The shadowy realm was torn apart like a black curtain.
After it was destroyed, what appeared before everyone was a shocking sight.
Luffy was gripping Nusjuro's neck with one hand, effortlessly holding him up in the air.
"So you finally decided to put an end to this boring illusion?"
Nusjuro gasped for air as he reverted from his hybrid form back to his human appearance, while the cloud of flames surrounding his body slowly faded away.
His Supreme Grade blade, the Shodai Kitetsu, had fallen to the ground not far away. His head was covered in blood, clear evidence of the fierce battle he had just fought—more accurately, the brutal beating he had just received.
At that moment, he clutched Luffy's wrist with both hands, desperately trying to free himself, yet unable to move even a single inch.
"Straw Hat..." he gritted his teeth and spoke with extreme difficulty.
"I'm tired of watching your abilities, you damn saint."
Luffy replied coldly.
Nusjuro's ability was, in fact, an illusion: creating a dark space in which all targets fell into illusions woven by the user himself.
Under the influence of this technique, the target would completely lose their sight and much of their other senses.
Unfortunately for him, Luffy's Observation Haki had already reached an extreme level, allowing him to overcome that limitation to a certain degree.
Not far away, Bartholomew Kuma, acting as a bodyguard, tried to rescue him, but was once again pushed back by a violent gust of wind.
Dragon let out a sigh.
"Kuma... have you truly lost all self-awareness?"
"The leader of the Revolutionary Army..."
Kizaru cut through a gust of wind with his light sword, while Dragon raised his hand to block the strike.
"It's useless trying to talk to him. He has already been completely turned into a killing weapon."
The wind howled fiercely, forcing Kizaru to retreat once again.
When he looked in Luffy's direction, he could not help but fall speechless.
One of the Five Elders had personally entered the battlefield... and was now being captured.
To be honest, Nusjuro's illusion was extremely powerful. If his opponent had been anyone other than Luffy, he likely would have already won.
The plan had been excellent: first use the illusion to interfere with Straw Hat's movements, then eliminate him with full force.
But plans rarely survive unexpected changes.
Nusjuro had been defeated in direct combat within mere seconds.
Luffy had only given him a small chance because he was curious about the illusionary ability.
"Save him immediately!"
Suddenly, Sengoku roared in a deep voice.
The body of the golden Buddha expanded violently, reaching dozens of meters in height, comparable to the ancient Oars.
He leaped above Luffy and launched a gigantic golden fist downward.
Luffy merely raised his eyelids.
At that same moment, sprouts emerged from the ground around him and transformed into an enormous wooden fist.
Boom!
The two fists collided, sending shockwaves everywhere.
"You want to save him?"
Luffy mocked them.
"After sitting on your sagging asses in the seat of supreme power for so long... you've forgotten the fear of death. Let me help you remember, Lord Nusjuro."
Puff!
Violent flames streamed down Luffy's arm, instantly engulfing Nusjuro.
An agonized scream echoed across the battlefield as Nusjuro was slowly burned alive.
Seeing that, Kizaru's expression changed.
He immediately raised a finger and fired a laser beam at Luffy.
Dragon lifted his hand and waved it.
A gigantic wind blade tore through the air and intercepted the laser midway.
The next instant, another wind blade flew past and sliced Kizaru's body in half.
"Don't move."
Dragon spoke coldly.
But at that moment, Bartholomew Kuma extended his palm and repelled the wall of wind blocking him.
In the next second, he shot forward, nearly teleporting, and appeared beside Luffy in the blink of an eye.
"Kuma...!"
Dragon was surprised.
Bartholomew Kuma stretched out his right hand, marked by the characteristic paw pad, and grabbed Nusjuro, who was still wrapped in pale flames.
As a human weapon without consciousness, he did not fear being burned and merely carried out orders faithfully.
"What a pity..."
Luffy looked at him.
"To be forced to obey the Celestial Dragons' orders even after death."
He felt a trace of pity for Kuma's fate.
The last time they had met was before the Marineford War, when Luffy entrusted him with a message for Dragon.
Now, only a few months later, everything had changed.
Even after losing his identity, Kuma was still not dead.
With a swing of his arm, Luffy hurled Nusjuro into the air.
At the same time, he threw a powerful punch at Kuma.
Boom!
His fist struck directly against the paw pad of Kuma's hand.
The ability to repel everything had collided with monstrous Haki.
Even so, Kuma's power had limits.
Kuma was violently launched backward by the impact.
At the same time, the user of the Piercing Fruit, who had been hiding underground, burst out while shouting loudly.
He charged toward Nusjuro in the sky.
"So you finally decided to crawl out of your hole?"
Luffy opened his mouth and growled.
"Breath!"
A pale dragon breath shot toward Nusjuro, passing in front of the bandaged knight.
Boom!
A colossal explosion covered the heavens in white flames.
The bandaged knight's pupils instantly shrank, his face filled with absolute horror.
Everyone on the battlefield stared at the scene in disbelief.
From the thick smoke, a figure began to fall.
Its body was completely charred.
One of the Five Elders, Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, had been burned to death on the spot.
Plop.
The charred corpse hit the ground.
"!!"
The Navy officers widened their eyes and trembled.
One of the Five Elders had just been killed!?
Fujitora was fighting alone against Marco and Jozu, suppressing both of them with ease.
At that moment, through his Observation Haki, he felt the presence belonging to Nusjuro disappear completely.
The black figure dissipated.
Fujitora remained silent.
He had never cared much for the Five Elders, and he even had reservations about that military campaign.
But as an Admiral, he had been obligated to participate in the war.
Now, however, the battle had reached this stage.
He could "see" clearly that the pirate side had exploded with morale and enthusiasm after Luffy's actions.
With his sword shining like a swift shadow, Fujitora finally attacked without holding back for the first time.
He passed Jozu in an instant and appeared behind him.
(End of Chapter)