A timid voice suddenly broke the silence.
Aramaki froze.
Was this really the same Celestial Dragon he revered as the supreme being?
Just moments ago, he had vowed to avenge him—declaring himself the Celestial Dragon's greatest shield.
And now, Saint Charlos was asking to run away again.
Right in front of the very Admiral Aramaki had sworn to defeat.
It was a humiliation beyond words.
But before Aramaki could respond, another voice landed like a slap across his face.
"A-Aramaki, we should run. Now. Or we won't get another chance!"
Spandam's voice cracked with panic.
Aramaki's expression darkened to the extreme. He spun around and roared:
"You damned CP0! Didn't you just say I had a 100% chance of winning? And now you're spewing this cowardly nonsense?"
"How dare you shake the faith of our great Celestial Dragon! I'll wring you dry!"
Vines burst from the ground like venomous snakes, tightening with fury.
But before Aramaki could strike, his eyes widened.
He finally understood why Spandam and Charlos were so desperate to flee.
Five figures were approaching slowly, their presence suffocating.
The aura they exuded made Aramaki's face turn ashen.
He was a fanatical Celestial Dragon loyalist—but not a fool.
He knew danger when he saw it.
And these five weren't just anyone.
He remembered the rumors—of the new Admiral's "special combatant recruitment" initiative.
Now, five of them had appeared at once.
"Heh… Admiral, this isn't very honorable of you."
Aramaki sneered.
"Gathering so many people in secret—was this your plan all along?"
"Well, too bad. I was going to fight you one-on-one. But now, I'll let you feel what it's like to face two Admiral-level forces at once."
"Don't say I'm dishonorable. I learned it from you."
He turned to Fujitora.
"Fujitora, I didn't want to trouble you, but this new Admiral clearly doesn't play fair. I'll need your help."
Spandam, dragging Charlos farther and farther back, tensed up.
Luo Yu's special combatant lineup had exceeded all expectations.
If Aramaki and Fujitora joined forces, they might actually turn the tide.
But then Fujitora slowly stood, cane-sword in hand, and said with a dry chuckle:
"Heh… Aramaki, I was just about to make a move."
"But not against him—against you."
BOOM!
A crushing wave of gravity slammed down on Aramaki like a mountain.
He was stunned.
Spandam and Charlos, now a hundred meters away, stared in disbelief.
They couldn't believe what they were seeing.
Just moments ago, Aramaki had been calling Fujitora "brother" like an ally.
Now Fujitora had turned on him.
The two-on-one advantage had flipped completely.
Feeling the overwhelming pressure, Spandam grabbed Charlos and screamed:
"Run! Run now! Fujitora is one of the special combatants!"
Charlos didn't need to be told twice.
By now, fleeing had become a reflex.
All thoughts of nobility and Celestial Dragon pride were gone—he vanished without a trace.
"You dishonorable scum!"
Aramaki howled, eyes bloodshot.
"You dare make a Celestial Dragon feel fear? I'll kill you all!"
"Fujitora, I'm disappointed in you. If that's how it is—then don't blame me for what happens next!"
"Forest of Hatred!"
BOOM!
Aramaki unleashed his Devil Fruit powers at full force.
The Sabaody Archipelago, made of massive Yarukiman Mangrove trees, responded.
Now rooted deep in the island, Aramaki awakened the land itself.
CRACK!
The ground split open.
Countless roots twisted and surged like dragons, tearing through the earth.
They pierced the ground where Fujitora and the others had stood, transforming into writhing tendrils that lashed out in every direction.
Fujitora and the others leapt back, slashing through the roots as they came.
But the sheer scale of the attack forced them to retreat.
"You lowly Admiral!"
Aramaki roared.
"I'll kill you!"
BAM! BAM! BAM!
Dozens of massive roots shot toward Luo Yu like a tidal wave.
Aramaki now looked like the embodiment of the island itself.
Luo Yu frowned.
Then, with a deep breath, he unleashed his Conqueror's Haki.
It surged forth, cloaked in jet-black Armament Haki.
BOOM!
The two forces collided.
But compared to Luo Yu's Haki, Aramaki's roots were like paper.
They shattered on impact.
The shockwave didn't stop—it barreled straight toward Aramaki.
But Aramaki didn't flinch.
He laughed wildly:
"Hah! You arrogant worm! Save your strength!"
"As long as I'm rooted to this island, you'll never touch my real body!"