Chapter 492: Whitebeard and Chicken Phoenix
The rapid shift in pace did not unsettle Bullet.
Around his position, from the left shoulder of his colossal form to the chest, then to the right shoulder, and circling to the back before returning to the left, a series of massive muzzles formed a defensive ring.
Each muzzle targeted a specific area, creating a tight defensive perimeter.
This was designed to deliver fierce counterattacks and protection against strong opponents seeking to exploit gaps or approach from above.
When Aizen's light cannon entered this zone, the forward defensive cannons erupted.
These large-caliber cannons struck the light cannon, each collision igniting a fireball over ten meters wide.
They resembled small suns blooming in the air.
The spectacle was breathtaking.
"It's incredible!" Morgans exclaimed.
"That's the strength of the Reverberation Devil. Such power truly befits Bullet's reputation."
During the clash, Morgans' voice continued to narrate loudly.
However, the audience was engrossed in the intense battle scenes displayed across various screens.
They had little time to heed his commentary.
Elsewhere, in a volcanic region, another battle had erupted.
One of the combatants was Whitebeard, a man whose name once defined an era.
Now, his fame had somewhat diminished.
With many surpassing his terror, his presence was less daunting.
In the area Morgans called the Immortal Volcano Group, Whitebeard began to reveal his fearsome side to the world.
Boom!
Crack! Crack! Crack!
His weapon, Murakumogiri, struck a Chicken Phoenix-like Mythical Beast.
A sound like shattering glass echoed.
Bang!
The atmosphere broke like a mirror.
The Chicken Phoenix appeared distorted.
The sky and earth seemed to tilt, and the ground rolled back.
Magma from nearby volcanic craters surged, triggered by the impact.
The area resembled the apocalypse.
This was Whitebeard's ability and power.
Compared to two years ago, his strength had grown.
Nourished by the Holy Light Potion, Whitebeard's body, which had begun to falter due to past defeats, had recovered and grown stronger.
His strength was partly tied to the Shock Fruit's power.
Thus, its potency had increased indirectly.
Another factor was more significant.
Facing the era's drastic changes, Whitebeard felt profound powerlessness.
Amid this, his desire to protect his sons burned stronger.
This resolve linked his formidable spirit, altering his abilities.
This might be tied to the Devil Fruit's nature.
Undeniably, Whitebeard's ability ceiling had risen, enhancing his prowess.
As for how strong he had become, he could easily overpower Kaido, who often provoked him.
"Kuwahahaha!" a crowing sound erupted from the Mythical Beast before Whitebeard.
The sound reached Marco and others nearby.
They felt the sound clashed with the gravity of the situation.
How could the opponent of their captain be so comical?
"It hurts! You hit so hard, my muscles are splitting!" the Mythical Beast complained.
Hearing it speak, Whitebeard was momentarily speechless.
Yet, despite taking such a blow, the Mythical Beast remained playful and smiling.
Whitebeard sighed inwardly.
As expected of a Mythical Beast, it was resilient!
"Gurarara! If it hurts, hand over the treasure!"
He looked at the upright Chicken Phoenix rubbing its body and laughed heartily.
"How can that work? If you're only this strong, I won't yield." the Chicken Phoenix replied.
"If that's the case, let's keep going!" Whitebeard said.
Finding the Chicken Phoenix's defiance amusing, he grew intrigued.
From their brief exchange and its appearance, the Mythical Beast seemed like a curious youth eager to explore the world, aligning with Whitebeard's tastes.
This sparked an impulse in him.
He wanted to adopt this Mythical Beast as a son.
"Oh hahaha! You're an interesting human, but passing this test is impossible." the Chicken Phoenix said.
"You might defeat me once, but not forever." it continued.
"Because I am an immortal phoenix! Oh hahaha!" it declared loudly.
Hearing this, Marco and others nearby felt an urge to retort.
If they heard correctly, Morgans had introduced it as a Chicken Phoenix.
How did it become a phoenix in its own words?
After their initial speechlessness, Marco and his crew grew serious again.
The mention of "Phoenix" and its bold claims suggested this creature was extraordinary.
Could it truly be immortal?
Even Marco, a Phoenix power user himself, wouldn't claim immortality.
With unclear information, he remained uncertain.
Boom!
Regardless, the battle resumed.
Soon, the boastful Chicken Phoenix was beaten to the ground under the crew's bemused gazes.
It happened quickly.
Even Whitebeard hadn't expected it to be so fragile.
It had seemed formidable moments ago, yet a few more strikes left it sprawled.
Was this its immortality?
As everyone pondered, the situation shifted.
The fallen Chicken Phoenix began to transform, flames emerging from its body, forming a fire egg with intricate patterns.
Soon, Marco and others were stunned.
The fire cocoon shattered, and the Chicken Phoenix reappeared.
Its appearance had changed dramatically.
Once resembling a comical chicken-man, it now looked noble, with radiant, elegant feathers.
Wisps of firelight glowed on its body, enhancing its majestic presence.
"Ohahaha! Defeat a weak me, and a stronger me is born." it proclaimed.
"Wake up, human!" it taunted.
Marco and others, initially solemn, lost their seriousness at the Chicken Phoenix's words.
Its tone was comical, like a third-rate character.
It diminished their gravity.
"Gurararara! You have such an ability? That's remarkable!" Whitebeard said.
He gazed at the Chicken Phoenix's new form, feeling like a proud father watching his son perform.
The Chicken Phoenix tilted its head slightly at Whitebeard's praise and said, "Of course!"
As the human and Mythical Beast interacted, two figures approached a nearby volcano crater, riding the breeze.
"Has the Chicken Phoenix been forced into its second form?" one asked.
"As expected of Whitebeard!"
"Honestly, I don't want to provoke him. His crew, Phoenix Marco and Foil Vista, aren't easy to deal with either."
The figure carried a green sickle, his hair tied in a green turban, his face lazy.
"Aigolu, don't think of backing out, or I won't help you later." the other figure warned.
Hearing this, Aigolu sighed and said, "I know, I'll help. It's such a hassle, Tamago."
(End of this chapter)