From a distance, Sengoku watched the terrifying might of the black-haired giant and felt a suffocating pressure that made even a Marine Admiral like himself shudder. His scalp tingled.
At that moment, Sengoku had to admit—what that madwoman Big Mom said might not be so far-fetched after all.
The World Government had pushed Daren to the brink, and CP0 might have already been dispatched to Marineford. With Daren's vengeful nature, there was no telling what outrageous thing he might do.
If that brat completely lost it and hoisted the pirate flag, Sengoku didn't even want to imagine the consequences.
Just one Golden Lion had been enough to throw Marine Headquarters into chaos. They had no way to stop him, and Marineford had nearly been destroyed in the process.
So what about Daren, whose strength and cunning now surpassed the Shiki?
Cold sweat trickled down Sengoku's back.
If Daren really turned against the Marines...
Or worse—if he fell into darkness and allied with that lunatic Big Mom...
The entire world could be plunged into chaos and fear!
"Damn it... the Five Elders... they've lost their minds this time..."
Sengoku cursed inwardly.
Daren had been serving as a Marine just fine. Aside from his petty flaws—power-hungry, greedy, a bit of a lecher—he was practically a model Marine.
That kid had racked up incredible military achievements for the Navy and the World Government. And yet, the Five Elders insisted on pushing him to the other side!
What else could that be but self-sabotage?
Who knew—if they pushed Daren too far, might he actually "submit" to Big Mom?
That woman may be deranged, but she still had a certain allure...
As countless chaotic thoughts raced through his mind, Sengoku let out a helpless sigh and charged back into Big Mom's assault.
...
Deep within the island.
A snowy mountain collapsed.
The towering giant exhaled a burst of hot white mist and hurled the massive Sandworm—torn in half and still writhing—onto the ground like a snake handler flinging a venomous serpent.
Boom!!
The ground within a kilometer was smashed into a massive crater, cracks spidering outward as rubble exploded into the air.
Witnessing such a devastating scene, Saint Saturn and the others involuntarily flinched.
"Something's seriously wrong with this brat!"
"He can transform into a giant?!"
"We've never seen intel like this!"
Monsters exuding a sinister aura encircled the black-haired giant, their deep voices filled with growing unease.
"Nasujuro, how are you holding up?"
Warcury, now in his Houki form, asked coldly.
"Bakotsu" Saint Nasujuro, panting and trembling, forced himself back to his feet. Black smoke surged over his body, quickly mending his wounds.
"I'm... fine."
At the same time, the enormous Sandworm began to reassemble itself, twisting as it climbed back up.
"Looks like you've tapped into a power even we're unaware of," Saint Peter growled.
He had never endured such disgrace in his life!
To be torn apart like a bug in front of everyone by this damn brat—unforgivable!
"Stop wasting time."
Warcury cut in coldly.
"Finish him off now."
With that, Houki drove his massive limbs into motion and charged straight at the black-haired giant.
Boom...
The earth let out a deep groan.
Daren bared his teeth in a savage grin—and charged in without hesitation!
Boom!
The two giants collided with an earth-shattering crash.
Daren clamped down on Houki's tusks with both hands as his massive foot came crashing down on the beast's skull!
Boom!
Houki's head was stomped straight into the ground. All around them, the earth ripped apart wildly, like countless mole dragons tearing through the soil, turning several kilometers of land into a wasteland.
Bakotsu's figure suddenly appeared behind him, wrapped in a chilling wind—but the giant seemed to have sensed it coming. Without even glancing back, he slammed his elbow backward!
Boom!
It was like a missile exploding midair. The ribs of the skeletal horse were crushed under the immense force, sending it reeling.
At that moment, the Sandworm coiled around the black-haired giant like a massive python, tightening violently.
The giant let out a furious roar, yanked the Sandworm off with one hand, and flung it to the ground. In the blink of an eye, Saturn—now in the form of a giant spider Gyūki—lunged at him.
"Sword!"
The black-haired giant suddenly burst into manic laughter, his blood-streaked hand spreading wide.
A sinister black blur shot out from the void, expanding rapidly in midair. In the blink of an eye, it transformed into a colossal black sword nearly a hundred meters long.
The Cursed Blade—Enma!
A Meito said to be capable of destroying even the underworld!
Daren gripped Enma's hilt with both hands and brought it down with a savage grin!
A black sword wave shot skyward, slicing through the clouds.
Sssch!!
Green blood sprayed everywhere as Gyūki's massive body was cleaved nearly in half, crashing to the ground with a thunderous boom.
Dust and blood spread in every direction, thick in the air.
Empowered by the abilities of Ivankov and Kuma's Devil Fruits, Daren felt an overwhelming surge of strength!
The stimulating adrenaline from the Horu Horu no Mi, combined with the Nikyu Nikyu no Mi's power to expel pain and fatigue—these two powerful officers under Dragon were the greatest support anyone could ask for on this sea!
"Come on, you beasts."
Daren raised the giant black sword with one hand, glaring down at the four monsters wreathed in black smoke like a war god, grinning fiercely.
"Round two begins!"
"Insolence!"
"You're playing with fire!"
"Wretched insect!"
"..."
The four Five Elders roared in unison and charged in again!
Ivankov and Kuma, who had already retreated several kilometers away, stared dumbfounded at the scene, the corners of their mouths twitching uncontrollably.
"T-this is insane."
"No human could ever pull this off."
As the titanic figures clashed across the battlefield—colliding, smashing, and slicing—Ivankov and Kuma stood frozen, unable to believe their eyes.
When they'd first met Dragon-san, they'd already been awed by his power.
But never in their wildest dreams did they imagine someone even stronger and more unhinged than their leader could exist in this world!
This wasn't a fight they had any place in.
What they didn't realize was that the four Five Elders currently locked in combat with Daren were just as shaken—if not more.
He was too strong.
At this moment, the strength this Navy brat was displaying was simply overwhelming.
If it weren't for their "immortal" bodies, they'd have lost long ago.
Yet even with four of them, they couldn't gain the slightest advantage over Daren!
"Daren, you brat—don't think this means you've won!"
Houki roared, ramming into the giant's chest and forcing him back several steps.
Warcury growled with twisted malice,
"Zephyr can't protect your wife!"
Daren grunted from the impact, but his face remained wild with arrogance.
"Don't underestimate that stubborn, purple-haired old man... he's..."
With one hand gripping Houki's skull, Daren drove the giant black sword straight into his eye socket!
Sssch!
Crimson blood gushed like a fountain as Houki howled in pain.
"—the teacher of Rogers Daren!"