"He's spotted me!"

The little orange cat's true identity was none other than the Corrupt King, Avalo Pizarro.

For days, he'd abandoned his New World pirate crew to trail this bizarre old man, ever since he'd accidentally witnessed the elder transforming into a mist-shrouded bat that flew across the sea at incredible speed.

Without warning, an arm materialized behind Pizarro, grasping for the back of his head.

"Meowrgh!"

The orange cat's fur stood on end as its tiny body shot backward like an arrow, landing at a distance as it warily eyed its previous position.

To Pizarro's horror, the spot was completely empty!

"A Devil Fruit user? You've been following me for days. What's your purpose?"

A hoarse voice spoke from behind, so close it seemed whispered directly into Pizarro's ear.

Sssshhk!

Pizarro's composure shattered.

The small orange cat's body swelled violently, transforming into a winged, multicolored tiger whose steel-whip tail lashed backward.

The several-meter-long tail whipped through the air—but struck nothing!

"Oh? Quite an impressive ability. Your blood must taste exquisite."

The old man's form materialized like smoke before the giant tiger, his clawed hand thrusting unabashedly at Pizarro's face.

"Arrogant bastard!"

Fury surged through Pizarro.

This old man's calm demeanor showed utter disregard for him, his attacks delivered with undisguised directness.

Baring his massive fangs, Pizarro roared as his powerful tiger claws clashed against the elder's frail-looking palm.

"I'll tear you apart!"

BOOM!

However, what happened next horrified Pizarro.

The old man's seemingly frail and withered arm directly grasped his massive tiger claw, sinking deep into the flesh.

Even the Armament Haki covering his claw couldn't block the old man's fingers.

With eerie calmness, the old man held Pizarro's bloodied tiger claw and slammed it violently into the ground!

BOOM!

The earth erupted as if a massive explosion had occurred, leaving a crater several meters deep.

"Argh!"

Pizarro let out a agonized scream, spewing mouthfuls of blood.

He felt countless bones in his massive body shatter from the impact.

"Who the hell is this old monster? The Armament Haki wrapped around his hand is even stronger than mine!"

Shocked, Pizarro swiftly transformed from his giant tiger form back into human shape, breaking free from the old man's grip.

He stared at his bloodied hand, now pierced clean through with gaping holes.

Opposite him, the old man brought his blood-stained fingers to his lips and licked them deliberately.

"Mmm, excellent. Truly excellent. Such abundant Life Force... you're quite the prey."

Pizarro glared at the old man, suddenly drawing three pistols from his waist.

Bullets infused with Armament Haki sprayed wildly toward the old man's face.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The old man barely shifted his stance, effortlessly dodging every shot.

Without any visible movement, he vanished completely from Pizarro's sight.

Danger!

Pizarro's face paled.

Instinctively, his body swelled monstrously, transforming into a gigantic half-beast with tiger's head, fleshy wings, and a body covered in vibrant stripes.

"Armament Haki!"

Pitch-black Haki rapidly coated his entire form, making it appear harder than steel.

Sssshhh!

A razor-sharp gust of wind sliced past Pizarro's lower back.

Instantly, a deep wound opened across his body, gushing torrents of blood.

"Roar!"

Pizarro swung his massive arms towards the suddenly reappearing old man behind him.

His ten claws—each over a foot long and sharp as supreme-grade blades—tore through the air with shrieking explosions.

"Tiger's Void-Shattering Slash!!"

Ten brilliant arcs of light split space itself, reducing towering trees ahead to countless segments.

Leaves and branches disintegrated into imperceptible dust within the blinding gale.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!!

Pizarro's enormous tiger eyes bulged with shock and rage, bloodshot veins spreading as madness took hold.

His arms flailed endlessly, unleashing countless slashing attacks that utterly annihilated the surrounding primal jungle.

In his frenzied state, Pizarro failed to notice the old man before him had become nothing more than a lifelike blood-colored illusion.

The true old man had soundlessly appeared behind him, drawing a crimson umbrella from beneath his great cloak.

"Let's see... just who you really are, and why you've been tailing me."

The old man's eyes suddenly turned blood-red.

An overwhelming surge of Observation Haki erupted from his body—so tangible it seemed to physically pierce through Pizarro's skull.

"Hmm? The Blackbeard Pirates, capturing Devil Fruit users and plundering their abilities? So, they've set their sights on my power, have they? Hehehe, quite the annoying bunch. But I can't hand this ability over to you. I still have plans for it."

The old man spoke as he raised his round umbrella, tracing a nimble arc through the air before thrusting it forward like lightning!

"Sword Technique—Soul-Piercing Strike!"

Whoosh!

The air howled violently, resembling the whistle of a sea train.

The old man's umbrella instantly bridged the spatial gap, piercing straight through Pizarro's chest!

"Gah!"

Pizarro shuddered, staring in disbelief at the fist-sized hole torn through his heart by the terrifying sword energy.

"Guh... You... bastard... I don't wanna die yet.." Pizarro's vision began to blur as the strength rapidly drained from his body.

"Such abundant Life Force shouldn't go to waste."

In his fading consciousness, the old man strode leisurely towards him.

His right fist unleashed a violent surge of purplish-red lightning, instantly penetrating Pizarro's body.

"Conqueror's Haki... This is really the end..."

Pizarro's massive frame exploded into countless fragments.

Then, something eerie occurred.

The blood splattering through the air was drawn together by an invisible force, forming a crimson stream that flowed into the old man's gaping mouth.

As the blood continued to pour into him, his complexion grew increasingly vibrant, wrinkles vanishing rapidly.

His entire appearance transformed from that of a seventy-year-old man into a robust, middle-aged figure, his body now towering and powerful.

Faintly, tendrils of inky black smoke rose from beneath the old man, shrouding his form in darkness.

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