"You seek death."
Akainu finally snapped after being called a dead dog one time too many. Magma splashed violently from his body as a terrifying wave of energy surged into his right fist. Even before the match officially began, he launched the first attack.
"Magma Devourer!"
The atmosphere trembled. Heat blasted outward, and the ground quaked beneath their feet. Akainu appeared beside Atticus in an instant, his magma-coated fist like a blazing red locomotive tearing through the air as it barreled toward Atticus's chest.
Atticus narrowed his eyes, the temperature in his gaze dropping to ice. If Akainu had not provoked him so relentlessly, Atticus might have admired him in certain aspects.
Akainu's magma ability was impressive. Instead of emphasizing pure heat, he had developed devastating explosive power and overwhelming force, like a raging volcanic eruption. In that sense, he truly was the most fitting person to wield the Magma-Magma Fruit.
But unfortunately for him, today he had to die.
Just as Akainu's fist was about to crash into him, Atticus vanished.
A crater erupted where he had stood, leaving Akainu silently cursing in frustration.
A cold voice echoed behind him.
"Dead dog, you're too slow."
Akainu's instincts screamed. His muscles tensed, and he dropped into a crouch.
A split second later, the air above his head exploded as a jet-black whip-kick ripped through the atmosphere, its pressure so great it produced a sonic boom.
Atticus flipped backward effortlessly, landing in the air as a long spear of flame materialized in his right hand. The spearhead was jet-black, hardened with Armament Haki.
Without hesitation, he hurled it downward. The blazing spear shot through the air with a sharp whistle, aiming straight for Akainu.
Hearing the piercing sound above, Akainu's face twisted. He rolled aside in a clumsy yet necessary dodge. Even with his Observation Haki sensing Atticus's attack, his body couldn't keep pace.
"Flame Ray!"
Suspended in the air, Atticus pressed forward without mercy. Ten blazing beams erupted one after another, each radiating intense heat as they thundered toward Akainu.
"Enough!" Akainu roared, humiliated and furious beyond words.
"Dog-Tooth Crimson Lotus!"
Magma exploded upward like a volcanic eruption, smoke coiling through the air.
The battlefield was swallowed by chaos. Sand blasted into the sky, shockwaves rippled outward, and the ground split apart from the violent collision of heat and flame.
"You say 'enough' and that's supposed to stop me?"
The hateful voice behind him made Akainu's blood run cold. He turned just in time to see a ferocious flaming claw descending upon him in a savage kick.
Atticus had shifted into his half-beast form.
Akainu had no time to counter. He thrust his magma-covered right arm up in a desperate guard.
The impact boomed across the battlefield. The ground beneath them shattered, cracks spreading in every direction.
Akainu staggered back with a pained grunt, his right arm trembling from the blow.
He barely caught his breath before dread seized him again.
"Fire God's Spear."
Atticus raised his hands. Flames blanketed the sky. In moments, a massive spear of condensed fire, nearly a hundred meters long, coalesced above him like a falling meteor.
"Great Eruption!"
Akainu braced himself, hurling countless magma spheres upward in a desperate attempt to counter.
Explosions shook the island. The world seemed to split apart, consumed by flame and magma.
"Endless Arrows."
Behind Atticus, countless golden-red weapons—blades, spears, swords, halberds—took shape in midair. He extended his hand, a wicked smile touching his lips.
Under Akainu's horrified stare, he pointed forward.
The sky rained death.
"Dark Hound!"
Desperate, Akainu slammed his magma-coated hands into the ground. The earth erupted as a colossal beast of molten rock lunged upward.
"Extreme Speed."
Atticus crouched. His legs transformed into golden talons, flames roaring around them as he launched forward. The ground shattered beneath him.
Kizaru, watching from afar, clenched his fists, his face pale.
"He's finally unleashing everything."
Sengoku and the others tensed. They knew what it meant. Atticus was done holding back.
The ground burst open as Atticus vanished, reappearing above Akainu in the blink of an eye.
"Finger Pistol, Golden Crow Claw!"
A devastating strike dropped from above. The pressure alone contorted Akainu's face.
"Dark Hound!"
Flames and magma collided. Akainu's feet sank into the ruined ground as the surrounding terrain buckled from the force.
"Finger Pistol, Feathered Wings!"
A golden wing, blackened and hardened like obsidian, slammed downward.
"Magma Shield!"
A magma wall rose instantly, coated with Armament Haki as it braced for impact.
"Endless Arrows!"
"Great Eruption!"
"Extreme Speed!"
Akainu's defenses crumbled. He was hurled backward, rolling violently across the ground, a long gash carved beneath him.
Atticus kept pushing. With his speed impossibly high, Akainu had no choice but to endure. His body now sported bruises and burns, blood dripping from his lip.
Only his occasional elementalization saved him from more severe injuries.
Atticus exhaled sharply, chest rising with exertion.
"Dead dog, you really live up to the name. Barely hanging on."
His hair was a disheveled mess, falling around his hardened golden-red eyes. Even in this wild state, no one dared underestimate him.
"Hmph… What can you actually do to me?" Akainu growled, battered but still standing.
"What can I do? You'll find out soon. One mistake and you drop dead."
Atticus loosened his shoulders, the cold smile returning.
"Release. Full Beast Form."
Heat flooded the island. Golden-red light washed across the sky as flames surged upward like a tidal wave.
A piercing screech rang out. A colossal flaming creature hovered in the sky, radiating nobility, savagery, and overwhelming power.
"This… This…" Tsuru stood abruptly, stunned.
"Is that the Flame Bird?"
Shock spread across the high platform. The creature was far too powerful.
"Tsuru, are you saying that's an Ancient Zoan?" Garp asked, frowning at the immense aura.
Tsuru shook her head slowly. "I've never seen this Devil Fruit before. Atticus claimed it was an Ancient Zoan, but at this point, I'm certain it's a Mythical Zoan. It's rarer than any Logia."
In the Holy Land, the Five Elders watched through a Den Den Mushi, faces hardening.
"What Devil Fruit is that?"
"Fascinating."
"Powerful enough to contend with a Logia… He's developed it well."
"Has this Fruit ever appeared before?"
"No."
"Then new things are emerging on that side again."
Silence fell over the room.
"How is Gol D. Roger's status?"
"His whereabouts are unknown."
"He must be found. And he must die. Since he has been there, he knows too much. We cannot risk those people appearing in this world again."
The room grew darker.
"Regardless of the past… Gol D. Roger cannot live."
"Increase surveillance. And neither Atticus nor Akainu can die yet."
"Agreed. The final moment is approaching."
The battle continued to rage, the island trembling beneath the clash of flame and magma.
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