Kaguya's blunt declaration was nothing short of a direct challenge—a blatant slap in the Navy's face. She didn't even acknowledge them as threats. Anyone else might've exploded in fury.
But despite their grim expressions, the admirals held back. Because if Kaguya joined the war, it wouldn't just mean the pirates escaping—it would be a total catastrophe.
Kaguya had once saved the shattered Marineford island from sinking. She could just as easily sink it if she wanted. If that happened, they'd all be fish food.
But just then, Akainu suddenly lunged like an arrow loosed from a bow, shooting toward Kaguya's unguarded back!
"To stand with filthy pirates while being a Marine—unforgivable!" Akainu roared. His body melted into blazing magma, radiating such heat that even the stone ground beneath him began to melt. The very air seemed to warp under the intense temperature.
"That's… Devil Fruit awakening?!"
Someone on the battlefield recognized it instantly and shouted in shock.
Typically, Devil Fruit powers don't differ drastically. The real strength often lies in how well they're developed. Even unimpressive abilities can become deadly with proper mastery.
A Devil Fruit awakening signifies that mastery—bringing a significant power boost and altering the user's abilities.
Doflamingo was a prime example. Once awakened, his attack, defense, and abilities skyrocketed.
The same was now true for Akainu. His entire body had transformed into magma, exuding unbearable heat that could be felt even from afar.
He stomped the ground, instantly turning it into a sea of magma. His form blurred, darting forward like a fired arrow. Everywhere he passed became a burning lake of lava!
Kaguya raised an eyebrow. This was interesting—it resembled Doflamingo's ability awakening, creating a miniature domain that altered the environment.
But for Kaguya, this was nothing. Her Heavenly Sovereign Realm included a lava dimension. Compared to that, this was child's play.
Akainu moved at lightning speed. In an instant, he was right in front of Kaguya. He clenched his magma fist and hurled it down in a massive wave of burning magma!
As the molten tide was about to engulf her, Kaguya looked up with a smirk and sneered, "You like playing with fire? Then I'll let you burn to your heart's content."
Akainu froze slightly at her words. A sudden unease gnawed at him, but it was too late to stop. He gritted his teeth and slammed his fist down harder.
At that moment, a brilliant glow swirled in Kaguya's calm eyes like a nebula. As she opened her eyes, she softly intoned:
"Amaterasu."
Suddenly, black flames erupted on Akainu in midair, engulfing his entire body in an instant. They burned fiercely, inextinguishable.
"Urgh—!"
Akainu groaned and wavered, then plummeted like a meteor, slamming into the ground with a resounding crash!
"What is that?!"
Everyone stood stunned. They had no idea what had just happened. Akainu, the attacker, hadn't even been touched—yet he fell from the sky!
And those black flames—what were they?
Akainu climbed to his feet, his face dark as ash, eyes blazing with fury. He growled, "You think a cheap trick like that can beat me? You dare try to fight fire with fire? How naive!"
Akainu flung out his arms, and his body suddenly expanded into a vast surge of magma, attempting to engulf the black flames!
As a magma-type Logia user, Akainu had little fear of fire. In fact, magma could absorb heat from flames, becoming even hotter in the process—this was precisely why his magma fruit overpowered Ace's flame fruit.
But unfortunately for him, Kaguya's Amaterasu was no ordinary fire—it was a purifying flame that burned all things to ash!
"Impossible?!"
Sure enough, moments later, Akainu's shocked voice rang out. His form reverted to human and plummeted from the sky. But the black flames not only failed to extinguish—they burned fiercer than ever!
Kaguya walked forward calmly, looking down at him with a cold gaze. "Didn't you love playing with fire? Come on then—show me more."
Akainu's face was livid. He suddenly burst up, arm raised, and hurled a punch. His magma formed into a massive hellhound that lunged at Kaguya!
"Even if I die—I'll drag you to hell with me!"
"Great Crimson Hellhound!"
"Drag me to hell?" Kaguya tilted her head slightly, the corners of her soft pink lips curling into a mocking smile. "Even the King of Hell can't touch me. And you? Don't make me laugh."
She extended her pale arm, snapped her fingers with a crisp snap!
"Water Style: Great Waterfall Jutsu!"
Suddenly, torrents of water burst forth from the void, transforming into a raging flood that surged toward Akainu!
Sizzle sizzle sizzle!
As the water clashed with the molten magma, steam exploded into the air, veiling the battlefield in thick mist!
Akainu gritted his teeth, face flushed red, arms spewing magma to meet the oncoming deluge. The water evaporated into steam before reaching him.
But the flood seemed endless. It poured forth without pause. Even Akainu began to struggle, especially while still enduring the searing agony of the black flames.
His jaw clenched, veins bulging from his neck, sweat beading on his forehead.
Everyone watched in shock. Akainu's strength was undeniable. Yet here he was—completely overpowered by Kaguya. He could do nothing but flail helplessly, like a toy caught in her grasp.
Then, Kaguya's clear and melodious voice rang out, and Akainu's pupils shrank in dread.
"So pitiful. If that's the best you've got, you must be dreaming if you think you can defeat me."
"Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet Jutsu!"
With that, the roaring flood coalesced into four giant water dragons. Their heads reared high, jaws gaping wide with razor-sharp fangs. With blinding speed, they lunged at Akainu!
Bang!
Akainu fell from the sky, crashing heavily onto the ground like a ragged doll. His body was scorched and covered in mottled wounds, exuding a pungent burnt smell.
"Admiral Sakazuki—!"
Gasps erupted from the crowd.
Kaguya walked forward slowly, her gaze as cold as autumn water. She looked down at everyone and said icily, "Anyone else want to throw their lives away? Speak—will you fight me one-on-one, or all at once?"
Everyone instinctively recoiled a step, faces pale, cold sweat dripping down their backs.
One of the Navy's strongest forces, Admiral Sakazuki, had been so easily defeated by her. It was hard to believe.
Moreover, that eerie black flame—something even the magma-based Sakazuki couldn't extinguish—emanated an ominous aura as if from the depths of hell. It chilled everyone to the bone.
Though she stood alone, her presence was that of a vast army. Even the admirals looked tense.
Sengoku clenched his fists and stepped forward, shouting, "At this point, do you intend to challenge the entire Navy, Kaguya?!"
"No, I didn't come here to start a war," Kaguya unexpectedly said. She raised her head, eyes clear and calm. "I came to end it."
"End the war?" Sengoku's eyes narrowed.
"That's right," Kaguya said, walking forward. "This pointless war is meaningless to me—only needless loss."
"Meaningless?" Sengoku shouted, clenching his fists. "Don't be so arrogant! Do you have any idea how much effort and sacrifice the Navy made for this day?!"
"Then tell me the purpose of starting this war," Kaguya replied coldly.
Sengoku answered sternly, "To defeat the pirates—to defeat the Whitebeard Pirates."
"Then you're gravely mistaken!" Kaguya said sharply. "You won't defeat piracy this way. You're only dragging more innocent people into the flames of war!"
"Nonsense! That's absurd!" Sengoku roared, veins bulging on his neck. "The Navy is eradicating evil pirates, protecting the world from their menace, upholding justice—you're trying to twist the truth!"
"Justice?" Kaguya raised an eyebrow and said coldly, "Haven't you seen it clearly, Sengoku?"
Sengoku was stunned.
"You may have destroyed one demon," Kaguya's eyes gleamed with frost, "but you've released many more from their cages. Unrestrained, they'll be even more terrifying."
The crowd looked around in confusion, unsure of her meaning. Only a few seemed to understand, and Sengoku's expression grew more serious.
"Watch closely. This is not the end of the war, but—" Kaguya walked away, turning back to glance at them. "The beginning of it."
"In that case—" Sengoku stepped forward, eyes flashing, and said coldly, "We can't let you leave."
As his words fell, multiple figures shot out, surrounding Kaguya in a pincer formation.
They were Garp, Kizaru, Fujitora, Aokiji, Tsuru, and several vice admirals—a truly formidable Navy lineup!
Kaguya glanced at them coldly. "So, you're really not letting me go."
"Sorry," Sengoku stepped forward grimly. "You're too dangerous—a serious threat to this world, and the greatest source of instability. We cannot let you endanger it any longer."
"So, you're planning to lock me up?" Kaguya raised an eyebrow with a playful smirk.
"Don't worry, Kaguya," Sengoku said sternly, eyes sharp. "Since you were once an admiral who contributed greatly to the Navy and the World Government, I'll request that they spare you the death penalty. You can live out the rest of your life in Impel Down."
"Don't talk like you've already captured me," Kaguya sneered. "With just you people? You're far from enough."
"Don't get cocky, girl," Garp growled, clenching his fists. "You underestimate us—and the Navy—far too much. We're not as weak as you think."
The Marines on the battlefield looked on in shock. They hadn't expected the Navy to deploy their entire elite force just to deal with Kaguya, even ignoring the pirates. With nearly all of the Navy's strongest assembled—including the Fleet Admiral—it was clear Kaguya's power was unmatched.
Some questioned whether this was overkill. After all, their opponent was just one person.
But those who had once trained under Kaguya knew the truth: her strength was beyond comprehension. It would take everything the Navy had to even stand a chance against her.
"Looks like a fight is inevitable," Kaguya said with a playful grin. "Since you want to battle, I'll indulge you." With that, she raised her hand and snapped her fingers.
Boom boom boom—!
The earth shook violently. From the upturned soil, four massive coffins rose ominously.
"What is that…?" Sengoku's eyes narrowed.
Kaguya tilted her chin up, speaking with haughty pride. "Before you can fight me, you'll need to defeat them first. Only then will you be worthy."
"Quit joking around!" Garp was the first to charge. Like an arrow loosed from a bow, he shot toward Kaguya, muscles bulging and fist cloaked in pitch-black Armament Haki. He launched a mighty punch!
But at that moment, a figure burst out of one of the coffins, shooting toward Garp like a bolt of lightning and slamming a fist toward him in response.
Boom—!
Fist met fist in a thunderous collision!
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