"Damn it! Have these inferior creatures already grown to this extent!?"
Under the cover of freezing air, Sanji's flames were quickly suppressed.
But the scene before them still left the Five Elders deeply shaken.
The last time they had met, this curly-browed brat had only barely been able to fight them to a draw.
If the captain and vice-captain of the Straw Hat Pirates had not appeared afterward, the outcome of that battle would still have been uncertain.
Yet how long had it been since then?
The flames this man released now actually made them feel such danger.
Lord Imu was right!
If they continued allowing these people to grow, they would absolutely gain the power to overthrow the World Government.
"Attack together!"
In the flash of a thought, Saint Nusjuro suddenly spoke.
"Their strength is no longer what it used to be. Do not hold back. Even if it costs us everything, we must eradicate them!!!"
"Mm!"
Saint Nusjuro's words immediately received firm agreement from the other three Five Elders.
The airborne Itsumade's eyes flashed coldly. In an instant, its figure shot behind Red and the others, attempting to extend the battlefield and create an advantageous opening for itself.
At the same time, Saint Ju Peter, in his sandworm form, violently broke through the thick ice and burrowed underground.
However, although the ice was turbid, under the illumination of the light, Saint Ju Peter's writhing figure could still be seen.
It could be said that one of the abilities he prided himself on most had already been completely restricted by the terrain.
At this point, the ones left on the surface were—
"Do you need my help?"
Red raised his hand slightly, pink, otherworldly ripples spreading through his eyes.
But Zoro and Sanji merely grinned, then said in perfect unison:
"No need!"
"To deal with a few old fossils, me and that perverted cook/moss-head are more than enough!!!"
"All right, then."
Red smiled with relief, and the aura rising from his body withdrew along with his words.
Perfect.
He could use this opportunity to test Zoro and Sanji's growth, and save a wave of battery power while he was at it.
Tap…
With the image of Luffy and Imu, two colossal external forces, constantly colliding in the background, Zoro drew his three long swords, took his stance, and stepped opposite Sanji, facing Saint Nusjuro in his Bakotsu form and Saint Warcury in his Fengxi form.
"These two are mine. The big bird and that long worm are yours. No problem, right?"
"Hmph~ Of course not!"
Sanji gave an arrogant snort, but he had no objection to Zoro's arrangement.
Although they were confident enough at this moment, they would not be so arrogant as to lose sight of reason.
Saint Nusjuro and Saint Warcury were both straightforward close-combat powerhouses, which matched Zoro's fighting style perfectly.
Meanwhile, Saint Mars and Saint Ju Peter specialized in long-range attacks and high-speed ambushes, which were also the kinds of opponents Sanji excelled at handling.
A dazzling light of evolution flashed simultaneously over Zoro and Sanji, causing both of them to enter an even stronger form of Pokémon-ization.
Whoosh—
Within the turbulent air, a sharp sword beam suddenly flashed, as though tearing the void apart, releasing waves of humming vibrations.
Zoro's eyes erupted with a mysterious radiance, and his entire body seemed to merge with the surrounding void, standing above nature itself.
Compared to Zoro's "plainness," Sanji beside him erupted completely. His entire body was wrapped in flames heated to the extreme, until he finally moved as one with the fire. His body gradually became replaced by particles of blazing light, as though he had achieved a leap in life itself and reached an entirely new form.
"This is…"
Looking at their new forms, the Five Elders on the surface instantly widened their eyes.
For some reason, at this moment, they felt an unbelievable sense of crisis from these two young men as well.
It was as if…
Even with their undying, immortal bodies, these two could beat them to death alive.
Yet no matter how unwilling they were to fight in their hearts, at this moment, there was no room for regret.
Because Zoro, having entered his new form, had already stepped upon a wisp of raging wind and launched a fierce attack toward the three of them.
"Three Sword Style · God-Slaying · Wind of Eroding Breath!!!"
Whoooosh~!!!
At that moment, the air around Zoro suddenly trembled violently. Immediately afterward, like soldiers forming ranks, it followed Zoro's will and formed a ferocious hurricane.
Part of it carried Zoro, becoming the force that drove his movement, while another part flowed into his swordsmanship, forming a profound and divine aura.
The next second, as Zoro descended, Saint Nusjuro had no choice but to raise Shodai Kitetsu and clash against Zoro head-on.
Clang!!!
A crisp sound rang out like thunder across the entire sea, transforming from intangible sound into a tangible shockwave that swept in all directions.
Just a single collision contained the swordsmanship contest between two of the finest swordsmen from two worlds.
"An attack that is all thunder and no rain. It seems I overestimated you!"
After successfully blocking Zoro's strike, a relieved smile suddenly appeared at the corner of Saint Nusjuro's mouth.
Feeling that the force transmitted through his blade was not much different from their last clash, he let out a deep breath of relief in his heart.
Good, good…
The only monster capable of growing at a terrifying speed was Straw Hat. That was still something they could accept.
But just as Saint Nusjuro thought this, Zoro, suspended in midair and locked in a contest of strength with him, also raised the corner of his mouth.
"Is that really what you think?!"
Zoro smiled faintly and questioned Saint Nusjuro.
"Hm?"
Saint Nusjuro raised an eyebrow.
But just as he was about to say something impressive and continue mocking Zoro, the expression on his face was suddenly occupied by terror. His eyes widened immensely as he stared at Zoro in disbelief.
Boom!!!
Endless cold air and Conqueror's Haki suddenly erupted from Saint Nusjuro's body, forming an instant burst of momentum. Using the force of that impact, his figure rapidly retreated, pulling away from Zoro.
"Impossible!!!"
Saint Nusjuro raised his head in horror, looking at Zoro and the long swords in his hands as though he had seen some terrifying monster.
And the truest sensation coming from the depths of his soul proved that none of this was an illusion.
He…
He had truly seen a monster!!!
"Impossible! How did you do that!?"
Saint Nusjuro repeated himself once more, then raised his head and loudly questioned Zoro.
It was no wonder he had abandoned his usual demeanor and become so irritable.
Just now, after clashing with Zoro, a strange power had suddenly appeared in his mind.
That power was like a sharp, scorching wind. It had directly severed a portion of the mental connection between him and Imu!
Although it had only been a tiny part, that had merely been the most ordinary clash!
If such a situation happened several more times, then wouldn't he be… completely cut off from Lord Imu!?
The severing of that connection would not merely allow him to escape Imu's control and regain freedom.
It would also cause him, who had already lost his own true life, to dissipate directly into the air.
This man…
He actually possessed the power to kill immortal beings like them!
"Saint Nusjuro, what happened!?"
Beside him, Saint Warcury saw Saint Nusjuro's sudden strange state and immediately asked in confusion.
Saint Nusjuro replied with extreme horror:
"Be careful!"
"This man's swordsmanship can cut the connection between us and Lord Imu!!!"
"What did you say!? How is that possible!?"
Saint Warcury's eyes widened in shock, revealing the same look of disbelief as Saint Nusjuro.
At that moment, however, Zoro suddenly let out a light chuckle.
"Heh heh~ Why wouldn't it be possible?"
"It's only a mental connection lodged upon the soul."
"A petty trick like that—why wouldn't I be able to cut it!?"
Ever since the God-Slaying Swordsmanship he had developed made a great contribution during the battle at Pangaea Castle, Zoro had devoted himself fully to the further development of that swordsmanship after returning.
Just as Mihawk had evaluated Zoro's sword path:
Unprecedented, and never to be repeated. It had pioneered the transformation of swordsmanship from the material form into the spiritual form!!!
In the past world of pirates, aside from a few powerful Conqueror's Haki users, almost no one truly used power of the spiritual domain.
As a result, swordsmanship in the pirate world had always remained on the level of cutting the flesh.
That was not to say that the pirate world's swordsmanship was low-class.
A world of swordsmanship capable of manifesting concepts such as wind, fire, thunder, lightning, and all manner of intent could never be called weak.
It was simply that the impressions passed down since ancient times had caused people to overlook an unorthodox sword path like cutting the mind.
Now, relying on his own potential, Zoro had successfully filled this blank in the swordsmanship of the pirate world.
And once the first step had been taken, everything that followed seemed to fall naturally into place. Zoro had naturally grasped the subsequent development of this sword path.
For example, just now, relying on the Dragon type's control over elemental energy, he had incorporated the power of wind from nature into his slash. Then, using wind's cutting property, he had amplified the damage of his God-Slaying Swordsmanship against the soul and spirit.
In order to successfully master these elemental attributes, Zoro had even reduced much of his sparring with Sanji and Mihawk during that period.
Instead, he sought Nami's help, asking her to continuously summon various natural elements through the power of the Disaster-Diaster Fruit to attack him, helping him comprehend nature more quickly.
The current Zoro had already successfully mastered the power of nature's basic elements, such as wind, fire, thunder, and water.
As a Pokémon, possessing the power to control nature should be perfectly normal, right!?
"..."
Saint Nusjuro and Saint Warcury fell silent.
They did not care how Zoro had managed to perceive the connection between them and Imu.
But the fact that Zoro could truly "kill" them was a massive problem!
The Five Elders' fighting style had always relied on their undying yokai bodies, ignoring all attacks as they killed their enemies.
Yet now… before them stood someone who made them afraid to even fight him.
Although the damage Zoro had just caused Saint Nusjuro was not even one percent, by that measure, Zoro would need to slash them hundreds of times at least before he could completely kill them.
But a battle where death was possible was not one they wanted to fight!
Moreover, Zoro's strike just now had only been a probing attack. Who knew whether he had even stronger techniques waiting later?
"No! Call those two back!"
"We must kill this swordsman first. Otherwise, all of us will be in mortal danger!"
Saint Nusjuro spoke with a stern expression.
But Saint Warcury's face looked completely different, and he let out a long sigh.
"Saint Nusjuro, I'm afraid Saint Mars and the others… no longer have any spare chance to help us deal with this brat."
As he spoke, Saint Warcury raised his head and gestured toward the distant sky.
Just now, Saint Nusjuro had focused all his attention on Zoro, so much so that he had not noticed at all…
On the nearby battlefield, Saint Mars and Saint Ju Peter were being toyed with like playthings!
"What!?"
Saint Nusjuro raised his head in confusion. Immediately after, he saw a scene he would never forget for the rest of his life.
Saint Mars, who possessed supremacy over the sky, and Saint Ju Peter, who at some unknown time had been dragged into the void, were fixed high in the air in a bizarre posture. Then, as though countless invisible people surrounded them, the two of them were subjected to an inhuman group beating.
Almost every minute and every second, hundreds of heavy blow marks appeared on the bodies of the great bird Itsumade and the giant worm Sandworm. Every single attack was also imbued with flames that burned through their bodies.
Although, under the power of immortality, the injuries on their bodies were quickly erased…
That…
Was precisely the most terrifying part!!!
After every attack ended, the lingering flames did not disappear. Instead, they naturally remained inside their bodies, continuing to burn their internal organs.
And the internal organs that had been burned away would grow back again in the very next moment.
In an instant, Saint Mars and Saint Ju Peter had already entered an endless cycle of agony.
Looking at the painful expressions on their faces, perhaps at this moment, death would be the true release for them.
"This… What is going on!?"
Saint Nusjuro asked in confusion, but what answered him was Zoro's disdainful mockery.
"Tch~ It's just that perverted cook's fruit ability. That alone scared you two this badly?"
Thanks to Zoro's stimulation, after returning from the great battle at Mary Geoise, Sanji had also immediately thrown himself into the development of his own body and various abilities without pause.
After thoroughly confirming that his entire body had no weaknesses whatsoever, and that almost every cell possessed the same resistance properties, Sanji completely let himself go!
For this reason, he even specially found Judge and Reiju, asking the two of them to help him complete the plan in his heart.
In the past, Sanji had resented it and hated it. He could not accept the self who had been born into the world as Vinsmoke Judge's failed experiment.
But now, his state of mind had long since completed its transformation and sublimation. In addition, the Vinsmoke Family was now nothing more than one of the more important forces under the Straw Hat Pirates.
The change in status caused Sanji to completely forget the unhappiness of the past. His heart was focused only on obtaining enough power to protect his companions, and…
Enough power to defeat that moss-head!!!
Therefore!
At Sanji's intense request, Judge and Reiju continuously extracted Sanji's own Lineage Factor, transformed and purified it, then injected it back into Sanji's body.
This cycle repeated itself countless times.
Under normal circumstances, this kind of gene-tampering experiment would have been more than enough to easily destroy Sanji's body, causing him to lose everything under repeated mutations.
But relying on the effects brought by his Battle Armor trait, as well as the Vinsmoke Family's mastery over Lineage Factor technology…
Sanji forcibly endured experiment after experiment!
His internal organ cells became as powerful as his hardened bone cells.
His plan was to alter his Lineage Factor, causing his internal organ cells to continuously evolve, then feed that evolution back outward to his entire body.
Again and again…
During that period, Sanji had no idea how many needles had been stabbed into his body.
All he remembered was that later on, because the skin on the surface of his body had become far too tough, ordinary alloy needles were no longer able to pierce him.
Perhaps out of guilt and compensation toward Sanji, Judge even specifically had Vegapunk modify his own body in the end, and used serum derived from the Op-Op Fruit to help Sanji complete his final goal.
Just like that, under the strengthening of his continuously purified Lineage Factor, Sanji's power…
Welcomed an entirely new evolution!!!
(End of Chapter)