The thunderstorm's explosion raged violently, engulfing an enormous stretch of land. Within that blazing sea of destruction, lightning clashed endlessly against itself, detonations echoing one after another like the wrath of heaven.
"Did… Grim Reaper just die?" The Butcher Demon's usually twisted grin faltered, surprise flashing across his face.
No wonder he was shocked—Grim Reaper Mercenary Corps was a legendary name in the underworld. Even for someone as arrogant as the Butcher Demon, he had never once believed himself stronger than that man. Yet the sheer power of that thunderous blast… even a monster like Grim Reaper shouldn't have survived it.
The others stared wide-eyed at the storm. If even the legendary Grim Reaper could fall so easily, their morale—no, the entire dark world's confidence—would crumble in an instant.
Then, just as despair began to settle in, a massive black slash cut through the chaos. The strike tore across the battlefield like the scythe of doom, slicing apart every explosion, extinguishing every bolt of lightning in its path.
And from that sea of annihilation, a figure cloaked in a long dark coat stepped forward.
"I knew it," The oni warrior said, eyes gleaming with both respect and envy. "There's no way Grim Reaper would die here. He's Grim Reaper! No one's ever been able to take his life!"
Though The oni warrior had sworn to one day surpass him—to claim the title of strongest mercenary in the underworld—he couldn't help but respect the man who stood at the very top. The one who had never lost. The one who completed every mission. The man he sought to defeat… his eternal goal.
"Grim Reaper's too much of a monster," muttered the Ghost Warrior, eyes wide. "That kind of lightning storm… and he just cut it apart with a single swing?"
"Hmph. Maybe so," the Butcher Demon sneered, regaining some of his composure. "But not all of Grim Reapers survived that blast. Look—his mercenary corps is almost completely wiped out!"
At that, everyone looked again—and collectively sucked in a breath.
Indeed, only one man remained standing amidst the smoking ruins. The rest of Grim Reaper Mercenary Corps had vanished—consumed by lightning.
"Unbelievable…" Enel murmured from afar, his body still wreathed in golden sparks. "He wasn't destroyed… Did he gather the remaining souls of his fallen underlings into himself at the last moment?"
From the other side of the wormhole, Grim Reaper lifted his gaze. His eyes met Enel's across the vast battlefield.
"Ssshh—!" Enel hissed sharply, a chill crawling up his spine.
That look! Even for someone as conceited and fearless as him, that gaze was enough to make his heart skip a beat. It wasn't anger, nor hatred—it was the cold, empty stare of death itself.
"Enel," Laki said suddenly, glancing at him. "Send Grim Reaper's data to His Majesty. He needs to be made aware of this man's power."
She had seen enough to understand—Grim Reaper wouldn't die here, even under Ten Thousand Thunders. He was too resilient, too unnatural. Someone like that… Rosinante needed to know about.
"I don't believe he can harm His Majesty," she added, "but it never hurts to be cautious. That man's ability… it's far too dangerous."
"Tch! If it weren't for His Majesty being here in the Sabaody Archipelago—if it weren't for his order to avoid destroying the island—I'd have already erased this whole place with a single Raigo strike!" Enel grumbled, crackling with electric frustration.
"Enough complaints," said Bins, voice steady as a blade. "His Majesty has his reasons. There are powerful Marines here—Hero Garp, and several of the Navy's top forces. Even if you unleashed Raigo, you wouldn't destroy Sabaody. You'd just drive the Marines to declare all-out war. That's not what His Majesty wants."
He continued, his tone thoughtful. "Besides, His Majesty said anyone who passes our trials will earn the right to stand before him. This war isn't just a battle—it's a recruitment trial for the Blood Oath Royal Guard. Perhaps this Grim Reaper will become one of our core members."
"Hmph, fine," Enel said reluctantly. "If he does join us, then I'll personally make sure he learns how to show respect to his seniors. Still… I can't deny it—His Majesty will definitely be interested in that kind of power."
With that, lightning flashed over his body, and in the same moment, Rosinante—far away—received the data transmission from Enel.
"'Death Soul Fruit' user, huh?" Rosinante mused, eyes glinting faintly. "It seems the underworld still hides some remarkable talents."
He lifted his gaze slightly. "And not just one. I didn't expect someone to slip in here, unseen by even Enel's Observation Haki. Your stealth is… extraordinary. Among everyone I've ever met, your ability to conceal yourself ranks second."
As he spoke, a figure slowly emerged from the shadow of a massive tree nearby—someone who had infiltrated this place without a sound, slipping through Enel's lightning surveillance as though he didn't exist.
That was nearly impossible. Every inch of the archipelago was under Enel's watchful eyes—his "mantra" reached everywhere. For someone to bypass that was beyond comprehension.
Only Rosinante, with his unique, all-encompassing Observation Haki, capable of sensing not just life but the subtle resistance of air, friction, and displacement—had detected the faintest trace of the intruder.
"Second-best?" the man said, his voice a low murmur, calm yet carrying a razor's edge. "Then I'm curious… who could possibly be first?"
As the figure fully materialized, Shakky took a drag from her cigarette, her eyes narrowing. "Well, I'll be damned… The number one assassin of the underworld—Darkthorn."
"Darkthorn, the underworld's top killer," Rayleigh said with an amused smile. "Your stealth is indeed exceptional. Even I only sensed you after you appeared. But yes… if Rosinante says you're second, then you're second."
Darkthorn's gaze darted toward Rayleigh warily. "Didn't expect to find you here, 'Dark King' Silvers Rayleigh—the right hand of the Pirate King himself."
Rayleigh chuckled softly. "I'm just a retired old man now. Here only to watch the show. The one you should really be worried about… is the man behind you."
Behind… him?
Darkthorn's pupils shrank. Someone's behind me? Impossible—he would have sensed—
"You wanted to know who the best at stealth is?" came Rosinante's calm voice from right behind him.
The assassin's eyes went wide. He leapt away in an instant, sweat beading on his forehead.
"The Silence Fruit doesn't make me invisible," Rosinante said quietly, his tone as serene as death itself. "But in a world where Observation Haki rules all, silence can be deadlier than invisibility. I've yet to meet anyone whose stealth surpasses mine."
Darkthorn moved again, faster than the eye could see—but as soon as he stopped in a new position, Rosinante's voice whispered again from right behind him.
Cold sweat dripped down the assassin's temples. His breathing grew ragged.
Fear. A primal, suffocating fear.
Not even when he'd faced Kaido years ago had he felt such terror. Kaido had crushed him physically—but this man had just crushed his very confidence.
To be utterly defeated in the one thing he prided himself on most—his stealth…
That was a nightmare worse than death itself.