Chapter 59: Kirin Lion of Island of Rare Animals? Combine!!!

Time Rewind:

G-5 Fortress, First Half of the New World

The G-5 Fortress, one of the few large naval fortresses in the New World, is located near its entry. It frequently engages in brutal battles with vicious pirates on the front lines.

As the number of pirates increases year after year, the casualty rate among G-5 soldiers has risen, creating immense pressure.

To other naval branches, G-5 is considered an anomaly. It often resembles a group of pirates more than marines. Sometimes, not only do they disregard direct orders from Marine Headquarters, but they also engage in harsh and questionable acts, including the brutal killing of pirates.

"Hm, bad weather today. Looks like it's going to rain."

At the top of a tall watchtower, a lookout lazily leaned against the railing, yawning as he gazed at the gray sky. "It was just sunny a moment ago!"

Muttering to himself, he grabbed his telescope and casually scanned the surrounding sea.

"Front: clear; rear: clear; left: clear; right… wait, what?" His expression suddenly changed.

A shiver ran down his spine as he focused more intently. "What is that?"

In the distant sky, a black dot rapidly grew larger as it approached G-5 Fortress. It was a massive serpent with golden horns and two pairs of enormous wings—one blue and one black.

"That's... there's something out there!"

He quickly shouted to the group of marines lounging below, who were gathered in small, undisciplined groups: "A massive creature with two pairs of wings is approaching from the sea! It's coming in fast... get to level one alert status immediately!"

"What!?"

"A huge creature?"

Bang—Bang—

The marines below were shocked. Sharp alarm bells rang out, echoing throughout the G-5 Fortress.

Though startled, the marines quickly assembled in a tense yet orderly fashion. Despite their casual sailor uniforms and unruly appearance, they moved with deadly precision. These men, though lacking discipline, were fierce and experienced warriors—the elite of the front lines.

"What's happening?"

Hearing the commotion, G-5 Fortress's base commander, Vice Admiral "Swift Foot" Bolte, rushed out of his office, his face flushed. Tall and lanky, he wore a suit on his upper body and casual shorts below, draped in the navy's signature justice cape. His legs were unusually long, a trait of the Longleg Tribe, giving him a strange proportion.

Before the marines could respond, Vice Admiral Bolte instinctively followed their gaze.

"What is that?" His eyes widened in shock.

"It's the Fallen Angel El!"

One of the marine officers recognized the approaching figure and shouted in alarm, "Though his appearance has changed—he's much larger and now has golden horns—but it's definitely him!"

"All units, prepare for combat! The enemy is El, the Lunarian survivor with a bounty of 600 million Beli!"

Whoosh—

Boom—Boom—

Strong winds began to whip across the sea. Dark clouds gathered above, with lightning flashing and thunder rolling. The G-5 marines, still assembling, looked up in horror.

A massive serpent, hundreds of meters long and covered in gleaming greenish-blue metallic scales, soared through the sky, its two mismatched wings beating with immense power. In a flash, it had crossed several kilometers of ocean and hovered above the fortress, darkening the skies.

Merely flapping its wings, the creature exuded a terrifying pressure, causing the marines to pale, sweat breaking out on their foreheads, filling them with unease.

"Hm, the numbers are a bit low... only about five thousand?"

High in the sky, a powerful Haki enveloped the G-5 Fortress. El, having transformed into a massive winged serpent, stared down at the nervous marines, a hint of disappointment in his eyes.

"Hehe, El Onii-chan, ever since you ate the golden horns from the Island of Rare Animals, you've become even more imposing!"

A green-haired giantess sat on the serpent's enormous head, smiling as she touched the shimmering golden horns.

"These horns are said to grant the power to become a 'master.' Though for El, the power they offer might be mediocre, it's better than nothing!" Gerd, also sitting on the serpent's back, laughed. Beside her were two Homies: Thundercloud Zeus and Sun Prometheus.

Indeed, the golden horns on El's head were not a natural part of his Devil Fruit powers. They came from the Island of Rare Animals in the first half of the Grand Line.

Three years ago, the Hell Trading Company had obtained a treasure map related to this island. El personally traveled to the island, searching for half a month before finally finding it. After defeating the island's guardian beast, the Kirin Lion, he claimed the golden crown containing the mysterious power.

After consuming the crown, his body underwent a strange transformation. However, when he transformed into the massive winged serpent, his strong will and powerful Haki allowed him to suppress the mutation. The golden horns then fused with his Devil Fruit ability.

Now, whenever he transformed, the horns would appear, enhancing his powers even further. In his serpent-dragon form, he had become even more fearsome.

"There are people on its back…"

"Wait, are those giants?"

At this moment, the marines below finally noticed the two figures riding on the serpent's back. Compared to the creature's massive size, the figures were tiny, almost negligible. But to normal humans, these two were giants.

"Enough talking… Let's begin!"

In the sky, the massive, imposing serpent calmly spoke: "We've still got a long journey ahead."

"What are you planning, El!?"

Vice Admiral Bolte was drenched in cold sweat, but he mustered the courage to shout at El. He had heard the stories—how El had once joined the giants in attacking G-12 Fortress, and how he later attacked a marine fleet, leaving even Steelbone Kong, now an admiral, unable to capture him. Instead, Kong's fleet suffered heavy losses.

At that time, El had been only nine years old.

Now, eight years later, who knew how much stronger this monster had become? Certainly far beyond what a vice admiral could handle.

"What am I planning?" El's cold, slit-pupiled eyes glared down at Bolte. He sneered and replied, "You'll find out soon enough."

"Hehe, watch this... Combine!!"

At that moment, the giantess Lily, full of excitement, grabbed Gerd's hand and placed the other on the giant serpent.

Flash—

In an instant, the two of them vanished in a burst of light.