainu instead.
Swish!
Seeing Maude ignore him and avert his gaze, Luffy instinctively reacted, instantly appearing in front of him.
"Luffy!"
Sabo, startled by Luffy's reckless charge, instinctively stepped forward.
However—
Fujitora, having returned to the battlefield, unceremoniously summoned a gravity field, pressing down on Sabo and Morley, preventing them from interfering.
At the same time, Luffy launched his attack on Maude.
"Gomu Gomu no Jet Bullet!"
His Haki-coated fist, resembling a jet-powered projectile, rocketed toward Maude's chest.
An attack bursting with explosive force—but Maude calmly extended his right hand, effortlessly catching Luffy's wrist.
The overwhelming momentum of the Jet Bullet was instantly nullified.
Even as he neutralized Luffy's strike, Maude did not bother looking at him, keeping his attention fixed on Whitebeard and Akainu.
Seeing this all-too-familiar scenario, Luffy's eyes widened in shock.
"Luffy, is this really your 'full strength'?"
Maude finally turned his gaze toward Luffy, who seemed unable to accept the situation unfolding before him.
Before Luffy could react, Maude yanked him up and slammed him into the ground.
Boom!
Luffy's back crashed violently into the stone pavement, shattering it upon impact.
The sheer force of the impact caused him to spew a large mouthful of blood, his consciousness momentarily blacking out.
"Luffy!"
From not far away, Garp, witnessing the scene, felt his expression darken instantly.
On the execution platform—
Ace's gaze, locked onto Maude's back, radiated with palpable fury.
Meanwhile, Maude stood over Luffy, still clutching his elongated arm.
Luffy lay in a shallow crater, mouth full of blood, dazed and disoriented.
"Next time, don't forget the pain so easily."
Maude muttered softly, releasing Luffy's wrist.
Crack!
For reasons unknown, as Luffy's right hand retracted, his arm twisted unnaturally, followed by the distinct sound of a bone snapping.
"AAAAAHHHH!!!"
The searing pain of a fractured arm forced Luffy into an agonized scream.
Rubber... can break bones?
Hearing Luffy's cry, Garp—who had been engaged in battle with Marco—was instantly consumed by fury.
Whoosh—!
Knowing Maude's decisiveness in eliminating threats, Garp did not hesitate.
Without a second thought, he abandoned Marco and charged toward Maude, his Haki-infused fist swinging straight for his face.
"Garp!"
From the execution platform, Sengoku's face fell.
That fool…
Maude, unfazed, raised his right hand and blocked Garp's fist effortlessly.
Boom!
Their clash sent shockwaves rippling across the battlefield.
Maude, unmoving like a mountain, looked Garp in the eyes.
"Tell me... who are the real pirates here, and who are the real Marines?"
A sharp, mocking edge laced his voice.
Garp's gaze tightened.
Nearby—
The battlefield fell silent.
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