'Fallen Angel El'
Amidst the chaos of the battlefield, Iron Claw Hark's expression grew serious. His sharp gaze locked onto the young but incredibly powerful Lunarian before him, whose strength could no longer be underestimated.
"I didn't expect it would be you behind the attack on the Celestial Dragons," Hark said in a low voice. "You've been lying low for so long, and now you've attacked the navy's fortresses and kidnapped the world nobles. Is this your revenge against the World Government?"
Before finishing his sentence, Hark disappeared in a blur, his foot pressing hard into the ground. In the blink of an eye, he appeared several meters away, swiftly grabbing the bloodied Saint Fenix and attempting to reach the controlled Tsuru.
"Don't even think about it!"
Linlin reacted instantly, her expression shifting as she fiercely slashed her sword to stop him.
'Clang!'
In a flash, sparks flew as Hark's razor-sharp claws collided with Linlin's massive blade.
'Swoosh!' After clashing with Linlin, Hark quickly abandoned his attempt to rescue Tsuru, retreating with Saint Fenix in tow.
"No, this is just a small greeting," El remarked calmly, showing no intention of stopping him. Sending the disgraced Saint Fenix back was far more advantageous than killing him or using him as a hostage. Besides, El still held other cards to play.
"You're a Navy Admiral, right? Hurry, kill them… no, capture them, including that damned female Marine who dared to harm me!" Saint Fenix, now blind but aware that Hark had saved him, clutched the admiral's clothes, shouting hysterically. "I want to hang them all, slice them to pieces, and torture them to death!"
"Saint Fenix, that female Marine..." Hark frowned, trying to explain. The aged appearance of Tsuru had nearly made him fail to recognize her. Though he didn't know exactly what had transpired, it was clear she had been controlled.
Yet, the plan had been cruel. Saint Fenix wasn't just blinded and mutilated—Hark, as a man, understood the devastating impact of having his reproductive organs destroyed. Such an act could drive even the proudest men mad. And for an arrogant world noble who believed himself a god, it was an unbearable humiliation.
Even though Tsuru had once shown incredible talent and intelligence, second only to Sengoku and Garp, the world nobles' arrogance made her fate uncertain. Not even Fleet Admiral William's intervention might save her.
"I don't care! She dared to offend the descendants of the gods, and she deserves to die!" Saint Fenix shouted, his tone just as insolent toward Hark as it had been toward Sengoku earlier. "Even if she was controlled, she was too weak to save me, which led to my ruin. She's unforgivable!"
"Saint Fenix is injured and emotionally unstable. He needs immediate treatment. Get him to Mariejois at once!" Hark ordered, his face darkening as he tossed the noble to the approaching CP agents.
"Yes, sir!"
A group of medics rushed in with a stretcher, placing the still-ranting Saint Fenix on it and quickly carrying him off to safety for emergency treatment.
"Damn pirates, how despicable…"
Hark gritted his teeth as he looked at Tsuru, a subordinate who had once shown exceptional skill in pirate-hunting missions under his command. He felt both regret and frustration. Despite his admiration for her, even he was powerless to save her from the world nobles' inevitable retribution.
"Fallen Angel El, any attempt to provoke the World Government is foolish. You won't escape after committing such a heinous crime!" Hark coldly warned El, Linlin, and the others. "You have no idea how powerful the World Government is. You'll be hunted relentlessly until you're dragged to the gates of hell! Release the other world nobles immediately!"
"Hunted to the gates of hell?" El sneered at Hark's threat. "The Lunarian race and the World Government have been mortal enemies for centuries. Why would I ever release those Celestial Dragons? You're delusional."
He then fixed his gaze on Hark, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "Go back and tell your precious World Government that the tables have turned. If they enjoy hunting and slaughtering rare races, then I'll hunt the Celestial Dragons, one by one, until they are extinct!"
"How dare you!"
Hark's expression twisted with shock and fury. The Marines and government agents around him, equally horrified, stared at El as if he were a madman. The very idea of hunting Celestial Dragons was terrifying beyond belief.
"No, I need to take back what I just said…" El's smile grew more sinister as he drew the massive weapon on his back—the Savage Dragon Great Halberd, a hybrid between a greatsword and a giant spear. He pointed the oversized weapon at Hark, his intent murderous. "You, Admiral, won't be going back."
"Those are my words to you!" Hark's eyes gleamed with cold fury, his sharp claws ready as he spat back, "Today, you, the last remnants of the Lunarians, will not leave this island alive!"
'Swish!'
In an instant, the two powerful figures vanished from their spots, clashing midair. The massive Savage Dragon Great Halberd collided violently with Hark's razor-sharp scythe claws.
'Clang!'