"Tsk tsk, the combined creation of two awakened Devil Fruits is truly absurdly powerful."
Michael flew back to face the combined robot again.
Though it was Michael who had taken that direct hit...
It was Bullet and his two companions who were beginning to question their life choices.
The towering robot, over 30,000 meters tall and piercing the clouds, had its already terrifying power enhanced by World's "Thirtyfold Speed" ability.
That single strike... Could overpower even Kaido.
In fact, without using certain techniques, Kaido might have been overwhelmed by that single blow due to excessive energy expenditure.
But for Michael...
Such concerns didn't exist.
With nearly limitless stamina, during the duration of his ultimate technique, every strike could reach its theoretical peak.
For example, in his earlier battle with Kaido, while Kaido's Flame Dragon Torch had greater instantaneous explosive power in their final clash...
Michael's inexhaustible stamina ultimately secured his complete victory.
As for this punch just now, its destructive power might be impressive...
But...
That's all it was.
For the members of SWORD Forces, who hadn't yet reached their true peak, such power could only result in inevitable defeat.
Yet Michael was confident that whether facing Kaido at full power or Charlotte Linlin—now cured of her Gluttony and beginning to unlock her bloodline...
True "Emperor"-level fighters might not completely overwhelm awakened Devil Fruit users like Bullet (a "Vice-Emperor" level combatant) supported by powerful allies like World...
But they would undoubtedly emerge victorious.
Those who stand at the true pinnacle as "Emperors"...
Cannot be challenged by mere awakened Devil Fruit abilities.
And Michael, the man who had defeated both Shiki and Kaido...
Was even more untouchable.
On this day, the SWORD Forces and all of Wano's samurai witnessed a spectacular demolition ceremony at the country's borders.
The scale of destruction even surpassed Michael and Kaido's ultimate clash.
Even the slowly moving Zunesha nearby couldn't help but alter its course, drawing closer to watch the spectacle...
After all, Zunesha had never seen anything of comparable size that could move like itself...
Much less witnessed something of similar size being dismembered piece by piece.
That swift, elegant, and sacred figure...
Zunesha's millennia of accumulated fragmented memories... were suddenly awakened.
The figure buried deep in Zunesha's memory began to shine brightly once more.
It was a man... enveloped in Holy Light and Holy Flame.
The man who once stood side by side with Joy Boy!
Zunesha's heart began calling out his name...
...
Michael, who had already dismantled the entire combined robot down to its base, suddenly Shuddered and looked up at his surroundings.
He seemed to hear a muffled, ancient voice whispering his name repeatedly in his ear.
Shaking his head, he dismissed the sound.
Bullet and the Redfield remained fundamentally inferior to the "Emperors," and even with the assistance of World, it wouldn't make a difference.
Of course, all of this was predicated on his own overwhelming strength.
If it were him from five years ago, while he could have defeated Kaido, it certainly wouldn't have been as effortless as it was now.
In that case, Bullet would have had ample time to unleash catastrophic destruction upon Wano.
"It seems this world ultimately belongs to the young, after all."
Having reverted from his vampire form to his original self, Redfield gazed at Michael hovering mid-air and finally smiled in resignation.
Michael glanced at him briefly.
Redfield was undeniably strong, yet he always fell just short of reaching the pinnacle.
This was why Garp had once remarked that the Lone Red "wasn't worthy of leaving his name in history."
His personality… was a bit too laid-back.
But judging by past incidents, Redfield should have simply given up after witnessing Michael's terrifying power.
Not like now—beaten half to death and forced into submission.
"Hard to believe, Bullet. Someone like you actually considered Redfield and the World Destroyer as comrades?" Michael raised an eyebrow, holding the limp Bullet in his grasp.
"What should I say? Even the worst have friends?"
"Hmph… just get it over with," Bullet snorted coldly. "As for those two old men… whether they live or die, who cares?"
"Fine, whether they live or die isn't my concern. After all, it was the SWORD Forces who stopped you… Whether they survive depends on how old man Sengoku judges them."
Michael smirked.
The next moment, a sword descended from above…
The last massive foundation shattered completely, sinking into the sea.
"Michael…"
Michael abruptly looked around…
Was his hearing playing tricks on him?
Or was it a ghost?
But as he lifted his head, distracted from his demolition work, he finally noticed Zunesha—its massive, mountain-like eyes observing him intently.
The moment their gazes met…
"Michael!"
Alright, confirmed!
He really had heard Zunesha's voice…
Wait, could Zunesha talk!?
"Brother! What's wrong?"
Rosinante and the SWORD Forces approached aboard the Seraphim Ship.
Initially, they hadn't expected Michael to resolve the battle so swiftly…
Yet from start to finish, it felt less like a boss fight and more like a demolition spree…
"Ah, it's nothing, Rosinante… The rest is up to you," Michael said, turning to him. "Just remember—the ones who defeated the Beast Pirates alliance were the SWORD Forces and Wano… As for Kaido, he was killed by Michael for kidnapping Whitebeard's son."
"Kill..."
Rosinante instinctively turned to look at the coastline not far away.
Though Kaido's breath was faint... it was steady.
And he was still alive.
"From this day forward, the name Kaido will no longer exist on these seas."
With those words, Michael turned and flew toward the distant figure of Zunesha.
He needed to confirm something.
As he flew toward the massive elephant, his "Ascendant Stairway to Divinity: Polar Day" transformation dissolved.
Six Wings—four large and two small—emerged once more from his back.
With a flap of his Wings, he arrived before Zunesha's eye.
Michael didn't speak aloud, but silently thought...
"Was it you calling to me just now, Zunesha?"
"Michael... you have... returned... I have... missed... you..."
Hearing those fragmented words, Michael became certain...
It seemed he had somehow... gained the ability to hear the Voice of All Things.
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