“Zephyr’s era is over. He lost his nerve long ago—he’s no longer the ‘Black Arm’ who once ruled the seas!”

Topman Warcury let out a savage roar. His massive limbs slammed into the ground with earth-shaking force. As the ground quaked beneath him, his enormous frame lunged forward like a collapsing fortress. His thick, razor-sharp tusks drove upward with terrifying power—

Launching the Marine Vice Admiral straight into the air!

Despite the overwhelming size difference, Daren was being overpowered by sheer brute strength.

“With the strength he has now, he doesn’t stand a chance against Ghostweed—one of the strongest CP0 operatives, personally trained by me and hailed as the ‘Celestial Dragons’ strongest shield!’”

The beast-form Houki let out a thunderous bellow. The blood-red tusks jutting from his maw twisted under swirling black smoke, morphing into twin massive blades, gleaming even sharper than before.

Another bone-crushing charge!

Still midair, Daren’s pupils contracted. He crossed his arms on instinct, bracing for impact as Houki’s meteor-like blow crashed into him head-on!

Boom!

A wave of raw force rippled outward in a massive shockwave.

Daren was blasted backward. A streak of blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

“Our power isn’t something a pest like you can stand against.”

The cold, cutting voice came from behind.

A towering shadow loomed, rising from the earth like a mountain.

Ivankov and Kuma stared in horror as the massive Sandworm—sliced clean in half by Daren just moments ago—had somehow reformed completely. Its enormous maw, packed with writhing teeth, lunged viciously toward the Vice Admiral’s falling figure.

A strange red glint flickered deep in Daren’s eyes.

He didn’t move.

A spark danced at his fingertips.

In the next instant, multiple razor-sharp phantom slashes shot forward, piercing clean through the wyrm’s gaping mouth.

Yellow-green mucus exploded everywhere. Peter, transformed into the monstrous Sandworm, screeched in agony—but still snapped his jaws shut without hesitation!

Clang!

Daren’s Haki-coated hands seized the worm’s thrashing fangs, even as the sharp teeth tore through skin and flesh. Blood dripped from his palms.

“Even if Dragon is holding off Mars... so what? With your current injuries and exhaustion, there’s no way you can beat us.”

A hoarse voice rumbled from within the worm’s maw, followed by a gust of bloody, foul-smelling wind.

From Daren’s vantage point, he could clearly see the pulsating flesh and digestive fluids inside—it made his skin crawl.

“Face reality, you foolish little Marine.”

The worm’s jaws clenched tighter. The gnashing teeth twisted like a massive grinder, ripping open Daren’s chest, then violently hurling him aside.

Before he could hit the ground—

A massive shadow leapt from the earth.

Saint Nusjuro’s skeletal horse, Bakotsu, wrapped in an aura of deathly chill, rammed into Daren’s back like a meteor.

Boom!

Frost burst outward, rapidly spreading across Daren’s back, freezing his movements on the spot.

Blood seeped from his mouth and nose. His body stiffened mid-air and was flung at an angle—

Only for Gyūki’s massive form to catch him in its sights. A black spider leg, thick as a pillar, drove straight through his abdomen and launched him again.

“No! Stop them!!”

Watching Daren being battered back and forth like a ragdoll between the four monstrous creatures, Ivankov and Kuma’s faces twisted in panic.

Ivankov took a step forward. His dramatically-shadowed eyes snapped open.

“Death Wink!”

A violent blast erupted across Saint Saturn’s body, leaving a gaping, burning hole.

But within seconds, the wound began sealing itself—restoring his form completely.

“Damn it! How is this even possible!?”

“Are they... immortal?!”

Ivankov was frozen in disbelief. He blinked furiously.

“Death Wink!”

“Hell Wink!”

...

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

Explosions tore across the monstrous forms of Saturn, Nusjuro, Peter, and Warcury, kicking up waves of smoke and wind.

But the sight that followed was devastating.

No matter the damage, the wounds on these four hellish monsters healed within seconds.

Warcury, now in his Houki form, tanked Ivankov’s assault without flinching. Not a scratch marked his body.

The next moment—

Houki charged again with overwhelming force.

Boom!!

Daren’s body hit the ground like a cannonball, exploding into a crater in front of Ivankov and Kuma.

The earth split and crumbled. Rocks erupted into the air.

Through the clearing dust, the two could finally see him—

They gasped in unison.

The Vice Admiral looked like he’d been dragged through hell—his entire body was covered in blood and wounds.

Cold frost, burning embers, poisonous purple fluid, and corrosive green slime tormented every gash on his body, causing his muscles to twitch uncontrollably.

"This is just insane... I didn’t think I’d actually be overpowered."

Daren used his blood-soaked hands to brace himself as he rose to his feet again. He glanced at the wounds on his body and slowly exhaled a heavy breath.

Boom... Boom...

The four massive beasts stomped forward step by step, each stride shaking the ground, radiating a crushing sense of pressure.

"Your talent is indeed remarkable—perhaps even beyond that of Roger, Garp, and Kaidou in their prime... But you had too little time to grow."

"Two and a half years of training is nothing—just a ripple in the World Government’s 800-year reign."

"If you'd had a little more time, maybe we would’ve actually had reason to fear you."

"But that chance will never come."

"Today, you die on this island."

The domineering, arrogant voice echoed from all directions, sending a chill down the spine as it merged with the thunderous footsteps.

"Is that so?"

The Vice Admiral raised his hand, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, then suddenly grinned.

He turned to Ivankov and the others, who stood frozen in place, and snapped,

"You followed Dragon-san all the way here just to stand there like spectators?"

Kuma flushed with embarrassment.

Ivankov snapped back to reality, gritting his teeth.

"They're immortal! Attacks don't work at all!"

Daren waved dismissively and rolled his eyes.

"Cut the crap. I've been at this long enough. Hit me with it already."

Kuma and Ivankov were both stunned, shock rippling through their hearts.

This lunatic... He’s already seriously wounded, and he still wants to fight!?

Boom!

The dust scattered.

The massive Houki, eyes glowing blood-red, charged through the thick smoke. His enormous fangs gleamed like twin blades, and black-red lightning crackled through the air!

"Damn it! This is insane!"

Ivankov and Kuma exchanged a glance, then braced themselves against Houki’s overwhelming presence and rushed forward.

Ivankov’s right fingers suddenly sharpened into needle-like tips.

He drove them hard into the wound on Daren’s arm!

"So tough! I think my fingers are about to snap!"

Ivankov’s eyes twitched uncontrollably. Only now did he truly grasp how monstrous Daren’s body had become.

And this was with Daren forcibly relaxing his muscles. If it were his normal state... even a surprise attack probably wouldn’t break the skin!

"Emporio Tension Hormone!"

The instant the needle pierced his flesh, the Vice Admiral’s body jolted violently!

His breath grew heavy, and his eyes blazed red.

Inside his chest, his heart thundered like a drum, as if some terrible beast was awakening within him...