Issho's body stiffened for a split second as he turned around.
The golden giant's right fist burned with molten gold, blazing with terrifying heat and power as it came crashing down toward him.
"Golden Hellfire!"
Tesoro roared.
Issho's expression sharpened. In one smooth motion, he drew his cane sword.
"Gravity Blade!"
A surge of immense gravitational force wrapped itself around the blade. A deep violet slash tore through the air, warping everything in its path.
Boom!
The collision erupted with a deafening explosion.
"Hahaha! Your ability is no match for my Golden Giant!"
As Tesoro laughed, his Haki surged, flowing into the giant's eyes.
"Golden Divine Fire!"
Twin beams of scorching energy blasted out from the giant's eyes.
Issho's expression shifted. He withdrew immediately, retreating at high speed.
Boom!
A thunderous blast echoed across the entire island.
Tesoro narrowed his eyes, scanning the ground below through the giant's vision.
"Looking for me?"
A calm voice drifted from above.
Tesoro's pupils shrank as he turned his head sharply.
There he was. Issho stood calmly on the giant's shoulder.
"You…!"
Issho wore a faint smile as he stepped forward, appearing once more before the giant.
"Tesoro, your strength is impressive. But my power is not so easily overwhelmed."
He slowly raised his cane sword above his head.
A deep violet glow radiated from the blade.
A circular gravitational field formed above him, humming with power.
"Gravity Blade: Meteor Drop!"
The violet ring shot upward like a compressed spring.
Then, from the sky above, something massive began to descend.
Tesoro's eyes widened in disbelief.
"What is that? A meteor?! Are you serious?!"
But no one answered him.
The massive meteor tore through the sky, closing the distance in an instant.
Tesoro didn't dare hesitate.
"Ha!"
With a furious shout, he gathered the gold across the entire island, fusing it into a massive spear. His Armament Haki surged into it relentlessly.
"Golden Divine Judgment!"
With all his strength, he hurled the spear into the sky.
Boom!
The Haki-infused spear collided violently with the meteor.
Crack!
A fracture spread across the meteor's surface.
A flicker of hope flashed in Tesoro's eyes.
"Break it!"
But in the distance, Issho let out a quiet snort.
"Compared to Admiral Ryokugyu, you still fall short."
As his words fell, rings of violet gravity wrapped tightly around Tesoro's body.
The meteor, as if locking onto its target, suddenly accelerated.
"What?!"
Before Tesoro could react, the enormous meteor slammed directly into the golden giant.
BOOM!
The entire island trembled violently.
The massive ship beneath them could not withstand such force. Cracks spread rapidly from the point of impact.
Issho paused slightly.
"Well… perhaps I used a bit too much force."
Despite his words, there was no trace of regret on his face.
His gaze shifted toward the crater.
Tesoro lay within, unconscious.
Issho shook his head faintly and stepped forward.
"So quickly defeated…"
He took out a Den Den Mushi.
"This is Issho. Prepare Seastone cuffs. I'm bringing him in."
"Yes, Vice Admiral Fujitora!"
Hanging up, Issho hoisted Tesoro over his shoulder and dashed toward the warship.
Behind him, the cracks began to spread uncontrollably.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
They branched out like a spiderweb, tearing through the ship.
Inside the casino, gamblers felt the violent shaking.
"What's going on?!"
"Where's Tesoro?!"
"Isn't anyone going to explain this?!"
Completely consumed by their obsession, they had no idea what was happening outside.
Until the Marines burst in.
"The ship is sinking! Why aren't you evacuating?!"
The gamblers scoffed.
"Yeah, right. Since when do Marines joke like that?"
"This ship is made of gold. How could it sink?"
"What, did a meteor hit it or something?"
The Marines fell silent.
Yes. That is exactly what happened.
Just as they hesitated
Crack!
A massive fissure split the casino in two.
"What is that?!"
"Is it really sinking?!"
"I don't want to die! Run!"
Panic exploded instantly.
The crowd surged toward the exits.
The Marines had already withdrawn.
For people like these, they had long since lost patience.
Meanwhile, Issho had already returned to the warship, securing Tesoro with Seastone cuffs.
Soon after, the Marines stationed on the island regrouped and boarded.
The sea roared violently as the ship trembled beneath them.
Issho spoke calmly.
"Set sail. Leave this area immediately."
"Yes, Vice Admiral Fujitora!"
The warship surged forward at full speed.
Behind them, several other ships fled the port in desperation.
Issho listened to the reports from his subordinates, his expression tinged with quiet disappointment.
If not for the collapsing ship, those people would never have left.
He sighed softly.
"I hope… they learn to live properly after this."
Moments later
BOOM!
The massive golden ship finally sank beneath the sea.
A colossal whirlpool formed, devouring everything nearby like a bottomless abyss.
Issho's expression sharpened.
"This isn't over. Increase speed!"
"Yes, sir!"
The warship strained against the pull of the whirlpool.
For two long hours, it fought against the relentless force.
At last, they broke free.
Only then did the tension ease from the faces of everyone aboard.