Mio had already developed the power of the Substitution Fruit to the point of awakening. This level of Substitution Fruit, combined with Mio's terrifying physical strength, was enough to allow Mio to replace anything.
The manifestation of power.
Air.
People.
Living things.
Everything else could be replaced.
Even though each replacement consumed a considerable amount of energy, his incredibly strong stamina and rapid recovery meant he had little to worry about.
With a chuckle, the earth spike pierced the skeleton warrior, causing it to vanish once more.
Mio grinned. "I said it was over, and it is over!"
As the words fell, Mio's mind shifted once more.
The power of the Influence Fruit suddenly activated, having been developed to the point of awakening.
The power of the Influence Fruit, developed to its awakened state, was Mio's most powerful ability yet.
Barely any other.
Rumble.
The Red Earth Continent beneath their feet suddenly shook, as if struck by a massive earthquake, sending many people falling to the ground.
The next moment, a halo of light erupted from Mio's body, forming a massive barrier that enveloped the entire Red Earth Continent. Beneath the halo, the ground beneath Mio's feet undulated dramatically.
Vast tracts of land transformed into enormous red giants. Under their influence, the entire Red Earth Continent seemed to be at Mio's fingertips, easily controlled.
"Kill!" Mio shouted.
The red giants suddenly charged towards Im.
Sensing the changes in the Red Earth Continent, Im's face changed slightly. "Influence Fruit?!"
Having lived for eight hundred years, Im was familiar with the abilities of nearly ninety percent of all Devil Fruits, including the Influence Fruit.
This was because this fruit, upon awakening, possessed terrifying power.
Upon awakening, within a certain range, the user became a deity.
Just like now.
Im immediately tried to leave the spot, but the next moment, he found his limbs bound as if by ropes made of condensed wind, immobilizing him.
The next moment, thousands of wind blades condensed and swept towards Im.
On the ground, the earth transformed into earth snakes, also striking Im.
Within the area of influence, Mio could borrow and influence anything, transforming it into a means of attack. Everything except time and space was acceptable—even the elements.
"I didn't expect you to have such an ability," Im said gravely. With a thought, a surge of power shattered the wind ropes that bound his limbs.
But the next moment, the wind ropes quickly condensed, restraining Im once more.
His expression changed slightly, and with a thought, Im split into clones, shattering the incoming lightning and earth snakes.
But then, the red giant attacked, one massive fist after another, landing on Im.
Rumble.
The ground shook.
Im's body was blasted directly into the earth.
"Kill!" Mio shouted again. Wind blades, flames, thunder, earth—every element within the area of influence transformed into Mio's power, emerging and bombarding Im, who had just risen from the ground.
"Solid Wall!" Im's voice rang out.
A barrier suddenly materialized, enveloping Im, isolating him from all harm.
Wiping the blood from his mouth, Im remained calm and said, "These alone aren't enough to kill me."
"If once wasn't enough, then try again," Mio sneered. With a flick of his arms, the Red Earth Continent shook again. Arms coalesced from the earth, clenching into fists and striking Im.
Within his area of influence, he could influence everything on the Red Earth Continent, except living beings, turning them into his own power.
Boom.
The ground cracked where Im stood, creating a massive crater.
However, Im's figure had already appeared in the sky. Then, his form suddenly changed, transforming into a giant bird covered in flames in a short time.
It looked… very beautiful.
It also exuded a fiery aura.
Just like… a phoenix.
"Cry!"
With a sharp shriek, the phoenix's flames suddenly spread, like a tidal wave of flame, sweeping towards Mio.
Buzz.
Mio's expression remained calm. With a wave of his right hand, a vast expanse of air and gusts of wind swirled, transforming into a wall in front of him, abruptly blocking the tidal wave of flames.
Then, with another wave of his hand, a vast volley of fire spears, lightning spears, and even wind blades condensed in the air, blasting towards Im. Even more impenetrable, these elemental weapons were manipulated by Mio using the power of the Substitution Fruit mid-flight, instantly disappearing only to reappear at various points around Im.
The strangeness was unpredictable, making it impossible to fully prepare.
With a sizzle, a lightning spear pierced one of Im's wings, sending blood dripping like flames. However, the wound healed at a visible rate.
It seemed Im also possessed a formidable regenerative ability, perhaps related to his phoenix form.
As the ruler of the World Government, Im's abilities were truly terrifying. The power of the Fruit of Faith granted Im countless powerful powers. Just the ones he had manifested so far already included lightning, fire, spatial teleportation, barriers, and more.
Killing Im, even if there was a chance of success, would require considerable time.
Fortunately, the World Government's headquarters was located at the top of the Red Earth Continent. Furthermore, this area was part of the World Government's headquarters territory, so even if a major war broke out here, no one would notice.
Around the Red Earth Continent, beneath the surface of the sea, in the deep sea, gigantic Sea Kings and numerous murlocs swirled.
Shirahoshi, perched atop a Sea King, gazed toward the top of the Red Earth Continent, her hands clenched tightly as she spoke firmly.
"We can't reach shore and help Master-sama. All we can do is prevent the ships supporting the World Government from approaching and causing trouble for Master-sama. Any ship attempting to approach the Red Earth Continent will be destroyed."
Although she was Shirahoshi, she was not the Shirahoshi of the original story.
She remained innocent.
But she was not as kind as imagined. At least, in some aspects, she did not mind killing.
After hearing what Shirahoshi said, the huge Sea Kings nodded in agreement. From then on, whenever a ship approached the Red Earth Continent, a huge body would appear and smash the entire ship to pieces.
Some people on the ship didn't even know what happened before the ship disintegrated. In a short period of time, countless wrecks littered the seabed.
—Elsewhere—
In a certain area in the first half of the Grand Line.
This place was considered a remote area in the first half of the Grand Line, with an unnamed archipelago.
On the island, there were some old, weak, women and children, but also many young and strong men. At this time, these people all had nervous expressions on their faces, and some were even discussing.
"I wonder if Master Yagi will succeed."
"I think so. Many people are attacking the World Government this time."
"It will definitely succeed. As long as the Black Crow kills the World Government's people, Master Yagi can seize the opportunity and strike. Then the entire world will be under the control of our D Clan again."
"That's right. We should trust Master Yagi and wait for good news from Master Yagi and his men."
Among these people were ordinary folk. There were also those with considerable strength. Even among them were some who had been merchants, pirates, or even navy officers from around the world.
These were not powerful figures, but now they had all gathered here.
It was obvious that these were members of the D Clan over the years, traveling around the world to do their best to bring development and strength to the D Clan.
In addition, there were a few powerful individuals with the rank of brigadier general or even lieutenant general, protecting these D Clan members.
However, at this moment, what these people did not notice was that in every corner of the archipelago, shadowy soldiers slowly emerged from the darkness.
Some of the shadowy soldiers resembled warriors, while others had wings on their backs like bats. Some resembled strangely shaped aliens.
All in all, these shadow troops were numerous. The number of these shadow troops alone was no less than five thousand, and there were many different types.
But more importantly, it was somewhere on the shore of the archipelago.
Three huge ships landed on the shore.
A figure jumped off the ship, holding a golden staff draped over his shoulders. He wore a turban and had two huge earlobes.
This was a shirtless man in shorts. He gazed at the island in front of him with a defiant smile on his face and grinned.
"Is this where those scumbags are?"
"Enel, don't be careless." Renee's voice rang out, and she slowly walked down from the boat. Her face was calm but with a hint of warning, and she said, "If something goes wrong, you should know the consequences. I won't wait for you to take action, I will personally smash your bones one by one!"
Hearing this, Enel immediately shrank his neck, a look of fear flashing in his eyes, and he swallowed his saliva before nodding quickly.
"Yes, I know. Don't worry, Master Renee, there won't be any problems."
"That's good." Renee nodded lightly and said slowly. "Get ready, the opponent's position has been determined, and you will take action immediately after preparations are completed. If you can capture them alive, capture them alive, otherwise kill them. No matter the old, weak, women or children—as long as there is any resistance…"
"Kill them all!!"
Renee's eyes were cold, and her tone was even more chilling. Because of these words, the temperature around them seemed to drop.