Ain's strength had already reached SSSS- tier, and she had also developed the Rumble-Rumble Fruit to the stage of initial awakening, placing her among the strongest of the SSSS- tier.
But when that surging pressure rolled in, she still felt like she could barely breathe.
At the very least, it was pressure released by an existence two whole tiers above her!
And that pressure carried an ancient, desolate vastness—noble and far-reaching, filled with a primeval, barbaric aura that didn't seem like something a human could possess.
"Besides Imu and the Five Elders… Mary Geoise actually has something this terrifying hidden here."
A fine sheen of sweat appeared on Ain's forehead.
This was a miscalculation.
If that supreme powerhouse joined the Five Elders and Kaido's battle, the World Government would quickly gain the upper hand!
In the next moment, Ain finally saw what it was—
A gigantic flying dragon!
It was sweeping in from afar, wreathed in blazing thunderfire, its momentum shocking!
A familiar feeling surfaced in her heart, along with the memory it brought.
That sky dragon she'd seen at sea that day… wasn't it this very one?!
"I can't let you join their battle!"
Ain drew Crimson, and her body began to elementalize as she prepared to intercept!
At the same time, Falkor on her shoulder suddenly let out a roar at the incoming dragon!
"Roar!"
The dragon's cry boomed—ancient and powerful!
Its meaning was obvious: I'm your opponent!
Then it whispered a couple of words into Ain's ear before shooting straight up and charging in.
Its body swelled with the wind. By the time it reached the other dragon, it had already transformed into a colossal dragon three to four hundred meters long.
"This—?!"
Ain hesitated.
The little guy was telling her not to interfere—saying this was some kind of "battle of destiny"!
"Falkor!"
Ain had already vaguely guessed the truth.
That incoming dragon… might be the "Uranus" Creed-nii had mentioned.
One of the three Ancient Weapons—the Sky King!
And Creed-nii had also told her: Falkor might be the other "Uranus," the one that had lost the struggle for the throne.
Thinking of that, she finally understood why Falkor called it a destined clash!
"Falkor, you have to win… you and Creed-nii both have to win!"
She prayed in her heart—then quickly forced herself to focus again, ready to carry out the duty of this trip!
"Ha!"
All of a sudden, a vast, blood-soaked sword aura shot into the sky, pointing straight at the Ark Maxim!
"So it's here!"
Ain's pupils shrank!
Blood Shadow!
But at that moment, a blood-red sword light also soared up in the distance, streaking toward this place at high speed!
It was Redfield!
This time, he was responsible for intercepting Blood Shadow!
Having fully awakened his Bat-Bat Fruit and already stepped into SSSS-tier overall combat power, he was the perfect match for Blood Shadow—who likewise possessed the ability to dominate blood.
Ain swung Crimson!
Raishin (Thunder Quake)!
Lightning tore open the air, producing an unmatched shockwave that pressed down and made the surging tide of blood-light stall for a moment!
Ain slashed down through the void with Crimson!
Banrai (Ten Thousand Thunderbolts)!
"Rumble—!"
Purple lightning crashed down in the next instant, blasting apart that swath of blood-red sword light.
"Hm?!"
Blood Shadow hadn't expected that such a delicate-looking beauty could wield the Rumble-Rumble Fruit with such brutal power.
He'd underestimated her.
That was only natural—during the previous great war, Ain's strength had still been lacking. Who would've thought that today she'd risen another tier, enough to trade blows with him?
"Dark!"
Redfield's sword light arrived as well, forcing Blood Shadow to turn his blade to defend.
"Looks like fate insists I fight you."
Redfield sneered, feeling the hot blood in his body boil.
Not only because of the opponent—also because of the opponent's power.
Blood Shadow's sensation… was no weaker than his!
"Interesting—too interesting! I missed my chance to fight you to my heart's content that day. What a pity!"
Blood Shadow laughed loudly, pointing from afar.
"Come!"
Three thousand li away, atop a mountain peak nearly as lofty as Mary Geoise itself, Creed's figure landed.
He looked at Imu, who stood a few hundred meters away with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing down at the world below.
"Why won't you rule this world with me?"
Imu let out a faint sigh as he asked.
He had once had his confidant Aegis convey that intent—but Creed had refused.
"I already told your subordinate before. If I become king, I don't need anyone to 'anoint' me. The throne—I'll sit on it myself."
Creed replied calmly.
"Spine and pride… but I hope you can keep that up."
Imu extinguished the last trace of recruitment in his heart.
A nearly transparent longsword suddenly appeared in his hand.
Saijō Ōwazamono: Kokū (Void)!
Perhaps among the Supreme Grade Swords, it was one of the very best!
This Saijō Ōwazamono was utterly unlike any other famed blade in the world—its design was simple and ancient, lacking any ornate structure. In Imu's hand, it looked like a faint, pale gleam.
It was practically transparent; if you weren't careful, you could overlook its very existence.
"The number one among the Saijō Ōwazamono—surpassing even Yoru. Void. Imu… please grant me instruction!"
Imu spoke like a devout swordsman seeking guidance, even offering Creed a formal salute.
"Zanpakuto: Hyorinmaru (Ice Ring). Saijō Ōwazamono: Rinne (Reincarnation)."
Creed returned the salute.
"Creed… present!"
(End of Chapter)
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