Chapter 133: Saint Howard's Defeat

'Clang!'

At that moment, sparks flew, and waves of heat rippled through the air.

El's flaming, lightning-covered fist—infused with both Armament and Conqueror's Haki—collided with Saint Howard's ornate saber without even making direct contact. The sheer force from the impact sent Saint Howard flying backward like a cannonball, his hands torn and dripping with blood. The strength was overwhelming, leaving him stunned and pale.

"Damn it—"

Hearing Steelbone Kong's call, Saint Howard didn't hesitate. He turned toward Franca Island, surging forward with powerful flaps of his wings. He wasn't a fool; he understood that, with Steelbone Kong—a powerful Navy Admiral known for his strength—sharing the burden, they could at least hold out until World Government reinforcements arrived.

But with El's unique Observation Haki, he had already sensed Saint Howard's intentions, ensuring he wouldn't let him retreat to the island without a fight.

With a powerful sweep of his four wings, El accelerated instantly, intercepting Saint Howard and blocking his path. "You're staying right here!"

"Get out of my way!" Saint Howard shouted furiously. Shining with intense holy light, he swung his blade wildly, fighting with everything he had.

"Holy Light Slash!"

One after another, radiant slashes of holy light tore through the atmosphere, bombarding El with relentless force.

"Pointless struggle…" El's face was calm, his gaze icy and filled with lethal intent. His four wings, surrounded by storm winds and powerful lightning, beat fiercely. "Silver Reincarnation Burst!"

'Whoosh—'

A colossal whirlwind charged with wind and lightning erupted outward, tearing through the air with unimaginable force.

The ocean roared and churned as massive waves rose, drawn into the violent silver tornado, creating a swirling maelstrom.

The tornado, vast as a storm itself, carried endless spinning wind blades and crackling bolts of lightning, tearing apart everything in its path. Fish, sea creatures, and anything in its way were instantly shredded to bits, leaving only a mist of blood in its wake.

'Boom! Boom!'

In a flash, the powerful tornado, bristling with destruction, clashed with Saint Howard's holy light slashes. It tore through them effortlessly, devouring the holy energy as it pressed toward the now-frantic Saint Howard.

"Triple Holy Shield!"

'Boom! Boom!'

But the unstoppable tornado crashed through three layers of radiant holy shields in succession, each one shattering as Saint Howard struggled to keep his balance, shrouded in Armament Haki as he desperately resisted the assault. Overwhelmed, he was finally engulfed by the fierce lightning-charged whirlwind.

"Aaaah!"

'Boom! Boom!'

Saint Howard's blood sprayed as his battered form barely escaped the swirling chaos, only to be met by an immense trough carved deep into the sea where the tornado had cleaved through.

"Saint Howard!"

Witnessing this, Steelbone Kong, still on the shoreline, seethed with anger and dread. His mouth glowed as he gathered energy and unleashed a powerful beam of lightning toward El's distant figure. "Multiple Thunder Roar!"

'Crack! Crack!'

A barrage of deadly lightning bolts sped toward El, but with his Observation Haki, El effortlessly anticipated the assault. He dodged each beam with ease, his movements swift and unbothered.

"Mamamama… you won't be interfering again!" Linlin's voice rang out like a devil's taunt as she descended, her massive sword raised to strike down at Steelbone Kong.

"Mighty Nation!"

The air trembled under the force of her strike, and a powerful wave of sword energy surged forward.

Steelbone Kong's expression shifted as he barely managed to evade the incoming blow, his senses heightened as his hairs stood on end.

'Boom! Boom!'

The ocean roared and sprayed water everywhere, leaving a massive trench on its surface that refused to close for a long time.

Steelbone Kong's interference had indeed bought the heavily injured Holy Knight Supreme Commander Saint Howard a brief moment to catch his breath.

"Cough... damn it…"

At that moment, the prestigious Supreme Commander of the Holy Knights looked battered and bloodied, with countless burns and deep, jagged wounds across his body, some reaching down to the bone. His appearance was dreadful, his once-pristine angelic wings now tattered, with the left wing torn and bloody.

And that was despite Howard covering himself in Armament Haki and desperately dodging and defending. Otherwise, he might have been shredded by the endless blades of wind within El's devastating storm.

"Haah… haah…" he panted, blood dripping continuously as he stood, disheveled and looking like a beggar. Gritting his teeth, he activated his Devil Fruit ability again. "Holy Restoration!"

Blinding holy light surrounded him, healing his wounds visibly. However, though his injuries closed rapidly, his wing didn't regenerate.

'Whoosh—'

Just then, El moved like lightning, surrounded by flashes of thunder and a violent storm, closing the distance at incredible speed.

"Hmph—" With a fist covered in Armament and Conqueror's Haki, blazing with electricity and flames, he struck relentlessly.

'Clang!'

Howard barely managed to block the powerful punch with his blade, but the force tore his hand, sending him flying backward, blood dripping from his injured grip.

'Whoosh…'

Immediately, El's four wings flared, and he vanished again, reappearing right behind Howard like a ghost. Howard's instincts screamed as his eyes widened in terror. "Holy Shield!"

'Boom! Boom!'

'Clang! Clang!'

The two clashed in mid-air, with El's overwhelming speed and power forcing Saint Howard into a defensive stance. If it weren't for his Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit's angelic powers, allowing him to resist and heal himself continuously, El would have torn him to pieces by now.

Clearly, the gap in strength between them was not something easily bridged. If they were on solid ground, Howard might have lasted longer. But in the sky, El had the advantage. His natural Lunarian abilities combined with his Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit powers made him nearly unstoppable in aerial combat, outpacing Howard's flight speed and agility.

'Clang!'

As time passed, more blood fell.

Saint Howard's sword clashed against El's relentless blows, but the loss of blood and his continuous healing were exhausting his strength. The earlier injury to his wing further impaired his agility.

'Bang!' With one powerful strike, El landed a brutal blow on Howard's body, sending him hurtling through the sky, vomiting blood.

'Whoosh—'

In a flash, El appeared behind him with terrifying speed, grabbing hold of his remaining wing.

'Rip!'

"Aaaah!" Howard screamed in agony as blood spattered everywhere; both of his wings were ripped off completely.

Already weakened and unable to heal in time, Howard's anguished cries filled the air as he swung his sword furiously at El.

'Clang!' Sparks flew, but El remained unfazed. His mane of flames flared up behind him as he stood unyielding against Howard's desperate, weakened attack. His Haki-enhanced senses and readiness kept him invulnerable, while Howard's hasty counterattacks failed to even stagger him.

El's face twisted with deadly intent as he clawed his hands into Howard's shoulders, restraining him effortlessly despite his frantic struggles.

'Whoosh—' With immense strength, El launched the defeated Commander down toward the ocean below.

"Get down there!" he roared.

"Damn you, Fallen Angel El!" Howard's bloody form plummeted through the air, screaming defiantly, yet powerless to stop his descent.

'Boom! Boom!'

~~~

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