Chapter 437: The Battle of Duke!
When Carmel stepped into view, a smile curved across Chrollo's lips. Finally, a foe worthy of their attention.
"This is Saturn, one of the former Five Elders of the World Government," Chrollo said calmly. "I've already explained his abilities to all of you. Be cautious when you engage."
Even as he spoke, the spectral beasts of his conjured Nen fish surged forward, devouring the Saturn cyborgs one after another. But Chrollo did not relax—if anything, his expression grew sharper.
Black chains erupted from his arms, rattling as they coiled through the air.
Clatter… roar!
A monstrous shade, a cannibalistic beast born of his stolen powers, tore forward and charged straight at Carmel.
Carmel's grin widened perversely. "Oh, this little cutie is delightful. Captain Chrollo, why don't you stay and let's become… friends?"
Machi's lip curled in disgust. "Gross." Her fingers flicked, unleashing a lattice of shimmering threads that sealed the surrounding space. With every fiber taut, she could detect any movement around them. Carmel's presence made her skin prickle—instinct screamed danger.
"Captain, don't waste time!" Machi snapped. "More cyborgs are coming. If we get bogged down, we'll never leave this place alive."
A new voice cut across the battlefield. "She's right. Retreat now, or you'll be trapped here."
Chrollo and the others turned. Standing among the smoke was Heracles—the man who had created the living plant known as Duke.
Chrollo frowned. "Heracles? Weren't you with Yahiko's group? Why are you here?"
"This is the captain's order,"Heracles replied firmly. "I'm here to pull you out. Now move!"
The crew hesitated, but Chrollo didn't. "You heard him. Evacuate!" He vaulted high, and with a whip of its massive vines, Duke coiled around the troupe members, hurling them one by one into the sea where a Navy ship waited.
Carmel's voice slithered after them. "Leaving already? I haven't even begun to show you how much I adore you…"
From behind him surged a tide of bodies—cyborg replicas, not only of Saturn but of countless other fallen warriors. An entire army of artificial soldiers filled the horizon. Even Uvogin, battle maniac that he was, swallowed hard at the sight.
"Captain," Uvogin muttered, sweat on his brow, "if we really get swarmed by all that, we'll be worn down to death…"
Chrollo narrowed his eyes. Now he understood Heracle's urgency.
"Your ship is gone," Heracles shouted. "I had the Navy bring me here. Get aboard—an old acquaintance is waiting. I'll hold this thing back."
Then Duke roared. Its vines lashed like whips, spiked thorns glinting with a deadly violet sheen. Each strike crushed or skewered the oncoming cyborgs, bursting their bodies into bloody mist. The living plant inhaled the vapor, feeding, growing stronger with every kill.
"Goodbye, Duke," Heracles whispered, placing a hand on its bark. A single tear slid down his cheek. "Hold them off, no matter the cost."
The vines shuddered. Duke roared again—this time with the voice of a beast, not a plant. As if Heracles sorrow had awakened a will within it.
A massive seed burst from its core and landed in Heracles arms. Then the vines wrapped around him, hurling him and the rescued crew aboard the Navy warship.
The battle was left to Duke alone.
The plant's body twisted into a fortress of spines. Poisonous thorns glowed purple, and its roots spread across the Red Line itself, weaving a living barricade. Every cyborg that fell became nourishment, pulled back into its body to fuel one last desperate stand.
Splatter… crack… shriek…
The battlefield shook with its fury. But numbers told their own story. The tide of cyborgs was endless, their strength monstrous.
Ten minutes later, the mighty Green Duke had been reduced to a single broken trunk. Its branches lay shattered, its vast canopy stripped away. But its mission was complete—the Navy ship carrying the Phantom Troupe had long vanished from sight.
On the barren ground, Carmel stepped forward, licking his lips. "Interesting. A plant with sentience and power… whoever created this is remarkable. I'd love to claim him for myself."
The ruined trunk shuddered. Then—
BOOM!
A final explosion ripped across the Red Line. The blast vaporized every cyborg caught in its radius, scorching even Carmel despite his distance. Dust and smoke rolled skyward. When it cleared, a massive crater scarred the land. Of Duke, nothing remained.
Carmel trembled, his grin feverish. "Magnificent… truly magnificent. The Dragon Hunter Pirates are full of such wonders. I must have the one who made this!" His tongue slid across his lips. Twisted ecstasy shone in his eyes.
Then, with a chuckle, he turned and vanished into the haze.
On the Navy warship, Heracles sat in silence, clutching the seed Duke had left behind. His shoulders sagged with grief.
"He's gone," he whispered. "But… one day, he'll bloom again."
Chrollo approached, placing a steady hand on his shoulder. "I know how it feels to lose a partner. But this isn't the end. Prepare yourself. Next time, we'll bring him back stronger than ever."
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