BOOM!!
The ice sphere shattered into pieces.
But inside, Kuzan had already slipped away the moment the ice resisted the blow.
"Fufufufu… not bad, you're using that Logia power well!"
Donquixote Doflamingo didn't seem the least bit bothered that his strike had missed.
Sure, a Logia user could be grabbed with Armament Haki—but only if they let you.
Still, he had stamina to spare. He could afford to wear Kuzan down slowly.
But how much strength did this Vice Admiral still have left… after fighting King, Vergo, and Doflamingo himself?
...
Elsewhere—
Having already suffered under Kaido's hands and then forced to take a full hit from his Conqueror's Haki-infused attack, Borsalino was now unconscious, hauled aboard the ship.
Medics were scrambling to save him.
By this point, even the communication room on the battleship was deserted. Every Den Den Mushi call rang unanswered.
Until one reached Borsalino's line.
Blup blup!
"This is Vice Admiral Borsalino's line! The Vice Admiral is unconscious right now!"
"...This is Kong! What's the situation?!"
"Fleet Admiral Kong!!! Admiral Zephyr… he's fallen in battle! Whitebeard escaped! Kaido's still alive! Vice Admiral Sakazuki is badly injured—still hasn't woken up!"
"The one who killed Admiral Zephyr, the Heavenly Yaksha Doflamingo, is chasing after Vice Admiral Kuzan right now! Fleet Admiral… we've lost!!!"
"...Understood. Hold on—I'm on my way."
Kong hung up.
As his fleet passed through the former territory of the Golden Lion, his face clouded over.
Was this whole thing a scheme between Whitebeard and Kaido?
And why had the Heavenly Yaksha suddenly joined the fight?
What exactly had the Gorosei done this time?
Doflamingo… had he really risen to the point where he could slay Zephyr?
...
Skypiea.
The refugee district.
"Mom, Lami, this way!"
Slightly older now, young Law led his mother and little sister toward Upper Yard.
At every sector gate, transport vehicles kept broadcasting loudly.
"Dear citizens, please follow the warriors of the battle division. They will guide you to Upper Yard."
"Enemies from the World Government are about to attack the kingdom!"
"Please do not linger! All damages will be covered by the kingdom!"
"Please move! The incoming invaders are vile slavers!"
"Please…"
The commotion made the crowd break into anxious murmurs.
"Why is this happening?"
"Why would the World Government come after us?"
"We didn't do anything wrong!"
"Fools! It's because our lives here are too good!"
"You think this good life just appeared out of nowhere?"
"It's because we stayed independent, refused to join the World Government, and kept their attacks away!"
"If we'd paid the Heavenly Tribute, sure, we'd be safe from pirates. But could we have lived this well? Hurry up—don't get in the kingdom's way while they fend off the enemy!"
"...."
Time passed.
In the shadows, Aramaki's wooden form crept closer to the zone.
"What the hell did Doflamingo do? This place is nothing like it was before."
His memories of this area were crystal clear.
Back then, it had been barren—empty land.
And now? Not a soul in sight.
"Yo! Isn't that Aramaki? Back again to donate some blood?"
A mocking voice rang out.
Spotted—already?!!
Boom! His wooden body exploded apart as Aramaki emerged at the shoreline, a flicker of relief in his chest.
But when he looked up, his heart sank.
There he was—the lightning brat, much taller now, staring down at him from the clouds.
Damn it. Caught again!
But why…?
"Hahaha! Not talking, huh? I'll make you scream soon enough!"
Enel's excitement surged—finally, it was his turn to beat someone down.
A bolt of lightning shot from his body into the sky.
"Doflamingo's not here now, and you think you can spout off like that?!"
No longer able to hide, Aramaki dropped the act.
With the demon gone, who else here could stop him?
Beneath his feet—
Vines. Flowers. Trees sprouted and twisted.
"Bring it on! Let's see if you can make me into another dried-up corpse!"
Enel raised a hand.
A giant thunderbird burst out from the clouds with a crackling shriek.
The high-voltage current filled the air with the stench of ozone.
"200 Million Volts: Thunderbird!!"
"The forest's insulation will make your lightning useless!"
The insult struck a nerve—Aramaki's rage flared, and his power erupted.
Mushroom-like shields blossomed around him, forming a dome.
Thick vines shot skyward in retaliation.
Everything Doflamingo had done to him—this time, his enemies would taste it all.
For a split second, Aramaki could almost see Doflamingo's humiliation flashing before his eyes.
"So naïve! Lightning isn't just light and sound!"
Enel sneered, smug with his newfound knowledge.
"Explode, Thunderbird!"
The giant bird neared Aramaki—and suddenly transformed. The raw lightning converted into searing light and intense heat!
An overwhelming blast erupted, like a miniature nuclear explosion.
BOOM!
Aramaki's pupils contracted.
His once-proud trees vaporized or burst into flames instantly under the scorching heat.
Even the cloud beneath his feet got stripped away in chunks.
"200 Million Volts!"
Enel pointed a finger. The condensed lightning morphed into a beam of white-hot energy and fired straight at Aramaki's hiding spot.
With his Mantra, Enel easily sensed that Aramaki was still alive and well.
From the scorched earth, new plants and vines sprouted—Aramaki, green and fresh again, emerged with a snort of disdain.
Just a little heat, and this kid was already so full of himself?
That earlier hit was nothing but a cheap shot.
Massive trees, each thicker than ten men combined, pierced through the clouds.
They shielded Aramaki as they rooted before him.
BOOM!!
Smoke and dust scattered.
But the special trees only blackened slightly on the surface—still alive, still growing strong.
Even the two people hiding in the House of Losers nearby could see it all clearly.
"Tch! That's pathetic Logia fighting!!"
Bullet scoffed. Either of those Devil Fruits—give him just one, and he'd surpass Doflamingo. Surpass even Roger!
"...Is that… a World Government officer?"
Issho, watching through his Haki, recognized Aramaki's uniform. His face darkened.
...
On the battlefield—
Enel's lips curled as he observed the scene.
"The problem's just that the temperature from converted lightning is too stable. But even so—lightning alone is enough to break you! Everything has resistance!"
He gathered crackling energy in his palm and fired it skyward.
Above, the clouds twisted and roared, as though some colossal beast was about to descend.
"Rahhahaha! You're too slow, lightning brat! Is that all the growth you've managed?"
Aramaki roared with laughter. If this was the best Enel could do, then victory was already his.
His towering trees merged together under his control.
A massive tree titan took shape, looming over the land.
In its hand, vine spears shot upward like machine-gun rounds—dozens, then hundreds, crisscrossing the sky and closing in on Enel.
"Slow? I'll destroy you!"
Enel's charge reached its peak. He raised his golden staff and pointed to the heavens.
A massive shape emerged—a monstrous head with deer antlers, eagle eyes, fish whiskers, and armored scales, lifelike and fearsome.
The image of Enel's progress after all the beatings he'd taken—his mastery over power taken to the next level.
"One Billion Volts: Thunder Dragon!!!"
The colossal thunder dragon dove, moving at lightning speed—impossible to dodge.
"Vanish with the thunderclap!"
BOOM!
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Fanfic is finished 527 chapters in total on p@treon/tambeerg