Chapter 209: Fallen Angel Pirates vs World Government (4)

"What?!"

"Stealing Devil Fruit abilities?"

"How are they even capable of something like that?"

The shocking words from Fleet Admiral Hammons William sent a wave of disbelief rippling through the World Government forces.

"Is that why they slaughtered all the prisoners in Impel Down?"

Even Saint Mars, along with the other Holy Knights, CP0 agents, and Marines, couldn't hide their astonishment.

All eyes turned toward Fallen Angel El, who stood calmly amidst the battlefield. His composed smile added an unnerving weight to the revelation.

"Could it really be true?"

Recalling the attack on Impel Down—where nearly all prisoners, including those with Devil Fruit abilities, were killed except for a few select captives—a chilling realization swept through them.

The grim possibility caused them to involuntarily shudder.

Even among the Marines, Garp and Sengoku were stunned.

"Devil Fruits regenerate randomly after the user's death. That's common knowledge," Sengoku muttered, sweat running down his face as he stared at the rampaging beasts. "How could they have managed to take those abilities directly?"

"Hey, Sengoku, you better watch your back!"

The Roger Pirates' Rayleigh and Gaban, though equally shocked, couldn't help but smirk.

"Doesn't seem to concern us much," Rayleigh said with a hint of humor. "After all, none of us are Devil Fruit users."

"You..."

Sengoku turned, frustration clear on his face, as Roger leaned casually on his weapon.

Saint Mars, now in his monstrous Itsumade form—wreathed in flames and black clouds—stared at El with a murderous glint.

"So this is the true purpose behind your attack on Impel Down?"

His sharp, raven-like features twisted in both anger and unease.

To Saint Mars, the attack on the world's strongest prison, the mass slaughter, and the targeted escape of only a few select prisoners now fit into a chillingly clear strategy.

"Don't look so surprised."

El's expression remained calm, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

"It's just a simple trick, really."

There was no attempt to hide the truth. After all, it wasn't something that could remain secret.

The power to grant stolen Devil Fruit abilities to his subordinates was already public knowledge through their actions on the battlefield.

"Enough talk! Let's kill them all at once!"

A massive Azure Dragon let out an earth-shaking roar as it surged forward.

The air rippled with heat as clouds of fire billowed around its colossal form.

The dragon's sights locked on the ancient beasts—giant tyrannosaurs, mammoths, and saber-toothed tigers. The rampaging giant warriors, armed with Zoan abilities, were wreaking havoc among the Marine forces.

"Demolishing Wind!"

A massive blade of wind tore through the sky, slicing through the air with deadly precision. It was aimed directly at the charging beasts.

But before the attack could land, El moved like a blur, positioning himself in its path.

With a flick of his enormous Dragon Halberd, he deflected the attack.

"Boom! Boom!"

The wind blades hurtled off course, crashing into a nearby town. Buildings collapsed in an instant, cleaved cleanly apart, leaving the terrain in ruins.

"Damn it! Then I'll deal with you first!"

The Azure Dragon's blood-red eyes locked onto El. Its jaws opened wide, revealing a massive, glowing ball of heat and energy.

"Heat Breath!"

"Crack——"

The temperature in the air spiked instantly.

A blazing ball of fire shot forth, distorting the atmosphere as it roared toward El. Its sheer size and heat promised obliteration for anything caught in its path.

"Boom! Boom!"

Flames engulfed El completely, consuming everything in their path. The firestorm swept through the area, reducing buildings to ash and leaving the ground scorched and cracked.

"Whoosh... whoosh..."

The blaze towered high, and thick black smoke rolled across the battlefield. The once-pristine landscape was now a smoldering ruin, littered with rubble and flame.

The Fallen Angel Pirates stared toward the inferno, shock and concern etched across their faces.

"El-sama…!"

Witnessing this scene, several newcomers to the Fallen Angel Pirates, such as Tsuru, Bangi, Lillian, and Cyril Oka, along with the giant warriors like Helen, Lonz, and Lacroix, were visibly shaken.

It wasn't a question of doubting El's strength; rather, it was because he hadn't made any effort to evade or defend himself. The attack had landed directly, full force, and the sheer power of the flames was terrifying.

"Sizzle... sizzle..."

Yet—emerging from the burning wreckage, the sound of heavy, unhurried footsteps echoed.

A towering, awe-inspiring figure stepped forth from the flames.

"A top-tier ability like the Mythical Zoan: Azure Dragon form, yet this is all you've got?"

El, his flaming mane dancing in the heat, stood unscathed. Black wings unfurled behind him, adding to his imposing stature.

Brushing the ashes off his shoulders, he stared coldly at the massive dragon, his tone dripping with disdain.

"Not even a scratch. Giving such a Devil Fruit to someone of your caliber is a waste."

The Mythical Zoan: Azure Dragon user, though formidable, was weaker than El had anticipated.

"The World Government's strength is undeniable, and their resources run deep," El mused. "Yet this level isn't insurmountable."

The Azure Dragon, despite being enhanced by its newfound ability, remained fundamentally limited. The user, over forty years old with stagnant potential, had only recently acquired the Devil Fruit. While the Azure Dragon form granted incredible endurance and regeneration, these advantages weren't enough to elevate its user to the level of a true "monster."

El estimated that the dragon's power might slightly surpass Cyril Oka's current state as a Mythical Zoan: Kaminari user. However, the difference was marginal.

Oka, a Buccaneer tribesman with a naturally robust physique, had long crossed the threshold into "monster" territory, especially after mastering the Kaminari's abilities. His ongoing battle with Hammons William, the Fleet Admiral, proved that point. Although Oka was slightly disadvantaged, he wasn't being overwhelmed.

The battlefield grew tense as murmurs rippled through the spectators:

"No way… he's completely unharmed?"

"He didn't dodge… didn't even block…"

"Is this the power of the Lunarian race?"

From the Fallen Angel Pirates to the World Government's forces, disbelief was etched onto every face.

El's ability to walk through such a devastating attack as if it were nothing left them utterly dumbfounded.

"You…!"

The Azure Dragon seethed with rage, its massive form trembling in fury. Before obtaining the Azure Dragon fruit, its wielder had been weaker than Saint Denis. Now, with a complete transformation and newfound confidence, he believed he had surpassed Saint Denis and could even crush Saint Howard, the Commander of the Holy Knights.

Yet, here he stood, belittled by El.

"Don't let him provoke you so easily," warned Saint Mars, his cold gaze fixed on El.

"This Lunarian monster isn't someone you can underestimate."

Deep within Saint Mars's mind, he reached out telepathically to the other Five Elders, still stationed in the Holy Land of Mariejois:

Five Elders (via telepathy): "How's the situation?"

Saint Mars: "The Fallen Angel Pirates' strength is far greater than anticipated. If we want to take them down swiftly, you'll need to act."

Five Elders: "Understood. Prepare yourselves—we're ready to move."

Saint Mars's coiled serpentine form, cloaked in eerie flames, exuded an aura of pure malice. His gaze bored into El as he muttered coldly:

"You've crossed the line by provoking the World Government. No matter how strong you are, Lunarian, this ends today."

As he prepared to summon the remaining Elders, a strange crackling sound suddenly filled the air.

"Bzzt—bzzt—bzzt—"

~~~

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