Seeing the scene before them, everyone was dumbfounded, eyes wide and jaws nearly dropping to the floor.
Just one sword strike had produced such overwhelming power. It was simply unbelievable—like heaven and earth had been split apart. The sky was now clear and cloudless, and that terrifying, abyss-like aura sent chills down their spines.
At that moment, a black speck appeared in the distance, speeding toward them. His face was chiseled and stern, clad in a white Navy uniform and cap—it was Akainu.
However, he looked a bit battered. His uniform was tattered, stained with blood, and his eyes were wide with fury, as though he could burst into flames at any moment.
Akainu landed on the warship, his voice thunderous with rage. "Who the hell was that just now?!"
His hawk-like eyes swept over the crowd before locking onto Kaguya. His gaze sharpened. "It was you."
To him, everyone here except for Hancock was just background noise. Only this cool, golden-haired girl exuded a sharp aura.
Just then, Hancock stepped forward, blocking his path. "Akainu, how dare you openly attack Amazon Lily? Are you trying to provoke us?"
The one who had just attacked Amazon Lily was none other than Akainu.
"If you won't accept the title of Shichibukai, then your island and everyone on it will be destroyed. Do you really think the Calm Belt can protect you?" Akainu said coldly. "Or do you believe that your strength alone is enough to resist the Navy's fleet? Consider this a warning. I suggest you think it over."
Hancock's beautiful eyes shimmered, her lips curling into a cold smile. "I'm not interested. Get lost."
"You—" Akainu's face turned ashen with fury, and he laughed in anger. "Since you insist on being a stubborn fool, then die."
As soon as the words left his mouth, his arms turned into molten magma. With a stomp, he launched himself forward, lifting his blazing fist and slamming it down.
Boom!
A massive impact shook the deck. Sparks flew, wood splintered.
A large hole was blasted into the deck, and the blazing magma instantly set the wooden floor ablaze. Thick smoke billowed skyward.
Hancock was sent flying, clutching her chest. Pain twisted her delicate face—she had already been wounded by Kizaru, and this sudden movement tore at her injuries.
In that moment, a dark shadow flickered—Akainu suddenly appeared before her, fist raised again.
"Die!"
"Hellhound!"
A massive magma fist, billowing smoke, came crashing down with unstoppable force.
Hancock's pupils shrank sharply.
No!
Her body was seriously injured and she was mid-air. There was no way to dodge or defend.
Just as the blow was about to land, a black and red longsword suddenly slashed through the air, intercepting the fist.
Clang! The molten magma fist collided heavily with the blade.
Akainu's eyes narrowed. "You again."
Earlier, during his attack on Amazon Lily, a fierce black sword light had come at him. Caught off guard, he was struck and sent flying. His tattered uniform was the result of that strike—and the warship he had brought was reduced to shreds.
Other than his battle with that monster before, Akainu had never been this disheveled. A surge of burning rage welled up in his heart.
Kaguya, cold and silent as ice, repelled Akainu's attack with a single strike. She reached out and caught Hancock's tall figure in her arms, quickly retreating to move her out of Akainu's range.
Curled up in Kaguya's embrace, Hancock stared at the girl, who was clearly shorter than her. A strange, unfamiliar warmth suddenly filled her heart—like sunlight, calming and reassuring.
Kaguya paid no mind to Hancock's expression. After letting her go, she stepped forward like a phantom and in the blink of an eye appeared before Akainu. Raising her arm, the Sword of Promised Victory streaked through the air.
Akainu laughed in fury, his expression twisted. "If you want to die, I'll send you straight to hell."
As soon as he spoke, the molten heat of his magma arms intensified, radiating a blinding light. He raised one arm high and punched down with full force.
His fist expanded several times mid-air. By the time it reached Kaguya, it was like a mountain crashing down.
"Great Eruption!"
Even before the blow landed, the searing heat wave rushed toward her.
"Hell?" Kaguya raised her head, a smirk on her lips. She said coldly, "With just that?" She waved her hand casually, and a formless whirlwind materialized, swirling before her, tossing her hair and fluttering her robes.
"Invisible Air."
Boom!
The magma fist slammed hard into Kaguya.
Blinding flames shot skyward. Thick smoke rolled like a tidal wave, sweeping the area in a powerful shockwave.
Hancock's pupils shrank as her face turned pale.
No!
If that attack landed, it would surely inflict devastating damage. The sheer heat alone conveyed the terrifying power it held.
Gritting her teeth, Hancock ignored her injuries and rushed toward Kaguya's direction.
But just as she reached out, a figure suddenly appeared in front of her—it was Kizaru.
Raising an eyebrow, Kizaru clicked his tongue. "I won't let you pass."
"Damn you," Hancock growled, frustration and urgency boiling within her.
Just as she was about to force her way through, a hand extended from the rolling black smoke. With a gentle wave, a strong gust blew away the smoke, revealing a graceful and elegant figure.
Hancock's eyes lit up, relief washing over her face as she unconsciously let out a sigh.
"This one..." Akainu narrowed his eyes, speaking with gravity.
Kaguya didn't have a single scratch. Even her clothes remained spotless, her golden hair perfectly smooth.
"So long as it's under the name of justice, any kind of despicable act will be forgiven," Kaguya said, her white fingers brushing the blade as she looked up, eyes gleaming coldly. "How laughable."
The moment her words fell, Kaguya dashed forward like an arrow, a chill flashing through her clear eyes.
"Ignorant." Akainu sneered. With a stomp of his foot, the ground cracked beneath him as he shot forward like an arrow loosed from a bow, swinging his magma-covered fist fiercely.
Clang!
A crisp sound rang out as the black-and-red longsword clashed with the magma fist, producing dazzling sparks.
The two collided briefly, then crashed together once more.
Clang!
The inky black blade, cold as water, transformed into a flurry of sword shadows. With a swing of Kaguya's arm, the longsword moved with perfect fluidity. Whirling wind blades erupted like a storm, surging toward Akainu in a relentless barrage.
"Childish."
Akainu sneered. His upper body suddenly transformed into searing magma, radiating intense heat. With another step forward, he raised his arm high and punched with lightning speed.
The gathered molten lava in mid-air took the form of a crimson hound with gaping jaws, lunging to tear Kaguya apart.
"Hellhound!"
Faced with the fierce assault, a glint of cold light appeared in Kaguya's eyes. She stepped forward like a phantom, leaving behind trailing afterimages. Her longsword shimmered, morphing into a massive black blade.
"Seems you've forgotten about me."
A familiar voice suddenly sounded beside her. Kaguya's eyes narrowed—behind her appeared none other than Kizaru.
Kizaru gave a lazy smile and, with a wave of his hand, drew a pale golden sword of light from the glow around him. He swung his arm, thrusting it toward Kaguya's back.
"Ame-no-Murakumo Sword."
Hancock's pupils shrank. She shouted in alarm, "Watch out!"
But it was already too late.
Boom!
A thunderous crash resounded. A figure fell from the sky like a meteor, slamming heavily onto the deck.
Hancock's expression changed. Despite her injuries, she rushed over and cradled Kaguya in her arms. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?" Her worry was plain on her face.
The crew exchanged looks. Despite their shock, they couldn't help but be surprised—never had they seen their Snake Princess care so much about someone.
Then again, it made sense. After all, Kaguya had risked angering the World Government to help them. Showing concern was only natural.
"I'm fine." Kaguya gently pushed Hancock away and stood up. Her clothes were a bit disheveled, but she appeared mostly unharmed.
Just before impact, Kaguya had summoned the Invisible Air, absorbing most of the attack. Though it couldn't completely negate the blow, it significantly reduced the damage.
Hancock's face turned icy. She whipped around, fury blazing in her eyes.
"Oh my, still standing after all that. Quite impressive," Kizaru drawled lazily.
"Hmph," Akainu snorted coldly. "Just lucky. That won't happen again. If you dare defy the World Government, be prepared to die."
Hancock pursed her lips and quickly moved to Kaguya's side, speaking softly, "Are you okay? Let me help you."
"No need," Kaguya shook her head, then looked up at Akainu and Kizaru. "So, are those your final words?"
Akainu's face darkened, veins bulging on his forehead. His voice came through gritted teeth. "Arrogant... you're asking for death."
With that, his figure lunged forward like a massive bird. His muscular arms swelled, transforming into a gigantic magma fist that he slammed down with searing force, unleashing a wave of blistering heat.
The magma punch transformed into a sky-darkening meteor, crashing down like a fiery comet.
"Meteor Volcano!"
At the same time, Kizaru leapt into the air. In a flash of dazzling light, his body turned into photons, and a storm of light bullets rained down like a torrential downpour.
Hancock's pupils contracted.
The range of the attack was simply too vast. Dodging was impossible, and defending against it even more so.
The crew aboard the ship stared in terror, expressions of despair overtaking them.
Such power was beyond their ability to resist—especially with their Snake Princess already injured.
They had been driven into a corner.
Just then, Kaguya stepped forward, her grip tightening around the Sword of Promised Victory. With a metallic clang, she stabbed it into the deck. A black six-pointed star appeared beneath her feet, its intricate, elegant patterns burning with black flames, exuding a suffocating chill. Frost crept across the deck with sharp crackling sounds.
"Mana Release."
The moment she spoke, Kaguya's body was dyed in inky black, an abyssal cold radiating from her. A violent, invisible force rippled outward in waves, exuding a terrifying aura of despair and dread.
The surrounding world seemed to lose all color, turning pale and gray. Even the sun in the sky seemed to dim in the presence of this overwhelming power.
"What is this?" Akainu's pupils shrank.
Even the usually laid-back Kizaru looked solemn for once, his demeanor turning serious.
What kind of terrifying power was this?
It was so immense, so vast, it made everything else feel insignificant—like standing before a boundless ocean. That icy, hopeless aura sent chills through the soul.
Hancock's eyes were wide with shock. She had never imagined that this seemingly cold and delicate girl could wield such awe-inspiring power.
"Have you..." Kaguya looked up and spoke softly, "...ever experienced despair?"
The moment the words fell, she gripped her black-and-red sword with both hands, raised it high, and swung it down.
A black sword beam tore through the air, a colossal flash of black lightning slicing across the blue sky, roaring forward like a tsunami.
Boom!
The black blade light erupted with devastating force, shredding everything in its path. Wherever it passed, all became void. The overwhelming force raised towering waves, shaking the heavens and earth.
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