396-400

Chapter 396: Kizaru vs. Rayleigh 

"This time, sorry guys, I'm your enemy—so be on guard!" Yoru’s words instantly put the entire Straw Hat crew on alert. Up until that moment, they had assumed he wasn’t hostile. 

“H-hey! You’ve gotta be kidding me!” Usopp groaned. “We’re already exhausted, and now we have to fight a Warlord too?!” 

They had just barely taken down one Pacifista with a combined effort—it was a miracle they even survived. And now, a Warlord? 

“Come on, then. Beat me, and you can leave,” Yoru said with a playful smirk. “Oh, and just so you know—Admiral Kizaru is on his way. If you don’t finish me off quickly, you’ll have him to deal with too!” 

“Damn it!” Zoro and Sanji gritted their teeth and locked eyes with Luffy. “Luffy, we’ve got no choice.” 

“I know!” Luffy replied with a serious look, tightening his grip on his hat. He activated Gear Second, steam bursting from his body. But the fatigue showed—he had already used Gear Third earlier and was reaching his limit. 

“Everyone, scatter! We regroup at the Sunny in three days!” Luffy knew their only chance was to flee. If they stayed and fought together, they’d be annihilated. 

“Gomu Gomu no… GATLING!” 

Luffy launched at Yoru, fists blurring through the air. Sanji flanked left, his legs blazing with Diable Jambe, while Zoro approached from the right with his Three-Sword Style, exuding killer intent. 

But Yoru casually sidestepped Luffy’s punches, grabbed his arm, and yanked him close—then slammed a fist into his chest, sending him flying. 

“Gwaaah! That hurts!” Luffy, a rubber man, normally didn’t feel blunt damage—but this was different. 

The Straw Hats were stunned. “Wait, how did that hurt Luffy?!” 

Yoru gave no time for them to ponder. With a flick, he unleashed a flurry of cold, slashing sword waves. 

“WAAH!” “Ugh!” 

Sanji was blown away almost instantly. Zoro, even with his strength, struggled to parry and was forced back. Others like Franky and Robin were sent flying far into the distance. 

“RUN! NOW!” Luffy shouted. He suddenly realized: Yoru had intentionally blasted them all far apart. He was helping them escape! 

“Straw Hats… whether you survive or not, that’s up to your luck.” Yoru sheathed his sword. He didn’t pursue. Because— 

“I can’t let that slide, ‘Thunder Blade.’ Helping them escape makes you complicit!” Kizaru appeared beside Yoru in a flash of light, immediately launching a barrage of laser beams toward the Straw Hats. 

BOOM! 

The 32nd Grove of the Sabaody Archipelago exploded in a blaze of destruction. The Straw Hats were thrown into chaos, panic written across their faces. 

Kizaru then reappeared right in front of Zoro. ZAP! A laser pierced through Zoro’s chest, and Kizaru pinned him underfoot. 

“ZORO!!!” Luffy screamed, horrified. 

As Kizaru raised his glowing leg, ready to finish Zoro off with another beam— 

“NO! STOP! DON’T!!!” Usopp, nearby, launched a desperate attack with his slingshot—but to no effect. Lacking Haki, he couldn’t touch Kizaru. 

Neither could Luffy or Sanji. Their attacks passed right through him. 

“WHY CAN’T WE HIT HIM?!” Luffy cried out in frustration as Kizaru kicked him away effortlessly. 

Kizaru’s foot descended again, ready to crush Zoro’s skull— 

“RAAAAAHHH!!” 

CLANG! 

At the last moment, a powerful figure intercepted the kick. Sparks exploded on contact. 

Silvers Rayleigh—the Dark King—had arrived! 

“You really showed up, huh, Rayleigh?” Kizaru said casually, unfazed. “That ‘Thunder Blade’ guy wasn’t lying after all.” 

“Still…” Kizaru gathered light in his hands, forming a glowing mirror. “I’ve still got a job to do. Target: the one who hit a Celestial Dragon—Straw Hat Luffy. Yata no Kagami!” 

He turned into a beam of light, shooting toward the Straw Hats. 

But Rayleigh was faster. Once again, he blocked the admiral's advance. 

“Get going, all of you!” Rayleigh ordered without looking back. His eyes locked on Kizaru… and Yoru, still standing off to the side. 

“You’re not going to interfere anymore, right?” 

Yoru chuckled. “Of course not. My job’s done. Kizaru-san, I’ll be taking my leave.” 

With that, he leapt skyward, transforming into a blazing phoenix and vanishing into the distance. 

“Tch. Can’t count on a Warlord to stick around, huh?” Kizaru muttered. “Guess it’s just you and me, old man.” 

“Fine by me,” Rayleigh replied, grinning. “Honestly, he was a tough one too. Now I can focus.” 

ZING! 

Light shimmered in Kizaru’s hands as he drew a blade of pure light—his Ama no Murakumo Sword. He slashed down. 

CLASH! 

Rayleigh met the blow with his saber. The impact shook the earth. 

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! 

Their battle erupted in full force—light against steel, speed against experience. Sparks flew, shockwaves exploded, and the entire sky was lit by their clash. 

Elsewhere— “Crap, he’s chasing us!” Usopp shouted, carrying Zoro on his back. In the skies above, they could see the glowing streak of Yoru flying overhead. 

Chapter 397 – Targeted 

“What, again?! They’re still chasing us!” 

Hearing this, everyone instinctively gritted their teeth in frustration. 

Franky spun around and threw a punch. “FRANKY IRON FIST!” 

His fist launched forward with a whoosh, tethered by a chain. 

But that wasn’t all—his other arm folded back, transforming into a gatling gun, and with a thunderous rattatat, a hailstorm of bullets shot toward Yoru in mid-air. 

“Fleur: Hundred Petals Bloom!” 

Nico Robin, Nami, and the others also launched a barrage of attacks, desperately trying to stop Yoru’s advance. 

“Ara ara, I really wasn’t planning to fight you guys… isn’t this a bit too much?” Yoru sighed, dodging their attacks with ease. 

With a flip, she soared higher and burst through the treetops of the Sabaody Archipelago, flying up into the open sky. 

“She’s gone…” 

The Straw Hats looked up, bewildered. 

“Wait—did she never intend to chase us in the first place?” 

But there was no time to dwell on that. They had far more pressing matters. 

They had to escape—fast! 

Meanwhile, with Yoru— 

“Captain, you’re finally back! What a crazy party that was!” laughed Burgess, watching the chaos around Sabaody. 

“A Marine Admiral showing up always means things are going to get out of control,” Nous said calmly. 

“Let’s move. Our next stop is Ruikavina Island.” 

Yoru pulled a sea chart from her coat and handed it to Nous. “It’s an island on the first half of the Grand Line, but the waters around it are full of Sea Kings and plagued by violent storms.” 

“It’s dangerous—so stay sharp.” 

Nous examined the chart and grinned. “Passing through a Sea King nest, huh? Sounds like a proper challenge.” 

“But don’t worry, Captain. I’ll get you to Ruikavina safely!” 

Yoru smiled. “I’d expect nothing less.” 

Ruikavina Island lay on the far side of the first half of the Grand Line—practically a world away from Sabaody. There, another Poneglyph, a piece of the True History, was rumored to exist. 

But that wasn’t all. The island was crawling with prehistoric beasts, just as dangerous as the island Luffy trained on with Rayleigh during the timeskip. 

Elsewhere… 

“A Warlord’s ship? What’s it doing here?!” 

“Hehehe, Boss, looks like we’ve hit the jackpot!” 

“Keh keh keh! We failed to catch Gecko Moria, but now that ‘Lightning Killer’ has delivered herself to us!” 

“Get ready, boys—we’re hitting them with an underwater ambush!” 

As Nous navigated the Mandefis through a Sea King nest and braved a gauntlet of extreme weather, they finally emerged into calm seas—only to be targeted. 

From a nearby island, a gang of grinning, spear-wielding raiders dove into the sea, aiming straight for the Mandefis. 

Aboard the Mandefis— 

“Cough cough—what a brutal stretch of ocean,” Yoru muttered, wiping saltwater from her face. 

“This weather’s no joke—almost cost us everything!” She glanced back at the path they’d taken. 

“Wehahaha! That tidal wave nearly buried me alive, Captain!” Burgess laughed, as wild as ever. 

“No wonder this place is called a Pirates’ Graveyard,” Nous added grimly. “Even though it’s not the New World, the weather here might as well be.” 

As someone from the New World himself, Nous knew how deadly its climate could be—and what they just faced was on par. 

“At least we made it through in one piece.” 

“I checked the hull,” reported Luli, walking over. “No serious damage. We just need to restock food on that island ahead.” 

“Alright—hm?” Yoru was about to nod, but suddenly smirked. 

“Nous, get ready. Looks like we’ve got company from below.” 

At her words, Luli and Burgess instantly shifted into combat mode. 

Nous focused and activated his Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki), sensing the approaching enemy beneath the waves. 

“Tch. Thought they could surprise us from below?” 

He let out a cold laugh. “Too bad. You picked the wrong ship to ambush.” 

He leapt high into the sky—and transformed into a massive azure thunderbird, lightning crackling around him. 

“Raiden no Jūtenshō!” (Thunderstorm of the Nine Heavens!) 

With a powerful flap of his wings, dark clouds rolled in and a tide of lightning crashed into the sea like divine punishment. 

“AAAAAAHHH!!!” 

In moments, bodies surfaced—some screaming, others unconscious, floating lifelessly. 

“Crap, they found us! Call the boss!” one panicked voice yelled. 

He tossed a glowing flare into the sky, bursting into a blinding light that made even Yoru squint. 

When the light faded, the attackers had disappeared beneath the waves again. 

Yoru, using her Kenbunshoku Haki, could still sense them lurking below. 

“Nous!” she called out, signaling him to continue. 

“Got it!” Like a child of thunder itself, Nous hurled another wave of lightning into the sea. 

“Not so fast!!!” 

Suddenly, a hulking man burst forth, walking on air (Geppō), charging straight at Nous. 

He wielded an enormous greatsword and sent a shockwave slicing through the air. 

But before Yoru could step in, a hail of massive projectiles shot toward the man, forcing him to defend. 

Thud! Thud! Thud! 

They were iron arrows, each as thick as an arm, weighing hundreds of kilos, fired with such force that their destructive power was monstrous. 

Then, a second brute emerged from the sea, his body wrapped in heavy chains and muscles bulging. He wore a beast pelt and stood as tall as a mountain, his eyes locked on Yoru with murderous glee. 

It was clear—she was his target. 

“He’s no ordinary enemy…” 

To launch iron arrows from a distance of at least 3 kilometers and maintain that kind of power… This guy had monstrous strength. 

“Warlord Yoru!” the brute bellowed. “Let’s see what you’re really made of!” 

“If you’re not strong enough… I’m taking your Warlord title for myself!” 

With explosive speed, he dashed through the air, each step shaking the sky with a thunderclap. 

“Then bring it on!” Yoru grinned, excitement burning in her eyes. 

After all, this world… was made for fighting. 

Chapter 398 – Defeating the Enemy 

“Whoosh!” 

He transformed into a blazing phoenix, his wings cloaked in Armament Haki. With a powerful flap, he collided head-on with the massive man, unleashing a clash that shook the skies. 

“Boom!” 

It was like a colossal bomb had been dropped into the sea. The shockwave from their collision was so fierce it blasted the ocean apart, sending surging waves slamming against the Mandevus, causing it to rumble and creak under the force. 

“Heh... not bad. You’ve got some serious power!” 

Yoru grinned at the burly man, the fire of battle blazing even brighter in her eyes. Her razor-sharp talons shimmered with Haki, gleaming like cold steel as she slashed forward. 

Even using her talons as swords, her strength didn’t drop in the slightest! 

“Iron Body!” 

To her surprise, the man didn’t dodge or block. His chest darkened instantly, gleaming like it was covered in Armament Haki. 

“Clang!” 

Raina’s blow, which could shred steel with ease, only managed to carve a shallow groove into his chest—barely a third of the way through. 

“Damn, that’s hot!” 

The man winced. Raina’s intense heat was clearly affecting him. “No wonder you’re a Shichibukai. My supposedly impenetrable Iron Body just got torn open by you!” 

“But don’t get cocky. I’m the Steel Human who ate the Kōkō no Mi—the Steel-Steel Fruit! Your swordsmanship means nothing against me!” 

With a thunderous roar, he launched a punch that ripped through the air toward Raina. 

“Boom!” 

Another violent impact erupted, the explosion echoing across the sky. 

“Boom! Boom! Boom!” 

Raina and the giant clashed repeatedly in mid-air. 

His punches were monstrous. 

If not for Raina’s own mastery of Armament Haki, and her explosive yet refined power, she probably wouldn’t have dared face him head-on. 

“As expected of a Shichibukai—you’ve lasted this long without falling. That’ll make crushing you even more satisfying!” 

“Take this!” 

The brute roared, releasing a terrifying wave of energy. 

From his body, black steel began to condense—forming into a spear as thick as an arm. 

“Explosive Lance!” 

He kicked off into the air and charged toward Raina, his lance piercing forward like lightning. Even Raina’s pupils contracted—this energy was overwhelming, more than she could easily block. 

“Phoenix Feather Slash!” 

Raina ignited her full power, heat surging from her body as her wings flared with a sword aura that slashed through the sky. 

“Hahaha! You’re gonna try and block this? Fool!” 

Seeing her counterattack, the man laughed arrogantly. “Unless an Admiral shows up, no one’s stopping this strike!” 

“BOOM!” 

Regardless of his laughter, their attacks collided. 

It was like fireworks exploding at point-blank range. The sheer force tore through the sky and blasted toward the ocean. A thunderous shockwave roared through the air. 

Incredibly, Raina held her ground against the spear! 

“Pierce him—Strelow’s Spear!” 

The brute slammed a palm against the spear’s base, unleashing a surge of unimaginable force. 

Raina’s face hardened—she staggered back several steps under the impact. 

“Break for me!” 

With a shout, Raina surged her heat into the spear. The temperature spiked, and to everyone’s shock—she cut through the massive steel weapon! 

“What?!” 

The man’s eyes widened. 

Raina shot toward him like a falling meteor, wings blazing. 

“Iron Arrows!” 

He panicked. Dozens of steel arrows, thick as fingers, burst from his body, raining toward Raina like a storm. 

But— 

“Clang! Clang! Clang!” 

They did nothing. Raina ripped through them like paper, appearing right in front of him. 

“Iron Body!” 

He shouted, reinforcing himself with his strongest defense. “My body’s the strongest—there’s no way you’ll break through!” 

“BOOM!” 

They collided like twin meteors, igniting a massive explosion that dyed the sky in fire. 

Sizzle… SSSSS… 

The man gritted his teeth in agony. His body smoked, scorched by Raina’s searing heat. 

He stared at her in disbelief—her flaming wings had pierced through his supposedly invincible body. 

“Impossible… This was my ultimate defense… How did you—” 

“I’m done listening.” 

Raina’s voice was cold. 

“Get—DOWN!” 

Flames exploded from her body. With a flap of her wings, she unleashed a shockwave that blasted the man back. 

“Phoenix Meteor Kill!” 

Raina soared upward, then dove like a meteor, slamming straight into him with unstoppable force. 

“BOOM!” 

The brute crashed into the ocean like a falling bomb, sending a towering pillar of water into the air. 

“Boss!!” 

The man’s crew were stunned and horrified. 

Even the guy fighting Nowes froze. “No way… The boss already lost?! That fast?!” 

“Oi oi… getting distracted mid-fight? Not cool!” 

Nowes was surrounded by a crackling aura of lightning. He charged forward like a bolt from the heavens. 

“Thunderclap Fist!” 

He descended like a thunder god. The sheer pressure of his attack made his opponent’s eyes widen in shock—he hurriedly raised his sword to block. 

“Go down with him!” 

Nowes shouted, summoning a massive bolt of lightning from the sky. It surged through him, amplifying his power far beyond his opponent’s limit. 

“NO!” 

The man screamed, but it was too late—he was smashed into the sea like a falling star. 

“Thunderstorm Wrath!” 

Nowes wasn’t done. He summoned thunderbolts as thick as water barrels, blasting the sea with lightning that spread like wildfire—stunning and striking enemy after enemy in the surrounding waters. 

“Wahaha! Nowes, you’re way too intense! You’re stealing all the fun—I don’t even get a proper warm-up with these small fry!” 

Burgess smashed the last enemy soldier aside with a punch, complaining loudly. 

“Not my fault you can’t fly!” 

Nowes, still in his thunderbird form, let out a faintly amused look before diving into the sea to grab his downed opponent. 

Right beside him, Raina was doing the same. 

“Crap… both the Boss and the Vice-Captain got captured…” 

“Damn it… are we really going to get wiped out completely?!” 

The remaining grunts watched in fear, hesitation already spreading across their faces. 

Chapter 399: Opponents from the New World 

“Huh? Isn’t that guy one of those pirates from the New World?” 

When Yoru and Nous returned to the Mandefus and reverted to their human forms, Ruri glanced at the prisoners they brought back and couldn’t hide her surprise. 

“You know them, Ruri?” Yoru asked after hearing her comment. 

Ruri nodded and pointed at the one Yoru had defeated. “That’s Bakyuu Stro. He’s the user of the Steel-Steel no Mi and has a bounty of 692 million Berries. He’s also the captain of the Bakyuu Pirates.” 

“I remember not long ago, he fought Jack the Drought, one of the All-Stars of the Beasts Pirates, and actually made it out in one piece. He’s a real tough opponent!” 

Then she pointed at the one Nous had taken down. “This guy’s name is Mooks, nicknamed ‘Heavyblade.’ He’s a total muscle freak with a bounty of 468 million Berries. He’s got a Zoan-type Ushi-Ushi no Mi, a rare variant that turns him into a Demon Bull.” 

“But wait… something doesn’t add up.” 

“The Bakyuu Pirates have always been active in the New World. They’re infamous for ambushing and looting other pirate crews for everything they’re worth.” 

“And what about their third-in-command, ‘Flying Bird’ Matlin? He’s got a bounty over 300 million too!” 

Hearing Ruri’s explanation, Yoru and Nous finally understood. “No wonder those two were using Haki! Makes sense if they’re from the New World.” 

Yoru grinned. “Well, since they delivered themselves to us, there’s no way we’re letting them leave. Lock them up—we’ll offer them to Sengoku as a welcome gift.” 

Then Yoru looked around at the surrounding pirates. “As for the rest of you…” 

He smiled even wider, so dazzling that it sent the remaining pirates scrambling to dive into the sea and flee. 

“Captain, you really scared them off!” Nous said with a smirk. 

“What can I say?” Yoru shrugged, then his face turned serious. “Let’s dock on the island, restock our supplies, and head straight to Ruikavina Island.” 

“Got it,” Nous replied, also getting serious. 

Once they landed, they found the island completely abandoned. The former inhabitants had fled, leaving behind a pile of treasure—something Yoru was more than happy to pick clean. 

“I’ve decided. This island will be our base.” 

Yoru planted his pirate flag firmly into the ground. 

“Not a bad idea. Gives us a place to settle down,” Nous agreed. 

After resupplying and confirming that the weather would be stable for their next journey, the crew set off again. 

“Time to enhance my Devil Fruit ability.” 

Yoru began focusing. He had earned 80,000 enhancement points from fighting the Straw Hat Crew at Sabaody Archipelago, and 550,000 from his battle with Axyustro. Including his previous 300,000, he now had a total of 930,000 points. 

“Begin enhancement. Consuming 800,000 points to evolve the Devil Fruit ability to ‘Advanced Form.’” 

As soon as the system finished speaking, a wave of searing heat surged through Yoru’s body, making him cry out in pain. 

It felt like he was being cooked alive. 

His entire body radiated heat, turning bright red. Nous, Bascas, and Ruri all looked on in shock. 

“No worries—it’s just my Devil Fruit evolving!” 

To reassure them, Yoru launched himself into the sky and transformed into a blazing Hi no Fushichō—a fire phoenix. 

BOOM! 

The flames around Yoru turned a deep crimson, and the temperature skyrocketed past 1000°C—still climbing. 

His body became larger and more powerful. The sheer intensity of his aura made Nous, Bascas, and Ruri all freeze in awe. 

“Haoshoku Haki?!” they blurted out. 

They could feel the weight of his will pressing down on them—it felt like Yoru was a born king, someone they had no choice but to follow. 

Zzzzzz! 

Even the sea was steaming just from his presence. Nous and the others were sweating buckets. 

“He’s like a miniature sun!” 

Realizing the intensity of his transformation, Yoru soared even higher into the sky. 

He remained airborne for ten full minutes before descending. 

When he returned to human form, his body had clearly grown taller and more muscular. 

His aura had leveled up as well. 

[Enhancement Complete] Congratulations! You've acquired the new skill: Phoenix Sunflare. Power Level: +5 All base stats significantly increased! 

[Status Panel] 

• Name: Yoru 

• Age: 19 

• Tori Tori no Mi, Model: Phoenix — Advanced (45/100) 

• Skills: 

• Phoenix Firefeather 

• Phoenix Falling Slash 

• Phoenix Wing Sever 

• Phoenix Sunflare 

• Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation): Beginner (75/100) 

• Busoshoku Haki (Armament): Beginner (80/100) 

• Swordsmanship: Level 4 (Glint) 

• Weapon: Breaker of Illusions 

• Enhancement Points: 130,000 

• World: One Piece 

Stats (Normal human = 5): 

• Strength: 180 

• Speed: 110 

• Agility: 100 

• Stamina: 160 

• Defense: 150 

• Power Level: 75 (Navy Admiral = 95) 

With this new power, Yoru’s bounty would easily hit between 800 million and 1 billion Berries! 

Ruikavina Island 

After docking at a nearby port, the crew set foot on the island. 

“Be alert. This island is crawling with dangerous creatures. Do not trigger a stampede,” Yoru warned after scanning the area with Kenbunshoku Haki. 

Most creatures here had threat levels equivalent to a 200 million Berries bounty. 

The strongest? A Deer King with a threat level close to 900 million. 

“Got it!” everyone responded, staying close behind Yoru. 

RROOAAR~ 

Of course, their presence didn’t go unnoticed. From the shadows of the forest, pairs of blood-red eyes began to glow. Deep, guttural growls echoed around them. 

But the overwhelming presence of Yoru’s Haoshoku Haki kept them at bay. The beasts dared not act rashly. 

“Wahahaha! These monsters are massive! Gives me chills!” Bascas said, nervously watching the enormous silhouettes in the trees. 

None of the beasts were under two meters tall. 

Even Bascas—usually the tallest among them—felt dwarfed. 

A 15-meter-tall lion glared at them with cold eyes from one side, while a colossal wolf on the other side lazily raised its head, locking onto them. 

And just ahead, a swarm of iron-armored giant ants began retreating from their path. 

Chapter 400: The Sky Stag — Sayebia 

“What a magnificent and awe-inspiring force of nature… So many terrifying beasts living on this island—it’s no wonder we always hear about powerful pirate crews disappearing without a trace after entering places like this!” 

Nous was on full alert, scanning the surroundings cautiously. A bead of cold sweat formed on his forehead. 

Getting into a fight with these creatures… wouldn’t end well. 

“Well, of course!” 

“The Grand Line is called the ‘graveyard of pirates’ for a reason! Strange islands like this are par for the course!” 

“Look at all these bones we’ve passed. Plenty of them are human.” 

Yoru pushed through a curtain of hanging vines and suddenly came to a halt. 

“Captain, why’d you stop—” 

Nous started to ask, but then he looked ahead—and his breath caught in his throat. 

“What the…?” 

His eyes widened in disbelief. “This has gotta be cheating!” 

Even Burgess looked stunned. “Is that size for real?!” 

Before them lay a colossal stag, as massive as a mountain. Its breath thundered like a storm, its antlers reached like a forest, and its sheer presence crushed the air like a prison. The pressure alone made their scalps tingle. 

On the stag’s back lived a group of vividly colored baboons. Upon noticing Yoru and the others, the baboons immediately took formation, shielding the giant stag in tight ranks. 

Burgess, towering at over two meters, looked like a speck of dust in comparison. He wasn’t even the size of one of the stag’s eyeballs. 

Yoru’s group was absolutely tiny in the face of this creature. 

Then, the stag slowly opened its eyes and looked straight at them. 

In that moment, Nous, Burgess, and the others all felt a bone-deep chill of dread. 

Even Yoru’s hand instinctively moved to her blade. 

This stag was far too powerful. 

“Have you come in search of the Poneglyph as well?” 

The giant stag spoke. 

Everyone jumped in surprise. 

“Don’t be alarmed. I am Sayebia, of the Sky Stag clan. I’ve eaten the Hito Hito no Mi—Human-Human Fruit. I’ve been waiting here for the next soul seeking the Poneglyph.” 

“Then… how do we get to see the Poneglyph?” Yoru asked, her expression softening slightly at Sayebia’s calm demeanor. 

“It’s simple. Withstand one full-force blow from me—and you earn the right to see it.” 

“Outsider… do you accept this trial?” Sayebia asked. 

“Bring it on,” Yoru replied, her eyes sharp. 

“Excellent. You are the 152nd to accept this challenge. Prepare yourself!” 

The moment he finished speaking, Sayebia stood up. 

The entire island trembled. The forests around them shuddered in panic, and flocks of birds screeched in terror. 

Gulp. 

“This guy’s freaking enormous…” 

Sayebia’s towering form rose over 100 meters tall. His presence blotted out the sky. 

Even a Yonko might hesitate to face a single blow from something like this head-on. 

The others couldn’t help but glance at Yoru with concern. Could she really endure this? 

Sayebia took a deep breath. 

In an instant, the skies changed, the winds howled, and Burgess and the others struggled just to stay on their feet. The sheer pressure was overwhelming. 

All this… from just one breath? 

If his preparation was this devastating, what kind of force would his actual attack unleash? 

“I’m coming!” 

Sayebia’s voice roared like thunder in their ears. 

With a snort, he launched a massive, condensed blast of air that crushed the earth beneath it and split the sea, charging straight at Yoru. 

“Phoenix Feather Slash!” 

“And… Shining Light!” 

Sayebia’s power was enough to make Yoru feel a rare, genuine sense of danger. 

He knew—if he didn’t go all out, he’d be seriously injured. 

Flames engulfed him as he transformed into a blazing phoenix, wings flaring wide. Armament Haki covered his body, and sword intent surged as he clashed with the incoming air blast. 

BOOM! 

A thunderous shockwave rocked the island. Nous, Burgess, and the others were thrown back with pained grunts. 

CRASH! 

The surrounding forest was obliterated in an instant, ripped apart like paper. The ensuing windstorm surged beyond the island’s edge, kicking up monstrous waves across the sea. 

Animals fled in panic, their cries echoing everywhere. 

“Guh—!” 

Still in phoenix form, Yoru grunted in pain, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. His eyes sharpened. With a forceful flap of his wings, he pushed back, driving the air blast upward and away. 

Cough cough. “What a terrifying blow, Sayebia…” 

Returning to his human form, Yoru wiped the blood from his lips, eyes still filled with tension. 

“Congratulations, outsider. You are only the third human in decades to survive my trial. You’ve earned the right.” 

Sayebia stepped aside—and behind him, an ancient Poneglyph revealed itself. 

“Thank you,” Yoru said respectfully. He took a rubbing sheet from his coat and carefully pressed it onto the stone. 

It didn’t take long to finish. 

Burgess and Nous, looking beat up but in awe, stumbled over. “That was insane…” one of them muttered. 

“Alright,” Yoru said, “Time to head for Marineford—for the greatest war this era’s ever seen.” 

It had taken five days to reach Luikavina Island from the Sabaody Archipelago. 

The return trip would take about the same—just enough to make it in time for what the world had dubbed the “Paramount War.” 

“Wahahaha! Captain, I can’t wait to see what you do out there. I’ll be watching every second!” Burgess grinned. 

“I don’t have a choice, do I? We’re up against the Whitebeard Pirates. Even if I wanted to slack off, I’d die doing it.” 

Yoru shrugged, bidding farewell to the now-slumbering Sayebia. The crew boarded their ship and set sail once more. 

Meanwhile, as Yoru’s crew began their return journey… 

Marineford. 

“Have the elite marines begun their deployment?” 

Fleet Admiral Sengoku asked solemnly, eyes fixed on his strategy officer. 

“Yes, sir. All selected elite marines are en route to Marineford. Every officer of Ensign rank and above has prepared for battle. The three Admirals have secured the situation in the New World, and the key Vice Admirals are converging from all over the globe.” 

“Everything is proceeding exactly as you’ve ordered. The war will begin on schedule and under control.” 

Sengoku nodded. “What about the Shichibukai?” 

The officer replied, “We’ve already dispatched Vice Admirals from HQ to urge them into position.”