Seeing Saint Nusjuro approaching, Marco's expression turned grim.
Facing Imu alone was already a challenge, her strength rivaling his own. Now, with Nusjuro joining the fight, the situation became far more dangerous.
At the same time, Saint Figarland Shamrock selected two members of the God's Knights and moved swiftly toward the dome.
Through their shared communication, they already knew that Saint Saturn was being held inside the laboratory. Three captains and several Seraphim had stalled him, leaving him unable to deal with Vegapunk for now.
Using Observation Haki, Shamrock quickly pinpointed Vegapunk's location.
Elsewhere, Saint Peter spoke calmly.
"Garling, I will handle this old hag. Go assist Nusjuro. He and Kaido have been fighting for too long without a decisive result."
Saint Figarland Garling nodded slightly and immediately headed toward Kaido's battlefield.
On another front, Big Mom watched the situation unfold with growing unease.
Katakuri, Smoothie, Fossa, and the others were all being held back by members of the God's Knights. Even King, Snack, and the Big Mom Pirates who had come as reinforcements were completely blocked.
Against a Yonko, the God's Knights might struggle. But against anyone below that level, they were overwhelmingly powerful.
Their immortality alone made them nearly impossible to deal with. Without the use of Conqueror's Haki, even damaging them was difficult. And even if someone tried to tear them apart, it required immense strength.
Each member of the God's Knights possessed at least Yonko Commander level strength. As elite warriors of the Celestial Dragons, their combat ability rivaled top Marine candidates.
On another side of the battlefield, Portgas D. Ace and Yamato were locked in a brutal fight.
They no longer had the luxury of paying attention to anything else.
Their battle against Aramaki had reached its peak, a life-and-death struggle where a single mistake meant defeat.
Aramaki was covered in wounds, blood dripping from his mouth.
Even he had not expected to be pushed this far by two young fighters.
Ace and Yamato were also heavily injured, yet neither showed any sign of retreat.
Only one thought remained in their minds.
Win.
"I said I won't lose!" Ace roared as he charged forward.
Since his defeat at the hands of Blackbeard, which led to the loss of his father and countless comrades, he had carried deep guilt. His desire to protect those close to him burned stronger than ever.
For over half a year, he had trained relentlessly.
Now, he would not fall again.
"Me too!" Yamato shouted. "If I cannot even beat you, how am I supposed to defeat that old man!"
Their spirits surged as they launched another assault.
Aramaki's expression twisted with anger.
"At a time like this, you still resist? Can you not see that the gods have descended? Your struggle is meaningless!"
Behind him, countless vines erupted.
"Enough! Forest Forest, Death Forest!"
In an instant, massive tree vines burst from the ground on an unprecedented scale. Each one twisted like a living serpent, their tips forming snake-like heads as they lunged toward Ace and Yamato.
"I will not lose! Great Flame Commandment, Hellfire!"
Ace unleashed a wide-range attack. Blazing flames spread outward, devouring the vines and reducing them to ash.
No matter how many trees emerged, they were consumed by fire.
Fire suppressed wood. Even if Aramaki was stronger, this elemental disadvantage could not be ignored.
Taking advantage of the clash, Yamato closed the distance.
"Thunder Bagua!"
Her kanabo, infused with Armament Haki and Conqueror's Haki, struck upward with immense force.
The blow landed cleanly on Aramaki's chin, launching him into the air.
"Now!"
Ace did not hesitate.
"Cross Fire Blast!"
A cross-shaped mark burned into Aramaki's body before erupting into a massive explosion of flames that stretched across the battlefield.
"Arghhh!"
Aramaki spat blood as he was blasted backward, his body wracked with pain.
Yet just before hitting the ground, he twisted midair, landing on his feet and sliding backward for dozens of meters. Clutching his chest, he coughed violently.
The previous attacks had clearly damaged his internal organs.
But Yamato gave him no time to recover.
"Fall!"
"Thunder Bagua!"
With a thunderous impact, her attack smashed down onto his head.
Aramaki's knees hit the ground, his upper body slammed face-first into the earth, forming a deep crater.
Humiliation burned within him.
A Marine Admiral, forced to his knees by two young pirates.
His left arm transformed into writhing vines, digging into the ground as he began absorbing nutrients to resist the pressure.
He lifted his head slightly, glaring at Yamato.
"Do not underestimate me, brat."
His right arm suddenly morphed into sharp vines and pierced straight through Yamato's abdomen.
Blood spilled from her lips, but she did not retreat.
With sheer force, she tore the vines out of her body.
At that moment, Ace arrived.
"Do not even think about recovering!"
"Flame, Rising Dragon Fist!"
His flaming uppercut struck Aramaki's chin, sending him soaring into the sky once more.
Ace and Yamato both looked up, their breathing heavy.
They understood his ability well.
The Forest Forest Fruit granted him extraordinary regeneration. As long as he remained connected to the earth, he could continuously recover.
To defeat him, they had to cut off that advantage.
"Now is our chance!" Yamato shouted, ignoring the pain in her abdomen as she leaped into the air.
Aramaki, still reeling midair, had barely regained his senses when he saw the two closing in.
His face darkened.
Ace's body ignited completely, his lower half transforming into flames as he surged forward like a blazing comet.
"This ends now. My final Fire Fist!"
At the same time, Yamato raised her weapon.
"Ice Thunder Bagua!"
Their attacks struck simultaneously.
Flames and freezing energy tore through Aramaki's body, opposing forces colliding and ravaging him from within.
Fire and ice erupted from his back, intertwining violently.
Aramaki's eyes rolled back as blood sprayed from his mouth.
Instead of falling, the force of the attack sent him flying even higher into the sky.
Ace and Yamato landed, both gasping for breath.
Seconds felt like an eternity.
Then, after half a minute, Aramaki's body finally fell.
With a massive crash, he slammed into the ground, creating a deep crater.