Back in the square, Sakazuki's attack seemed earth-shatteringly powerful. Even the shockwave from the explosion had instantly leveled the buildings on both sides of the plaza.
Yet despite that, the protective barrier created by Bartolomeo didn't show even a single crack.
"Haha! So this is a Navy Admiral? That's all you've got?"Bartolomeo laughed smugly after his barrier successfully withstood the Admiral's full-powered strike.
Both Crocodile and Douglas Bullet were stunned.
They had clearly sensed the sheer might behind Sakazuki's magma attack, but it still failed to break through Bartolomeo's absolute defense.
Seeing this, they began to feel that Renji Kai's decision to come here was absolutely worth it.
Renji himself remained calm, watching everything unfold.
After all, this barrier could even withstand the "King's Punch" of Elizabello II, the so-called "Warrior King."
Elizabello II, ruler of the Prodence Kingdom, was born with a naturally overwhelming physique, and his punch was said to be so powerful that it could obliterate a fortress in a single blow.
Rumor had it that even one of the Four Emperors, if struck directly, would die on the spot. He was considered a living weapon of mass destruction.
So compared to that, Sakazuki's attack couldn't even begin to measure up—it was no surprise the barrier held firm.
However, as Renji had mentioned before, Bartolomeo's barrier had limitations: it could only defend a small frontal area. The remaining three sides were completely exposed.
Worse still, if Bartolomeo let go or lost concentration, the barrier would vanish entirely. The drawbacks were significant.
"Go! Bartolomeo, find the right moment to trap Sakazuki inside a barrier sphere. The rest of us will take care of the three Vice Admirals."Renji Kai immediately issued orders to his team.
The next moment, Renji bent his knees slightly and propelled himself forward using the ground's recoil—like a bolt of lightning, he surged ahead!
Seeing Renji make his move, the other three followed suit, while Bartolomeo withdrew his barrier.
The three Marine Vice Admirals also pulled out their weapons and charged forward to meet them.
What followed was an all-out brawl erupting at the heart of the square.
Buildings all around were obliterated in mere seconds by the overwhelming strength of the combatants.
"Body Flicker Technique!"
As Renji was about to reach Sakazuki, he vanished in a blur—only to reappear like a ghost directly behind him!
"Eight Gates Released Formation: Gate of Life, Front Lotus!"
Renji shouted, and his body instantly exploded with green energy that surged around him like a raging storm.
But just as his kick was about to land, Sakazuki immediately turned into molten magma, fully elementizing his body.
Renji's strike hit nothing but air.
"Damn it! Even the explosive speed of the third gate isn't fast enough to catch him off guard…"Renji's expression darkened. Even at such intensity, Sakazuki could still react in time—he was that strong.
Without hesitation, Sakazuki rematerialized beside him and let out a cold grunt, his arm instantly transforming back into magma.
His molten arm morphed into a massive lava hound and lunged straight for Renji.
"Eight Gates – Gate of Limit, Open!"
Renji had no choice but to quickly force open the fifth gate.
Now, his speed was so great that it whipped the air violently and even carved into the ground beneath him.
But going any further—to the sixth gate—would put a huge strain on his body.
So after opening the fifth gate, Renji retreated with explosive speed.
Even with his maxed-out agility, the molten hound's snout brushed against his chest.
In that instant, his shirt was incinerated, and a huge blackened burn mark spread across his chest.
Renji managed to skid to a stop and break into a cold sweat.
If he'd been even a fraction slower, that attack could've pierced his chest completely.
This was the terrifying power of an Admiral.
But just as Sakazuki was focused entirely on Renji, Bartolomeo, who was battling Onigumo, found his opportunity.
He dodged a sword slash and immediately slipped behind Sakazuki.
With lightning speed, he formed his signature Commons fingers gesture.
A transparent barrier sphere instantly formed—trapping Sakazuki inside!
"Hey! Someone protect me! Don't let anyone attack me!"Bartolomeo shouted toward Crocodile, clearly not celebrating yet.
To maintain the barrier sphere, he had to remain perfectly still and couldn't move or defend himself.
If anyone attacked him now, he'd be done for.
Onigumo, who had eight arms and eight swords, was momentarily stunned that Bartolomeo had trapped Sakazuki.
Then, with a roar, he rushed toward Bartolomeo, blades swinging in every direction.
But at that moment, a sudden blast of purple lightning exploded from the side—slamming directly into Onigumo.
Caught off-guard, he had to halt and raise his swords to block.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The impact rang through the square as his blades collided with the energy wave.
Onigumo spat out a mouthful of blood and staggered back several steps, barely managing to stay on his feet.
Clearly, even though he was a Vice Admiral, he was still a step below pirates of Warlord-level strength.