"Boom!"

  The earth shattered with a thunderous explosion.

  An unimaginable shockwave burst out, shaking the entire isnd as if it might colpse at any moment.

  Four terrifying auras of queror’s Haki cshed in mid-air, maing as bd red lightning that crackled and twisted like dragons, darkening the entire sky. Every living creature on the isnd—from is to wild beasts—fainted instantly. Even sea life in nearby waters floated lifelessly to the surface, while the distant sea kings, usually the terrors of the o, quivered in fear, fleeing frantically into the deep.

  "Whoooosh…"

  The o surged violently, its surface covered with debris, vegetation, and broken stohe intense winds alone made it nearly impossible for ao stand upright. The only reason the Celestial Dragon and the CP0 agent, who had swallowed a Seastone, weren’t swept away was due to a CP0 officer holding onto them tightly, preventing them from being flung into the ing sea.

  Thunder rumbled across the sky, dark clouds roiling as furious winds cshed, creating a se so inte looked as if the heavens themselves might split open.

  "The sky… it’s split in two!" The pupils of the CP0 agents tracted as they stared, breaking into a cold sweat. They could scarcely believe what they were seeing. When their eyes fell on El and Steel Bone Kong, who exged blows without even toug, their jaws dropped in shock.

  “Is that… an air collision? Their fists aren’t even making direct tact.”

  El and Kong stood apart, their fists—one huge and the other smaller—suspended a few inches away from each other. It was as if an invisible barrier stood between them, pressing and pushing back with incredible foreither giving an inch. The sheer pressure made the CP0 agents’ hearts race, their skin prig with fear.

  “What!?”

  The shock was even more intense for those closest to the battle, especially Steel Bone Kong. The muscles in his arms bulged, veins popping, as a numbiion radiated through his right arm. His face torted in horror.

  "Boom!"

  In the instant, a massive shockwave erupted, tearing apart the ground and sending waves of pressure strong enough to make anyone avert their gaze.

  “Hiss... hiss…”

  The two figures, rge and small, were both flung backward by the impact.

  “queror’s Haki Infusion... How is that possible?” Steel Bone Kong stabilized himself, his face filled with disbelief as he stared at El, whose aura now matched his own. The realization hit him hard—El had somehow mastered the advaeique of queror’s Haki Infusion.

  Years ago, when Kong first discovered this Haki teique in his twenties, he’d assumed he would master it swiftly. Yet even after stant training and access to handbooks from past Navy legends, it had taken him years to fully grasp the power. Now, seeing El wield it with ease, he felt an unfortable pang of disbelief.

  “You look surprised.”

  With fmes bzing behind him, El loomed tall, his mouth curving into a grin. “Holy, I should be thanking you.”

  “You—” Kong’s eyes widened, an uling realization dawning. Had El mao leareique just by him ohe talent required was beyond belief.

  Meanwhile, oher side of the battlefield, Saint Howard was livid as he saw a figure disappear below the o’s surface, clutg a case of Devil Fruits. He’d barely engaged Linlin before spotting the thief—a Fish-man who had slipped into the water ued.

  “Damn it—had they hidden a Fish-man ier?” With holy light gleaming around him and white wings sprouting from his back, Saint Howard flew toward the Fish-Man, hoping to intercept him before he dove too deep.

  “Mamamama… This path is closed!” Linlin, now in her feral half-beast form with an eerie red light around her, moved like a specter, blog his path and slig her sword in a deadly arc.

  “Holy Shield!”

  A massive shield of light materialized just in time, barely stopping Linlin’s powerful blow. Saint Howard’s face darkened, fury fshing in his eyes. This mission had been his ce to prove himself to the Five Elders, and now everything was going awry.

  “You wretched woman… I’ll end you here!” His sword radiated holy light, infused with Haki, as he sshed it forward in a blinding arc. “Holy Light Ssh!”

  “Mamamama... Night Demon Assault!”

  Linlin’s bde, ed in sinister red energy, cshed with Saint Howard’s.

  "Boom!"

  The two massive sshes collided, creating an explosion of radiant light that filled the sky.

  In the instant, Saint Howard closed the distance, wings outstretched, moving at a speed matg Linlin’s. He raised his hand, and a massive pilr of holy light desded upon her with terrifying force.

  “Divine Judgment!”