Although Imu did not understand how Marco had achieved such rapid growth, the sheer speed of his development had already made her wary. If Marco was not eliminated soon, he would undoubtedly become a major threat in the future.
Marco, however, was completely unaware of Imu's thoughts. Even if he had known, he would not have cared. His focus was entirely elsewhere as he quickly located the rope on the Ancient Robot, Emeth. As long as he untied the knot, the Conqueror's Haki that Joy Boy had sealed within it eight hundred years ago would be released.
Gripping one end of the rope, Marco noticed that the other end was embedded deep within Emeth's body. As he pulled it free, the knot tied within the rope became clearly visible.
He stared at it for a moment, a rare hint of tension surfacing within him. There was no guarantee this would work.
"Joy Boy… Emeth… I'm counting on you," Marco muttered.
"Move out," Imu ordered coldly.
At that command, the Gorosei and the God's Knights charged toward Marco without hesitation. But in that very instant, Marco pulled hard and untied the knot.
A thunderous explosion erupted.
A violent surge of Conqueror's Haki burst forth like a raging storm, sweeping across the surroundings. The very sky and earth seemed to tremble under its pressure. Yet, this overwhelming Haki displayed an uncanny precision, bypassing Marco entirely and locking directly onto the Gorosei and the God's Knights.
The effect was immediate.
Their powers were suppressed, their movements halted. The teleportation initiated by the magic circles was violently disrupted. One after another, their bodies dissolved into white smoke, vanishing from Egghead Island.
The Conqueror's Haki of Joy Boy came swiftly and faded just as quickly.
Both Marines and pirates were left stunned. Just moments ago, the battlefield had been filled with the overwhelming presence of the God's Knights. Now, they were gone without a trace.
Even more shocking was the fact that not a single ordinary Marine had been knocked unconscious. The Haki had targeted only its intended enemies with absolute precision.
"What just happened? The God's Knights are gone!" voices rang out in disbelief.
"That Conqueror's Haki was monstrous… but why did it only affect them?"
Inside the laboratory, Jinbe, Vista, and Jozu paused mid-battle, equally stunned. They had just witnessed Saint Saturn and the God's Knights vanish under the crushing force of that Haki.
"Whose Conqueror's Haki was that?" Jinbe asked, his expression tense. "Was it Marco's?"
He had felt its overwhelming pressure clearly, yet somehow remained conscious under it.
He had also seen Saint Saturn's monstrous form collapse under the Haki, reverting to his human form before disappearing like smoke.
Vista's expression hardened. "No matter what, this works in our favor. This isn't the time to question it. Marco already gave the order to retreat. We move now."
Jinbe nodded and turned to the Seraphim. "We're leaving."
Back on the battlefield, after releasing Joy Boy's sealed Haki, only Imu remained.
Imu's pupils shrank sharply, a cold sweat running down her forehead. "That Haki… it's Joy Boy's…"
Marco narrowed his eyes, deep in thought. That level of Conqueror's Haki was beyond anything he had encountered. It might even surpass what could be considered the pinnacle.
At that moment, the previously lifeless Emeth flickered to life. A red glow ignited within its eyes.
Marco, however, did not notice. His attention was locked entirely onto Imu.
Seeing that Imu was momentarily stunned, Marco wasted no time.
He moved instantly.
Armament Haki gathered along his right arm, forming a sharp, blade-like edge. He infused it further with black flames and Conqueror's Haki, compressing immense destructive power into a single strike.
"Black Flame, God-Slaying Sword."
Imu's eyes widened in alarm as she snapped back to awareness and attempted to retreat.
Too late.
A crescent-shaped slash infused with black flames tore through the air and struck her directly.
With a sharp slicing sound, Imu's left arm was severed cleanly. Blood spilled as black flames clung to the wound, burning relentlessly.
The residual force of the attack carved a deep scar across both land and sea.
Though Marco was not a swordsman, his mastery of Haki, combined with his strength and speed, allowed him to unleash attacks rivaling true sword strikes.
Imu's expression twisted.
Even though this was not her original body, the pain was real, sharp and unrelenting. Her gaze darkened with fury. Since becoming the ruler of the world, she had never been wounded.
And yet, today, she had been injured by someone she considered insignificant.
"Damn insect…" Imu growled.
Meanwhile, far away in the Holy Land, the Gorosei and the God's Knights reappeared, their return forced by the overwhelming Conqueror's Haki.
The lingering effects left them weakened, their recovery delayed.
Among them, Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro had an ashen expression.
"What was that just now…?" he said through clenched teeth.
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