The pitch-black Rasengan infused with Haki flew a certain distance before finally detonating due to losing control.
Originally, the Wind Release: Rasengan that Naruto developed would unleash a cutting effect similar to wind blades upon explosion, destroying everything in its vicinity.
But now, the Rasengan's destructive power had been elevated to another level.
When the Rasengan exploded, its original size instantly expanded several times over.
Within the range it engulfed, the Haki-enhanced wind blades is comparable to steel hammered a thousand times, able to easily chop everything into pieces.
And within the Rasengan, countless such wind blades whirled violently.
The explosion lasted for three or four seconds.
By the time the aftermath dissipated, all that remained was a massive spherical crater… everything else had been utterly obliterated.
"Step back, you madman!"
A voice rang out, growing louder as it approached.
The defensive forces of Mary Geoise finally arrived… albeit belatedly.
After the other Haki-infused Rasengans were unleashed, several figures came flying over at an incredible speed from the distance.
The one leading them wore a hooded cloak, and behind him were three others, each with a distinct appearance.
A girl with heterochromia whose face was half covered by a bandage, and an old man wearing only a vest and a cape.
The remaining one was even more of a heavyweight.
On his long neck is a qilin head with a helmet similar to that of the Celestial Dragons. He carries a steel fork on his back, and behind his head is flaming clouds that only appears after the awakening of the Zoan-type Devil Fruit.
The four of them landed in different positions and simultaneously attacked the thrown Haki-infused Rasengan.
The hooded man drew the long sword at his waist, and in an instant, the blade rapidly extended and expanded, 'growing' three ferocious dog heads.
With a single swing, the three dog heads, each larger than a house, lunged forward, biting into the Rasengans at the same time.
The Wind Attribute Chakra entwined with Haki inside the Rasengan slashed at the massive dog heads like steel blades, but they only suffered minor injuries before quickly regenerating.
The three dog heads even seemed capable of biting into an intangible energy like Chakra, stubbornly resisting the wind blades and forcibly triggering an early detonation.
Perhaps due to the loss of some of its Chakra, the explosion range of this Rasengan wasn't as vast as before.
The other three also displayed their unique abilities.
The heterochromatic girl extended arrow-like bandages from her body, swiftly converging to tightly wrap around the Rasengan.
The old man in the fundoshi plunged his arm into the ground, instantly sprouting countless thorns that violently pierced into the Rasengan.
The most bizarre was the half-human, half-beast creature… he directly pulled a terrifying-looking monster from a strange cloud, which opened its maw and charged straight at the Rasengan.
He opened his mouth wide and rushed towards the Rasengan.
The Rasengan was either detonated prematurely or intercepted and exploded on the spot.
After the hurricane passed, the destruction it caused was far less severe than before.
The hooded man's hood was also blown off by the wind, revealing a face strikingly similar to that of the one of the Four Emperors, Shanks.
If not for the absence of a scar over his eye, even Naruto, who had known Shanks for years, would have had a hard time telling them apart.
"You've finally arrived… the God's Knights."
Naruto spoke loudly to them, seemingly not surprised by their appearance.
"...He really looks exactly the same."
Naruto muttered under his breath.
He had heard from Shanks a long time ago that he had a twin brother.
Now, seeing him in person, this really was just a 'fully intact' version of Shanks.
These four were the true armed forces of the Celestial Dragons.
As for the Marine' Admirals?
Those were just hired hands who took orders from the World Government.
Even if their combat prowess was equally formidable, the Celestial Dragons were still the Celestial Dragons… they cared for no one outside their own kind.
The Admirals were no exception, only regarded as tools to be summoned at will.
Besides the Five Elders, the true protectors of Mary Geoise, those who answered directly to the 'God' of Celestial Dragons are the armed group known as the [God's Knights].
The ones who had appeared now were the current leader of God's Knights, Shanks's twin brother… Stanks!
-Or perhaps his real name should be used: Saint Figarland Shamrock.
His father was also the previous leader of the God's Knights.
The remaining members included Saint Shepard Sommers, who is of the same lineage as Saint Shepherd Ju Peter, the Warrior God of Agriculture of the Five Elders, and Saint Rimoshifu Killingham.
As for the young girl, her identity was a bit more special… aside from her name, Manmayer Gunko, there was almost no information about her.
Of course, the God's Knights weren't limited to just these four. In fact, the others were currently not in Mary Geoise.
They had received orders from 'that person' and were dispatched to different locations for missions.
Only these four, due to their special status, remained stationed in the Holy Land.
While Naruto observed them, the four God's Knights also scrutinized him.
"Ah… that face, I remember you."
The fundoshi-clad old man, Sommers, suddenly clapped his hands together, recognizing Naruto's appearance.
"You have the ability to create clones… That's right."
"You're the one who slaughtered the Celestial Dragons over a decade ago, aren't you?"
Despite his words, the old man's face showed not even a hint of anger toward Naruto's actions… instead, he even smiled.
It was as if he didn't care at all about the lives of his fellow Celestial Dragons.
"Yeah, that's me."
Nothing was more satisfying than hearing his own achievements acknowledged by the enemy.
"What's the matter? You don't seem too concerned about those Celestial Dragons."
"How could that be? I love them deeply~"
The old man grinned with a sleazy smile, to which Naruto responded with a mocking gaze.
"Cut the crap."
There wasn't an ounce of pity or so-called 'love' in this guy's emotions… just malice as thick as black sludge.
Naruto curled a finger at him.
"Old man, you're a Celestial Dragon too, right?"
"Come on, all of you… bring it!"
"Truly… truly an audacious madman. I'd love to see what your fear looks like."
Killingham, the one with the qilin head, slowly lowered his steel trident, his beastly face twisting into a cruel grin.
At that moment, their nominal leader, the commander of the God's Knights, Shamrock, spoke coldly.
"Move. Execute the criminal."
"Understood."
"Oh~"
"Been waiting for this!"
The other three responded in varying tones, with the girl named Gunko acting the fastest.
Almost the instant the command was given, she activated her ability… it seemed she didn't have many thoughts of her own.
An arrowhead silently appeared beside Naruto, followed by the girl's bandage-wrapped leg slamming toward him.
Bang!
Blocking the kick with his hand, Naruto's expression turned strange.
"You—why don't you have any emotions?"