411-415

Chapter 411: The Relentless Fighting Machine 

“Phoenix Fire Feather!” “Phoenix Deadly Kill!” “Phoenix Feather Slash…” “Phoenix Feather Slash plus Flash!” “Phoenix…” 

Yoru, it seemed, had transformed into a relentless fighting machine, his terrifying flame attacks repeatedly clashing against Whitebeard’s bisento. The very ground around him was cracking open from the intense heat of his flames. It was even softening like mud, on the verge of melting. 

“His flames are almost as hot as Admiral Sakazuki’s magma! Is this guy really that strong?!” The Marines were utterly shocked, realizing Yoru was truly hiding his immense power. 

“Ara ara, this guy really does love to fight, just as always. But this time, he’s far stronger than when he fought me!” Aokiji remarked with keen interest as he watched the scene unfold. 

“BOOM!” “CRASH!” “*SPLAT!” “Sizzle!*” 

Yoru’s wounds multiplied, his blood splattering across the sky. Yet, he seemed to grow even more excited, his flames burning brighter and more terrifying. His wings and talons were all terrifying weapons; he even managed to wound Whitebeard himself. 

“This guy… he’s actually been fighting the Old Man for this long?!” The Whitebeard Pirates watching felt a bad premonition. 

“No, that’s not it. If the Old Man were in his prime, this guy would’ve been defeated ages ago!” Yoru, however, offered a different perspective: “Sakazuki’s heavy blow earlier weakened the Old Man’s condition, and with the situation already clear, the Old Man isn’t fighting seriously at all. That’s why he’s been going at it with this guy for so long!” 

But even with Whitebeard not using his full power, Yoru was already clearly at a disadvantage. 

Sengoku and Sakazuki had also noticed this. 

“It’s quite rare for Whitebeard to be giving a junior a ‘lesson’ in battle…” Sengoku mused, a glint of sharpness in his eyes as he looked at Yoru. 

Sakazuki, on the other hand, was far more direct. Given a golden opportunity to quickly eliminate the enormous problem that was Whitebeard, he didn’t care what anyone would say about a sneaky or cowardly attack. 

“Hellhound!” He suddenly lunged at Whitebeard, unleashing a massive, scorching magma dog that lunged and bit at Whitebeard. This scene caught everyone completely off guard. The Whitebeard Pirates’ Division Commanders couldn't even react in time to help. 

“OLD MAN!!!” All they could do was let out horrified shouts. 

But what happened next once again took everyone by surprise. 

“Phoenix Soaring Sun!” Yoru actually spun around and unleashed a massive fireball, like a scorching sun, directly confronting Sakazuki’s attack. A blinding light enveloped all of Marineford, and a terrifying heat descended upon the entire area. Many people instantly screamed, their weapons actually beginning to melt in their hands, and the ice on the surrounding ocean surface violently vaporized. 

Most importantly, Yoru actually managed to block Sakazuki’s Hellhound. To be precise, the Hellhound itself was melted into an unidentifiable form by his fireball and then simply dissipated. This sight shocked Kizaru, Aokiji, Sengoku, and all the other top-tier powerhouses. Yoru’s true strength was truly terrifying. 

And when the light faded, the scene that met their eyes made both the Marines and the Whitebeard Pirates gasp in shocked realization. At that moment, even the people across the globe were staring with looks of utter horror. In the shattered Marineford battlefield, a new sight emerged: a field of desiccated corpses, their faces contorted in agony and their bodies twisted into grotesque shapes, clinging to the ground – a truly eerie and terrifying sight. 

“LIGHTNING KILLER!!!” Sakazuki, however, paid no mind to any of this. He furiously roared at Yoru: “What exactly are you trying to do?! Why did you stop me from finishing off Whitebeard?! What is your objective?!” That perfect opportunity, ruined by Yoru – Sakazuki was absolutely fuming! 

“This is a fight between me and Whitebeard. I don’t want anyone interfering, Admiral Sakazuki. You wouldn’t want to gain another enemy, would you?” Yoru said, breathing slightly. His body was covered in bloody wounds, constantly bleeding, yet he seemed to feel nothing, his expression calm. 

“Don’t you dare… get cocky!!!” “Great Eruption!!” 

Who is Sakazuki? A true soldier who tolerates no insubordination and loathes those who defy rules. Yoru’s words were nothing short of an outright provocation, so Sakazuki unleashed a furious punch at Yoru. This punch held no mercy, it was his full power! 

“Phoenix Soaring Sun!!” Yoru had no room to dodge, only to meet the attack head-on. 

“BOOM!” The white and red flames violently clashed. In an instant, thunder seemed to roar, and world-ending high temperatures incinerated everything. Wherever the heatwaves swept, there was nothing but screams and wails. The entire island trembled violently from their clash. The very ground began to bubble, threatening to melt. The surrounding ocean surface boiled with a gurgling sound, instantly superheated into boiling water, transforming into a scorching marine inferno. 

“Brat, this is no place for your antics. Prepare yourself… for what’s coming!” Naturally, Sakazuki’s full power was more than Yoru’s current strength could handle. Yoru was slammed in the head with a punch, sending him crashing to the ground and flying back. 

“Whitebeard, die!” Sakazuki didn’t stop, transforming into a gigantic magma being as he unleashed another terrifying attack. 

“Magma brat, don’t get ahead of yourself!” Facing Sakazuki, Whitebeard was no longer holding back like he had been with Yoru. With a full-power blow, space itself seemed to shatter, and the ocean trembled. The white and red lights once again illuminated Marineford’s sky, the two still locked in an evenly matched struggle. 

“Sakazuki, get out of the way!!” At that moment, Diamond Jozu suddenly charged, entirely encased in Haki. Even Sakazuki was taken by surprise, utterly unable to defend himself, and was blasted away. 

“Diamond… Jozu!!” Sakazuki quickly regained his footing, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, as he glared at Diamond Jozu and spoke with a grim, low voice. 

“Magma brat, I told you not to get ahead of yourself!” Whitebeard’s voice rang out once more before Sakazuki. Whitebeard’s fist ripped through the air, a world-shattering blow, directly aimed at Sakazuki’s body. 

“Ugh—!” Sakazuki’s face twisted in shock, and he violently coughed up a torrent of blood, being slammed into the earth with immense force. 

“RUMBLE!” The entirety of Marineford suddenly shuddered violently. Then, a chasm like a natural abyss erupted open, as Marineford was actually split in half by a single punch from Whitebeard! 

“Cough, cough… as expected of the Strongest Man in the World. Truly powerful!” At that moment, Yoru’s voice came from behind Whitebeard, and Diamond Jozu immediately shot a fierce glare in his direction. 

“Don’t worry, I won’t be interfering again!” Yoru said, clutching his chest and panting heavily, his mouth smeared with blood. 

Chapter 412: Further Power-Up. 

"Man, that was one ruthless attack, Admiral Akainu!" "If I wasn't a Mythical Zoan user with fire abilities, I might have actually been burned to a crisp by you..." 

As he said this, he spat out another mouthful of blood. Akainu's attack basically compounded the damage Whitebeard had already inflicted on him, leaving him severely wounded in an instant. 

"Whitebeard, thanks for the lesson, see ya!" 

He flapped his wings and, transforming into a fiery phoenix, soared towards the execution platform. 

"Lightning Killer, what do you think you're doing?!" 

Seeing Yoru fly over, Fleet Admiral Sengoku's gaze turned sharp, and Garp... he had already stood up, his eyes now fixed on the charging young man—Straw Hat Luffy. 

"Don't worry, I don't have any ill intent, Fleet Admiral Sengoku!" 

Yoru returned to his normal form and landed on the execution platform, coughing up another mouthful of blood. "I just figured this spot was pretty safe to heal up for a bit!" 

"Hmph, you'd better hope that's all it is!" 

Sengoku snorted, but his eyes didn't leave Yoru's figure. Meanwhile, Garp had already charged towards Straw Hat Luffy, blocking his path forward. 

"Fighting Whitebeard gave me 1.2 million reinforcement points, and the clash with Marco got me 850,000. Plus, battling those inmates in Impel Down netted me another 300,000, adding to my original 130,000. So now I have a total of 2.48 million reinforcement points. I'm really hoping this is enough to Awaken my Devil Fruit!" 

Once his Devil Fruit reached its Awakened state, his power would leap to the next level, which would be enough to take down Blackbeard and his crew who were about to make their appearance. 

"System, enhance Devil Fruit ability!" Yoru silently chanted in his mind, communicating with his system. 

"Ding! This enhancement requires 1.5 million reinforcement points. Do you wish to proceed?" 

Hearing the system's voice, Yoru couldn't help but feel a pang of regret – I mean, that's a lot of points! It really was the Devil Fruit's ultimate form; the points needed for Awakening were truly excessive. 

"Begin!" "Enhancement starting!" 

In an instant, Yoru felt himself enveloped by flames, his entire body incredibly hot, causing him to let out a sky-shattering roar. 

But in fact, that's exactly what happened! His body truly ignited, terrifyingly hot flames raging, immediately scorching the execution platform until it cracked. 

"Yoru!!!" 

Seeing this, Sengoku roared in shock and fury! But Yoru had no time for him right now. He leaped upwards, transforming into a fiery phoenix enveloped in blood-red flames, soaring straight up into the heavens. 

"Boom!" 

But the temperature radiating from his body was so intense that even from a distance, people felt like they were stepping into a steaming oven. Even the clouds in the sky dispersed and became turbulent due to his terrifying high temperature. 

"Buzz!" 

Yoru seemed to be melting into flames, transforming into a spirit of fire. His phoenix form was no longer distinct; only his outline suggested he was a bird. 

"Kree!" 

Yoru suddenly let out a long, piercing cry, and a powerful, awe-inspiring burst of Conqueror's Haki erupted, making the very sky and earth seem to change color. Everyone around him grunted in pain, and the air itself trembled from the pressure. 

"Conqueror's Haki!!!" 

Sengoku, Aokiji, and others gasped in shock. Even Whitebeard couldn't help but look at Yoru in surprise. Everyone else watched Yoru with utter shock, and then, a whole wave of people just collapsed! 

"Woah, woah, woah, why does this guy have Conqueror's Haki too?!" "You've gotta be kidding me, he actually has the 'King's Disposition' too!" "Another man with Conqueror's Haki, just like Pops and Red-Hair!" "But the weight of this Haki... it's way stronger than Straw Hat Kid's! It's almost on par with that Red-Hair bastard's!" 

Everyone stared at Yoru in astonishment, completely shocked by the power he had just revealed. 

Man, that was a wild ride! Talk about a power-up right in the middle of the biggest war. It's like when someone suddenly unlocks their Mangekyo Sharingan or something, just pure awe! This Marineford War just keeps getting crazier, doesn't it? 

Chapter 413: Ace's Rescue 

"It's getting more chaotic by the second! Event after event, completely beyond what I expected!" Sengoku felt the situation spiraling further out of his control, and it gave him a truly terrible premonition. 

"But right now, the most important thing is... this guy!" Sengoku looked at the Straw Hat kid, his expression grim. 

In the end, Garp just couldn't bring himself to lay a hand on his grandson. He held back, allowing Straw Hat Luffy to send him flying with a single punch. 

The Straw Hat kid... he'd broken through! He'd successfully reached the execution platform! 

"Ohh!!" "Amazing, Straw Hat-kun!" "He's finally going to rescue Ace!" 

Seeing this, the Whitebeard Pirates who were still standing erupted in excited cheers. 

"Stop him, quick!" a Marine officer bellowed. 

"Ace! I'm here to save you!!!" Straw Hat Luffy ignored them all, yelling excitedly towards Fire Fist Ace. 

"Luffy!" Seeing this, Fire Fist Ace's emotions were a tangled mess, yet at the same time, he was overflowing with excitement. 

"Just wait, I'm coming to save you right away!" Straw Hat Luffy pulled out the key, ready to unlock the cuffs. 

"Straw Hat-kun, don't think you're escaping from my grasp!" But Sengoku, who was right there, wasn't about to let him succeed. 

Immediately, his body glowed with brilliant golden light, transforming into his Daibutsu form. "You two brothers... I'll be the one to judge you (or rather, to let you go)!" he declared, slowly raising his hand. 

Just as Straw Hat Luffy finally found the keyhole and was about to use the key to unlock Fire Fist Ace's handcuffs, Kizaru, who was down below, finally adopted an "oh, I suppose I should step in now" sort of look. "I didn't think you'd have something like that. Well, that won't do, Straw Hat-kun!" 

With that, a laser beam sliced the key in half! This startled Straw Hat Luffy, who clutched his head in panic. "The key... it broke! This is bad..." 

And Sengoku's fist finally descended. 

At that exact moment, Mr. 3, who had been disguised among the executioners, finally woke up from the oppressive aura that Yoru had just released. As soon as he woke up, he saw Sengoku's fist bearing down, terrifying him. Then he saw Straw Hat Luffy nearby, which surprised him even more. 

Just as he was wondering how to escape Sengoku's attack, he heard Straw Hat Luffy say, "3, make a candle wall to protect Ace!" 

With that, Straw Hat Luffy bit his thumb and blew a mighty breath: "Gear Third! Gum-Gum Giant Balloon!" 

"Boom!" 

As Mr. 3 protected Fire Fist Ace with his candle wall, Sengoku's fist landed heavily on the giantized Straw Hat Luffy's stomach. 

"Uwaah!" Sengoku's punch was incredibly fierce; even Straw Hat Luffy's rubber body was sent reeling and made him cough up blood. 

"Boom!" 

The execution platform couldn't withstand such terrifying power at all and completely crumbled. 

Straw Hat Luffy and his group fell down. 

Seeing this, the Marine officers quickly yelled orders: "Fire cannons! Use this chance to finish off Fire Fist Ace!!" 

"Boom! Boom! Boom!" 

Immediately, a barrage of cannonballs roared forth, engulfing Fire Fist Ace and the other two completely. 

"Ace!!!" Seeing this sight, the Whitebeard Pirates were utterly shocked. 

"Did he... die?!" Even the Marines couldn't help but ask, sounding somewhat uncertain. 

"Swish!" 

Just as they were thinking that, a pair of handcuffs clattered to the ground. Then, from within the smoke, a tunnel of flames appeared. 

"Luffy, you really haven't changed a bit!" Fire Fist Ace's voice echoed from within the fiery passage. 

A flaming Whitebeard Pirates jolly roger emblem emerged. Then, Fire Fist Ace appeared before everyone. He grabbed Straw Hat Luffy, flinging him away, and facing the dumbfounded Marine soldiers below, he transformed both his arms into flames and roared: "Senkai: Higan!" ( - Flame Commandment: Fire Pillar!) 

Chapter 414: Devil Fruit Awakening 

“BOOM!” 

Torrential flames crashed down, an onslaught of terrifying power. 

However, what should have been a devastating blow took an unexpected turn. These raging infernos were astonishingly drawn up into the sky, flowing directly into Yoru's body. 

“What in the…?” Even 'Fire Fist' Ace was startled, landing on his feet and looking up at Yoru suspended in the air. What he saw was Yoru astonishingly transforming into a colossal egg of pure flame! 

“CRACK!” 

The egg, radiating intense, rolling flames, began to split open, as a pair of wings, burning with blood-red and golden fire, stretched out from within. Subsequently, an immense wave of heat surged forth, causing even 'Fire Fist' Ace, a man made of fire himself, to feel agonizing pain throughout his body. 

A supremely majestic fire phoenix appeared before everyone, then, in a flash, it transformed back into Yoru's familiar form. 

“WOOSH!” 

The moment he opened his eyes, the very flames on 'Fire Fist' Ace's body flickered and dimmed for a breath, as if instinctively fearing Yoru. Even Marco, the "Immortal Phoenix," couldn't help but exclaim in shock, “The aura of a superior Devil Fruit? How can this be? There's actually a bloodline form even higher than my Phoenix form?!” 

He felt a direct power suppression emanating from his very bloodline! This sensation made him incredibly uneasy! 

“So this is what an 'Awakened State' feels like?” Yoru slowly descended, landing right in front of 'Fire Fist' Ace. 

This immediately put 'Fire Fist' Ace on high alert. This man… he's just too dangerous! But Yoru didn't have time to concern himself with Ace. 

“Enhancement Complete! Congratulations, Host, your Devil Fruit ability has awakened! Skill power and physical attributes have vastly improved, Strength Level +7, and you've gained the innate skill 'Phoenix Rebirth,' along with the subsidiary ability: Phoenix Aura (Conqueror's Haki)!” 

[STATUS PANEL] Host: Yoru Age: 19 Tori Tori no Mi, Phoenix Model: Awakened (20/100) Skills: Phoenix Fire Plumes, Phoenix Meteor Annihilation, Phoenix Wing Slash, Phoenix Sun Flare Passive Ability: Phoenix Rebirth (Recovers from any damage within flames) Observation Haki: Beginner (75/100) Armament Haki: Beginner (80/100) Conqueror's Haki: Beginner (75/100) Swordsmanship: Lv4 (Flash) Weapon: Illusion Breaker Enhancement Points: 980,000 Realm: One Piece 

Physical Attributes: Strength: 200 (Normal Human 5) Speed: 150 (Normal Human 5) Agility: 145 (Normal Human 5) Stamina: 195 (Normal Human 5) Defense: 195 (Normal Human 5) Strength Level: 82 (Marine Admiral 95) … 

Man, it really gets harder and harder to improve your strength later on… Even with a Devil Fruit Awakening, he only gained 7 Strength Levels! 

“Ace, I'm so glad you're okay!!” 

Just then, Marco rushed over, looking relieved as he spoke to 'Fire Fist' Ace, then added, “Ace, take your little brother and go. I'll handle this guy!” Marco gazed at Yoru with a serious expression. This guy felt even more powerful than he did moments ago. 

“So, you want to be my enemy, Marco?” 

Looking at Marco, whose face was etched with hostility, Yoru Ryoru's lips curved into a smile. “If that's how it is, then let's see! I want to find out just how strong I am now!” 

The moment he finished speaking, he shot forward, his body radiating an intensely scorching aura that made one's scalp tingle. 

“SWISH!” Marco transformed into his Phoenix form, clashing with Yoru. 

“How can he be… so hot?!” 

But the instant they collided, Marco's expression changed. The temperature radiating from Yoru was far more intense than even Akainu's magma, making Marco feel like he couldn't withstand it. 

Chapter 415: Immortal Bird vs. Fire Phoenix 

"Is that really all you've got?" Yoru grinned, looking at a struggling Marco. "This is hardly satisfying!" With a forceful shake of his arm, Marco was sent reeling back, his face contorted in pain. 

"Phoenix Fire Feathers!" Yoru also transformed into his own fiery phoenix form, unleashing a barrage of explosive, meteor-like fiery feathers with a sweep of his wings, soaring straight towards Marco. 

Marco initially didn't think much of it, planning to use his Immortal Bird's passive immunity to simply ignore Yoru's attack. But the very moment those fire feathers pierced through him, his expression changed drastically. 

"This is bad! These fire feathers are way too hot, they've exceeded my immunity limit! I'm going to get burned!" Marco, alarmed, quickly flapped his wings to create a shield in front of himself. 

"Bang! Bang! Bang!" 

But the power of those fire feathers was just too immense. Even the formidable Marco was sent flying back once again. 

This scene utterly shocked everyone present. 

"This guy... he's actually suppressing Marco?! No way!" "Woah, woah, woah, when did he get so strong? Just from that last attack?" "Even Marco isn't his match? This Shichibukai is becoming ridiculously powerful!" The Whitebeard Pirates' division commanders exclaimed in sheer disbelief. 

"How terrifying, he's gotten a lot stronger again!" Kizaru murmured. 

"Ara ara, even if I wanted to beat him now, it'd take quite a bit of effort, wouldn't it?" Aokiji added, both of them with incredibly solemn looks in their eyes. 

"Support Marco, and cover Ace's retreat..." Whitebeard suddenly issued a command, and "Flower Sword" Vista and the others immediately responded in unison. 

"Swish!" 

Facing the approaching "Flower Sword" Vista, Yoru flapped his wings, blocking their path. "Everyone, do you really think so highly of me? I couldn't possibly handle all of you ganging up on me!" He said that, but there wasn't a hint of modesty in his eyes. 

"Phoenix Wing Slash!" His wings suddenly erupted in blazing flames, causing the approaching commanders to blanch and quickly retreat. The sheer heat of those flames was so intense they felt like they were about to melt! 

"Oh no, he's attacking!" While retreating, "Flower Sword" Vista suddenly exclaimed. They saw Yoru's wings, sharp as blades and exuding a fierce aura, hurtling towards them, as if to cleave them in two! 

"Leave it to me!!" Marco's voice suddenly rang out. He transformed into an Immortal Bird, completely engulfed in cerulean flames, and charged forward with almost the same posture, meeting the attack head-on: "Immortal Bird Wing Slash!" 

Slash against slash! Mythical Zoan against Mythical Zoan! 

Two top-tier powerhouses clashed, creating an enormous commotion. The entire island trembled, and at the same time, scorching shockwaves erupted, tearing through the ground and flinging away and burning everyone in the vicinity. Even the surrounding frozen sea sizzled and melted considerably, with countless cracks appearing! 

"Heheheh, let's do that again then!" Yoru grinned, his flames intensifying, like a small sun. The scorching power made it hard to even open one's eyes. 

"Bang!" "Boom!" "Thud!" 

The sheer scale of their battle was already comparable to Whitebeard's earlier fight with Akainu! Cataclysm-level destructive power, cataclysm-level intensity. Shockwaves rolled, the air blurred, and ordinary individuals couldn't get close. Blood flew through the air, equally terrifyingly hot. The earth groaned, cracking, softening, and even melting from the powerful heat radiating from Yoru's body. 

"Phoenix Fire Feathers!" "Phoenix Falling Kill!" "Phoenix Wing Slash!" "Immortal Bird Wing Slash!" "Immortal Bird Impact!"