Thud.
World landed from the air, looking at Betilla in confusion.
"Who are you?"
According to the information provided by Byrnndi's brother, Byojack, the strongest person on Amazon Lily should be the Empress, Boa Hancock.
Through the clash just now, World had already recognized the Pirate Empress from the force of her kick, the snake-shaped earrings on her ears, and the photos Byojack had provided.
But who was this woman?
Such a high-level, sharp slash… when did the Kuja Pirates acquire a female swordsman with such skill?
"That's exactly what I want to ask, you bastard!" Betilla retorted, not holding back her challenge.
"Barorororo! Feisty, aren't you! I am Byrnndi World!" World laughed loudly.
"Byr-Byrnndi World?!"
Before Hancock and Betilla could react, a voice cried out in astonishment.
"Hmm? Nyon-ba, do you know him?"
Betilla looked down at the tiny Elder Nyon.
Even Hancock couldn't help but turn to look.
"The World Government's mobilization order that the Snake Princess tore up the day before yesterday was issued because of this Byrnndi World!" Elder Nyon stated solemnly.
"What!"
Hancock and Betilla were startled.
A man formidable enough for the World Government to issue a mobilization order against was definitely an extremely difficult opponent.
"In that case, my Captain should have received a mobilization order too," Betilla murmured to herself, her brows furrowed slightly.
"Aeridar called yesterday and told me not to pay attention to the World Government's order; he would decide what to do," Hancock replied, turning her head.
"It seems the Captain has other ideas," Betilla nodded, understanding the implication.
"I don't know why he has returned to the sea, but 'destroying everything he sees' is the origin of his title, 'World Destroyer'!" Elder Nyon said gravely, knowing the history from thirty years ago. "We don't know his objective, but we must be careful. This man is a great pirate who was only defeated by a combined effort of the Navy, other pirates, and World Government spies!"
Hearing Elder Nyon's words and learning the history of the disrespectful man named World, Hancock and Betilla were secretly shocked. A man who required the combined strength of the Navy, pirates, and the World Government to defeat—it seemed a bitter fight was unavoidable.
"I plan to use you as a human shield. If you are sensible, surrender meekly, and you can avoid physical pain, Boa Hancock!" World fixed his gaze on the woman before him, his tone carrying a hint of scorn.
"Rude man! Damned man! Who gave you permission to speak this Empress's name? I shall turn you to stone, and then smash you! Perfume Femur!!!"
Hancock, already enraged, darted forward. Her long, slender, white legs swept out like a blade, turning into a quick and urgent blur of white light.
"More-More: 10x Speed!"
World slammed his foot down. His speed was so immense it was like instantaneous movement, easily avoiding Hancock's whip kick.
Appearing ultra-fast behind Hancock, World thrust out his thick arm. It was hardened with Armament Haki, and the mighty force, which nearly broke the air itself, struck toward Hancock's back.
Clang!
A figure blocked World's path, and a flash of silver light shot out. Fist and sword collided, immediately letting out a metallic ringing sound.
A powerful gust of wind instantly spread out, kicking up a cloud of dust.
"Hmph~ What a troublesome woman!"
Seeing Betilla block him, World snorted coldly. He swiftly kicked and shattered the ground beneath his feet, causing seven or eight tiny fragments of stone to shoot forward.
"More-More: 10x Shotgun!"
Pew, pew, pew, pew...
The tiny fragments instantly magnified tenfold, turning pitch-black like metal, resembling black steel ball bearings the size of marbles.
Seeing this, Hancock, who had already turned around, and Betilla, who held her sword defensively, immediately leaped away to avoid the attack.
With the attack nullified, World quickly picked up a small fragment of stone from the ground and immediately hurled it toward Hancock.
"Slave Arrow!"
Hancock stood her ground, watching World approach. She touched her fingers to her lips and pulled them away, forming a giant pink heart-shaped substance, like a massive pink balloon. Hooking her fingers, she pulled back, as if drawing a bowstring.
Then, her fingers released, and the massive pink heart-shaped substance shot out a large quantity of pink arrows.
"More-More: 30x Speed!"
Sensing extreme danger, World stomped the ground, charging straight into the sky, avoiding the barraging pink arrows.
"Silver Line!"
Betilla shouted, and her rapier, Silver Rain, in her hand slashed through the air.
Instantly, a thin silver line shot rapidly into the sky, cutting toward World.
"More-More: 100x Pistol!"
World used Geppo to stay in mid-air. He hardened the small fragment of stone in his hand with Armament Haki and then violently threw it downward.
Swoosh!
The black fragment flew out at high speed, constantly enlarging mid-flight. In an instant, it magnified a hundredfold, becoming a massive, black, metal-like boulder that whistled through the air.
Clang!
The thin silver-line slash hit the dark boulder, creating a violent metallic ring.
The silver line shattered, dissolving into scattered points of light. The massive boulder, which had been traveling with ferocious momentum, was knocked sideways by the heavy impact. It plunged downward abruptly, hitting the ground with a loud thump, smashing a crater into the barren earth and kicking up a cloud of dust.
"More-More: 50x Speed!"
World, now furious, stomped heavily on the air. His entire being became a black blur and vanished, instantly appearing in front of Betilla. His thick fist, now coated in a layer of shining black, punched forward.
"Oh no!"
Seeing World appear suddenly before her, Betilla was shocked. She quickly brought her sword, Silver Rain, up to block. She hadn't expected the enemy's speed to be so fast; even with her reaction time and Observation Haki prediction, she had no time to counterattack and could only hurriedly defend.
Clang!
World's black, thick iron fist slammed heavily against the spine of Silver Rain, producing a fierce, loud metal clang.
The blade of Silver Rain bent inward, and along with World's fist, it smashed heavily into Betilla's body.
In an instant, Betilla shot backward with a swoosh, moving so fast she was almost a black streak.
Bang!
The city wall of Kuja Port violently shook. A circular hole two meters in diameter appeared in the wall, with dozens of cracks spreading outward from the edges like a spiderweb.
"Cough…"
Betilla was embedded in the center of the circular hole, blood spilling from the corner of her mouth, looking utterly disheveled.
"Betilla!"
Hancock gasped, her beautiful eyes glaring venomously at World.
"Betilla-sama!"
The Kuja female warriors all cried out in alarm.
"Barorororororo~!"
World laughed loudly. "This is what happens when you oppose me! Barorororo!"