In that instant, the eternal daylight of Enies Lobby vanished, replaced by an extreme and terrifying golden radiance.
Countless eye-like golden light spheres appeared across the sky, each one containing terrifying destructive power.
"He's trying to destroy the entire island?!"
Ronan's pupils contracted sharply as the Zhangba Serpent Spear in his hand trembled violently.
"We… we can't possibly block an attack like this!" Usopp collapsed onto the ground in terror as he stared at the dense rain of death about to descend from the heavens.
"Nami! Can you still use a large-scale electromagnetic cannon?" Ronan turned toward her.
"No… my stamina's completely drained." Nami's face was pale, and even the golden ring behind her had stopped rotating.
Just as the endless golden light was about to devour everything—
Purururu… Purururu…
An extremely abrupt Den Den Mushi ringtone echoed from Kizaru's chest.
The Admiral's descending hands suddenly halted.
Frowning slightly, he pulled out the Den Den Mushi and answered the call.
"What?"
"…Retreat? You've already successfully captured Fire Fist Ace? Understood. I get it."
After hanging up, Kizaru looked down at Ronan and the others, who were still on full alert, then let out a quiet breath. The surrounding golden radiance vanished like smoke in an instant.
"Since the more important 'prey' has already been caught, and in order to ensure the next stage of the plan proceeds smoothly, my mission today… ends here."
Above Enies Lobby, the golden net of light that moments ago seemed capable of vaporizing all existence collapsed instantly, dispersing into countless drifting motes before fading into the cold air.
The suffocating pressure of Admiral Kizaru receded like a retreating tide. Only the mournful sound of sea wind sweeping through the ruins remained.
Ronan slowly relaxed his battle stance. The Vajra Inner Energy raging within his body gradually stabilized.
"Whatever order had a higher priority than this battle, there's no denying it—Kizaru retreated."
"We won…? Did we really defeat an Admiral?"
Usopp collapsed onto a pile of rubble, gasping heavily as cold sweat washed away the soot and ash on his face.
"No, Usopp."
Ronan turned toward him.
"We merely survived. Against an Admiral-level opponent, even with perfect teamwork, all we could do was defend and interfere."
"If Kizaru had truly ignored the consequences and unleashed large-scale annihilation attacks, the outcome would've been impossible to predict."
Luffy exited Second Gear and flashed his signature bright grin.
"Shishishishi! No matter what, if everyone's safe, then we won!"
Zoro sat nearby with a cold expression.
"He's right. The only reason we could last that long against an Admiral was because of these Vajra bodies."
"But my Armament Haki still isn't refined enough, and my blade speed is too slow. We're still far from strong enough."
"Mosshead's right."
Sanji lit another cigarette, his fingertips still trembling slightly from the intense battle.
"Kizaru's speed completely suppressed us the entire time."
"So what do we do with this guy?"
Franky dragged the barely breathing Spandam over like a sack of trash.
The once-powerful commander of Enies Lobby now resembled a dying fish dragged onto shore, weak whimpers escaping from his broken body.
"Killing him would only dirty our hands."
Ronan's gaze shifted toward the abyss below.
"Leave him here. Since this place is the final court of evil, let him remain with this island and face the ocean's judgment."
Without further delay, everyone boarded the Going Merry.
The moment the ship departed from Enies Lobby, Luffy stepped onto the bow once more.
"Second Gear Vajra Giant Mode: Thunder Ape King Cannon!"
BOOM!!!
As waves and abyssal currents tore at the island below, the black tower symbolizing the authority of the World Government crumbled inch by inch before sinking completely into the endless depths of the sea.
Water 7, Dock One.
After the fierce battle, the Straw Hat crew now sat together inside a repair room filled with the scent of timber and machine oil.
"Haah… these carpets really are comfortable."
Nami lay sprawled across the table weakly. The strain from the Goro Goro no Mi left every cell in her body protesting.
"I feel completely exhausted. I seriously need to improve my physical stamina soon, or I won't be able to properly use the power of the Lightning Fruit at all."
"True."
Robin gently handed her a cup of hot tea, concern visible in her eyes.
"The Goro Goro no Mi is no weaker than the Glint-Glint Fruit. What you lack is simply the physical engine needed to support large-scale discharges."
At that moment, Usopp suddenly jumped to his feet, his eyes blazing with excitement.
"Since we're back in Water 7, the holy land of shipbuilding, we absolutely have to use this chance to upgrade the Merry! She's the final shield carrying our dreams!"
"Exactly."
Luffy unusually spoke with seriousness.
"We'll leave that to our new companion—the super perverted Franky!"
"Listen up, you idiots."
Franky set down his cola bottle, his expression becoming solemn for the first time.
"Somewhere on the Grand Line, there's an island where war has never ceased…"
Sanji exhaled a puff of smoke and glanced sideways at him.
"What now? Storytime before bed?"
"Shut up and listen! This is a man's romance!"
Franky roared before continuing.
"Even when wars rage nonstop on that island, cities are reduced to ruins, and the land is dyed red with blood…"
"No matter how catastrophic the war becomes, even if every last person on the island dies, there is one giant tree that always remains standing. Unyielding."
"Civilizations rebuild themselves atop the ruins. Cities rise and fall over and over again. Yet that tree has stood there for thousands of years without ever collapsing."
Franky spread his arms wide, his eyes shining with near-religious fervor.
"That tree, known throughout the world as the strongest tree of all, is called…"
"Treasure Tree Adam."
Ronan calmly interrupted him while lightly rubbing the shaft of his Zhangba Serpent Spear.
"Huh?!"
Franky looked like he'd just been electrocuted. He struck an exaggerated pose while his sunglasses nearly slipped off his nose.
"You guys from the East Blue actually know about the ultimate sacred wood of shipbuilding?!"
Luffy, Zoro, and Nami exchanged glances before naturally pointing toward Ronan.
"It's more than just knowing about it."
Ronan slowly lifted the Zhangba Serpent Spear.
This was the same spear that had clashed head-on against Kizaru's Ama no Murakumo Sword during the battle at Enies Lobby.
And under the sunlight, the seemingly ordinary reddish-brown shaft revealed deep ruby-like patterns hidden within its grain.
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