Whitebeard retreated to a safe distance, a triumphant smile playing on his lips.
"Gurararara! That kid Ron is going to love this gift!" he murmured, though the gift he spoke of would stir unforeseen turmoil in this battle.
"When it comes to underhandedness, you take the crown, Newgate."
Saint Saturn's face was shrouded in a shadow so dark it was terrifying.
The black-flamed Divine Halo behind him, as if driven by some invisible force, began spinning—each rotation seeming to carry boundless rage and intimidation.
"You're dead!" Saint Saturn's voice roared like a cry from the depths of the underworld, low and saturated with killing intent.
The eight spider legs, thick as steel pillars, lit up with bizarre, intricate runes.
"I'll make you regret everything you've done today!"
Saint Saturn's furious roar echoed through the space as he crouched, adopting a stance ready to unleash a fatal strike at any moment.
An overwhelming aura emanated from his being, like a ferocious beast poised to pounce.
Yet, Whitebeard standing opposite him showed no fear.
His tall, imposing figure stood firm as a towering mountain.
Once again, he raised his Cloud-Cutting Blade high—the blade gleaming with a chilling cold light under the sun.
"Come on, old fool! Let this old man see what other tricks you have up your sleeve!"
Whitebeard's voice brimmed with confidence. In his eyes, all of Saint Saturn's threats were mere bluffs.
He stared at Saint Saturn, like an experienced hunter locking onto his prey.
Saint Saturn's pupils contracted to pinpricks, a flicker of shock and anger passing through his pitch-black eyes.
His gaze betrayed a hint of panic, but it was buried beneath deep-seated fury. He understood too well Whitebeard's intent in collecting his blood.
That kid Ron possesses a terrifying technique—the ability to bestow others' powers upon different individuals.
If Ron were to obtain a blood sample from the Five Elders, it wouldn't be long before a second person in this world possessed his Devil Fruit ability.
At this thought, a chill ran down Saint Saturn's spine.
He understood the horror of such a technique.
If something like that were to happen, his status and power would face unprecedented threats.
That person above... wouldn't easily forgive him.
"Damn it!" Saint Saturn cursed, his teeth grinding.
He recalled the fierce battle with Whitebeard moments ago.
The other party had seemed engrossed in the fight—the ferocious assaults, the stubborn resistance—making him overlook the risk of his blood being collected.
Now, upon reflection, those casual angles of Whitebeard's attacks were preparations for that final strike.
Every move, every dodge, resembled an orchestrated chess game, luring him step by step into a trap.
Regret gnawed at Saint Saturn's sanity like a venomous serpent, filling his heart with irritation and fury.
The black flames on his eight spider legs flared, leaping and roaring as if alive, eager to devour everything in their vicinity.
The dark-flame Divine Halo behind him spun at more than double its previous speed, emitting a low, humming noise.
"I must end this quickly..."
Saint Saturn calculated, a resolute glint flashing in his eyes.
He knew the top priority now was to eliminate them before the blood sample could be delivered; otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable.
However, Whitebeard had now shifted his tactics.
No longer engaging Saint Saturn head-on as before, he relied on the extreme speed granted by the Thunder-Thunder Fruit to maneuver across the battlefield.
His figure darted like lightning, weaving through the gaps in Saint Saturn's assaults, making him elusive and unpredictable.
From time to time, Whitebeard unleashed a few probing slashes with his Cloud-Cutting Blade, each strike carrying immense power yet never pressing forward.
His main focus lay on defense and seeking new opportunities, waiting for the moment Saint Saturn would expose a flaw.
"Gurararara!"
Whitebeard laughed as he evaded Saint Saturn's attacks, his laughter brimming with mockery and confidence.
"What's wrong? Getting impatient?" His words cut deep into Saint Saturn's pride like a sharp blade.
Meanwhile, a greedy gleam shone in Big Mom Charlotte's eyes.
Her massive frame trembled—not from fear, but from excitement and desire.
She had witnessed Whitebeard collecting Saint Saturn's blood, and in that instant, jealousy erupted within her like a volcano, driving her mad.
That was the blood of a Five Elder!
For Big Mom, this was an irresistible temptation.
If she could also get a share, she might gain even greater power, and her future would be boundless!
"Mamamamama!" The flames on Big Mom's Napoleon Great Sword blazed more, roaring.
"You old fossil, let this mama test your power too!" Her voice brimmed with excitement, bearing no resemblance to someone preparing for a fight!
She was after blood!
With that, her massive frame erupted with astonishing speed, charging toward Saint Saturn like a speeding war chariot.
Her greatsword rose high, aiming straight for one of Saint Saturn's spider legs, the motion carrying an air of annihilation.
Unlike Whitebeard, Big Mom's attacks were more frenzied and direct—she not only wanted blood but also sought to test the limits of this astonishing regenerative ability!
"Dammit!"
Saint Saturn now found himself beset on all sides, his predicament growing dire and oppressive, as if trapped in a dark quagmire where every struggle came at a great cost.
Whenever he prepared to pursue Whitebeard with full force, attempting to land a fatal blow, Big Mom's terrifying greatsword would ghost in from a tricky angle, whistling through the air.
The blade carried immense power and a sharp, imposing momentum, screeching as it cleaved the air, forcing Saint Saturn to defend and halting his pursuit.
Fury and helplessness churned within him.
And when he turned his attention toward dealing with Big Mom, Whitebeard would strike like a lurking leopard, launching a swift assault from another unexpected direction.
Whitebeard's Murakumogiri whirled through the air with formidable force, each swing stirring a chilling gleam of steel that sent shivers down the spine.
"See, you're getting impatient again."
---------
Read 50 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.
patreon (.)com/Newbietranslator