Compared to the Four Emperors or the blueprint of Pluton, the threat posed by Phantom to the World Government was constant and ever-present.
In an instant, the atmosphere on the battlefield shifted completely.
"Facing ten thousand enemies alone?"
The Empress murmured softly to herself, clearly surprised. "Foolish dragon… it seems you are in trouble.
These men are no small fry; they are ruthless brutes and killers who have fought their way back from the brink of death countless times."
"Is that so?" Vladimir chuckled softly. "You aren't interested in the blueprint? This might very well be your best chance to take it."
The Empress let out a cold huff, a faint smile touching her lips. "I only want to drag you back to Amazon Lily. Time and time again you have tricked me, eaten and drunk at my expense, and mocked my people… I intend to settle every single debt with you."
She paused for a moment, then added: "However… you have shown me kindness before. I suppose I shall help you just this once!"
"Hahaha…" Vladimir laughed heartily. His right hand turned slightly, and instantly, the sacred blade Dragon Blood Radiance materialized in his grasp.
"Little insects like these? Hardly worth mentioning. I beat Emperors as easily as I beat stray dogs!"
With that, he pointed the tip of his sword toward the crowd of pirates.
"I am Vladimir. You are all welcome to come at me at once."
"Go on then… all of you, attack together."
Vladimir pointed his sword at the masses, and Dragon Blood Radiance hummed with a sharp, clear ring.
Witnessing this, the anger in the hearts of many flared wildly. His sheer boldness in facing ten thousand men alone was terrifying, yet mixed with that fear was intense rage — a complex mixture of emotions.
"ATTACK!"
Kaido roared at the top of his lungs.
Responding to his cry, the colossal elephant Jack charged forward at full speed.
He lowered his massive head, aiming his two long, sharp tusks straight at Vladimir.
It was pure, absolute brute force, capable of crushing everything in its path. Like an unstoppable war chariot, nothing seemed able to block him.
"Jack the Drought."
Vladimir remained calm and unhurried. He simply raised Dragon Blood Radiance horizontally to meet the charge.
CLANG!
A clear, ringing sound echoed out as the tusks struck the blade with immense force, pushing Vladimir backward step by step.
"Vladimir!!"
Jack's massive eyes widened like bronze bells. An elephantine roar rumbled from his throat as he focused every ounce of his physical strength into those two tusks. "DIE!"
Suddenly, Vladimir's feet planted firmly into the ground. His retreating body halted instantly.
With a heavy THUD, the elephant's momentum was completely stopped, unable to advance even an inch further.
"Star and dust, flesh of beasts, spires, crimson crystals, wheels of steel… movement is wind, stillness is void… the clash of spears fills the empty castle… Hadō Number Sixty-Three: Raikōhō!"
In a slow, chanting voice, Vladimir raised his left hand, aiming it directly at Jack from dozens of meters away.
Spiritual energy gathered in his palm, crackling with golden lightning. With a sharp ZZZT, it transformed instantly into a massive blast of electrical light.
BOOM!
In the blink of an eye, the Raikōhō engulfed the giant elephant.
Amidst the smoke and blinding light of the explosion, Jack's agonized screams could be heard clearly.
"Destruction Punch!"
Suddenly, a powerful shout cut through the noise.
It was a middle-aged man wearing a royal crown. He closed the distance instantly and threw a punch downward, aiming straight for Vladimir.
"The King of Destruction… instead of ruling your own kingdom properly, you come here to meddle in affairs. You truly have a death wish."
Vladimir spoke softly, then leaped lightly, easily evading the strike.
The King of Destruction's fist slammed into the ground. BAM!
Centered exactly where he landed, the earth within a radius of over ten meters suddenly crumbled and collapsed, forming a huge crater.
Watching from a distance, Marco spoke quickly to Whitebeard: "That's the King of Destruction, user of the Smash-Smash Paramecia Fruit. He is extremely dangerous too, Father. Should we keep watching from here, or choose a side to help?"
"No… everyone get back and stay far away!"
Whitebeard's expression was grave as he ordered his crew to retreat.
Meanwhile, the King of Destruction, having missed his target, prepared to strike again.
But suddenly, high above his head, a gigantic dark hand materialized and descended upon him.
"Hand of Hell!"
Vladimir clenched his hand from dozens of meters away.
Instantly, a terrifying demonic power surged forth, condensing into a massive shadowy hand that plummeted down from the sky.
"What kind of technique is this?!"
The King of Destruction froze in shock. It was too late to dodge — the dark hand had already reached him.
CRASH!
With a single swiping motion, he was instantly overwhelmed and smashed deep into the crater below.
The explosion sent shockwaves rippling outward, and the demonic energy swept across the area like a cold, sinister wind.
"One hit…" someone whispered, horrified. "That was terrifying… is he really even human?!"
Hand of Hell was a technique belonging to the great demon, Ibaraki Dōji — summoning a gigantic arm straight from hell to crush the enemy.
Before, when Vladimir's true form was just a basic Phantom God, the only ability he could use from Ibaraki Dōji was the Black Flames.
But after advancing to Three-Star level, everything changed.
Although each Phantom Avatar could still only grant one ability, he was now free to choose which ability he wanted to use.
For instance, right now, he had chosen Hand of Hell, which meant he could not use the Black Flames temporarily.
He even had a premonition: if he continued to raise the level of his Phantom God rank, sooner or later, he would be able to use all the abilities of every single Phantom Avatar at will!
"Hahaha…"
Having crushed the so-called King of Destruction with a single move, Vladimir hovered in mid-air, looking down upon all the pirates below.
"Attacking me one by one… you wouldn't even be able to touch the hem of my coat. Kaido… are you planning to let these people die in your place? To wear down my strength?"
Hearing this, Kaido's expression darkened. He snorted coldly.
"No matter how strong you are, your stamina and energy have limits! Surrounded by this many people, you will eventually be defeated! Do not fear him — everyone, attack together!"
With that, he moved first. He stomped his right foot against the ground and shot straight up into the sky with tremendous force.
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