The Holy Knights?
Roldy raised an eyebrow.
So this was the armed enforcement unit composed of Celestial Dragons? So they were called the Holy Knights.
He vaguely remembered Zephyr once mentioning that the World Government's true foundations were far deeper than anyone imagined. They possessed a terrifying organization—small in number, but every member a top-tier powerhouse.
It seemed this was that very group.
"Who would've thought that among those pig-like Celestial Dragons, someone like you could exist? You're quite the anomaly."
Roldy began adjusting his breathing, deliberately entering peak condition.
The man before him was an excellent opponent.
Worthy of killing—
and strong enough to make the fight enjoyable.
"Ignorant insect. What would you understand? As gods who rule this world, we possess the noblest bloodline! We enjoy the finest training resources the world has to offer! And combined with my unparalleled talent—your so-called effort is worthless before me!"
"Wait… so with all that, this is your level?"
"Man, your talent must be pretty terrible."
Lies may not hurt—
but truth cuts like a blade.
Saint Batista opened his mouth to retort—
but found no angle to defend himself.
"You…!"
His face flushed red with fury. Grinding his teeth, he decided to end the conversation with violence.
His body suddenly expanded.
Dark-golden fur burst from his skin. In the blink of an eye, the previously modest figure transformed into a towering eight-meter beast. His nails lengthened into razor-sharp claws like daggers.
Clearly—
a Zoan-type Devil Fruit ability.
What surprised Roldy even more was that the daggers in Batista's hands grew proportionally larger along with his body.
"Ha…"
Batista exhaled heavily.
His muzzle protruded, sharp fangs exposed. He now resembled a massive, upright werewolf.
Zoan-Type Devil Fruit
Mythical Zoan – Inu Inu no Mi, Model: Dark-Gold Direwolf
"A Mythical Zoan, huh?"
Roldy had seen enough to recognize it. Mythical Zoans were rare—even among Zoans. As he marveled at the World Government's resources, his desire for battle intensified.
"Die, you lowborn insect!"
Batista hurled both daggers.
Though called daggers, they looked more like massive cleavers. Their blades sliced through the air with a piercing whistle, curving at bizarre angles toward Roldy 's vital points.
Roldy 's Observation Haki wasn't his strongest trait, but evading this posed no difficulty.
Activating the power of his Mink Bloodline, he burst forward explosively, his massive fist crashing down like artillery.
There was not a trace of fear in his eyes.
Batista, however, showed no panic. A faint smile tugged at his lips.
Suddenly—
the two daggers that had already flown past changed direction midair, accelerating violently.
A searing pain tore across Roldy 's back.
His motion faltered for the briefest instant.
In a clash between the strong, such an opening was fatal.
Batista lunged in and drove a punch into Roldy 's abdomen.
Roldy was blasted backward.
The pain itself was negligible—his Mink Bloodline dulled most physical suffering—but Batista's methods caught him off guard.
Twisting midair, Roldy stomped against the air—
Geppo (Six Powers).
He stabilized himself instantly.
"Heh… interesting. You Mythical Zoan types really are annoying."
Their first exchange had put him at a disadvantage.
Batista was even stronger than expected.
And he had no intention of wasting words.
Before Roldy finished speaking, Batista attacked again—the same tactic.
Throw the blades.
Charge in.
The spinning daggers forced Roldy to evade, while Batista's fist targeted his head. The blades brushed past him once more before curving back around.
A vein bulged on Roldy 's forehead.
"Tekkai!"
Controlling his breath and blood flow, he hardened his body instantly.
The two daggers struck him again—
but only barely broke the skin, leaving shallow cuts.
Batista's punch smashed into Roldy 's face—
yet it only tilted his head slightly.
"What?!"
Batista's eyes widened in disbelief.
The World Government was, of course, familiar with the Six Powers. In fact, they had already introduced the training methods to certain agents.
But their research revealed fatal flaws.
For instance—Tekkai rendered the user unable to move, forcing them into passive defense. Effective in theory—but suicidal against an equal or stronger opponent.
Statistics showed that Marine Headquarters soldiers who specialized in Tekkai had a 50% higher fatality rate than those who focused on other Six Powers techniques.
And yet—
this "flawed" technique had blocked his attack?
"You think I'm an idiot, using the same trick twice on me?!"
Roldy had tanked Batista's punch without issue.
His iron-like muscles coiled with power.
His Devil Fruit ability activated.
"It's not just you who has a Devil Fruit!"
"Moa Moa Fruit—Thirtyfold Power—Iron Fist!"
The Moa Moa Fruit multiplied his strength thirty times over.
Combined with Garp's famed Iron Fist—
Batista felt death brush against him.
His pupils shrank.
At this distance—
there was no dodging.
"Riot Iron—Absolute Shield!"
Batista roared as his Devil Fruit power erupted.
The skull mask on his face shattered apart. Countless steel fragments gathered before him. His twin daggers likewise broke down into metallic shards.
In less than a fraction of a second—
a dark-golden shield materialized in front of him.
This was his Mythical Zoan's unique ability.
Every Mythical Zoan possessed extraordinary additional powers.
Sengoku's Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Daibutsu granted him immense strength and the ability to unleash shockwaves.
The Tori Tori no Mi, Model: Phoenix granted near-immortality and healing blue flames.
And Batista's fruit granted—
Iron Manipulation.
The shield was no ordinary defense.
For safety, Batista coated it in Armament Haki.
This was his strongest defensive technique.
It would absolutely block the blow.
That was what he believed.
However—
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