The punch struck Aramaki's abdomen, and in an instant the force transformed into an azure dragon that pierced straight through his body. A massive dragon burst out from his back, tearing through flesh and blood as it exited.
Aramaki coughed out a mouthful of blood, his eyes rolling back as his body was violently sent flying by the impact of the azure dragon.
Kaido watched him fall and was about to pursue, but Fujitora immediately moved in to block his path with desperate resistance.
A loud crash echoed as Aramaki's body finally dropped from the sky and slammed heavily onto the ground. Even with his regenerative abilities, the damage was too severe. His recovery slowed drastically as his body struggled to remain active.
Nearby Marines looked on in shock.
"Mr Aramaki…"
What they saw was the Admiral's body pierced with a massive hole, his spine and internal organs heavily damaged. Blood spread across the ground, staining everything around him.
Aramaki gritted his teeth in pain.
"Cough, cough, damn it…"
One of his arms transformed into tree vines as he attempted to draw nutrients from the ground to force his regeneration.
Kaido noticed Fujitora holding him back and chose not to pursue the finishing blow on Aramaki. He said indifferently, "worororo, forget it. After taking that hit, he is probably not getting back up anytime soon. Next is you, old blind man."
Kaido then turned his full attention to Fujitora and launched a violent attack.
Without Aramaki supporting him, Fujitora alone was clearly no match for Kaido.
Meanwhile, Sengoku, who was still engaged in battle with King, had a grave expression. Aramaki's defeat had exceeded his expectations, and King's strength was also far beyond what he had anticipated. If Kaido managed to break through Fujitora, there would be no one left capable of stopping him.
Sengoku thought to himself, forcing this war in the New World against the Beasts Pirates was a miscalculation. He had originally opposed the decision, but it was an order from the World Government, and as Fleet Admiral he had no choice but to obey.
Although the lower ranks of the Beasts Pirates had been heavily suppressed, as long as Kaido and the two All Stars remained, any advantage gained by the Marines could be overturned at any moment.
Kaido's strength was simply overwhelming. Even with two Admirals working together, they still could not fully suppress him.
"All Marine units, retreat immediately."
Sengoku finally gave the reluctant order.
The Marines nearby were stunned. They had clearly been holding the advantage, so why were they being ordered to withdraw?
However, Sengoku understood the reality. What looked like an advantage was actually a collapsing balance. Once Fujitora fell, there would be no force left to oppose Kaido.
In the face of absolute power, numbers meant little. Retreating now was the only way to preserve Marine forces.
Although confused, the Marines obeyed. Sengoku's authority as Fleet Admiral had been built over more than a decade, and his orders were still followed without question.
At the same time, in the Holy Land Mary Geoise, Marco led the Captains in another full assault.
The Holy Land was once again thrown into chaos as destruction spread across the area. Marco in particular slaughtered the Celestial Dragons and guards, rapidly accumulating attribute points.
The other Captains focused on freeing slaves imprisoned by the Celestial Dragons. Hancock, now liberated, also joined in helping others escape.
Marco checked his current attribute points. They had already exceeded seventy thousand once again.
He could now activate the final ability of the Devil Fruit Awakening technique, Undying.
However, he chose not to do so immediately. He wanted to accumulate more points and reach one hundred thousand before upgrading his Conqueror's Haki from Legendary to Mythical. He intended to see what lay beyond that level.
With that decision, Marco turned his attention back to the Celestial Dragons and continued the slaughter.
The Captains observed Marco's actions with slight silence. He had ordered them to capture Celestial Dragons alive when possible, yet he personally continued killing them without hesitation.
Still, none of them questioned him. Marco was the captain, and his authority was absolute.
In their eyes, one Celestial Dragon was worth five hundred attribute points. Although only pureblood Celestial Dragons yielded points, their identities could not be distinguished by appearance alone. So Marco's order remained to capture as many as possible.
This time, the Phoenix Pirates had brought considerable forces, which forced the World Government to respond fully. All five Gorosei and multiple members of the God's Knights were deployed.
On the battlefield of the Holy Land, both sides now stood in full force.
The Phoenix Pirates had twenty one members. Opposing them were the Gorosei alongside more than a dozen God's Knights, making their numbers nearly equal.
The enemy forces did not appear one by one. They had assembled together. All of them understood Marco's threat, and no one was willing to challenge him individually.
Marco, however, showed no intention of retreating. He wanted to measure the true power of the World Government. While the existence of the five Gorosei was confirmed, the full number of God's Knights remained unknown.
He spoke to the Captains.
"Do not fight the Gorosei one on one. They are currently empowered by the four soul divine blood. Even with Phoenix power, none of you can defeat them alone."
Ace nodded, exchanging a glance with Yamato as they both smiled slightly.
The other Captains also understood. Even Big Mom had been unable to handle the Gorosei. Although they now possessed Phoenix abilities, defeating them alone was still unrealistic.
At least they now understood something from the previous Egghead conflict. The Gorosei were not affected by Sea Stone, but the God's Knights were still Devil Fruit users. Sea water and Sea Stone remained their weaknesses.
If restrained with Sea Stone, even their immortality would lose meaning.
The battle erupted instantly.
Blue flames appeared across the battlefield as each Captain manifested Phoenix-like power. The sight shocked the Gorosei.
Saint Nusjuro narrowed his eyes.
"What is going on, why do they all possess Phoenix flames"
Saint V. Nusjuro's expression turned cold.
"Impossible, how can so many users of the Phoenix Fruit exist"
A terrifying possibility began forming in their minds.
Marco stood at the center, facing Saint Nusjuro, Saint Garling, and Saint V. Nusjuro at once.
He glanced at them and spoke lightly.
"Only the three of you. Is Imu not planning to show up"
Saint V. Nusjuro replied coldly.
"Lowly ants like you are not worthy of Lord Imu's attention."
Marco smirked.
"It does not matter. If she does not want to come, I will deal with all of you first. I will take my time with him later."
Saint Garling's expression twisted in anger.
"Arrogant brat"
He charged forward.
Marco remained unfazed, standing ready against the combined assault of the three.
He then asked casually.
"So this is all the God's Knights you have. I expected more."
===
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