Gan Fall climbed to his feet, not giving up the fight. He took a deep breath and charged once more.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
Gan Fall relentlessly activated his Wind Burst Dial, a barrage of fiery spear images aimed at Bege. Bege, wielding his sword one-handed, blocked each thrust, the impacts creating a continuous, deafening clangor.
Bege increased the force of his slashes. Gan Fall staggered back a step from the sheer power. He gritted his teeth, planted his foot, and lunged at Bege again with his spear.
"No matter how many times you try, the result will be the same. You can't defeat me," Bege said coldly, deflecting Gan Fall's attacks with ease.
Gan Fall coughed up a mouthful of blood, but charged forward. "Even if I die, Skypiea will not be yours."
"You fool." A cold glint flashed in Bege's eyes. He swung his sword, the ferocious sword energy sending Gan Fall flying dozens of meters away, crashing through a large stone pillar.
"Save God! Kill him!" The High Priests, witnessing this, were consumed with murderous rage. Some of them instantly charged at Bege.
One priest held a gun in one hand and a sword in the other. Riding a Waver, he swiftly approached, aiming a pistol at Bege and firing without hesitation. The pistol spewed forth scorching flames.
Bege shifted his body a few times, appearing beside the priest, his long sword swinging. The priest's reaction was surprisingly sharp, he managed to anticipate it. He used his other hand to quickly parry the slash.
However, he couldn't react to Bege's follow-up kick, which sent him flying.
A whistling sound came from behind. Bege seemed to teleport, shifting a few centimeters to the right. A long sword slashed down where his shoulder had been just moments before, narrowly missing him.
"Die!" A furious roar erupted. Behind Bege, a High Priest shouldered a cannon, firing directly at him. A cannonball shot forward.
Bege casually slashed, his sword energy bisecting the cannonball, causing it to explode.
Three figures pounced from three different directions, their weapons—a flaming sword, a Heat Spear, and a Heat Sword—thrusting and slashing.
Bege used Soru, vanishing from the spot. Three streaks of light almost instantly tore through the afterimage he left behind.
The fierce spear's flames shattered the ground.
"You can't even keep up with my speed. How do you expect to fight me?" Bege's cold voice echoed behind the three.
Two cries of pain rang out simultaneously. Two figures were sent flying, crashing to the ground. One had been slashed by the sword; the other had been knocked unconscious by a kick.
"Huh, he actually dodged my slash," Bege said, somewhat surprised, looking at the Skypiean High Priest who had retreated more than ten meters.
This priest had a square face and wielded a Heat Sword. He was drenched in cold sweat, his eyes filled with fear as he stared at Bege.
Bege's attack had been incredibly fast. Pirates worth less than 100 million berries would have struggled to evade it, yet this seemingly unremarkable Skypiean High Priest had managed to dodge.
A glint flashed in Bege's eyes. He took a step, the wind swirling beneath his feet, and instantly appeared behind the priest, slashing again.
To his surprise, the priest dodged again, the blade only severing a few strands of his hair.
Bege used Soru once more, unleashing a series of slashes. The High Priest's dodges became increasingly difficult, his clothes ripped open several times, leaving wounds on his body.
Modi and the others initially thought that Bege, his playful side showing, just toyed with him, like a cat playing with a mouse, a few slashes were enough. All of them were wearing impassive expressions.
The High Priest looked utterly exhausted each time he dodged Bege's attacks. Finally, Bege's sword connected with his back, and he collapsed.
"It's Observation Haki, but only a rudimentary awakening." After several probing strikes, he finally confirmed that this man had awakened Observation Haki.
The ability to awaken Haki meant the potential to become a powerful warrior in the future. Bege gave the man another look.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...
The High Priests hadn't given up. They charged, one after another. Bege swung his long sword again. His blade speed was astonishing. The High Priests could only passively defend. With a series of booms, the High Priests coughed up blood, sent flying by the force.
Bege felled them one by one. None of the High Priests could withstand a single blow, all of them knocked away, crashing to the ground and spitting up blood.
"Kill them!" the fallen High Priests roared in fury. The Skypiean warriors immediately raised their guns, ready to attack. The Fire Tank Pirates were equally prepared to retaliate.
"Stand down, all of you!" Gan Fall, leaning on his spear, walked over. His booming voice halted the Skypiean warriors.
Gan Fall approached Bege, his expression filled with extreme reluctance. He took a deep breath and said, "Why do you want to conquer Skypiea? Don't tell me it's to end our four-hundred-year war with the Shandians. That won't fool anyone."
"Really? I thought it might," Bege laughed heartily, but no one joined in. He coughed awkwardly, his expression turning serious. "Skypiea holds significant strategic importance for me. It will be a crucial cornerstone in my conquest of the world."
Gan Fall's face darkened. "I don't care about your world conquest. I want to know what you'll do after you take Skypiea. What will happen to the Skypieans?"
Bege smiled casually. "Don't worry. I prefer peace. Slaughter isn't my way. After I become the God of Skypiea, I won't touch the Skypieans or the Shandians. I need them to work for me, but I won't force them. They work for me, and I bring them prosperity. It's a win-win."
Gan Fall remained skeptical, hesitating. "If we refuse, what will you do?"
Bege's eyes instantly turned sharp, a ferocious killing intent erupting, startling Gan Fall into taking two steps back. The overwhelming killing intent spread, terrifying the Skypiean High Priests and warriors.
"Kill. Kill everyone who opposes me. I said slaughter isn't my method, but to achieve my goals, I don't mind it. No one can stop me from becoming the ruler of Skypiea. Gan Fall, I hate killing innocent people, but a general's success is built on a mountain of bones. For my ambition, I won't hesitate to kill those who resist me."
"I understand. I will cede the position of God to you, but you must promise not to massacre the Skypiean people. Otherwise, I will lead the Skypieans in rebellion against you again," Gan Fall said firmly.
"Although your threat is hardly impressive, I accept," Bege said solemnly, looking directly at Gan Fall.
"Then, Gan Fall, I now invite you to become my Regent. Will you accept?" Bege looked at the despondent Gan Fall.
Gan Fall frowned, looking at Bege with some confusion.
"I'm not familiar with Skypiea's customs and traditions. I need someone to carry out my orders, and you are the best candidate. You're worried I'll rule with tyranny, so become my Regent. I give you the power to veto my orders. That way, you can better protect the Skypiean people," Bege explained.
"If it's for the sake of the Skypiean people, then I accept," Gan Fall agreed without hesitation.
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