Elior had no intention of killing Fujitora. If he truly wanted Fujitora dead, the Admiral would not have survived even a single exchange. Within the entire Marine, if there was only one man who could be called a true Marine, it was Fujitora. To Elior, Fujitora was a rare talent. Killing him would be a waste. If such a man were left alive, there was always the possibility that one day he could be convinced. And if that day ever came, it would be ideal.
Among all Marines, Fujitora was the only one Elior genuinely admired. As for the rest, even the so-called Hero of the Marines, Garp, amounted to nothing more than a title. Elior had never liked him.
Fujitora was sent flying once again. Before the eyes of countless witnesses, Fujitora's strength was more than enough for him to be called a monster. Yet in front of Elior, it still wasn't enough. Elior's power surpassed the imagination of everyone present. At that moment, Elior pursued him once more. If Fujitora continued to interfere, it would only slow things down. The best solution was simple: severely injure him.
Elior gripped Yoru. He had to admit that the sword felt perfect in his hands. In his eyes, it was more exquisite than any famous blade he had ever seen. Just from its craftsmanship alone, one could tell how many priceless materials had been used to forge it. Dark crimson energy coiled around the blade, giving it an aura both mysterious and overwhelmingly powerful.
With a sharp metallic clang, Fujitora's blade collided with Yoru. The moment they met, Fujitora's arms trembled violently. The gap in raw power was unmistakable.
"What kind of monster are you?" Fear crept into Fujitora's voice. He knew Elior had already slain multiple top-tier combatants, and yet, Elior's condition remained terrifyingly pristine.
Elior spoke calmly. "I'm no different from you. The only difference is that I'm stronger. Killing Admirals or even normal Vice Admirals is nothing to someone at your level, isn't it?"
"That's true," Fujitora replied as he retreated instantly. He understood what Elior meant. The difference in strength between them was like a bottomless chasm, a gap so vast it inspired despair.
"After this battle," Elior continued casually, "the next war will be against Mary Geoise. Of course, before that, there are still two places I must visit. Tell me, Fujitora, can you stop me?"
Elior smiled faintly. At that moment, he tore away the remnants of his upper garments, revealing his bare torso. Every muscle line was perfect. Every inch of his body radiated explosive power. And most terrifying of all, he was completely uninjured.
"If the world truly becomes what you desire," Fujitora spoke heavily, "wouldn't that mark the beginning of an even deeper darkness?"
Fujitora had blinded himself precisely because he did not wish to see a world drowning in filth and sin. He raised his blade. A purple gravitational aura erupted from the ground around him and surged skyward. The heavens trembled. In the next instant, a colossal meteor, more than a hundred meters in diameter, tore through the sky. Wrapped in raging flames, it descended at terrifying speed.
Elsewhere, Bullet and Ryokugyu were locked in a ferocious battle. These two were monsters in human form. Their destructive power was overwhelming, and they were of similar age. Bullet no longer maintained his gigantic humanoid form. Instead, his arms had fused into two massive mechanical fists formed from firearms, blades, and countless metal weapons. It was similar to Kidd's ability but on an entirely different level.
Bullet's fists were coated in dense Armament Haki. Each punch he threw was absolutely unstoppable. The ice field ahead had been completely shattered. No one dared approach within a radius of over a thousand meters. Just watching the battle from afar made one's scalp tingle; getting close was suicide.
Behind Ryokugyu stood an army of wooden humanoids arranged like soldiers. At his command, they charged simultaneously toward Bullet. Their speed was astonishing, almost as if they were using Soru.
"Damn it," Ryokugyu gritted his teeth. "This bastard is absurdly strong! And he's awakened too!"
Fear crept into Ryokugyu's heart. Bullet was far more troublesome than he had anticipated. After all, this was the second-in-command of the Elior Pirates, a man who had once sailed with the Roger Pirates. He was someone who, in his twenties, could keep pace with Rayleigh. Bullet was a complete monster.
Ryokugyu was already injured. Fortunately, the Devil Fruit granted him terrifying regenerative abilities. Earlier, one of Bullet's punches had nearly caved in his face. Most of his bones had shattered and his heart had been nearly pierced. But regeneration took time, so Ryokugyu was stalling, using the wooden soldiers to buy time.
Yet he knew Bullet would soon figure out their weakness. Each wooden humanoid possessed strength comparable to an Admiral. Blowing off their heads was useless because they regenerated instantly. The only way to truly destroy them was to injure Ryokugyu himself. As long as Ryokugyu remained unharmed, these soldiers could regenerate endlessly. That was the true terror of his awakened ability.
Boom! Boom!!
Explosions echoed endlessly. Bullet smashed through the wooden soldiers and charged straight toward Ryokugyu. At that moment, green light engulfed Ryokugyu's body as he desperately repaired himself. Dozens of wooden soldiers pursued from behind. Ryokugyu was immortal, and so were his creations.
Bullet clenched his fist and punched forward. Ryokugyu frowned and raised his arm to counter. The two fists collided violently and the battlefield shook.