Boom!
Ryokugyu had just made a move, only to be casually punched away by Whitebeard!
This man, forced to come out and challenge Whitebeard, didn't even display a hint of the power expected from someone promoted out of the ordinary Vice Admiral ranks, and was directly punched back by Whitebeard, rolling helplessly across the ground in a particularly embarrassing manner!
Whether it was Fujitora who could stand toe-to-toe with Whitebeard, or Kagura who could withstand Whitebeard's full-strength Supreme King Haki shockwave, Ryokugyu's strength was obviously somewhat lacking...
"Is that all you've got?"
"Not even a bit of power to contend with..."
"Is Vice Admiral Ryokugyu really this weak? Isn't he supposed to be on par with Admiral Kagura and Vice Admiral Fujitora? I heard he was also listed as a candidate for Admiral..."
The chatter among the marines and pirates at Enies Lobby was somewhat noisy, discussing Ryokugyu who was supposedly on par with Kagura and Fujitora, and they seemed quite disappointed with Ryokugyu's performance.
To be honest...
Quite a few people were actually looking forward to Ryokugyu's display.
Although Ryokugyu had been ambushed by the Red Hair Pirates' sniper Yasopp at the start of the battle, his Woods-Woods Fruit ability was similar to that of the Konoha Pirates' Captain Senju Hashirama, which inevitably led people to have some expectations...
It turned out...
The opponent was unexpectedly weak, catching everyone off guard!
"That old guy!"
Ryokugyu's face was full of anger as he patted the dust off himself and got up, glaring hatefully at the unmoved Whitebeard, biting his teeth in frustration as vines once again sprouted from his body!
What a joke!
How could he be so weak!
Ryokugyu could hear the murmurs of the crowd; he couldn't tolerate falling into weakness, becoming a trampled weakling, and he wouldn't accept it no matter what!
Humankind...
From the start, has been treading over those less worthy than themselves, climbing to the top of the world, and what Ryokugyu wanted was to be a man who would tread upon others to rise, not becoming a lowly sacrifice trodden upon!
Ryokugyu raised his wrist, and one after another, emerald-green vines stretched straight towards Whitebeard, his face full of frenzy!
Vines climbed up the Moby Dick's rail, and one by one, towering tree men grew from the vines, charging towards the Moby Dick!
"Kid..."
"Your abilities are only fit for a gardener..."
Whitebeard lifted his gaze, arrogance and disdain in his eyes, watching the vines creeping from Ryokugyu's body, and his big blade made a clean sweep, shattering the vines and tree men!
A white halo flickered across the blade in his hand!
This white halo, with a quake, surged straight towards Ryokugyu, carrying an immense air shock force, directly hitting Ryokugyu's body!
Ryokugyu's body momentarily shook violently!
Even his bare upper body left a trail of wounds, blood seeping directly from the cuts, streaming out, soaking his entire form!
This Vice Admiral...
Is truly excessively weak!
Though stronger than other Vice Admirals Whitebeard has encountered, among the Vice Admirals at Enies Lobby, Ryokugyu's strength seemed the weakest!
The weaker...
The more he wanted to prove the strength wrapped inside!
"Damn it..."
"Don't you dare underestimate me!"
Ryokugyu's mind seemed fully consumed by rage, disregarding his injuries, as he struggled to lunge toward Whitebeard's direction, his body sprouting vines once more, transforming into a tree person, raising claws towards the towering Whitebeard!
Whitebeard squinted his eyes, reached out his palm, and made a pulling motion towards Ryokugyu's body; the air seemed to crack under his grasp, leaving visible marks!
Ryokugyu's tree-form body was forcibly dragged over!
Whitebeard's fist shone with a white halo, smashing down on the tree man's head; the vines enveloping Ryokugyu were shattered into pieces by this punch, revealing his true form, leaving this Navy Vice Admiral lying prostrate at Whitebeard's feet, bleeding from every orifice!
"Vice Admiral Ryokugyu!"
A group of marines was startled!
If this Navy Vice Admiral perished here, it would be a great loss to the Navy, and the brow of Navy Headquarters Admiral Aokiji twitched, his figure was about to leave Beckman's battlefield, intending to charge forward to rescue Ryokugyu!
But...
Someone else moved even faster!
A thick vine slowly descended from the sky, wrapping around Ryokugyu's body, completely ignoring the nearby Whitebeard, intending to take Ryokugyu directly to the sky.
"Hmm?"
Whitebeard's eyes suddenly turned serious, tilting his head to gaze at the sky, only to see a radiant display of golden light!
"There's something in the sky!"
"That's a Golden Ship!"
A marine, full of shock, watched the Golden Ark in the sky!
Everyone on Enies Lobby instinctively looked up at the Golden Ark flying in the sky, also observing the vine stretching down from it!
With the appearance of this Golden Ark, golden rays slowly cast upon Enies Lobby, drawing everyone's attention towards this splendid golden ship.
"That is..."
"The Konoha Pirates' ship!"
As soon as Red-haired Shanks saw the Golden Ark appear, his expression abruptly shifted, more familiar with the Konoha Pirates' vessel than anyone!
The Golden Ark, Proverbs!
Once upon Sky Island, the Konoha Pirates commandeered this Golden Ark, orchestrating a hunting game against the Heavenly Celestial Dragon, completely altering the world's course!