One Piece: Impel Down's Guard - Chapter 45
When he killed the Celestial Dragons, an indistinct aura began to awaken in Figo’s chest.
His Conqueror’s Haki was awakening at Level 1.
Subsequently, through the Conqueror’s Haki yield from Gerald’s character event, Figo’s Conqueror’s Haki advanced to Level 2, a lower-tier Conqueror’s Haki.
At this point, if he encountered something that intensely stirred his emotions, Figo could unconsciously release the impact of his Conqueror’s Haki. Still, unfortunately, it had never happened over the years.
When he insulted the Five Elders and faced Raoul, the aura in his chest grew again, but Raoul wasn’t strong enough, causing his Conqueror’s Haki to be stuck at 900+ points, unable to reach Level 3.
Until just now, when Mia was thrown over, this aura awakened in Figo’s chest once again, surging forward!
Conqueror’s Haki: 2891
Level 3, Mid-tier Conqueror’s Haki!
At this moment, Figo could freely activate his Conqueror’s Haki, roughly comparable to Luffy’s level after two years of training. While it could easily clear out weaklings, it also had some utility against strong opponents, given his own strength and aura.
Moreover, his identity added a layer of surprise to his Conqueror’s Haki.
Throughout history, very few individuals with the qualifications to awaken the Conqueror’s Haki existed under the World Government and the Navy!
Over the past 700 years, out of hundreds of Admirals and Fleet Admirals, those with Conqueror’s Haki could be counted on one hand. In the original series, Sengoku was the only known Marine with Conqueror’s Haki!
The identity and regulations of the Marines seemed to limit their aura. In contrast, more pirates at the pinnacle awakened it.
Admirals had better foundations, growth potential, and resources to find matching Devil Fruits, leading in every aspect except Conqueror’s Haki. This often resulted in minimal gap between the two sides, or even the strongest in an era emerging from the pirates!
This suddenness helped him gain a precious five seconds. The vice-captain of the Hell Pirates, Jackson, was defeated and fell into the water. Mia and the other Marine captives were saved and pulled back over a hundred meters to the Navy’s side before Zebruth reacted.
His expression turned grim, flames of fury igniting.
Purple-black flames spread around him, and the other vice-captain of the Hell Pirates, the fat Tony, flew towards him, transforming into a pair of metal wings that attached to Zebruth upon contact.
“Clear the way! The boss is angry!”
“Damn bastard, how dare he take down Vice-Captain Jackson…”
“Boss, take him down!”
Amidst the pirates’ clamor, Zebruth flapped his wings, cloaked in purple flames, truly resembling a demon emerging from hell, as he sped towards Figo’s small boat!
On the Navy’s side, Doug didn’t freeze either, shouting, “Aim at him! Fire!”
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Cannons fired in unison, a hundred rounds blasting out!
The large-caliber cannons of the Buster Call, coupled with the elite skills of the Marine gunners, instantly enveloped Zebruth in a dense barrage, trapping him within!
His metal wings folded inward.
The explosive impact reverberated in the sky, halting Zebruth’s advance. Smoke billowed up, and the waves surged, accelerating Figo’s return to the Navy ranks.
But suddenly, a gust of wind dispersed the lingering smoke, revealing Zebruth’s unscathed metal wings and body!
The Hell Shield Tony Toya, a Shield-Shield Fruit user, had developed his fruit to the extent that he claimed to be able to block any attack, even mastering a unique and practical technique called “Glide Shield.”
Doug didn’t hesitate, shouting, “Fire! Fire!!”
One volley after another continued to obstruct Zebruth, buying Figo another dozen seconds. However, before Figo could return with Mia and the others, Zebruth caught up. Purple flames engulfed the small boat!
Figo kept paddling at high speed.
At some point, the Sea Stone handcuffs fell off Sapphire’s wrists. She drew her sword from her waist, slashing upward. A blizzard emanated from her blade, reducing the surrounding temperature by dozens of degrees in an instant, freezing the air and extinguishing the purple flames, colliding with Zebruth!
“Blind Witch?!” Zebruth growled in surprise and anger.
Figo seized the opportunity, leaping up with a powerful rising punch that struck Zebruth’s metal wings, sending him spiraling back.
Immediately, Figo plunged into the water, dragging the boat and its wounded occupants beneath him, hurling them toward the not-so-distant warship. “Hold him off for two seconds!”
Sapphire sprouted white snow wings, soaring up to clash with Zebruth again. White and purple streaks of light danced, momentarily stalemating until Zebruth roared in fury.
“You dare help the Navy?!”
Boom!
Purple flames surged, consuming the white snow!
Sapphire’s body disintegrated, transforming into scattered snowflakes that quickly drifted back, reassembling on the warship with her hand holding the sword trembling slightly, evidently lightly scorched by the flames.
Standing alongside Doug and the five Vice-Admirals, she didn’t respond, facing off against the airborne Zebruth. Meanwhile, Mia and the other captives, whom Figo had thrown back, were secured and treated.
The hostage rescue was successful.
Zebruth glared at Sapphire in extreme anger, then suddenly seemed puzzled. Where had that guy gone?
Sensing with his Observation Haki, he abruptly turned.
Figo had stealthily swum away in the opposite direction underwater. Upon being discovered, he leaped out of the water, once again running on the sea’s surface, this time targeting the pirate ship that had followed Zebruth!
“What is that bastard planning?!” Zebruth didn’t dwell on it, folding his wings and chasing swiftly.
But on the sea, Figo’s legs moved faster and faster! The water splashed to both sides as Figo turned into a blur, with Zebruth unable to catch up momentarily!
In the meantime, the Hell Pirates on the ship, who were cursing the Blind Witch moments ago, noticed the scene and became alert.
“What is he trying to do?!”
“He hasn’t drawn his sword yet. He took down Vice-Captain Jackson with just his fists. Everyone, be careful!”
“Do you need to remind us?!”
“Fire!”
The situation had reversed, but the Hell Pirates’ ship, though well-built, couldn’t match the firepower of the Buster Call warships. They had only one ship, and Figo was a smaller, more elusive target.
The cannon fire didn’t hinder Figo at all. The swordsmen and marksmen among the pirates, their slashes and bullets, only slightly slowed him down.
He was getting closer and closer to the pirate ship.
And he showed no sign of slowing down!
The pirates on the ship gradually realized his intent, their expressions turning to anger and shock. One pirate shouted, “Is he crazy? Hellfire, smash him!”
Only Zebruth, who had briefly clashed with Figo, knew the exaggerated strength hidden in this 2.8-meter-tall man’s body!
He roared, “Bastard, stop!”
Stop? Not a chance!
The pirate ship was right ahead. Figo’s arms swelled instantly, his fists clenching tightly!
“Life Return – War God Punch!”
Engulfed in flowing Armament Haki, his doubled fists collided with the oncoming Hellfire ship!
Booming sounds exploded!
Compared to the dozens of tons of the massive ship, Figo’s figure was minuscule, but upon collision, the moving ship came to an abrupt halt!
Immediately, a penetrating force spread from Figo’s fists, snapping the ship’s frame. This force extended over a hundred meters along the ship’s length, with the bow’s impact echoed by an explosive hole at the stern!
Cracking and collapsing noises ensued.
Under the Hell Pirates’ astonished gazes, the deck shattered and splintered, sending numerous pirates flying in panic!
The stronger officers stabilized, searching for footing, only to realize their ship collapsed irreparably, sinking steadily into the sea!
“What did this bastard do?!”
Zebruth was equally furious. His purple-flamed fist slammed into Figo’s shoulder, momentarily stiffened from the shock. With a bang, Figo was flung like a cannonball, skimming the sea for hundreds of meters before sinking.
Unable to pursue further, Zebruth gritted his teeth, folded his wings, and lifted a few officers from the sinking ship, flying over the warships to land on Witch Island.
Many more pirates fell into the sea.
Bubbles rising, Figo’s head surfaced, peering at the unfolding scene.
Mission accomplished.
The Hell Pirates had many Devil Fruit users, and the sea and Sea Stone were always their weaknesses. Sinking their ship rendered many users helpless in the water!
Zebruth could only save a few main officers, bringing them ashore. The rest of the crew was half-destroyed by Figo’s strike.
But the real challenge lay ahead.
On the edge of Witch Island, the demonic Zebruth was surrounded by even more intense purple flames, his Conqueror’s Haki darkening the sky!
His numbed and sore shoulder reminded Figo of the daunting reality. Zebruth’s strength and physique might surpass his own!
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