"This transformation... just like Shuten-douji and the Lich King, it actually originates from a 'game'."
Vladimir clicked his tongue, feeling slightly regretful.
It wasn't that transformations from games were bad, but this one wasn't particularly overpowered. It wasn't weak either, sitting somewhere in the middle ground.
"Too bad. I didn't get a Phantom Form that allows world traversal again."
Vladimir shook his head helplessly. "I'll just have to wait another week to try my luck. The Emperor of Sands isn't strong enough to be a Dominator Officer, but he can barely serve as a regular officer. However, considering we have too few regular members, I'll just classify him as a Combatant."
Currently, Phantom consisted of: Captain x1, Vice Captain x1, Dominator Officers x4, Officers x2, and Members x3.
Counting this new form, they now had four regular members, which just about matched the number of Dominator Officers.
"Forget it, stop thinking about that. Since I've unlocked the Eleventh Transformation, I might as well study it properly."
Vladimir extended his left palm. Golden sand flowed between his fingers, completely under his control and responding effortlessly to his magical power.
As a 2-Star transformation, the Emperor of Sands possessed two abilities.
The first was "Sun Disc". This allowed him to summon a golden disc that could cover a wide area. It could automatically lock onto enemies, sound alarms, and even fire magical missiles automatically.
Vladimir mused that in the future, he could place a Sun Disc anywhere Phantom controlled, marking the territory and declaring to the world that this land belonged to Phantom.
Honestly, this ability was quite useful.
The second ability was "Sand Soldier Manifestation". This was easier to understand; the Emperor of Sands could use sand to create solid soldiers.
Exactly how many could be created was unknown yet, as he hadn't tested it.
But since he was an Emperor, the number of soldiers he could control was surely massive.
In the game, there were only three, but this wasn't a game. The real number was probably multiplied by ten, a hundred, or even a thousand or ten thousand!
"Better go find someone to test this power. Luckily, there are intruders right now."
Vladimir smiled slightly and stood up slowly.
His armor emitted heavy, rhythmic clanking sounds as he moved; the collision of metal was strangely pleasing to the ear.
Holding the golden halberd, Vladimir closed his eyes and released his magical power. Moments later, he sensed several battlefields near the mansion.
At the main gate, on the snowy ground, Shiki was still fighting against the two Shichibukai.
"This guy... he's deliberately holding back. Since that's the case, I'll go there personally and give them a warning."
With that thought, Vladimir immediately set off.
...
Floating Island, Main Entrance.
The wooden structure had already collapsed due to the intense battle.
Shiki floated in the air, arms crossed, staring calmly down at the two men below.
Crocodile and Gecko Moria were both breathing heavily. They had fought head-on for half an hour, yet together they couldn't even touch Shiki.
The main issue was his ability to fly; they simply couldn't reach him.
"Flight-type abilities are such a pain!" Moria's face was grim. "We've been delayed for too long. Let's retreat for now. Even if Phantom's people are slow, they must be back by now. Don't forget, they have the ability to summon their officers instantly!"
It was no secret that any member of Phantom could summon officers from afar; anyone who paid attention to them knew this.
They had originally planned for a quick strike, but instead, they got stuck fighting this "watchdog" Shiki, unable to get even an inch closer to the mansion.
Hearing Moria's words, Crocodile nodded unwillingly. "Retreat!"
He was furious. This was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to get so close to Pluton.
But he still had his wits about him; he knew when to cut his losses.
"Shadow Master!"
"Desert Spada!"
A shadow shot out, attacking Shiki.
At the same time, a massive sandstorm erupted across the snow, mixing with the snowflakes to create a rare and chaotic Snow-Sand Storm.
While attacking, the two simultaneously retreated, preparing to escape.
"Go!"
Crocodile immediately transformed into flowing sand, speeding away from the island.
However, just then, a streak of golden light flashed.
It was the figure of a Yokai. A golden aura cloaked its body, and a terrifying evil energy was condensing within it.
"Since you came... don't leave."
The Nine-Tailed Fox sneered and struck out with a palm. "Tailed Beast Ball!"
Whoosh!
A small sphere of energy shot forth instantly, blocking Crocodile's path.
The next moment—
BOOM!!
It was as if a second sun had risen, illuminating half the sky.
The devastating power flattened the entire area within a hundred meters in an instant.
The sandstorm, the blizzard, everything was reduced to nothingness under this single strike.
Cough cough...
Suddenly, Crocodile's form reformed in the distance. His face was pale, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
"What kind of power is this?! It can actually hit a Logia body!" He stared fixedly at the Nine-Tailed Fox.
"Phantom's people are here!" Gecko Moria's expression changed drastically. "I'm not playing with you anymore. I'm leaving first!"
Without looking back, he turned and ran for his life.
"Hahaha..."
Suddenly, a low chuckle echoed.
Ahead of them, yellow sand filled the sky, swirling and rising as if an ancient desert city had suddenly appeared out of thin air.
____________________
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