The so-called Conqueror's Haki Infusion does not actually have a fixed technique.
Every person capable of wielding it has their own unique fighting style.
This naturally leads to each person's Conqueror's Haki Infusion carrying a name of its own...
Of course, the peak Whitebeard, that pure monster, is an exception.
For him, Conqueror's Haki Infusion was nothing more than a normal strike. No one could withstand it.
As for Michael's "Lost Paradise," it truly lived up to its name...
Its defining trait was overwhelming power.
At full strength, its impact radius was absolutely no less than Garp's "Galaxy Impact" series.
But at this moment, Michael didn't want to turn Enies Lobby into a honeycomb, so he deliberately compressed the range of Lost Paradise, making this strike more focused and condensed.
This way, not only was Figarland Garling completely swept into the sea, but...
The longsword he never parted with was shattered and blown away in less than two seconds.
It wasn't because Garling was too weak.
It was because Michael now was strong enough.
And he also had the advantage of charging up his attack beforehand.
Without that, the fight would have dragged on for at least half a day before a victor emerged.
But under the influence of the Flame of Wrath, Figarland Garling's rationality had already burned away to ash, which led to the brainless act of him taking Lost Paradise head-on with his face.
Michael's four wings stirred slightly, and in an instant, his figure vanished from where he had been standing. His hand reached out and caught Garling's longsword.
"Although I don't really like the style of this sword... as a Marine, to protect the Five Elders, I must confiscate Figarland Garling's weapon."
Saying this, he casually hung the sword at his own waist.
Then he glanced again at the inner sea between the Gates of Justice and Enies Lobby, where debris and corpses floated on the surface...
This old man's strikes had indeed been ruthless.
But unfortunately, his blade had struck the wrong targets. Instead of enemies, he had cut down the CP agents brought along by the Five Elders, killing most of them.
And those surviving CP agents, when they looked once again at Figarland Garling floating on the water's surface, their eyes no longer showed flattery, respect, or loyalty...
But fear and... hatred.
Of course, such an expression only lasted for an instant before it faded away.
They didn't dare reveal their hatred of a Celestial Dragon in front of others...
"Hurry! Rescue them!"
"Figarland Garling went mad! He slaughtered CP agents and destroyed the Five Elders' flagship!"
"Chief Inspector Michael acted in time, and only then was the problem resolved!"
With the guards shouting, the matter quickly settled into a narrative.
Everyone subconsciously ignored the fact that in Michael's gaze toward Figarland Garling, there had always been a faint smile that never disappeared.
The grand play he had prepared...
It still had to continue!
And this Figarland Garling was the final piece of the puzzle in his entire plan.
"You can only blame your misfortune."
"If you weren't a Celestial Dragon, I would've loved to sit down and chat, maybe discuss how your cursed hair and beard ended up looking so pathetic..."
"But now... you must atone for the sin of being a Celestial Dragon."
"I wonder, faced with the Supreme Commander of God's Knights... how will the Five Elders react?"
"Will they disregard everything to protect you, or will they abandon your life for the greater cause?"
"Let us wait and see..."
After hauling Garling out of the sea, Michael looked at the unconscious old Celestial Dragon. Then he drew Garling's own sword from its sheath, placed it into his hand, and helped him grip it.
In the next moment, blades clashed and sparks flew. Michael's body was soon covered with deep-looking wounds.
They looked terrifying, but in truth they were only superficial injuries.
At this time, everyone else was focused on rescue operations in the inner sea, and no one noticed what Michael was doing.
After glancing around and seeing no one paying attention, he put on a face of forced pain, picked up Figarland Garling, and left the scene.
...
"This is the record of 'Tom's conversations with the Pirate King,' with their dialogue clearly marked... and most importantly, this testimony was personally confirmed by Gol D. Roger himself while imprisoned in Impel Down!"
"And this is Enies Lobby's official promise: shipwright Tom would construct the Sea Train, and once it was completed, his past crimes would be offset!"
"Given the complete and clear chain of evidence, this court hereby declares!"
"Shipwright Tom of Water 7, from this day forth!"
"Shall be free of guilt!"
The three-bodied judge, Baskerville, raised the wooden gavel high and brought it down heavily.
The sound of the gavel echoed through the open-air court, and the people of Water 7 erupted in joy, hugging one another, celebrating Tom's hard-earned acquittal and freedom.
As for Spandam, who had acted as the prosecutor representing the World Government, his face remained calm.
But in truth, the only reason he looked so calm was because he had already sunk into despair.
All his open schemes and hidden plans had been ruined by Michael.
Although he didn't yet know what method Michael would use to deal with CP9's undercover operations, it was only a matter of time.
Spandam's stiff neck twitched slightly as he looked up at the Five Elders watching the entire trial from above.
He knew that after today, his future was utterly finished.
He might not even survive.
Of course, at this moment he did not know that in Enies Lobby's inner sea, Figarland Garling and Michael had just fought a "world-shaking" battle.
The CP elite spies brought along had been slaughtered nearly to the last...
If he knew, he might actually feel more at ease.
The fewer usable men there were, the higher his chances of survival.
At that moment, the gates of the open-air courtroom suddenly burst open.
A giant foot slowly withdrew, and with Jack clearing the way, the other members of the SWORD Secret Special Force crowded in around Michael.
Michael was being carried in Crocodile's arms in a princess carry, while Figarland Garling was dangling in Enel's grip.
As the crowd was stunned by this unexpected sight, the members of SWORD were still muttering arguments under their breath.
"Why didn't you let me carry Vice Admiral Michael! I'm clearly the tallest and strongest one here!"
"Shut up, Jack! Then why didn't you carry this old man instead?"
"Hmph, why should I touch this crazy-looking old relic?"
"As if I want to touch him either!"
Enel grumbled, then casually tossed the man into the center of the courtroom.
Everyone could now clearly see the face of Figarland Garling.
---
read +200 chapters on Patreon tambeerg