Katakuri, wielder of Conqueror's Haki, activated it in defense—only for something terrifying to happen.
His Conqueror's Haki was being absorbed.
And the source of that absorption… was none other than the First Elder of the Gorosei.
Conqueror's Haki, a power that manifests in one among a million, is far rarer than Armament or Observation Haki. It represents an indomitable spirit—the will to dominate others. Yet now, that rare will was being devoured before everyone's eyes.
Katakuri's composure broke. Even the Marines felt their chests tighten under the crushing pressure.
Issho and Aramaki, both recently promoted, looked shaken to the core.
"I never thought our Marines still had beings this terrifying among us," Fujitora muttered, sweat trickling down his brow.
"I used to think Garp stood at the peak of Marine strength," Aramaki said, voice strained. "But now, compared to the Gorosei, even he looks small… especially that First Elder. His Conqueror's Haki alone makes my heart pound."
Before joining the Marines, Aramaki had always been called a monster—never once had he felt fear. But now, even the mere aftershocks of that Haki left his spirit trembling.
On the observation platform, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Hero Garp, and Commander-in-Chief Kong exchanged grave looks.
"The foundation of the World Government truly runs deep," Kong said quietly. "That Conqueror's Haki… it's at least equal to Thorne Ashveil's."
At the center of the storm, the First Elder, Saint Saturn dressed in a black suit and flat hat, hovered a few feet above the ice. Dazzling light flared from his eyes as he opened his mouth.
"Thorne Ashveil, this time you die. No one will save you."
His ancient, commanding voice echoed across the frozen battlefield.
The attacks of Saint Warcury and Saint Peter struck first—a blazing punch and a flaming kick colliding against Ashveil's Conqueror's Haki barrier.
A deafening boom split the heavens.
Ashveil's Haki barrier, a meter around his body, shattered instantly. The explosion whipped up a tornado that tore through the ice, scattering blinding shards in every direction.
The unleashed shockwaves hurled Marine and pirate alike through the air. Tens of thousands in the united army were unable to advance an inch; those within five kilometers were thrown skyward like ragdolls.
Across the field, Garp, Sengoku, Kong, Kaido, Big Mom, and others stared in disbelief.
"Are you kidding me?" Kaido growled. "We struggled to break that barrier with our combined might—and they shattered it with a single strike?!"
"The Gorosei's power is on another level," Big Mom said, her expression grim. "These four are far stronger than the Elder from before."
All around the world, through the live broadcast, people watched in awe and fear.
"The Elders' strength… it's unbelievable!"
"They broke Ashveil's Conqueror's Haki defense in an instant!"
Even Red-Haired Shanks and Dragon of the Revolutionary Army watched with tense faces.
"Two Gorosei could crush Ashveil's barrier," Shanks muttered. "This doesn't look good for him."
"After slaying one Elder, he's drawn out the true fury of the remaining four," Dragon said softly. "Ashveil… hold on."
On the Red-Hair ship, Yasopp and Benn Beckman exchanged wary looks.
"He took down one, sure," Benn exhaled smoke slowly, eyes narrowing, "but the other four… they're monsters."
Shanks's eyes hardened. "The World Government's depth isn't something anyone can measure."
Back on the battlefield, Thorne Ashveil himself looked on with mild surprise.
The strange red flames seemed to devour even his Conqueror's Haki—though only a small fragment of it.
Even so, it impressed him.
He had underestimated the might of this world. For two Elders to shatter his barrier with ease—these were not ordinary opponents.
"If the Gorosei had fought at Marineford back then," he thought, "the Whitebeard Pirates might never have survived."
Straightening, Ashveil smiled faintly. "I truly underestimated you, Gorosei. Let's see how you handle this."
Golden energy surged from his body, swirling upward like firelight.
A new Conqueror's Haki barrier formed—this one shimmering gold and spanning a decimeter from his skin. It was not the same as before. This was the Golden Conqueror's Haki, his ultimate form of defense. Its strength was far above that of an ordinary Haki barrier.
Around him, waves of golden will spread outward, forming an Overlord's Domain that crushed the air itself.
The true battle had begun.
Once the Gorosei fell, only one figure would remain for Thorne Ashveil to challenge—the unseen sovereign of the world, Imu.
The Saint Warcury and Saint Peter faltered, their earlier confidence vanishing.
Their blazing attacks couldn't even touch him.
"What's happening?" Saint Warcury gasped. "Our flames can't pierce his defense!"
"Impossible!" shouted Saint Peter, eyes wide. "Nothing resists our flames—nothing!"
Before their disbelief could settle, the Saint Mars joined the fight. His long white hair and beard extended wildly, enveloping his body in shining light.
Then his form shifted.
With a thunderous roar, he transformed into a massive white dragon, its presence alone enough to fracture the ice beneath.
Every flap of its wings sent shockwaves through the air, the sheer dragon's might making the atmosphere tremble.
Admiral Fujitora, sensing the pressure through Observation Haki, clenched his jaw as sweat streamed down his face.
"Just his presence… is that strong?" he murmured. "This is… terrifying."
The oppressive aura alone rivaled the destructive potential of his own Devil Fruit.
And if Saint Mars were to attack in earnest… no one could imagine the scale of the devastation to come.
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