Bai Ye stood firm on the violently shaking Red Line, facing the World Government. His right hand gripped Ryūjin Jakka tightly, raising it high.
Then, he slashed.
Boom!
Scorching, high-temperature flames poured out like an endless sea, surging toward the sky. The blazing inferno engulfed everything before Mariejois, covering the entire horizon in a fiery glow.
"This... this power... damn it!"
The bald Five Elders couldn't help but reveal a look of shock and dread as he felt the overwhelming, terrifying aura emanating from the flames. Gritting his teeth, he gripped his sword—a blade with a purple hue and blue wavy patterns running along its surface—First Generation Onitsu.
"Don't get arrogant, sinner!" he roared. "This is Mariejois! The heart of the World Government! A place where scum like you has no place!"
The bald Elder raised First Generation Onitsu, the veins on his muscular arms bulging under his wide, white warrior robe. The ominous presence of the cursed blade filled the air, its malevolent aura suffocating.
Suddenly, a dark, purple-black slash, imbued with the ominous breath of life, tore through the air toward Bai Ye.
The cursed blade, First Generation Onitsu, demanded life as its toll, draining vitality from all who approached it. World Government soldiers who ventured too close fell lifelessly to the ground, their corpses shriveled like dried husks, completely drained of vitality.
First Generation Onitsu, known as the strongest among the demon swords, devoured life force as its price for power. When its malevolent spirit grew too strong, it could even dominate the mind of its wielder.
Boom!
With a burst of speed, the bald Elder propelled himself forward, intent on ending Bai Ye. His slash carried all the malice and deadly aura the demon sword could muster.
Yet Bai Ye remained unfazed.
"As the so-called 'highest combat power' of the World Government, if this is all you have..." he said calmly, his voice filled with disdain.
Flames surged along the edge of Ryūjin Jakka. With a single stroke, Bai Ye's blade engulfed and obliterated the incoming life-devouring slash. The flames roared louder as Bai Ye's aura intensified.
The bald Elder's pupils shrank as he watched Bai Ye vanish before his eyes. "W-What?! Where did he go?"
His instincts screamed danger. Adopting a defensive stance, he frantically scanned his surroundings. "Where is he?!"
Bai Ye's voice rang out again, calm and mocking.
"I would be very disappointed."
The bald Elder froze, his mind racing. "Is he on my flank?! Damn it!"
Without hesitation, he swung First Generation Onitsu with all his might. The blade's dark energy, infused with Armament Haki, radiated malevolent power.
But the strike found nothing. It sliced through empty air.
Suddenly, Bai Ye appeared right in front of him, Ryūjin Jakka ablaze with scorching flames. The bald Elder's heart sank.
"No... this is bad!"
Desperately, he unleashed the full power of First Generation Onitsu, its ominous energy surging outward. But the flames of Ryūjin Jakka consumed everything in their path, leaving no room for defense. The cursed blade's malevolent energy was rendered powerless against the fiery torrent.
"This... this can't be!" the bald Elder gasped, his face twisted in disbelief as the fiery inferno engulfed him.
When the flames finally dissipated, the bald Elder staggered back dozens of meters, barely alive. His body heaved as he struggled to catch his breath. First Generation Onitsu glowed red-hot in his trembling hands, steam rising visibly from the overheated blade.
"Just... a single strike?!" he muttered in horror. "How... how terrifying is this man's swordsmanship?!"
The other Five Elders stood at the gate of the World Government, their expressions grim as they watched their companion struggle to stand. The three remaining Elders exchanged uneasy glances.
"Attack together!" one of them commanded.
The command was immediately acknowledged by several elite CPO officers, each wearing a distinctive mask. These operatives, trained and strengthened beyond ordinary soldiers, nodded and stepped forward. Their powerful Devil Fruit abilities activated, and their auras surged to new heights.
The seven CPO officers launched a coordinated attack, surrounding Bai Ye from multiple directions. Yet Bai Ye remained calm, his eyes sharp and unyielding.
As the attackers closed in, Bai Ye moved. Ryūjin Jakka cut through the air in a blazing arc, and flames erupted like an unstoppable tidal wave.
Boom!
The fiery explosion consumed everything within its reach. The elite CPO operatives, their Devil Fruit abilities rendered useless, were engulfed in the flames. Their screams were short-lived as the inferno reduced them to nothing.
When the flames subsided, the burnt and broken bodies of the seven CPO members fell from the sky, crashing heavily to the ground. It was unclear if any had survived.
With one strike, Bai Ye had eradicated them all.
The remaining Five Elders stared in disbelief. Each of the CPO members had been handpicked, their strength rivaling that of a Marine Admiral. Yet they had been defeated so easily.
The blond-bearded Elder, seething with anger, tore off his robe and stepped forward. The time for hesitation was over.
"No matter what, this monster must die!" he declared, his powerful aura flaring to life.
The three Elders exchanged silent nods, their resolve solidified. Together, they launched themselves into the battle, their combined power shaking the very air.
But Bai Ye remained unmoved. With Ryūjin Jakka in hand, he calmly declared:
"I told you... you will all die here. Without exception."