Luffy lay on the ground, gasping for breath, his entire body feeling as if all strength had been drained from him.
Ron's second sword strike had not only left a shocking scar on his chest but also made his muscles feel frozen—he couldn't even move a finger.
His heart filled with frustration and rage, a voice echoing endlessly in his mind.
'Why am I so weak? Why can't I even protect my nakama? Why am I so useless!'
Just then, A powerful Haki suddenly erupted from Luffy's body, sweeping through the surroundings like a violent storm.
The intense shockwave made everyone's hair stand on end, even causing the ground to tremble slightly.
"This is... Conqueror's Haki!" Ron's eyes widened in disbelief while thinking to himself.
'He awakened it just like that? The Summit War hasn't even happened yet, what the hell are you awakening it for!'
Garp was also stunned, but soon, a gratified smile spread across his face as he burst into hearty laughter.
"Hahaha, as expected of my grandson! He actually awakened Conqueror's Haki! This kid truly has the makings of a king!"
The Straw Hat crew was equally shocked into speechlessness.
Zoro, Sanji, Nami, Robin, and the others all widened their eyes, staring at Luffy with expressions of utter disbelief.
They knew that Conqueror's Haki was an ability only those with the potential to become kings could awaken—and Luffy had actually awakened it at this very moment!
Akainu's expression instantly turned grave, a flash of intense killing intent flickering in his eyes.
He stared coldly at Luffy and muttered under his breath, "To think he awakened Conqueror's Haki... It seems this brat must be eliminated at all cost!"
Kizaru's expression remained as unreadable as still water, but his peripheral vision caught the intense killing intent radiating from Akainu, causing a hint of hesitation to stir within him.
He knew that once Akainu made up his mind, he would never easily change it—but with Garp still present, there might still be room for negotiation.
After unleashing his Conqueror's Haki, Luffy completely lost consciousness.
His body collapsed limply to the ground, the wound on his chest still bleeding.
The atmosphere on the battlefield instantly turned deathly silent, with everyone harboring different thoughts.
The awakening of Conqueror's Haki meant Luffy now possessed the potential to become a king—and for the Marines, this was undoubtedly a massive threat.
The Marine vice admirals exchanged glances, a resolute glint flashing in their eyes.
They each pulled out a vial of green potion from their coats, ready to drink it the moment battle broke out.
It was the Marines' newly developed "Super Green Blood Potion," capable of temporarily granting Devil Fruit abilities!
Their goal was clear: they absolutely could not allow this brat who had awakened Conqueror's Haki to leave alive!
Otherwise, years later, these seas would welcome a terrifying Pirate!
Bullett and the others were also stunned by Luffy's Conqueror's Haki awakening, a flicker of surprise in their eyes.
Bullett grinned with a mocking smile on his face.
"This brat is quite interesting. It seems he's not just an ant—he actually has the makings of a king!"
He turned to Ron and teased, "Ron, why don't you give Redfield a couple of stabs too? Maybe he'll awaken Conqueror's Haki as well!"
Ron shot him a glare—why did he have to bring that up? is he asking for a beating?!
Bullett chuckled, shrugging nonchalantly, then rolled up his sleeves and scanned the surrounding Marines and Pirates, his tone carrying a hint of provocation.
"Anyone here want to fight? I'm game! If not, we're leaving!"
Akainu's face darkened ominously, his gaze shifting between Luffy, Ron, Bullett, and the others as he weighed the pros and cons in his mind.
Just as he was about to order Luffy surrounded while tacitly allowing Ron and the others to leave, a chilling aura suddenly swept in from the distance.
"Ice Age!"
With a low shout, the temperature across the battlefield plummeted, the ground rapidly freezing over as a biting cold permeated the air.
Aokiji's figure slowly appeared, his hands tucked into his pockets, his lazy gaze carrying a hint of sharpness.
But what was even more shocking was the three bizarre-looking figures following behind him—the Seraphim, completed ahead of schedule by Vegapunk using Whitebeard's blood as inspiration!
S-Hawk, S-Bear, S-Croc!
The appearance of these three Seraphim instantly boosted Akainu's confidence.
A cold sneer appeared on his face as he spoke in an icy, murderous tone.
"Now, no one is leaving! Everyone, stay right here!"
Ron's gaze fell upon S-Croc, his brow slightly furrowed.
He remembered that in the anime, there was no Seraphim based on Crocodile, yet here one had appeared, which surprised him somewhat.
He speculated inwardly. 'Has Vegapunk already developed the Logia-type Green Blood serum? That's incredibly fast...'
When Bullett saw S-Croc, he couldn't help but burst into laughter, turning to mock Crocodile.
"Hey, Crocodile, is that your son over there? Why did he join the enemy's side? Shouldn't you discipline him properly?"
Crocodile felt a headache coming on, his face dark and gloomy.
He stared at S-Croc with a complex glint flashing in his eyes.
"What exactly is going on? How does that thing have my abilities? Even the poison hook on its left hand is identical!"
Aokiji lazily spoke up, his tone carrying a hint of nonchalance.
"These Seraphim are the pinnacle achievement of the Marine's science division. Don't think Ron is the only scientist around—the Marines has the world's top scientist, Vegapunk."
Crocodile's expression grew even uglier.
He stared intently at S-Croc, his eyes filled with rage.
Not only did that Seraphim possess his abilities, but its appearance was also strikingly similar to his own, which made him feel an inexplicable sense of humiliation.
"In that case..." Crocodile's voice was low and brimming with killing intent, "I'll destroy it with my own hands!"
As soon as he finished speaking, his body instantly transformed into a sandstorm, charging straight toward S-Croc.
His right hand morphed into a massive blade of sand, carrying a fierce, sharp assault as he viciously slashed at his target.
S-Croc remained expressionless, its body similarly turning into a sandstorm, effortlessly evading Crocodile's attack.
Its movements were identical to Crocodile's, even its fighting style was exactly the same.
Ron watched this scene, his brow slightly furrowed.
This battle was becoming increasingly complicated.
The appearance of the Seraphim had greatly enhanced the Marine's strength.
Akainu coldly stared at Ron, a hint of mockery in his tone.
"Ron, do you still think you can escape unscathed now?"
Ron smiled faintly, his gaze calm as he looked at Akainu. "Akainu, do you really think these Seraphim can stop me? That's far too naive."
Akainu's face instantly darkened, and he said coldly.
"Then let's test that!"
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