The black flame greatsword plunged into the ground, and right away, dark patterns began spreading from that spot. In the blink of an eye, they formed a huge magic circle across several kilometers around.
Complex patterns were carved into the ground, and at that moment, the pressure on Garp and the others suddenly eased.
But the next instant, an even stronger force came down.
Their pupils shrank as they saw dozens of three-eyed people suddenly clasp their hands together. With the black flame greatsword at the center, they stood piously at each node of the magic circle.
"Stop!"
Sengoku shouted loudly. This sudden heavy pressure was intense, but strangely, it did not lock them in place like the three-eyed people's mental power had before.
The pressure mostly weighed on their hearts, filling them with terror.
So he was still able to turn into the great Buddha. In his panic, he instinctively used the Tathagata Divine Palm he had learned for a few months. The massive golden Buddha body swung a palm, unleashing a huge burst of power.
This was the first time he used the Tathagata Divine Palm so smoothly. Vast Haki wrapped around the golden body, turning it into an unmatched strike.
But at that moment, Tunfo had already dropped the black flame greatsword in his hand, letting it stay planted in the center of the magic circle. He himself released black flames again, forming a shield to block in front of Sengoku's palm.
The massive impact sent Tunfo flying back, while Sakaki controlled ice and snow as if to freeze the black flame greatsword. Garp also charged forward, ready to smash the black flames apart.
In that instant, they all sensed the terror of the black flame greatsword—far greater than Tunfo's!
Boom!
But just as Garp was about to throw his punch, a black shadow appeared in front of him. His pupils shook as he saw the shadow throw a punch too, clashing with Garp's fist.
At once, their Haki collided. The opponent's strength caught Garp off guard; this punch actually sent him flying back!
"Barrett?"
After steadying himself, Garp looked at the shadow's true face and said doubtfully.
Yes, though greatly changed, it was still faintly recognizable as Barrett...
But how could that be?
Not long ago, he had seen Barrett, who was strong but nowhere near his level.
Yet now, Barrett had pushed him back?
It was a surprise attack, but that was already impressive. After all, he was in Nine Tails mode right now, and in this world, only a handful of people could push him back.
No matter how much he doubted it, the one in front of him could only be Barrett. In just a few months, Barrett had grown to this level.
After the double boost from the monster cells and Aatrox's magic transformation, Barrett was now close to a true powerhouse in this world. But he knew that now he faced a real test.
That sword had remade his body and given him an immense craving. Now was the time to release that craving.
He had to grasp that sword, but once he did, the demon inside would take over his body.
His only way out now was to grab the sword and then let others defeat him, resealing the sword!
"Your era is about to end."
Barrett said in a deep voice. "Watch closely... she's here."
As soon as he spoke, the black flame greatsword in the center changed dramatically.
Black flames shot up into the sky, as if connecting with the dark heavens. The flames burned wildly and spread, faintly forming the image of a huge demon!
The demon seemed to roar and mock the world with wild abandon. Evil hatred rushed toward them, making it hard for everyone to breathe.
Then, in the center of the original magic circle, a massive demon sword appeared.
Barrett stood nearby. He looked at the people around him and said coldly, "Try your best to beat me, or this world is doomed."
Now, Aatrox's magic had fully remade him. His body had reached its limit for now, at least able to withstand Aatrox's power erosion for a while.
The Sword Demon Aatrox's power was endless, but few could bear it. No matter the human, they would eventually be destroyed completely by his power.
He had used magic to remake Barrett's body so he could last longer. Now was the time for Aatrox to truly appear!
"No way!"
Garp, Sengoku, Sakaki, and Ah Xing all sensed a deadly danger approaching in that moment. Almost at the same time, they launched attacks on Barrett.
"It's no use. It's already too late..."
On the other side, Tunfo had returned at some point, unharmed. Seeing this, he said softly.
"No one can stop what is fated."
And so...
Faster than them, Barrett's hand gripped the massive demon sword.
The last time he had touched it was not long ago, when Barrett had already prepared himself. And now, as expected...
In that instant, he clearly felt the demon's will—far stronger than the shock on the battlefield before, by who knows how many times.
In his inner world, a massive demon face emerged from the dark clouds, sweeping through the layers and opening its huge mouth to devour him.
Barrett had almost no power to resist as the giant mouth swallowed him. Then he felt a sense of falling, endlessly dropping downward, with no end in sight.
The demon's mad laughter echoed in his ears, mixed with countless hatreds and angers, as if to burn its rage across the whole world and baptize all life with its hatred turned to blood!
Though he had known early on that this was a demon, only now did Barrett truly understand what kind of monster he had just released.
Even Barrett, with little conscience or sense of justice, felt like he had personally unleashed a demon from Pandora's box, bringing blood and fire to this world...
This world might be destroyed!
Even Garp and the others could not stop this monster. No one could!
Barrett had thought that with powerhouses like Garp, Sengoku, and Sakaki teaming up, no demon could beat them. That was why he wanted to borrow their strength to defeat the demon and free his body.
But...
He was wrong!
Because what he had released was...
The End!
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