The battlefield was divided into several sections.
In the eastern part of the island, monsters ran rampant as three members of God's Knights clashed with the Army Commanders of the Revolutionary Army.
In the western part of the island, Shamrock, the leader of God's Knights, stood alone against Fujitora and Dragon, the leader of the Revolutionary Army.
"Issho!!!"
Akainu arrived on the battlefield, his entire arm ablaze, roaring in fury, "Do you know what you're doing?!"
"Of course I do, Sakazuki."
Fujitora turned to face Akainu, suppressing his anger as he questioned, "Sakazuki, can you hear the wails of this nation?"
"..."
Akainu's face darkened.
The air around Fujitora trembled.
"I joined the Navy to pursue justice and fulfill my aspirations. But what I 'see' now is the World Government—our superiors—slaughtering innocent civilians."
"Sakazuki, you ask me if I know what I'm doing. Then let me answer you now!"
"I am upholding justice! I am preserving the last shred of the Navy's dignity!!!"
"..."
Akainu remained silent for a long time.
The entire island had been ravaged by war—how could he not know what was happening? But he had no power to restrain the actions of the Celestial Dragons.
"Forgive me, Issho."
"Enough!"
Fujitora's chest heaved violently.
"As the Fleet Admiral, you turn a blind eye to all of this. I truly want to ask you—does the scene before your eyes not shame your so-called justice?!"
"If you wish to stop me, then use your Magma!"
"I am ashamed to stand alongside you!"
The blunt accusations and condemnations left no room for courtesy.
Yet Akainu had no rebuttal.
Unlike bombarding refugee ships to eliminate potential threats, the Kingdom of Lulusia had committed no crime. They were the invaded, the weak.
The ones who destroyed this nation were not the Revolutionary Army, who sought revolution, but the World Government—God's Knights.
After a long silence, Akainu finally spoke his conclusion.
"This is a necessary sacrifice!"
"..."
Fujitora's breath hitched.
Even if Akainu had answered that he did it for status, even if he had admitted to being power-hungry, Fujitora could have understood.
He didn't demand others to be noble, nor did he have the right to judge them—he himself harbored selfish desires.
But this answer, he could not accept.
Akainu didn't expect understanding. His fist slowly clenched as he said solemnly, "Issho, I have one last question for you. When did you make contact with the Hoenn Navy?!"
"Hoenn?"
Fujitora was momentarily stunned before realizing Akainu had misunderstood. But he had no intention of explaining—it would be pointless.
He knew Akainu wouldn't believe him.
"Shing!"
His blade left its sheath!
Fujitora swung his sword, sending countless purple rings soaring into the sky.
This was his answer!
"So words are useless."
Akainu looked up at the sky, where meteors now filled his vision.
"Crack!"
His right arm split open, exploding into a massive Magma fist that billowed thick smoke.
"Great Eruption!!!"
A colossal Magma fist collided with the falling Meteor!
Meanwhile, on the eastern battlefield...
Gurd stood with his arms crossed atop a pile of rubble, gazing down at the battlefield below as the fierce wind whipped his clothes violently.
In an instant, the war came to a halt.
"That's the 'Earth God'—Gurd!"
The members of God's Knights and the Army Commanders all retreated to create distance, then simultaneously turned their focus toward Gurd—especially the knights, who looked as if they were facing a dire threat.
The man before them was the greatest monster threatening the World Government!
"Gulp!"
Saint Sommers swallowed hard, sweat trickling down his cheeks. His grip on the thorned iron rod trembled slightly.
"Kehahaha!"
To mask his fear, Saint Sommers let out a low laugh, his eyes burning with fanaticism. "Insignificant ants daring to look down upon us, the gods? How infuriating. Then let's fight!"
"Don't rush, Saint Sommers," Gunko warned nervously.
"That man is the strongest Pirate—an enemy even the Five Elders struggled to eliminate. He's far beyond anything the Revolutionary Army can compare to!"
"We must work together and attack as one!"
"Agreed!"
Killingham tightened his grip on his lance.
The three exchanged glances before charging toward the rubble where Gurd stood, completely disregarding the distant Revolutionary Army.
The Army Commanders were also stunned by Gurd's sudden appearance.
"What do we do? Should we help?"
"Wait and see for now!"
"That man is the Supreme Commander of Hoenn!"
Gurd raised an eyebrow.
An arrow symbol appeared to his left—Gunko swiftly slid along its path to close in. To his right stood an old man atop a thorned serpent, while in the center was a kirin wearing an oxygen mask.
"Perfect timing for test subjects."
Having fought the girl earlier, he confirmed that God's Knights also possessed immortality. Thus, every encounter was invaluable.
He wanted to test something.
Gurd's muscles bulged as Haki swirled around him.
Gunko was the fastest!
Her Knight Lance followed the arrow's trajectory, thrusting straight for Gurd's neck!
"Clang!"
"Did I hit?!"
Gunko's heart jolted—she hadn't expected to land a strike so easily. Yet, the tip of her lance couldn't advance any further.
She had indeed struck, but the blade failed to pierce his skin. His impossibly tough flesh, reinforced with Coating Haki, blocked her attack completely.
"Hey, Miss Gunko."
Gurd called out her name, causing her to freeze momentarily. Seizing the chance, his hand shot out like lightning!
"Snap!"
He caught her left wrist!
"Damn it!"
Gunko grimaced, trying to pull back, but her arm wouldn't budge.
At that moment, Saint Sommers and Saint Killingham closed in. But with a single stomp, Gurd summoned two massive stone walls, blocking their assault.
Gunko's sleeve split apart, transforming into an arrow that coiled around her right leg, enlarging it to the size of a giant's foot before she slammed it into Gurd's head!
"BOOM!!!"
The impact was solid—white smoke even rose from the point of contact—but just like before, it failed to deal any real damage.
"Monster!"
Gunko's frustration grew.
This monster's indestructible body was his greatest defense. Even her Haki couldn't penetrate it.
"Kehahaha."
Gurd grinned wildly, his grip tightening around Gunko's wrist as violent Haki coiled around his fingers, forcing its way into her flesh.
"Ugh!"
Gunko groaned, her face twisting in pain—a stark contrast to her earlier indifference when half her body had been blown apart.
It was working!
"CRACK!"
Bones shattered. Muscles burst apart!
Gurd suddenly clenched his right hand, brutally crushing Gunko's left wrist, blood dripping continuously from his palm.
Gunko quickly retreated to create distance, panting with cold sweat covering her forehead. Dark black Haki lightning flickered around the broken wrist, showing no signs of healing.
"Did it work?"
Gurd grinned viciously.
His judgment had been correct—excessive Haki could suppress regeneration. However, ordinary Haki attacks wouldn't suffice; the Haki had to remain embedded in the opponent's wound, and the more, the better.
In that case, things were about to get much easier!
"Keh keh keh, Miss Gunko, why don't you come home with me for some fun?"
He was going to take this girl back for research!
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