The three simultaneously turned to look, their gazes piercing through layers of smoke and chaotic crowds to focus on the distant battlefield.
They saw Who's-Who transforming into a golden flash, moving effortlessly through the remnants of the Beast Pirates' forces.
His movements were lightning-fast, each flash accompanied by a deadly laser beam.
The laser beams swept through like a grim reaper's scythe, mercilessly harvesting the lives of those once-arrogant Tobi Roppo.
The Tobi Roppo now resembled lambs waiting for slaughter, helpless, only able to watch death approach as they fell one by one into pools of blood.
"Tsk tsk..." Marco shook his head lightly with a hint of emotion in his eyes.
"He's gone mad with killing. This war has awakened the madness within him. Who knows if this is a blessing or a curse."
Vista smoothly sheathed his dual swords.
Squinting slightly, he stared intently at the distant Who's-Who as if contemplating something.
After a moment, he said slowly, "But honestly, without the Contract Tree's restraint, we wouldn't dare recruit someone this dangerous. Who knows when he might lose control again and cause us even bigger trouble."
Jozu suddenly remembered something.
He glanced around to confirm no one was listening to their conversation, then lowered his voice:
"Do you think... Ron anticipated this day? That's why he went through all the trouble to create the 'Contract Tree' and restrain Who's-Who in advance. Ron's thoughts really aren't something ordinary people can comprehend."
"Obviously. If we could see through him, he wouldn't be Ron."
Marco and Vista exchanged glances, and in that instant, they both saw deep reverence in each other's eyes.
That always-smiling young man possessed some magical ability to see through everything - just how many steps ahead had he calculated?
He was like a mysterious chess player, placing pieces and setting formations on the board of this war, each move seemingly carrying profound considerations.
And they could only do their best to play their roles in this game.
"Never mind, never mind. Let's just enjoy the show."
"Who knows where Ron went? He missed such a grand spectacle."
"He should be back soon."
....
Meanwhile,
Who's-Who walked forward step by step, his figure elongated in the dim, yellowish light, like a reaper emerging from hell, each step carrying a suffocating pressure.
In his crimson pupils, a chilling killing intent flickered like a biting cold wind, capable of piercing through one's heart and sending shivers down the spine.
"Life... is truly the most insignificant existence."
His gaze was tightly fixed on the figure ahead, the once lofty and arrogant King, the Calamity, his eyes filled with boundless mockery and hatred.
At this moment, King looked wretched.
His originally broad black wings were now mostly broken, hanging disheveled behind him, stripped of their former majesty.
The mysterious mask on his face had shattered into several pieces, scattered nearby, revealing his blood-stained face.
His entire body was soaked in blood, each wound telling the tale of the battle's brutality. Blood trickled slowly down his frame, staining the ground a deep crimson.
Yet, despite such grievous injuries, he still stubbornly straightened his back. The innate pride within him refused to allow even a hint of cowardice in front of his enemy.
His eyes were as sharp as blades, capable of piercing through any obstacle.
Even in defeat, he remained the top executive of the Beasts Pirates, and the stubbornness in his bones would never let him bow to the enemy before him!
"Oh, isn't this 'Calamity' King?"
Who's-Who slowly curled his lips into a mocking smile, filled with ridicule for the wretched state of the man before him.
His voice, low and taunting, echoed slowly in the silent, oppressive atmosphere.
"What's wrong? Can't even stand up now? How laughable... You look just like a stray dog. Where did all that arrogance from before go? I thought you'd remain high and mighty, controlling everything. But now, it seems you're nothing special after all."
King didn't respond, only staring coldly at Who's-Who.
His dark pupils were as deep as an endless abyss, unfathomable, and his gaze sharp enough to see through everything.
Even though his body was severely weakened and his life force fading, there wasn't a trace of fear or retreat in his eyes.
Even in defeat, he'd preserve his final shred of dignity and never let his enemy look down on him.
"Not talking?" Who's-Who sneered, his laughter brimming with disdain and contempt. "Then stay silent forever!"
Before his words faded, he abruptly lifted his leg, the muscles in his calf instantly tensing, and delivered a kick containing immense force squarely into King's chest.
"BAM—!!"
A dull impact shattered the brief silence.
King's body flew backward uncontrollably like a kite with its string cut, tracing a tragic arc through the air before crashing heavily into the ruins dozens of meters away.
The billowing dust cloud obscured his falling figure, yet the blood gushing from his mouth bloomed like a crimson flower, staining the shattered ground in a horrifying spectacle.
"Cough..."
King struggled to push himself up, every movement tugging at his wounds, pain twisting his brow into a tight frown.
Still, he gritted his teeth, enduring the agony.
His eyes remained as cold as a winter pond, yet his aura had clearly weakened, the once formidable presence now diminished.
Nevertheless, he fought to maintain his final shred of dignity.
Watching this, Who's-Who's face broke into a triumphant smile.
With a cold sneer, his form abruptly transformed into a flash of golden light.
Encircled by a dazzling golden radiance so brilliant it was nearly blinding,
in that moment, he became the embodiment of light—yet within that brilliance lurked boundless killing intent.
In an instant, he appeared before King, his speed so immense his trajectory was almost imperceptible.
He looked down upon the once-arrogant All-Star with disdain and contempt.
Slowly raising his right foot, golden light converged at his toes, growing increasingly intense and blinding, like a miniature sun on the verge of eruption, radiating world-obliterating power.
"Hey, King..." Who's-Who's voice was low and dangerous, laced with cruel mockery.
"Have you... ever been kicked at the speed of light?"