536. Chapter 522: Akainu's Demise, Holy Knights Annihilated
There are gains and losses. Those who have eaten Devil Fruits are unable to enter the sea for life. In a world primarily centered around the ocean, this has always been seen as the curse of the sea.
Even someone as strong as Navy Admiral Akainu, who ate the Magma-Magma Fruit and transformed into a magma human, could use his ability to evaporate the surrounding seawater after falling in. However, seawater still had a strong suppressive effect on him.
Let alone him after being severely injured.
Although Flying Squirrel was a Vice Admiral at Navy Headquarters, he followed the path of a Swordsman, cultivating Body Techniques and Swordsmanship, and was not a Devil Fruit user.
He arrived at the Sea Surface where Sakazuki had disappeared and, without any hesitation, dove down towards the sea. He went all the way down, using Observation Haki to track Sakazuki's aura, diving deeper and deeper.
The Calm Belt Sea Area is the lair of Sea Kings. Even super large Sea Kings with bodies exceeding five thousand meters live here.
The fact that it can accommodate Sea Kings of this size shows how deep the water in this Sea Area is.
Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel dove down the whole way, not knowing how many meters he had descended. Gradually, even with his Body Technique cultivation base, he could feel a ringing in his ears, and a faint burning sensation came from his Zangfu Organs.
Where the water is black, it is deep. Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel's vision was pitch black at this moment. Just as he was hesitating and doubting if he had pursued in the wrong direction, after all, Admiral Sakazuki shouldn't have fallen this deep.
But Observation Haki perceived that the Admiral's aura was clearly nearby. Could it be that the Admiral was dragged away by a Sea King!
Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel vigilantly drew his sword. Just then, his eyes lit up, and a white light instantly illuminated the dark environment of the Seabed.
Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel looked towards the white light, only to see within it countless Fishmen with crab heads and shrimp heads, holding various Weapons, tightly surrounding several huge Sea Kings, trapping them in the center.
Looking at the vast number of Fishman troops, Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel's heart was greatly shaken.
How could the army of Fishman Island appear here? Could it be that Neptune is colluding with those Missionaries?
Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel hid in the dark, secretly observing those Fishmen. In their hands, they held transparent Fishing Nets, swimming regularly around those few Sea Kings, and quickly tied those few large Sea Kings up tightly.
From the Armor, Weapons on these Fishmen, and their swimming Speed, Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel quickly came to a conclusion: these Fishmen actually each possessed Strength no less than Navy Headquarters Lieutenants or Colonels.
Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel hid in the shadows. After personally seeing only a few hundred Fishmen tie up a large frog-like Sea King, he hesitated for a moment, then turned and floated towards the Sea Surface.
The existence of these Fishmen must involve some kind of Conspiracy. He must notify Navy Headquarters as soon as possible.
Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel had just turned around and froze on the spot. Behind him, at some unknown time, appeared a spirited and imposing young man wearing a cyan Robe.
Behind the man stood hundreds of Figures either wearing Armor or Robes.
"Admiral Sakazuki!" Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel's Gaze fell on the young man behind him.
A figure over four meters tall, a Strong Man wearing a full set of black Armor, was currently clutching Akainu's Neck, lifting him up by his side.
Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel looked at Akainu's limp, clearly unconscious appearance. Under the surge of emotion, he almost choked on a mouthful of Seawater.
That young man seemed to notice Flying Squirrel's Gaze. He followed Flying Squirrel's Gaze and looked at Akainu, who was being held by the Whale Attendant behind him.
"You know him? This guy has the aura of Yamata no Orochi, that fellow Xiangliu's Potent Poison. Then you are also an Enemy!"
Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel's Zangfu Organs felt a burning sensation like fire at this moment. That was from holding his breath for too long, plus the Seabed Water Pressure was too great, causing his Lungs to be overwhelmed.
He couldn't be like this mysterious young man in front of him, who possessed the magical Ability to speak underwater. But Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel still expressed his Attitude with action.
He swung the Katana in his hand and slashed towards the young man in front of him with a single strike.
A Swordsman's wave-breaking Strike, although its Force was not as great as splitting the sea or cutting warships on the Sea Surface, the Seawater in front of Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel was still split by his single strike, and sharp Sword Qi slashed towards the young man.
The young man's Palm lightly clenched, and a Great Halberd as thick as a goose egg appeared in his Palm out of thin air. He lifted the Great Halberd and parried; a visible Water Flow condensed into a Water Dragon and easily parried away the Sword Qi that Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel had slashed.
"I am a registered disciple of the Great Heavenly Venerable, the Eighteenth Prince of the Dragon King, Ao Qin. Little barbarian, dare to be presumptuous in front of this Prince!"
As Ao Qin shook the Great Halberd in his hand, dense Aquatic Race Soldiers surged out from behind and above Flying Squirrel. Water Nets condensed and formed in their hands and netted towards Flying Squirrel.
Seeing that he was about to receive the same treatment as those Sea Kings, Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel swung the Katana in his Palm, slashing strikes towards his head, while quickly floating upwards.
"This way is blocked!"
Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel's speed of ascent was extremely fast, but before his Figure could rush out very far, an iron tower-like Figure appeared above his head.
Following a muffled grunt, that Whale Attendant blocking Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel's path held a pumpkin-sized Maul in each hand and smashed them down towards Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel's head.
The two Mauls, not knowing how heavy they were, smashed down. The Seawater above Flying Squirrel's head was like a thunderclap striking down, and the surging Water Ripple instantly made Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel feel a bit dizzy.
His Zangfu Organs, already Burning under the Water Pressure, surged even more. Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel only felt a sweet, fishy taste overflowing from his mouth.
However, facing the Big man blocking the way above his head, his Body no longer allowed him to retreat. He made a decisive decision and, without a second thought, repeatedly slashed the Katana in his hand towards the blocking Whale Attendant.
That Whale Attendant was not an ordinary Dragon Palace Attendant. He was originally a Dragon Palace Elder, and his Cultivation Base was in no way inferior to that of Dragon Palace Generals. He was originally an Elite guarding the Dragon Palace.
It was just that the Dragon King was worried about Ao Qin's Safety and specifically selected a batch of Elites to follow him.
Facing Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel's slashes, the two hammers in the Whale Attendant's hands clashed, and an invisible sound wave surged. The surrounding Seawater vibrated, forming a rotating Water Shield between his two hammers.
Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel's slashes cut onto the high-speed rotating Water Shield and were instantly dispersed by the high-speed rotating Water Flow.
Splash!
After blocking Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel's Attack, the Whale Attendant's Figure moved. Clearly an iron tower-like robust Figure, yet incredibly agile in the water, his Speed was incredibly fast.
Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel only heard a sound of water. When he came back to his senses, a Maul had already smashed towards his head.
In his panic, Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel gripped the Knife Hilt with both hands, Armament Haki covered his entire Body, wanting to catch this hammer. However, Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel still underestimated the Weight of the two Mauls in the Whale Attendant's hands.
Although these two Mauls were shiny Silver on the surface, they were not made of pure Silver. The Material used to forge these two Mauls was a type of exotic cold iron from the Seabed. For the same weight, the Weight was more than ten times that of ordinary Fine Iron.
These two Mauls of the Whale Attendant, which looked to be five or six hundred jin, their true Weight had to be multiplied by more than ten times, plus the Whale Attendant's extraordinary Energy.
With this hammer strike, the Force was more than a million jin.
The Maul smashed onto the Blade of Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel's Katana. With a loud clang, a circle of spreading ripples instantly exploded in the Seawater, turning into a Sea Wave surging in all directions.
Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel's Palm became empty. That famous Blade covered with Armament Haki was actually smashed into several pieces by a single hammer strike. Seeing that after the Giant Hammer smashed his Blade with one strike, the remaining Force had not dissipated and was heading straight towards his Head, Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel wanted to use "Paper Arts" to flash away and dodge, but he forgot this was Underwater. By the time he reacted, it was already too late. He could only watch helplessly as the shiny Silver Hammer Head hit him directly on the Forehead.
"Crack!"
After a crisp sound, the face of this Navy Elite Vice Admiral showed a final bitter smile. His Head instantly exploded like a watermelon bursting Underwater.
Splash, splash, splash—
On the Calm Sea Surface, the Seawater parted to both sides, and Ao Qin, leading thousands of Aquatic Race Soldiers, emerged from the water.
"You're late!"
The eight-headed, eight-tailed Black Scale Giant Snake coiled around a half-sunk Navy Warship, flicking its tongue and staring with sixteen Eyes, looking at him with dissatisfaction.
"Mr. Xiangliu, please don't be offended. We encountered another wave of Enemies ahead and only rushed over after completely dealing with them! Besides, with you here, I presume this little dragon's intervention is not needed!"
In the past six months, Ao Qin had used his Elder Sisters' connections, followed that Great Heavenly Venerable's Gonggong Incarnation, learned some Halberd Techniques and Divine Abilities, and was accepted as a registered disciple. However, he still lowered his posture and explained to Yamata no Orochi.
"Hiss, hiss, hiss, you are right. These Enemies are indeed nothing; I can handle them myself. Hiss, hiss, hiss—"
After Yamata no Orochi heard Ao Qin's Explanation, several Snake Heads hissed menacingly, swaying back and forth. It was clear that he greatly enjoyed Ao Qin's flattery.
"You said there were other Enemies? Hiss, hiss, hiss."
Ao Qin nodded. "Outside this Calm Belt Sea Area, we encountered a few guys who called themselves Holy Knights. Their Strength was decent, but these were all arrogant guys. They have all been dealt with!"
Ao Qin mentioned it lightly, clearly not taking those few Enemies to heart.
He was completely unaware that those he had dealt with were a group considered the strongest Combat strength of the World Government. Any member of the Holy Knights, if you randomly picked one and threw them into this Ocean, would be at least a Seven Warlord of the Sea, or even an Emperor's First Mate, or Navy Admiral level Existence.
They were also one of the Foundations the World Government used to suppress the World.
These members of the Holy Knights were originally ordered by the Five Elder Stars to come and hunt down the Heavenly Court Missionaries. They planned to intercept Steve Rogers and their Boat outside the Calm Belt.
Unexpectedly, by chance, they encountered Ao Qin, who had rushed to this World for Reinforcements, and the Aquatic Race Army he led.
In the Pirate World, the Powerful Ones are respected. Ordinary Soldiers, even well-trained Navy Soldiers, in the Combat of true Powerful Ones, can only serve as Cannon Fodder or simply become background elements.
Especially under the top Ability like Conqueror's Haki, which clears out soldiers, human wave Tactics are simply nonsense in the Pirate World.
The few unlucky members of the Holy Knights suffered losses precisely because of this understanding. Their attention was entirely focused on Ao Qin and those powerful Aquatic Race Generals. They actually watched helplessly as those Aquatic Race Soldiers set up a Formation around them.
It should be known that in the Soul Ferryman World, although the Dragon Palace was insignificant compared to K'un-Lun and the Underworld, the Dragon King also acted submissively in front of Tang Song.
But the Dragon Palace had dominated the four Sea Areas in the Soul Ferryman World for hundreds of thousands of years. Its Force was so vast that it was incomparable to the World Government, a short-lived regime with only eight hundred years of History.
Since the Dragon King learned that the Dragon Palace might obtain an undeveloped World, he almost mobilized all the Elite Personnel of the entire Dragon Palace and carefully selected thirty thousand Aquatic Race Soldiers from them.
Among these thirty thousand Aquatic Race Soldiers, the weakest had the Strength of Navy Colonels, and Aquatic Race members at the Major General and Vice Admiral Level were everywhere.
When Ao Qin first arrived in this World, he encountered this wave of Enemies, the Holy Knights. Because he couldn't figure out the Enemy's Background, his Turtle Prime Minister, for the sake of caution, ordered the thirty thousand Aquatic Race Soldiers to set up the Inverting Yin and Yang Immortal Trapping Formation.
As the Formation's name suggests, as long as one falls into the Formation, even an Immortal would need some effort to get out.
Those Holy Knights didn't know how formidable the Great Formation was, and several of them were Devil Fruit users. Under the Aquatic Race Great Formation, they couldn't even last for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea and were all annihilated.
Ao Qin truly didn't know that he had just eliminated the World Government's top Combat strength right after appearing. He waved his hand towards the Whale Attendant behind him who was carrying Akainu's Corpse.
"Mr. Xiangliu! This is someone we encountered Underwater. He has the aura of your Potent Poison on him, so I brought him to you!"
"Hiss, hiss, hiss, it seems being a Human Hero isn't that easy." One of Yamata no Orochi's Snake Heads extended in front of the Whale Attendant, flicking its tongue and looking at Akainu, who only had one breath left. With a flick of its tongue, it rolled Akainu's Corpse into its mouth.
Several Snake Heads of Yamata no Orochi gazed at the seemingly Calm Sea Surface in the Distance. Threads of highly Potent Poisonous snake saliva flowed from the corners of its mouth.
One Snake Head turned towards Ao Qin and spat out a Jade Talisman from its mouth. "Those Missionaries are entrusted to you. I'm going to eat some snacks. Notify me if anything happens. I need enough Nutrition to grow my ninth head!"
Splash!
Ao Qin watched Yamata no Orochi disappear beneath the Water Surface, shook his Head, and put away the Jade Talisman. He glanced at the black wooden sailboat not far away, then whistled. An Avoid Water Golden Eyed Beast emerged from Underwater and obediently lay down beside Ao Qin.
Ao Qin mounted the Avoid Water Golden Eyed Beast and, surrounded by countless Aquatic Race Soldiers, stirred up a Giant Wave and surged towards that wooden Galleon.
"Priest! Are you sure those are our people!"
On the Galleon's Deck, Hawkeye Barton watched the vast Army surging from the Sea Wave and couldn't help but glance again at the middle-aged Priest beside him.
"Barton, rest assured. I have received a revelation from His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor. Those are indeed the Reinforcements sent by His Majesty!"
The middle-aged Priest waved his hand, signaling Barton not to be nervous, and stood calmly at the ship's rail with the other Priests, fearlessly watching that nearly hundred-meter-high wave surging and crashing towards the wooden Galleon beneath their Feet.
The rumbling Giant Wave swept in. Seeing that the Giant Wave was about to overturn the sailboat, the Sailors and crew On the Ship trembled, each one waiting for the judgment of fate.
That surging Sea Wave, however, stopped four or five meters from the ship's Body and solidified into a Water Curtain Wall about a hundred meters high! Facing this magical scene, everyone On the Ship watched dumbfounded. At this moment, the Water Curtain parted, and a Monster with a lion's Body and a Dragon Head, carrying a young man, walked out from the Water Curtain, shaking its Head.
The Avoid Water Golden Eyed Beast leaped and carried Ao Qin onto the Galleon's Deck.
"I am Ao Qin, son of the Dragon God of the Rain Department, under the Primary God of the Water Department of the Heavenly Court. Which one is Steve Rogers!"
The Crowd's Gaze all turned towards Captain America. Captain America stepped forward. "I am!"
Ao Qin dismounted the Avoid Water Golden Eyed Beast and cupped his fist towards Steve Rogers. "Steve Rogers, I have come here by the Order of the Great Heavenly Venerable. The Great Heavenly Venerable's verbal Order is: the Quantum Tunnel has reopened, and you can return to your own World!"
Although Captain America was a bit unaccustomed to hearing Ao Qin's flowery Chinese Language, thanks to the translator in his ear, he still understood Ao Qin's words.
"The Quantum Tunnel has been restored?! Did Tang say what would happen to our World? We need those few Infinity Stones to save our World!"
Ao Qin heard Captain America directly call the Great Heavenly Venerable by his surname and showed displeasure in his Eyes. However, thinking of the Great Heavenly Venerable's instructions, he didn't show any Expression on his Face.
"The Great Heavenly Venerable wants you to go back and wait with Patience. He will personally descend upon your World and save your Universe!"
Hearing Ao Qin's words, Captain America didn't say anything more. He turned his Head and first embraced each of the Priests to say goodbye.
After more than a year of getting along, he and these Priests had also established a deep Friendship.
"Congratulations on going home, Steve Rogers. May the Heavenly Emperor bless you!"
"Thank you, Father Miller! I also wish you all the best here!"
The leading middle-aged Priest, after giving Captain America, Hawkeye, and Black Widow each an Embrace, took out the farewell Gifts he had prepared long ago from his Jade Talisman.
The function of these Jade Talismans is similar to the Crosses of Priests in the past.
Different from the previous Silver-plated Crosses, each of these Jade Talismans is a Storage Magic Tool.
What Father Miller handed to Captain America was a small Manual.
"Steve Rogers, this is the Cultivation Method for the Navy Six Powers that I collected through Believers. Oh, and some Data/Information about Armament Haki. I hope you can use them when combating evil in the future!"
Captain America took the Manual with both hands and gave Father Miller another fierce Embrace.
"Barton, I really couldn't find a Supreme Grade Blade. This Kiku-ichimonji is listed among the 21 Great Grade Blades. It can also be considered a good Blade. I hope you will like it!"
Hawkeye respectfully received that Katana with an ice-blue Scabbard from Father Miller with both hands. He took the Blade in his hand and eagerly drew it from its Scabbard. On the cold and sharp Blade were Patterns resembling chrysanthemums, like wilting chrysanthemums.
Hidden within the beauty was the grimness of all things withering.
"Thank you, Father!" Barton returned the Blade to its Scabbard, nodded towards Father Miller, expressing thanks.
Father Miller finally walked up to Natasha Romanoff and shrugged. "Beautiful Miss Natasha, I originally wanted to prepare a Devil Fruit as a Gift for you, but after picking a few, I don't think you would like any of them!"
"A Devil Fruit? Let's forget about that. Although I really dislike the Ocean now, I feel that after I go back and retire, I still want to go to Hawaii for a vacation. I certainly don't want to become a landlubber!"
Natasha Romanoff said to Father Miller with a smile.
"So I prepared another Gift for you. This is a Divine Serum from inside our Church. After Injection, it can not only extend Lifespan but also delay aging. I think you will like it!"
Father Miller took out a sealed Agent box from his Jade Talisman. Inside the transparent Agent box was a spiral-shaped Test Tube containing some Green Liquid.
"Thank you! Father!" No Woman would refuse the Temptation of delaying aging. In her excitement, Natasha Romanoff hugged Father Miller and gave him a cheek kiss, delivering a fragrant kiss.
This action of hers instantly made Father Miller, who looked only in his forties but was already over sixty years old, blush!
After saying goodbye to the Priests, the Captain, and the First Mate one by one, Captain America and the others decisively activated the Nanotech Armor on their Bodies.
These Nanotech Armors were modified by Tony Stark, combining the advantages of the Ant-Man Suit. As long as Pym Particles are loaded, it can allow the User to enter Ant-Man Shrinking Mode.
The Crowd On the Ship watched as Captain America and the three disappeared from sight. Ao Qin waited until the three Avenger left, only then did he walk towards Father Miller. "Father Miller, I have come here by the Order of the Great Heavenly Venerable to assist you in taking this Land of Faith!"
After Captain America and the three left, Father Miller put away the kind Expression on his Face. He slightly nodded and bowed towards Ao Qin. "Your Excellency Water God, I have received a revelation from the Lord. This land has been granted to you by the Lord to be your God's Kingdom!"
"You are too kind; I am merely developing this World on behalf of the Great Heavenly Venerable!" Ao Qin did not underestimate the Priest in front of him. He felt a trace of Kindred Aura on this Priest.
That was the subtle sense of connection between those listed in the Circulatory Heaven Immortal Registry. Clearly, this person in front of him was also a prospective Immortal listed on the registry.
"Your Highness Ao Qin, are the Reinforcements you brought sufficient?"
"Thirty thousand Aquatic Race Soldiers, all Elites of the Dragon Palace. If the Enemies are all of the Strength we just encountered, taking them down won't be a big problem!"
"Then the original Plan will need to be slightly changed, Your Highness Ao Qin. I'm afraid I'll need to trouble you to accompany me on a trip to the North Sea! The Lord's Believers are suffering persecution!"
Father Miller's gentle appearance faded, revealing his true Face when he was in the Inquisition, facing those Dark Creatures.
"Those who persecute the Lord's Believers, I will personally send them to the Pyre!"
Rumble, rumble, rumble—
Grand Line. Under the dumbfounded Gaze of a crowd of pirates and Navy, a hundred-meter-high Giant Wave, lifting a large black sailboat, sailed swiftly On the Sea Surface.
Grand Line. A small pirate ship was sailing unhurriedly On the Sea Surface. A young-looking pirate was lying on the Bow, covering his Face with a straw hat, snoring loudly with bubbles coming from his nose.
Suddenly the ship's Body shook violently. The huge Sea Wave suddenly lifted this pirate ship more than ten meters high and then heavily threw it down.
That young-looking pirate was directly shaken off. Just as his entire person was thrown into the air and he was about to fall into the Ocean.
One of his Arms seemed like it was made of rubber, tightly gripping the Bow. His entire person bounced back and returned On the Ship.
"So Formidable!"
The young man stood on the Bow, looking at the rumbling Giant Wave surging past, and instantly saw the large black Boat lifted by the Giant Wave, and couldn't help but let out a heartfelt exclamation.
"Nami! I want one too, I want one too, this kind of flying Boat!"
A "bang" sound of a hammer hitting rubber rang out. "So noisy, Usopp! You and this guy Luffy go check our Food and see if any water got in!"
Navy Headquarters, Marineford
Inside the Navy Fleet Admiral's Office, the atmosphere was extremely oppressive. Navy Fleet Admiral Sengoku looked at the Vivre Card in front of him without saying a word.
Navy Hero Garp, accustomed to being jovial in front of Sengoku, also put away his cynical Attitude, with a serious Face.
Navy Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Tsuru's Eyebrows were tightly furrowed. The Glint-Glint Fruit user who looked like a lecherous Uncle, one of the three Navy Admirals, Kizaru, his brown Sunglasses gleamed with light, muttering softly, "So terrifying, so scary.."
It was just that unlike his usual teasing of those pirates, Kizaru's muttering this time carried a bit more seriousness.
The heavy atmosphere lasted for a long time. Finally, Sengoku broke the stiff atmosphere.
"I have confirmed with Doberman and the others. Akainu, Onigumo, Flying Squirrel are dead in Combat!" Sengoku sighed. "Doberman said they encountered an extremely powerful Sea King!"
"What kind of Sea King could kill that kid Akainu? Although I don't like him, I acknowledge his Strength!" Garp shook his Head, indicating he didn't believe this Result.
"They encountered the accident while hunting down those Missionaries. I suspect this Sea King is related to those Missionaries!" Vice Admiral Tsuru voiced her thoughts.
"But if those Missionaries really have this kind of Strength, how could they be driven by us from the North Sea to the Grand Line? You should know, they have already overthrown four affiliated countries! If they had this kind of Strength, how could they bear to give up these Territories!" Sengoku pushed up his Glasses, analyzing.
"Bu gu bu gu bu gu bu gu—"
Just then, the Transponder Snail in front of Sengoku suddenly rang. Sengoku saw the Face simulated by the Transponder Snail, adjusted his Emotions, and answered the call.
"Sir, I am Sengoku. Do you have any instructions!"
"I know you are Sengoku. Listen, the Holy Knights have gone missing near the Calm Belt. Mobilize all nearby Navy Branches and Vessels. Find them. If alive, find the person; if dead, find the Corpse!"
"Sir! Sakazuki has been killed in action. Along with him were two Elite Vice Admirals. The place where they had the accident was also near the Calm Belt!" Sengoku looked at the Face of the Five Elder Stars simulated by the Transponder Snail and reported the Information of Akainu's death.
The Five Elder Stars on the other end of the Transponder Snail were clearly stunned. The Transponder Snail was silent for a while. "You personally come to Mary Geoise! Let Kizaru Investigate the matter of the Holy Knights' disappearance!"
(end of chapter)