"The Five Elders have moved!"

"Rogers Daren's head just exploded!"

"Is that... the power of the Five Elders?"

"Saint Saturn looks... like a demon straight out of myth!"

"Bull horns, a spider-like lower body... and that eerie black flame—is this a Gyūki!?"

"..."

Saint Saturn's sudden attack sent the already panicked representatives of the Member Nations into even greater terror. Their faces drained of color as they jostled each other frantically. For some inexplicable reason, after witnessing one of the Five Elders display such bizarre powers and form, an uncontrollable, visceral fear welled up within them. That icy, hellish aura, that terrifying form... At this moment, the World Government's highest authority, one of the Five Elders, felt even more dangerous. He seemed even more villainous than Rogers Daren!

"Sir, did it work?"

Amidst the chaos and shouts, Stussy's figure appeared like a ghost behind Saint Saturn, asking. Beneath her mask, she stared expressionlessly at the massive fireball and billowing smoke atop the Celestial Stairway, furrowing her brow.

Saint Saturn gave a cold chuckle.

"Don't underestimate that brat Rogers Daren. While my attack could easily take down a Vice Admiral, it likely won't faze him much."

"Prepare for battle, Stussy."

Saint Warcury remarked indifferently from the side:

"Now is the time to demonstrate your loyalty and capability."

"Yes, my Lord."

Stussy bowed respectfully. In that fleeting moment, she caught a glimpse of gravity flickering deep within his eyes.

Immediately after,

Boom...

Saint Warcury's body began to surge upward from the ground, swelling until he transformed into a colossal beast as massive as a mountain. A towering shadow engulfed the area, carrying a suffocating, primal aura. The mountain-sized boar opened its massive jaws, revealing two massive tusks, and let out a deafening, earth-shaking roar.

Houki!

"Foolish Daren, you dare intrude upon our Holy Land... You seek your own demise!"

The thunderous roar solidified into tangible soundwaves, intertwined with a raging Conqueror's Haki, spreading outward like a lightning storm.

Crash!!

Stussy's pupils contracted sharply as her expression shifted, forcing her to stumble back a step. Wherever that shockwave passed, cracks began to spread across the plaza's ground and even the steps of the Celestial Stairway. Finally, it surged upward, carrying crimson-black lightning, crashing toward the shadowy figure flickering within the flames.

What terrifying Conqueror's Haki!

The howling gale sent Stussy and Doflamingo's hearts skipping a beat as their pupils contracted. The overwhelming aura emanating from Saint Warcury now suffocated them both, leaving them gasping for breath. It felt as though every muscle in their bodies was pinned down by heavy stones, creating an illusion of paralysis.

The most terrifying part was that Saint Warcury's Conqueror's Haki attack wasn't even targeting them—it was merely the spreading aftershock! They couldn't fathom whether they could withstand the full force of such a Conqueror's Haki assault if it struck them directly.

Yet in the very next second,

Doflamingo and Stussy both widened their eyes in unison.

A glossy black military boot suddenly emerged from the surging inferno, landing with a steady thud. The instant the boot touched down, a colossal presence erupted from the figure, warping the very air and blurring their vision. Frenzied air currents intertwined with black lightning, tearing through the thick black smoke and flames to extinguish them, colliding fiercely mid-air with Saint Warcury's Conqueror's Haki!

It was as if two colossal waves crashed into each other, stirring up a vast storm. In an instant, concentric ripples of air pressure spread relentlessly in all directions.

Above Pangaea Castle, the Sea Clouds shattered violently, tearing open a terrifyingly deep gash in the sky.

"After all this time apart, you don't even bother to say hello before launching a sneak attack... You're quite the brute, old fossil."

A storm erupted as the black-clad Daren let out a savage, unrestrained laugh, Haki swirling around his body.

"When dealing with scum like you, there's no room for mercy."

A voice suddenly rang out beside Daren.

So fast!

Doflamingo and Stussy's hearts skipped a beat.

A skeletal warhorse engulfed in black flames had somehow traversed the vast distance, crossing the Celestial Stairway at a speed beyond human perception. In the blink of an eye, it materialized beside Daren!

Only then did hoofprints, lingering with black afterglow, gradually materialize on the Celestial Stairway.

Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, "Bakotsu"!

The cursed sword "First Generation Kitetsu," engraved with purple-black flame patterns, ignited with a cold, icy flame in his hand. It tore through the air, slashing down toward Daren's forehead!

Got him!

A flash of smug pride flickered in Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro's sinister eyes. Meanwhile, cold smirks simultaneously curled the corners of both Saint Warcury and Saint Saturn's mouths.

Facing this strike from Horse Bone, the brat Daren had no chance to dodge!

For whether it was Saint Saturn's initial "Fierce Eye" explosion creating blazing flames and thick smoke, or Saint Warcury's Conqueror's Haki shockwave, their true purpose was merely to blind the senses and obscure perception. All to conceal the real killing move!

—Bakotsu Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro's hyper-speed slash!

"It's over."

Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro stated calmly.

The blade descended!

Clang!

BOOM!!

The crisp clang of the sword striking the ground echoed, followed by a thunderous roar. The cold smirks on the faces of the Five Elders froze simultaneously. Beneath their constricted pupils, a trace of astonishment gradually spread.

Rumble...

The Celestial Stairway groaned under the strain, as if struck by a giant's blow. Step by step, it shattered. Beneath the spreading cracks, vast amounts of earth spewed forth.

Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro stood frozen in shock, staring at the scene before him.

Dodged!?

His cursed sword, Kitetsu, had struck the ground, sending waves of frost rippling outward. Yet this unruly blade, which had claimed countless lives, was now pinned down by a military boot, emitting agonized groans.

The owner of that boot now turned, a faint, ambiguous smile playing on his lips as he looked at him.

Within those deep, black eyes flowed an all-seeing indifference, and a sinister, crimson glow.

"I'm talking to you, old man. Sneaking up without a word."

Daren smiled.

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