"Tsk tsk tsk, you really don't feel the slightest bit of shame when ganging up on someone, do you?"
Michael's Morning Star was wreathed in three-colored flames.
The pure white Holy Flame, the pale blue Judgment Flame, and the blood-red Wrath Flame.
As he spoke, the blade was already arcing toward Saturn's head.
Though not a full-powered strike, it was enough to fluster someone of Yamato's caliber.
Yet Saturn, transformed into the Ushi-Oni, didn't hesitate to take the blow head-on.
Feeling the recoil in his hands, Michael raised an eyebrow.
So this is the awakened beast form of a Mythical Zoan?
This level of toughness is something else.
And more importantly…
The moment Saturn defended, he had undoubtedly used something akin to Conqueror's Haki Coating.
That's right—every single one of the Five Elders before him, along with Figarland Garling, all possessed Conqueror's Haki.
And not just any Conqueror's Haki. Each of them, individually, had reserves and intensity on par with Charlotte Linlin.
This was something Michael had always known.
The Five Elders were strong. Extremely strong.
Not a single one of them could be considered among the weakest of the Emperor-tier.
Coupled with the Ageless Immortality Power bestowed upon them by Imu…
In a way, they were perpetual motion machines, just like Michael.
But Michael didn't care about any of that.
This time, his goal wasn't to eliminate the Five Elders.
Too troublesome…
If they couldn't be killed, there was no point trying.
As long as he could take down Imu later, these parasites clinging to her would meet their end anyway.
So…
Using the recoil from that strike, Michael spread his wings and spun midair.
Then, the Conqueror's Haki within him began to surge.
The Five Elders naturally sensed the incomparable Conqueror's Haki emanating from Michael's body.
Both in quantity and quality, Michael's Conqueror's Haki had already surpassed their understanding.
Even Imu-sama...
Could they possess such overwhelming Conqueror's Haki?
The Five Elders were well aware of Michael's climactic battle with Shiki.
Shiki's Conqueror's Haki, which had surpassed its peak at the time, had already shocked them.
But now, Michael... had completely eclipsed even that Shiki.
Either Michael hadn't gone all out back then...
Or his Conqueror's Haki... possessed the ability to grow.
They desperately hoped it was the former, as that at least remained within their comprehension.
Every wielder of Conqueror's Haki who continued to refine it knew one truth...
Conqueror's Haki could only be developed in application—it couldn't be increased through training like Armament Haki.
This power was innate.
Yet the Michael before them... most likely possessed Conqueror's Haki that could grow—and was still growing.
Upon sensing this terrifying aura, both the Five Elders and Figarland Garling instinctively unleashed their own Conqueror's Haki.
But even so, they barely managed to match Michael's sheer presence.
"I can see it in your eyes... that thing called 'fear,'" Michael grinned, his expression kind yet cruel.
"You've truly regressed. Despite your current strength, the moment you face me, the first thing you feel is fear? Even those pirates you despise the most wouldn't surrender so quickly!"
"It seems immortality has eroded your ambition and dignity as warriors entirely."
"So tell me... can you really defeat me?"
The Morning Star in Michael's hand had gathered momentum to its peak.
With a mighty swing—
"Paradise Lost·Goldenlion!"
Countless Flying Slashes coated in Conqueror's Haki rained down from the sky, assaulting the Five Elders.
Nearly enveloping the entire island.
And with this move, Michael was certain...
Though the Five Elders would sustain damage, their immortal nature would restore them completely.
As the dust settled, just as Michael had predicted—
The Five Elders had endured his "Paradise Lost" suffering nothing more than minor fatigue from regeneration.
Meanwhile, Figarland Garling had taken shelter beneath Saturn, emerging unscathed.
Yet after this attack, the Five Elders' gazes toward Michael grew even more wary—and even more...
Furious.
Michael's earlier words had finally ignited the last remnants of pride and fighting spirit within these five old men.
Garling frowned.
He didn't understand why Michael had deliberately provoked the Five Elders...
But Michael merely looked at them, a cold smirk curling his lips.
Then...
A single, slender middle finger rose defiantly before the Five Elders.
The island-wide Conqueror's Haki Coating hadn't broken them.
But that one finger became the final straw.
"Michael! I swear I'll kill you!"
"Today, only one of us walks away alive!"
Five towering phantom beasts roared toward the heavens.
Michael, however, turned back leisurely, instantly dispelling his Ascendant Stairway state.
His wings spread wide...
"Nigerundayo!"
In an instant, he soared into the distance.
The Five Elders above were stunned, then fury surged through their minds!
How could this man be so shameless!
He was the one who barged in!
He was the one taunting everyone mid-fight!
And now he was suddenly running away halfway through!
There was no way they'd let him escape so easily, damn it!
Telepathically linked, the Five Elders instantly reached a consensus.
The next moment, except for Marcus Mars, who had transformed into the Itsumade, the others all reverted to human form and climbed onto Mars' back.
Though in the eyes of the Celestial Dragons, only slaves were meant to be ridden...
They no longer cared about such trivialities.
Figarland Garling witnessed this but didn't join them. Instead, he turned and hurried back toward Mary Geoise.
He had a feeling...
It was best not to get involved in what was coming.
"Hmph! That Garling! Always scheming nowadays!" Mars snorted coldly, ignoring him as he spread his wings and took off in pursuit of Michael.
"Mars! No matter how angry you are, don't forget our mission and goal! Drive Michael toward Baltigo!"
"What Imu-sama seeks is for Michael, that beacon of revolution, to be reduced to ashes alongside Baltigo!"
"I know that without you telling me!"
Mars scoffed, his serpentine body and avian wings accelerating abruptly.
Meanwhile, high above the clouds, a colossal presence also began moving toward Baltigo.
Its overwhelming aura was like the heavens collapsing.