Over this period of intense, non-stop battle, Ron's physique had been growing stronger with every passing moment.
His body, already possessing the unique ability to train itself, was being pushed to new heights, automatically improving with each clash.
For him, getting stronger was not a matter of effort, but of time.
His physical strength had nearly reached the peak of what was considered humanly possible, and his Armament Haki had already crossed the advanced threshold of external projection, allowing him to impose his will and power onto the world around him.
Though in a contest of raw, brute force Ron might still be slightly inferior to a monster like Sengoku, his uniquely powerful Sky-Slicing Sword Technique was the ultimate equalizer—a power that allowed him to injure even the Fleet Admiral.
The surrounding Marines witnessed this firsthand and retreated in abject terror.
His streams of pure Sword Energy moved with a life of their own, weaving through the battlefield like serpents.
Many of the soldiers had already suffered wounds from these spectral blades, and now they were utterly shaken, their faces pale and their eyes filled with fear and confusion.
"How is this possible?! Why do these sword attacks seem to chase me like they have eyes?!" one Marine shouted in panic, scrambling backward as the sword energy changed direction mid-air and sliced through the pauldron of the man next to him.
"He didn't even draw a sword! How did he release them?!" another asked in bewilderment, his brow furrowed in disbelief as he tried to parry a blade with his saber, only for the sword energy to phase through the steel and leave a deep gash on his arm.
"Could he be a Sword-Sword Fruit user? Is that even a thing?!"
"Look out! Run!" someone suddenly yelled.
A squad of marines, attempting to form a shield wall, watched in horror as Ron's energy blades simply ignored their physical defenses.
But their panic was cut short.
A bolt of lightning as thick as an arm descended from the sky like an enraged dragon, striking the ground right where they stood.
Two agonized screams rang out, followed by heavy thuds as they collapsed motionless.
Enel stood on a high vantage point coldly observing everything with a disdainful smirk curling at the corner of his lips.
He snorted derisively, his tone dripping with contempt.
"Calling the Vice-Captain trash? Insects. They all deserve to die."
Ron: "..."
Izo: "..."
'They didnt even call me/him trash!!'
Then, Enel leaped down, landing silently beside Ron with a smug grin on his face, as if he held some precious secret.
"Vice-Captain Ron," he lowered his voice, the sound of crackling electricity still faintly clinging to him.
"I've already found out what those rookie trash are after."
Ron raised an eyebrow slightly, shifting his gaze from the distant clash of legends to the self-proclaimed god beside him.
"Oh? And what exactly do they want?"
Enel glanced at the group of Supernovas, who were carving their own paths of chaos through the battlefield.
His lips curled into a scornful sneer.
"Hmph," he scoffed, his voice thick with disdain. "These people? They're all targeting us. They've heard the rumors about our crew possessing the secret to Dual Fruit abilities. They're trying every trick in the book to get close to us. Their ultimate goal is to become multi-fruit users themselves."
Izo, who had been warily watching the rookies' movements, nodded.
The revelation didn't surprise him.
"No wonder I've noticed them hovering around us lately. So that's what it is. I knew there was no such thing as a free lunch, let alone people offering help out of nowhere in a place as dangerous as this."
Hearing this, Enel grew even firmer in his stance.
He turned his gaze toward Whitebeard, who was momentarily locked in a stalemate with Garp and Sengoku, resting with his eyes closed.
A look of genuine, hard-won admiration gleamed in Enel's eyes.
"You're right, Izo. But we don't need their help. As long as Whitebeard is here, not even the entire force of Marineford could shake us." Enel's voice brimmed with an absolute reverence for Whitebeard that would have been unthinkable just a few months ago.
Ever since leaving his isolated kingdom in the sky, Enel had witnessed a world of power that had completely shattered his old worldview.
Especially after personally witnessing a true pinnacle of strength like Whitebeard, he had come to deeply understand the importance of power and the mutual respect shared among the strong.
His mentality had fundamentally changed.
Ron listened, then gave a dismissive wave of his hand.
"So they're just looking for a handout. If they cause trouble, we'll toss them into the sea for the fish."
The other two nodded in agreement.
Just then, Enel's arrogant expression suddenly twisted.
His already pale skin turned even ghastlier, as if he had been covered in a layer of frost.
Izo was the first to notice.
"What's wrong with you?" he asked, his brow furrowing. "Are you having a seizure, Enel?"
"Something's… off." Enel's expression was grave as he looked at Ron, his voice tense with an unease that bordered on fear.
"Someone powerful is coming. Vice-Captain, a really, really strong guy is approaching."
Ron withdrew his gaze from the battlefield, turning to Enel with a flicker of confusion in his eyes.
"A strong guy? How strong?"
"Uh… yes… yes," Enel appeared even more anxious, with fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
Suddenly, his gaze fell upon Whitebeard in the distance, and it was as if he had found a benchmark.
He hurriedly said, "An aura similar to the captain, but… perhaps a bit weaker than him! Still, incredibly strong!"
'Hmm?'
At this, Ron's mind instantly conjured the image of a certain laid-back, red-haired figure. That man was always elusive, especially during major events, seeming to foresee everything in advance and appearing only at the most critical moments. Could it be?
Suddenly, it happened.
From the direction of the northeastern harbor, an invisible yet overwhelmingly powerful wave of energy surged forth.
This force was ferocious and unstoppable, like a towering unseen mountain descending from the sky, pressing down with irresistible might upon everyone present.
The air itself grew thick and heavy with a suffocating pressure, making one's heart involuntarily tremble.
For Enel, whose Observation Haki was his greatest weapon, it was pure agony.
He instantly felt an unbearable headache, as if someone were repeatedly striking his skull with a Haki-infused rod, then stirring his very brain.
This pain nearly caused him to faint on the spot.
Gritting his teeth, he managed to force out the words.
"Vice-Captain Ron… that person… has made their move!"
The wave of Conqueror's Haki washed over the battlefield.
Fodder pirates and marines alike, those with weaker wills, simply froze, their eyes rolling back in their heads as they collapsed in droves.
Ron's brow furrowed, a trace of gravity flashing in his eyes as he braced against the immense pressure.
"No need to say it," he replied calmly, though he too felt the suffocating presence.
"It must be Red Hair."
Izo also grunted, taking a knee for a moment to fight off the disorienting wave of Haki.
Just as he was about to stand and investigate, Ron gently placed a hand on his shoulder, stopping him.
"Don't act rashly," Ron said in a low voice, his gaze locked on the harbor.
"Stay here and observe for now."
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