'Thud!'
"That monster…"
"The one that was just sent flying… Could it be…"
"Admiral Hark made a miscalculation."
The entire exchange happened in a flash, leaving Sengoku, Garp, and the others stunned. The Marines and CP agents on the scene, wide-eyed with disbelief, broke out in cold sweat.
'Huff, huff—'
In the next moment, Sengoku and Garp stood frozen, beads of sweat running down their foreheads. Their muscles tensed as they prepared to launch an attack behind them.
"Armament Haki…"
"Fist…"
But before they could finish, a towering figure, radiating terrifying lightning and wielding four wings, advanced. Without mercy, the figure unleashed both a punch and a kick.
'Boom!'
'Boom!'
"Ah—Ah!"
Screams echoed as two young and promising figures were struck hard. Their faces twisted in agony, eyes bulging, and mouths spewing blood as they were sent flying.
'Boom… Boom…'
The ground shook continuously as trees were smashed and the earth cracked beneath the impact. Fortunately, the soil of the Sabaody Archipelago was relatively soft; otherwise, the damage would have been far worse.
"Rear Admiral Sengoku!"
"Rear Admiral Garp!"
'Thud! That speed—'
"We couldn't even react!"
"Where did this monster come from?"
The Marines and CP agents looked on in terror at the tall, fearsome figure before them. Its menacing presence was overpowering. They could hardly believe that two of the Navy's brightest stars were so easily crushed.
"Sengoku! Garp!"
Controlled by the Pet-Pet Fruit, Tsuru was forced to approach the unconscious Saint Fenix. Her eyes widened in horror as she saw what had happened to her comrades. Her face paled as she called out in worry.
'Cough, cough…'
Deep in the forest, Garp, covered in blood, staggered. He coughed up more blood, his face pale and weak, staring in disbelief at the terrifying figure that had attacked him. With just one kick, he felt as though his internal organs had been shattered, unsure of how many bones had broken. He struggled to stand but collapsed again, overwhelmed by the unbearable pain before fading into unconsciousness.
"Graah, graah…"
Behind him, the imposing figure with blazing flames emanating from its back began to shrink, returning to a more human form. Black wings unfurled, and a devilishly handsome face emerged, resembling a fallen angel. His calm demeanor was in stark contrast to the beastly appearance from moments before.
"The future of the Navy? Pathetic."
Without a second thought, he glanced coldly toward the dust cloud in the distance. Murderous intent clear in his eyes, he prepared to attack again, determined to finish off Sengoku and Garp for good.
"Fallen Angel, El!!!"
Just then, a fierce and ferocious figure rushed forward at lightning speed. His skin was grotesque in texture, his fanged jaws resembling those of a beast, and black flame-like ribbons swirled around him. The figure swung its sharp, claw-like hands, coated with Haki, directly at El.
'Screech!!'
The clash of metal rang out as powerful winds swept through the battlefield, making it difficult for anyone to keep their eyes open. El, his expression calm, raised his arm, covered in Armament Haki, and easily blocked the deadly strike aimed at him.
"Not bad…"
El raised an eyebrow, glancing down at the fierce, monstrous figure standing before him. His gaze lingered on the eerie black flames surrounding the attacker. "Zoan-type, Dragon Dragon Fruit, Ancient Model: Scythe Dragon… And it's awakened?"
Indeed, the admiral known as Hak was a rare Zoan-type Devil Fruit user with the power of the Scythe Dragon. His claws, sharp as scythes, earned him the title "Iron Claw." He had fully awakened his Devil Fruit powers, granting him terrifying speed, strength, endurance, and recovery—far surpassing the average Devil Fruit user. In terms of speed, even the young and powerful Linlin might not be able to match him.
"El, Onichan!"
"El-sama!"
Upon seeing who had arrived, Linlin, Rock, Nef, and the others lit up with joy.
"You've done well."
El turned slightly, offering a word of praise to Linlin and the others.
"Hehe…" Pleased by the compliment, Linlin's eyes crinkled with delight.
"Bais…"
Facing off against the Fallen Angel El, Hark's eyes narrowed as he assessed the situation. Seeing both Sengoku and Garp incapacitated by this monstrous Lunarian, he knew that the Navy's future was in jeopardy. These two, once hailed as the Navy's brightest stars, were on the verge of destruction.
Without turning his head, Hark barked an order: "Take Sengoku and Garp back to Navy Headquarters immediately!"
These two were the Navy's future, destined to be its pillars. No matter what, they couldn't be allowed to die here.
"Yes, Admiral Hark!"
From the sky, a massive vulture swooped down, grabbing the unconscious Garp with its talons before flying upward.
'Swish!' It then darted toward Sengoku, swiftly retrieving his bloodied body and heading back toward Navy Headquarters.
"It's Vice Admiral Bais!"
Tsuru, her eyes narrowing, breathed a sigh of relief. Whatever her fate may be, she didn't want her comrades, Sengoku and Garp, to die.
"A Bird Fruit user, huh?"
El glanced at the retreating vulture, his eyes flickering with thoughts of pursuit. However, facing the looming threat of Admiral Hark, who was clearly intent on protecting Sengoku, Garp, and the others, El refrained from giving chase.
Instead, he turned his gaze toward the captured Tsuru, a cold smile forming on his lips. "I'd like to see what choice you two make next."
He hadn't anticipated Linlin and her crew encountering the future Navy Trio here at Sabaody, let alone capturing Tsuru and setting this game in motion. But now, intrigued, he was eager to see how things would unfold.
"If that's the case, then I'll gladly take this future naval strategist."