Ox-oni Saturn's expression changed drastically as he immediately shifted into a defensive stance.
He retracted his six spider legs, curled his body, and covered himself entirely with his hardened carapace.
This was his strongest defensive form.
But today, facing these Space Shards…
Ssssh! Ssssh! Ssssh!
The first shard sliced across his back, cutting through the carapace and exposing bone.
The second shard pierced his abdomen, exiting through his back.
The third, fourth, fifth…
In just three seconds, hundreds of wounds covered Ox-oni Saturn's body!
Dark purple blood gushed out like a fountain!
Even more terrifying, the wounds were infused with Raiver's Conqueror's Haki, violently hindering his regenerative abilities!
"Damn it…" Saturn gritted his teeth.
Meanwhile, Raiver's right hand gripping the blade suddenly erupted with terrifying power.
"Super Divine Push—!!!"
A vast, overwhelming repulsive force erupted from him as the center!
It didn't spread spherically but formed a cone, blasting entirely toward Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro!
Venus didn't even have time to react before he was violently blasted away by the repulsive force!
His body shot backward like a cannonball, crashing through three small mountains before finally embedding deep into the fourth mountain, leaving only a human-shaped crater.
After accomplishing this, Raiver finally turned around, facing Ox-oni Saturn.
He gripped the blade with both hands, lowering his posture slightly into a charging stance.
Supreme Conqueror Haki began to condense.
Crimson Haki surged from Raiver's body like flowing flames, all pouring into the Black Dragon Blade.
Advanced Armament Haki also condensed, forming a blade as thin as a cicada's wing on the Edge.
At this moment, Raiver's gaze changed.
From lazy to serious.
Though only for an instant.
Then—
Swish! Swish!
Two sounds of Space Rupture rang out almost simultaneously.
Ox-oni Saturn, struggling desperately within the Spatial Strangulation field, and Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, blasted deep into the mountain—both their bodies vanished simultaneously.
The next second, they appeared thirty meters in front of Raiver, forcibly teleported into the same straight line.
"What?!" Saturn and Venus exclaimed in unison, their pupils shaking violently.
They didn't even see what Raiver did, only feeling a distortion in space before appearing here.
And Raiver's blade was already swinging.
"Black Dragon Hell Slash—"
The moment the blade swung, a phantom of a black dragon surged from the Edge.
The Black Dragon opened its massive maw, releasing a heart-stopping roar.
Then, it charged.
Saturn and Venus didn't even have time to react before the Black Dragon pierced through both of them.
Time seemed to freeze for a second.
Then, both their bodies exploded and disintegrated simultaneously!
Their forms crumbled like sand sculptures, turning to dust bit by bit.
Three seconds later, only two slowly dissipating clouds of black energy remained on the spot.
Venus teleported back to the Holy Land Mariejois, while Saturn entered his body restoration state, also known as the revival state.
Raiver sheathed his blade, exhaling softly.
The Five Elders, annihilated.
At the same time, in the Holy Land Mariejois, Pangaea Castle, the Hall of Power.
Saint Marcus Mars, Saint Topman Warcury, and Saint Shepherd Ju Peter sat around the circular table in silence.
Their expressions were grim.
Though their bodies had recovered, the humiliation and pain of being slain moments ago remained vivid in their memories.
Space twisted abruptly.
Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro materialized.
He collapsed into a chair, face pale, his sword-hand trembling slightly.
"It seems you too..." Saint Mars started to say, but ultimately only sighed.
Saint Nusjuro said weakly, "Saturn has died and entered resurrection state."
Saint Warcury spoke slowly, weariness in his voice, "This time... our defeat was even more devastating."
Saint Peter stated, "The Celestial Dragons on Dormon Island are unlikely to survive."
"If even the five of us couldn't stop them, the God's Knights, the Marines, the CP organizations... stand no chance."
The hall fell into prolonged silence.
"These two festivals," Saint Nusjuro finally spoke, his voice icy cold:
"Have cost the Celestial Dragons over five hundred lives, humiliated the World Government, and cost the Marines dozens of warships and several vice admirals. The price... is too great."
Saint Mars nodded: "I estimate no Celestial Dragon will dare attend the next festival."
"Just as well." Saint Warcury sneered, "Less trouble."
The four exchanged glances, seeing the same decision in each other's eyes.
Saint Nusjuro rose slowly:
"I propose we cancel such festivals from now on."
"If the Celestial Dragon families object, let them find others—someone capable of protecting them."
"Ever since Raiver appeared, the five of us and the Marines have been labeled 'incompetent' by these worthless Celestial Dragons."
"Therefore, if the Celestial Dragon families insist on holding festivals in the future, the World Government and Marines will no longer provide protection for such events."
Saint Mars nodded: "Agreed."
Saint Warcury: "Agreed."
Saint Peter: "Agreed."
All four looked toward the center of the table—where Saint Jaygarcia Saturn's body was slowly reforming.
...
Meanwhile, on distant Dormon Island in the North Blue.
The hunt had only just begun.
Raiver stood at the island's center, watching the scattering, fleeing Celestial Dragons, a cruel smile curling his lips.
"Jiexi, Jieming."
"Here!" The two brothers knelt on one knee.
"Pass the order: no Celestial Dragon is to be spared. Gather all treasures, store Devil Fruits separately. Those who resist... show no mercy."
"As you command!"
...
East coast of Dormon Island, burning forest.
Flames illuminated figures fleeing in panic.
Two CP0 agents wearing white masks led hundreds of CP agents, escorting over thirty Celestial Dragons through the burning forest, rushing toward the evacuation point at the coastline.
These Celestial Dragons had lost their usual composure.
Their glass helmets were smeared with dust and blood, their ornate ceremonial robes torn by branches.
"Faster! Move faster!" a CP0 agent shouted urgently, "The warships are just one kilometer ahead!"
But the Celestial Dragons were utterly exhausted.
These pampered World Nobles had never experienced such intense flight.
One collapsed to the ground, crying out: "This Saint... can't run anymore... You... carry me..."
"Your Excellency, now is not—" The CP0 agent's words cut off abruptly.
Because a shrill scream came from behind.
"Not good! Someone's catching up from behind!"
Everyone's hearts tightened, and they all turned their heads in unison.
Deep in the forest, two ferocious black shadows were closing in at a terrifying speed!
On the left was a saber-toothed tiger over five meters long and nearly three meters tall at the shoulder!
On the right was a giant ape standing eight meters tall!
"It's... Devil Fruit Ability users!" an experienced CP agent cried out in alarm. "Full Beast Form!"
"Open fire! Open fire now!"
Hundreds of CP agents raised their guns in unison and opened fire!
Bullets poured down like a torrential rain, the flames from the muzzles forming a continuous web of fire!