Night fell, and the full moon hung high in the sky.
"Waaahhh!"
"These little humans have gotten so strong!"
"Damn it, we can't hit them!"
The giants howled in pain as the Mink Tribe warriors in their Moon Lion Form not only gained several times their usual strength but also moved at an unbelievable speed.
Coupled with the darkness of night, the giants couldn't even see the Moon Lions' movements clearly and could only endure the relentless beating.
The tide of battle turned in an instant.
"Meowroar!!!"
"Awooo!"
Nekomamushi and Inuarashi ganged up on Jack. Even after transforming into his Mammoth Beastman Form, Jack was completely overwhelmed, his injuries worsening by the second. His previously repaired tusks shattered once more.
By the time Gurd arrived on the battlefield, Jack was already lying in a pool of blood.
"Pathetic, Jack."
"I'm sorry, Brother Gurd."
Despite his grievous injuries, barely able to even stand, Jack didn't offer any excuses—only an apology filled with remorse.
"I was too weak."
"It's not that you're weak. They're just too strong."
Gurd turned his gaze to Inuarashi and Nekomamushi.
Just moments ago, they had been suppressed by Jack, but after transforming, their combat power had skyrocketed. Together, they had effortlessly defeated Jack.
And then there were the Mink Tribe warriors—knocked down by the giants, only to rise again and turn the tables with the power of the moon.
This was the Moon Lion Form.
Even by global standards, it was one of the most absurd racial abilities, comparable to an Awakening of a Zoan-type Devil Fruit.
"Meowroar!"
Nekomamushi snarled at Gurd, his crimson eyes boiling with killing intent. "You're the one, aren't you? The mastermind behind this country's invasion! I'll tear your throat out, meowroar!"
"Don't get cocky, you damn pet."
Gurd leaped down from Gerd's palm and strode toward Inuarashi and Nekomamushi, stopping ten meters away. He beckoned them with a casual wave.
The meaning was clear.
"Meowroar!"
Nekomamushi roared in fury, charging at Gurd like a mad beast. His right claw crackled with electricity as he slashed downward.
"Red Cat Dance!"
Gurd's right hand formed into a claw, his entire palm rapidly heating up and turning red, glowing like molten magma. The moment Nekomamushi's claw struck, Gurd swung back—
Claw against claw!
"Clang!"
"Meowroar!!!"
"Hot hot hot hot!"
Nekomamushi shrieked as he was sent flying. After crashing to the ground, he desperately blew on his swollen paw, mewling in pain.
He hated heat more than anything!
Inuarashi launched his own attack, his body transforming into a streak of lightning as he thrust his sword toward Gurd's chest with blinding speed.
"Dog Gate Style!"
"Clang!"
A hit!
Yet, despite the sharp blade infused with Armament Haki and crackling lightning, it only embedded slightly into Gurd's skin—failing to pierce through.
"Impossible!"
Inuarashi's eyes widened in shock.
Even that monster Jack had been pierced by his sword earlier. How could this man block it?
"That hurt."
Gurd coldly drew his massive sword.
Though the blade hadn't broken his skin, the Armament Haki Infusion had delivered a minor shock to his insides.
Given that Inuarashi had once sailed on the Pirate King's ship and was now in his Moon Lion Form, it made sense he had some strength—but it was still far from enough.
The massive sword swung, splitting the air itself!
"Thud!"
Inuarashi leaped back to create distance, but his chest armor split open, blood seeping through his fur. Intense pain surged through him.
He had dodged—hadn't he?
"What are you confused about?"
Gurd swung his massive sword casually. Though he hadn't unleashed a Slashing Wave, a towering tree over ten meters away was cleanly severed in half.
"It's merely the flowing emission of Haki."
The flowing emission of Haki, one of the advanced applications of Haki, is also the foundational requirement for causing internal destruction. After all this time, he had long mastered such a minor technique—it wasn't particularly difficult to begin with. Once the principle was understood, the usage naturally followed.
It was like a mathematical formula.
Not to boast, but in this world, he was undoubtedly among the high-intelligence individuals, with top-tier learning and comprehension abilities. Even Future Sight and Haki Infusion could be mastered within a few years—if only he weren't so busy with work and had time for quiet study.
Gurd coldly regarded the two kings.
"Come at me quickly. Don't worry, my subordinates won't interfere. This time, your opponent is me alone."
"..."
Inuarashi and Nekomamushi tightened their grips on their weapons, sweat dripping from their brows.
BOOM!!!
Dust clouds rose once more.
Ten minutes later.
Inuarashi and Nekomamushi were covered in blood, their hands trembling as they clutched their weapons. Around them lay fallen Mink Tribe warriors.
The Sulong Form was inherently a desperate, all-or-nothing technique meant for swift battles—not only did it consume lifespan, but it also drained stamina rapidly, making prolonged combat impossible.
If it failed to produce results, defeat was inevitable.
What filled them with despair was that no matter how they attacked, they couldn't shake the man before them. His overwhelming strength even reminded them of Kaido.
"Is this all you've got?"
Gurd's expression remained icy as his body began to expand. "Then allow me to show you... true despair!"
Groudon Form!
Light dispelled the darkness!
Despite it being night, the sky brightened as if it were midday, the moon itself vanishing beneath the dazzling radiance.
"What kind of monster is this, meow?!"
"He altered the weather!"
Inuarashi and Nekomamushi's pupils trembled violently.
As the moon disappeared, their fur rapidly receded, returning them to their normal forms. The aftereffects of Sulong began to manifest—their bodies weakened, wracked with pain.
Both dropped to one knee simultaneously, gasping for breath.
Despair descended.
Even in Sulong Form, they had been unable to overcome their foe. Now, in their weakened state, they could barely stand.
The Beasts were equally stunned.
Especially the giants!
The giants gazed at Groudon, bathed in sunlight, and one by one, they knelt on one knee—as if beholding a deity of their faith!
"Sun God!"
In Elbaf, every giant's dream was to become the "Sun God."
However, the ancient scripture "Halle," which documented the Sun God, was so old that its text had become illegible. As a result, interpretations of the Sun God had grown wildly varied.
Ruler, God of Liberation, God of Laughter, God of Destruction...
Every giant had their own understanding.
But now, witnessing Groudon dispel the darkness and bring forth light struck their hearts with unimaginable impact.
A divine miracle!
That majestic form, though not identical to the legendary Sun God Nika, aligned with their personal visions—after all, each giant imagined the Sun God differently.
At this moment, the sight before them matched their fantasies of the "Sun God," even surpassing them in sanctity!
A god who brought light!
"Hm?"
Gurd heard the commotion behind him and glanced back.
Why were all these giants kneeling?
Were they... worshiping him?
"Lord Gurd!"
Little Colon rushed forward, excitement brimming in his voice.
"Are you the Sun God Nika?"
"Sun God? Nika?"
Gurd curled his lips in disdain.
What rotten luck.
He had no intention of laughing incessantly like some frivolous fool.
"Kekekeha!"
Gurd spread his arms wide and proclaimed loudly.
"I am the God of Earth!"
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