Whoosh!
Suddenly, a cluster of black flames ignited on Imu's left palm. He extended his right arm and pressed the black flames against his right wrist.
The next second.
The muscles on his right arm began to bulge, followed by his torso, left arm, and legs. In just two breaths, Imu's entire body grew significantly taller.
At the same time, dark red fur appeared on the surface of his body. A pair of fangs grew in his mouth, five tails swayed behind his back, and a single horn sprouted from the top of his head.
In the blink of an eye, Imu used the power within Lucci's body to transform into a humanoid demon leopard.
A ribbon of black flame clouds wrapped around Imu's shoulders. Dozens of eerie eyes opened on the flame clouds, all fixing their gazes on Allen.
This scene was incredibly bizarre.
Allen's brow furrowed slightly, his expression involuntarily turning serious.
Imu had many methods, and his abilities seemed completely unrelated to one another.
Although he knew those abilities all stemmed from the so-called demonic energy, Allen didn't fully understand exactly what tricks the other party could pull off.
Especially that black flame cloud on his back, which looked exactly like an awakened Zoan form, and those eyes on it—they made Allen think of certain possibilities.
"The Empty Throne, pierced by twenty weapons, signifies that no one can sit upon it alone. It symbolizes the ideal of twenty kings governing the world together."
"I originally thought someone was tempted by power and betrayed the other nineteen kings to sit on the Empty Throne alone..."
The corners of Allen's mouth curled up slightly, his tone teasing. "But looking at it now, it seems more like nineteen kings betrayed the other one."
Hearing Allen's words, Imu fell silent for some unknown reason. A thoughtful look appeared in his eyes, as if he were recalling something.
However, he didn't give Allen any response. He merely waved his hand, turning the Naginata into a mass of demonic energy.
That mass of demonic energy surged and wrapped around his hands, gradually condensing into a pair of gauntlets with ferocious barbs. The remaining wisps of demonic energy extended to his fingertips, transforming into sharp steel claws.
"Proteus..."
Imu curled his lips into a cold, sinister sneer. The twin wings on his back flapped, and his figure suddenly accelerated, charging forward!
"Let Mu... welcome your return!!"
Imu roared furiously. He raised his arm, his five fingers forming a claw, and slashed fiercely at Allen from a distance!
"Demon Leopard: Wind Claw!!"
Clang!! Clang!! Clang!!
Black wind sickles infused with demonic energy tore through space and slashed down!
Allen's gaze sharpened. Black mist surged from his palm, and a pitch-black halberd flowing with a dark gleam flew out and was grasped in his hand!
Boom!!
A terrifying Conqueror's Haki erupted from Allen's body. Dark red lightning flashed from the halberd's blade. Gripping the end of the halberd with one hand, he swung it fiercely forward!
Clang—Boom!!!
A massive flying slash shot forward! It collided violently with the black wind sickles, detonating and sending out a terrifying shockwave of Haki!
The Haki shockwave swept across the entire coast! Countless shattered rocks were blasted into the sky, and the surging sea waves rocked the *Freewill*.
Allen leaped from the deck into mid-air. Black wings spread from his back, and a cluster of flames ignited on it.
"The Lunarian Tribe, huh..."
Imu's gaze deepened. Demonic energy surged from the pair of black bat wings on his back. A moment later, the demonic energy dissipated, revealing a brand-new pair of black feathered wings, identical to Allen's!
Allen looked at Imu with interest. "Your power is demonic energy, and it can also alter your body."
"The power of demonic energy is the power of domination," Imu said flatly, his figure flashing as he vanished from his spot.
It wasn't high-speed movement; he simply faded into space itself. For a split second, even Allen's Observation Haki lost track of him.
Swoosh!!
In the next instant, Imu appeared behind Allen in a flash. His left claw controlled crimson flames, while his right claw was wreathed in lightning!
"Demon Leopard: Lightning Flame Claw!!"
Clang!!
The lightning claw thrust forward fiercely, aiming straight for Allen's heart!
Allen reacted incredibly fast. He hurriedly bent forward at the waist, dodging the attack while simultaneously launching a fierce backward kick!
Bang!!
Kicking away Imu's flaming claw, Allen twisted his waist and spun around. The halberd in his hand flashed with blinding lightning, scorching the air as it thrust toward Imu's head!
Clang!!
Imu abruptly bent backward, dodging the attack while reaching out to grab the halberd.
Before he could exert any force.
The muscles in Allen's arms tensed. Gripping the halberd, he swung it forcefully upward, dragging Imu's body through the air for a half-circle before violently hurling him down toward the sea!
Imu folded his wings, bent his legs, and hugged his knees, his body spinning at high speed.
Just as he was about to crash into the sea, he suddenly extended his limbs and spread his wings, instantly halting his descent and hovering above the water!
Right at that moment, a beam of lightning let out an ear-piercing howl, tearing through the sky as it plummeted at extreme speed!
"Lightning Halberd: Dragon Spear!!"
Clang!!
Accompanied by Allen's explosive shout, the halberd, wreathed in berserk lightning, arrived in an instant and viciously impaled Imu's body!
Splurt!!
A massive amount of blood splattered out! The lightning spear tore a bloody, gaping hole through Imu's abdomen before plunging into the sea with undiminished momentum!
"This power... is it the Soul-Soul Fruit...?"
Acting as if nothing had happened, Imu touched his bloody abdomen. He looked down at the blood on his palm and muttered to himself, seemingly completely unaffected by the injury.
Allen reached out toward Imu, bringing two fingers together and flicking them upward.
Splash!!
Giant waves surged on the sea's surface as the halberd, wrapped in berserk lightning, broke through the water and shot back up!
Imu calmly tilted his head. The flying weapon brushed past his ear and flew flawlessly back into Allen's hand.
Looking at Imu again, the horrifying wound that had just been torn open on his abdomen had somehow already healed!
'What an exaggerated regenerative ability. Demonic energy... the power of domination... Just what exactly is that thing?'
Allen's gaze gradually grew solemn.
Aside from the Dark-Dark Fruit, were other methods truly completely ineffective against Imu?
The more they clashed, the more Allen felt that the other party's power was utterly bizarre. He even began to wonder if the abilities of the Dark-Dark Fruit would be affected by the demonic energy.
"All things in this world harbor power. Insects, stones, grass, trees—none are exceptions."
Imu spread his arms, and a massive amount of demonic energy surged from his body, clinging to his skin like black flames.
"By binding all things with a contract, they fall as demons, and their power is guided..."
Boom!!
Imu's eyes darkened, and a terrifying oppressive aura suddenly erupted from his body, sweeping across the entire coast!
In an instant.
Everything in the surroundings seemed to come alive!
The canopies of the coconut trees transformed into demons, their large leaves twisting and dancing like the serpentine hair of a fiend!
Rocks, the ship's superstructure, the masts—everything within the range of Imu's aura now manifested sinister, grinning demonic faces!
Allen's brow furrowed tightly. The entire surrounding space instantly became incredibly oppressive, as if even the air had grown stagnant and heavy.
Imu's gaze suddenly turned gloomy. "Demonic energy is the path to dominating all power."
"Mu is the god who dominates all creation!"