Under a clear blue sky, a white figure flickered with unimaginable speed.
In almost a single sencond, Renji could traverse thousands of meters. It was hard to imagine how terrifying his speed had become.
His azure eyes constantly shimmered with light, but a shadow hung over his face. His expression was currently frighteningly grim.
Purururu... Purururu...
From just now until this moment, the Den Den Mushi Renji had called Akainu on still hadn't connected.
Given Akainu's personality, even if he had something urgent, it was impossible for him not to carry a Den Den Mushi with him. So, there were only two possibilities:
Either his communication line was cut, or Akainu was entangled in some troublesome situation.
Renji leaned more towards the latter.
A problem that could prevent someone of Akainu's strength from disengaging, especially as he was the Fleet Admiral.
The answer was already quite obvious.
"Akainu couldn't possibly be unaware of my dismissal and warrant, nor could he remain indifferent after learning that the Gorosei issued such an order."
"So, a fight has broken out, huh..."
At Renji's current speed, it would take him less than ten minutes to reach Mary Geoise at full throttle.
Boom!
Earth-shattering sounds continuously emanated from Mary Geoise.
"What's going on? Is that Fleet Admiral Akainu?!"
"Why is he causing such a commotion in the Celestial Dragons' Ancestral Land? Does he not want to be a Marine anymore?!"
"If this continues, the entire Ancestral Land will turn into a sea of fire."
Under the horrified gaze of the CP agents, massive molten lava fireballs continuously erupted from the ground, spewing thick black smoke, then crashing down somewhere.
The terrifying power exploded, comparable to a meteor falling, and large areas of buildings were instantly obliterated.
"Hoo... Hoo..."
Akainu, enveloped in molten lava, was panting heavily. If he were to dispel his elemental awakening state now, others would surely see that he was completely drenched in sweat, and his body was covered in blood. Every part of his body indicated that he was at his limit, but his eyes still burned with stubborn fighting spirit.
"Akainu, your strength is formidable, but unfortunately, you've used it in the wrong place." Warcury, transformed into a giant wild boar, snorted.
Nusjuro, transformed into a skeletal centaur, had a grim expression.
Engaging the Gorosei and Garling, the leader of the God's Knights simultaneously, and being able to last until now was sufficient proof of Akainu's strength.
However, it was clear that against these top powerhouses, all possessing three types of powerful Haki, Akainu, alone, appeared too weak.
Figarland Garling, holding a sharp blade and enveloped in powerful Conqueror's Haki, stomped the ground and then leaped high into the sky.
After the intense battle just now, Garling and the Gorosei, working together, had successfully located the true position of Akainu's elementalized body.
High in the sky, lightning formed by Conqueror's Haki roared, causing the entire sky to tremble and change color. An incomparably sharp slash and Conqueror's Haki perfectly merged. Within it was an air of solemnity, as if a higher-dimensional being was looking down.
The next moment.
Garling aimed at a specific point and unleashed this skill, which only a God's Knights commander could master, with all his might.
"Divine Advent!"
Instantly, after that power condensed and took shape in the sky, Akainu felt an unprecedented life-or-death crisis.
A stinging sensation, as if thorns were on his back, spread throughout his body. Even his cells were warning Akainu that in his current state, taking this attack head-on would mean death.
A crimson light reflected in the depths of Akainu's eyes. This scene before him, the technique Garling used, was remarkably similar to Divine Departure, used by Shanks two years ago during the Marineford War.
One named Divine Departure, the other named Divine Advent.
Akainu now understood some of the subtle connections between them.
Unlike Shanks' Divine Departure, the Divine Advent used by Garling, besides Conqueror's Haki and swordsmanship, seemed to incorporate a power Akainu did not understand.
He didn't have time for deeper thought.
A dazzling crimson lightning bolt descended from the sky, like a brilliant meteor, plummeting to the earth with an unparalleled domineering aura.
Impact Wave!
In the instant Akainu lost his focus, just before the attack that was about to extinguish his life fell, a Haki so powerful that even he, in his prime, would be shocked by it, erupted into existence.
Even several of the Gorosei, who had transformed into monstrous beasts, couldn't help but look sideways.
Then, an earth-shattering impact tore through the sky, like a dazzling, brilliant starry galaxy, illuminated by the solemn golden light of the Great Buddha, together forming a golden long river.
Divine Advent and Impact Wave collided.
The world fell silent, and Mary Geoise was completely separated by two beams of light, one red and one gold. After an unknown period of time, the red light slowly dissipated.
Colors returned to the world, and everyone's five senses reconnected to their brains.
A supremely solid Buddha stood amidst that hell of molten lava.
Within the Buddha's body, there seemed to be another world, with a hanging galaxy and infinite starlight, reflecting and merging with the warm light.
"Sengoku, Garp, you two!"
"Why are you here?!"
Warcury, transformed into a giant wild boar, spoke almost through gritted teeth, his ferocious body trembling, showing his extreme rage.
If Akainu wasn't apprehended soon, Imu would probably get angry very quickly. At that time, even the Gorosei would be in mortal danger.
They absolutely could not allow such a situation to happen.
"Kyahahaha, Sengoku, you've gotten old." A hearty laugh rang out.
Garp completely ignored Warcury's questioning. His face reflected the golden light. As he moved his arms, he looked at the massive figure beside him and couldn't help but laugh until tears came to his eyes.
"You bastard! At a time like this, you can still laugh?!"
In contrast, the Golden Buddha had a solemn expression. Sengoku was quite helpless with his old comrade beside him, but could only verbally scold him a few times.
Under the increasingly grim expressions of the Gorosei, walking towards them were a golden Buddha with a beer belly, and a sturdy elderly figure.
Buddha Sengoku and Hero Garp, arriving together.