"Hey, Sakazuki! Don't do anything rash!"
Sengoku's voice crackled incessantly through the battleship's Den Den Mushi. "Your abilities are too dangerous; Using them recklessly could lead to disaster, the Sabaody Archipelago's strategic location is critical!"
His tone was filled with warning. "Kuzan has already boarded the Great Elevator, and Borsalino's battleship has set sail. All you need to do is intercept Youji."
But clearly, his warning had come too late.
At that very moment, under the cloak of night, flames were already raging across the Sabaody Archipelago.
The fire raged particularly fiercely across Islands 1 through 29, which are notorious as the archipelago's 'Lawless Zone.'
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku." Akainu's calm yet chilling words echoed: "Those who stray from the righteous path have no value."
"My goal isn't merely to restrain evil but to eradicate it completely."
Though seemingly unrelated to Sengoku's warning, the meaning was clear.
He had no intention of holding back.
"Who's talking about that? I'm talking about that Celestial Dragon. I don't care whether he lives or dies, but if he were to die from the aftershock of a Marine Admiral's abilities, the implications would be entirely different."
Click.
Sengoku's warning and the Den Den Mushi connection were abruptly terminated.
"Admiral Sakazuki, what are our orders now?"
Nearby Marines, witnessing the exchange, trembled with fear and morbid fascination. Arguing with the Fleet Admiral is a mandatory rite of passage for every Marine Admiral.
"Dock the ships and search each island one by one; the Twelve Zodiac bastards are definitely still hiding somewhere. Hmm?"
Akainu's calm words were abruptly cut off mid-sentence.
His gaze snapped towards a specific point on the island.
In the night sky above, a colossal luminous creature, its massive form wreathed in light, swept across the Eighth Island.
A shower of light rained down through the flames and flowing magma below, the streaks coalescing into glowing lines that spread across the darkness like paint.
Akainu's expression hardened into a cold, resolute mask.
Without a doubt, the silhouette was far larger than the information Commodore Bluejay had reported.
That silhouette could only be Youji.
It was only natural for a criminal to flee from Justice; it was a retreat that didn't surprise Akainu. However, it was also clear that his Justice wouldn't allow any criminal to escape so easily.
"Justice is absolute. Allowing the criminal to escape is to condone future criminal acts."
His body transformed into molten magma, and with a violent slam of his fists against the surface of the sea, he unleashed his signature move:
"Dai Funka - Great Eruption: Sea Fire!"
The searing magma plunged into the frigid seawater, instantly creating billowing clouds of steam.
However, just like an erupting submarine volcano, the extreme heat and molten rock overwhelmed the seawater's ability to cool instantly.
The next moment...
Bang!
Crimson magma erupted from beneath Eighth Island in a towering pillar of fire, piercing the entire island and erupting from the ground. The colossal magma column then shattered into countless fist-shaped projectiles, hurtling towards Youji.
Youji felt as though he were standing at the mouth of an erupting volcano, a completely inescapable situation.
"The intensity of this power and the strength of his Haki... it's truly terrifying."
Feeling the scorching heat radiating from the magma and the explosive crackling in the air, not to mention the intense Haki coiling faintly above the molten sea, Youji couldn't help but exclaim.
Despite having personally experienced Zephyr's full power and witnessed Garp's Haoshoku Haki, the prospect of facing a Marine Admiral in his prime left him awestruck.
The Three Admirals of this era were truly monsters.
Akainu, who would later surpass Aokiji, was the strongest of all these monsters, with a flawless heart, body and technique.
However...
"This distance... it's barely adequate. I'd better put more distance between us.'
With that, Youji cast a distant glance towards the Third Island, where Alan was located.
The next moment...
Bang!
The scorching magma struck him mercilessly.
A searing heat engulfed his body. As the Devil Fruit with the strongest destructive power, even among Logia types, the Haki-infused molten rock possessed a destructive force far beyond Enel's capabilities.
A direct hit would have instantly incinerated all of the Light Energy cells within Youji's body.
Yet, at that moment, Youji seemed utterly unfazed. In fact, a soft chuckle seemed to escape from beneath his mask.
"Then let me... raise hell!"
With those words, his flame-engulfed figure plummeted downward!
"Did we take him down?!"
"He's too massive to dodge!"
"We won! Anyone struck head-on by Admiral Sakazuki's attack is dead for sure, whether they're a Winged Dragon or a Tyrannosaurus Rex!"
"Land the ship! We're arresting one of the Twelve Zodiac today! Not just any member, but the one who plundered the Heavenly Tribute and kidnapped the Celestial Dragons! This is a monumental achievement!"
On the rapidly approaching battleship, the Marines cheered wildly.
But at that very moment...
'..."
Akainu's gaze was fixed on the distant island.
It was the place where Youji had 'fallen.'
Amidst the flames, a faint, piercing radiance could be seen. Akainu could sense Youji's current state with remarkable clarity.
"He's still alive."
"Therefore, I will personally set foot on the island."
He turned to address his subordinates behind him.
Then...
Bang!
He leapt into the air.
Scorching magma spread beneath his feet, forming a molten path leading directly towards where Youji had fallen. He shot forward at breakneck speed.
"...!"
Silence fell over the battleship.
"Could anyone survive an attack like that?"
"That's impossible, right?"
"You idiot! Are you questioning Admiral Sakazuki's judgment?"
"N-no, sir! Never!"
As members of Akainu's battleship, they were well aware of the admiral's devastating power. Could anyone truly survive a direct hit from an attack like that?
'No, it's not just about surviving,' another voice chimed in from the battleship.
It belonged to a towering Marine clad in knight-like armor and wielding the greatest sword. His zombie-like appearance was truly terrifying.
"Colonel T-Bone!"
The Marines present immediately recognized him: Akainu's direct subordinate and adjutant, who was accompanying the mission. His name was T-Bone. Rumor had it that this colonel had once been a knight in a certain kingdom. Having refused to obey the kingdom's dark orders, he had joined the Marines.
He was renowned for his 'Giant Slash,' a technique he had honed by battling colossal beasts in the Kingdom's wilderness for years. With a single strike, he could cut through a pirate ship as easily as through steak.
And now...
"..."
T-Bone, who had spent years perfecting his swordsmanship against colossal beasts, could sense the disharmony emanating from the island.
'It's like the heartbeat of some terrifyingly enormous beast, still growing,' he murmured.
As he said, the entity known as 'Youji' was not just existing; it was something more.
"This battle is beyond our capabilities. Let Admiral Sakazuki handle it."
With crystal-clear self-awareness, he issued the decisive command: "Everyone, disembark on the other islands immediately!"
"Disembark... and do what?"
"Reinforce Garrison Security! Most of the Lawless Zone's residents have already fled to other islands, and many of them are criminals. We must apprehend them to ensure they pose no threat to civilians!" T-Bone declared grimly.
That's right.
Due to the battle between Enel and Youji earlier on, nearly all the residents of the Sabaody Archipelago had already been evacuated from Islands No. 1 to No. 20. However, many criminals seized the opportunity to infiltrate the formerly stable areas.
In the current chaotic circumstances, it was inevitable that some of them would take action.
"But our mission isn't to capture Youji," One Marine protested reluctantly.
"Idiot!" T-Bone interrupted before he could finish.
Renowned for his unwavering sense of justice, the Marine Colonel shouted, "We're Marines; protecting the Sea's stability and the livelihoods of its people is our paramount mission! Let Admiral Sakazuki handle capturing Youji."
As he spoke, his gaze swept over the burning islands in the distance.
He harbored no resentment toward Akainu. The Admiral's methods were notoriously aggressive, and confronting evil head-on was never a mistake.
He was merely stating his responsibility.
"If you ignore the wickedness you know will happen, the justice you uphold will be disgraced!"
Meanwhile...
Akainu had already arrived at the spot where Youji had fallen. He spotted a light flickering through the flames, growing increasingly distinct, and the object within the light.
Buzz!
It was a huge egg.
Buzz!
Golden patterns flowed beneath the shell, constantly radiating brilliant light.
Buzz!
With each pulse, it emitted an overwhelming life force and a dazzling radiance that was almost blinding.
This was the final Devil Fruit stored within Youji's body.
[Special Zoan Egg-Egg Devil Fruit LV5.]
[Effect: Upon sustaining severe injuries, it transforms into an egg and regenerates upon hatching, gaining enhanced power.]
[LV3: All Devil Fruit effects acquired. After sustaining severe injuries, the user can transform into an egg and hatch to regenerate.]
[LV4: Deepened Devil Fruit development. Upon hatching, the user gains enhanced strength and different beast forms. There are three forms in total: the initial 'Egg' form, the second-stage 'Chick' form, and the third-stage 'Youji' form. After the fourth transformation, the user reverts to the initial form and becomes significantly weakened.]
[LV5: Devil Fruit Awakening - Fourth Form. The user can freely choose when to incarnate into an egg and freely select their form. They also gain an additional fourth form, 'Awakening: Sun-Crying Youji'. Upon hatching, the user restores their body to its optimal state, surrounded by the unique flaming clouds characteristic of Zoan Awakening, and receives comprehensive attribute enhancements. This state continuously and rapidly depletes the user's stamina.]
[Note: Regardless of the Devil Fruit's tier, sustaining severe damage while in egg form will interrupt the regeneration process. Furthermore, after transforming into the 'Crowing Youji' form, the user cannot transform again for ten minutes.]
Yes, this Devil Fruit, obtained from Baron Tamago, is an exceptionally rare and powerful Zoan-type fruit.
Its regeneration ability is, in some respects, even more potent than that of the Mythological Beast-class Phoenix-Phoenix Fruit. After all, the Phoenix-Phoenix Fruit does not grant a form change or enhancement upon revival.
Naturally, this Devil Fruit has significant drawbacks.
The key to regeneration lies in avoiding severe injury during the process. Critical damage would disrupt the regeneration process, essentially guaranteeing death.
Although initially uncertain of the 'giant egg's' capabilities, Akainu instinctively knew what to do thanks to his years of combat experience.
Whatever the enemy's plans, stopping them is always the right move!
"Meigo - Nether Hound!"
Molten magma erupted instantly, striking the colossal egg with the ferocity of a hunting hound's fangs.
But the next moment...
"Hmm?"
Even Akainu frowned, and a low, puzzled growl escaped his lips.
His 'Nether Hound' had indeed pierced the giant egg with a thunderous bang, but...
Buzz!
In an instant, endless rays of light erupted.
The colossal egg, pierced just moments before, had completely regenerated in the blink of an eye.
'..."
Akainu frowned, but his movements remained unwavering.
"Hundred Fissures: Meigo - Nether Hound!'
He raised his fist again, unleashing not a single strike this time, but a relentless barrage of blows!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Each searing punch was imbued with a destructive force that pulverized the giant egg into a honeycomb in the blink of an eye.
But this was far from over.
"Inugami Guren - Dog Biting Crimson Lotus!"
Akainu's arms underwent Elementalization once again, transforming into a colossal dog's head forged from molten lava. In an instant, the fiery maw devoured the entire egg.
Hiss!
Magma began to incinerate everything within its grasp.
But then...
!!!
Much to Akainu's horror, the egg continued to emit light even under such intense heat, its brilliance steadily intensifying.
By contrast, the surrounding flames seemed to dim, their glow gradually fading.
Buzz!
At its peak, the egg's radiance almost lit up the entire night sky.
It was as if the egg contained a dazzling 'sun' within.
[LV5: Devil Fruit Awakening – Incarnation of Light]
This allows the user to absorb and unleash all stored light energy, including ambient light, entering the 'Sunburst State.' During this state, the user gains near-immortality but then enters a period of weakness.
This was precisely the perfect combination that Roy had carefully selected for Youji.
However, the 'Egg-Egg Devil Fruit's' egg transformation and regeneration ability made it vulnerable to overwhelming damage.
So why not just turn the egg into an undying body?
Not to mention that after the Sunflower Devil Fruit's 'Solar Incarnation' awakened ability ends, the user enters a weakened state.
However, the Egg-Egg Devil Fruit's awakened transformation restores the body to its peak condition.
A perfect synergy.
And at that very moment...
Crack!
Akainu heard the sound.
It was the crisp sound of an eggshell breaking.
Then, in the next instant...
Bang!
A blindingly brilliant light appeared.
A figure as radiant as the sun was reborn from within the light.
(End of Chapter)
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