"Eek!! What kind of ability is this?"
Galdino's hair stood on end at the sight before him.
In just an instant!
Every single former Baroque Works member, including his partner Marianne, had collapsed unconscious without exception!
The few remaining were in terrible shape—Sara's eyes were glazed over as she swayed unsteadily, Bon Clay's horse-like face had turned deathly pale, and even Bonis, the strongest among them, wore an ugly expression with cold sweat beading at his temples.
Galdino trembled like a leaf. Had Caesar not restrained his power, he too would have fainted instantly.
Not just him—among this group, only Ace and Law could barely remain standing. Everyone else was completely overwhelmed.
Vivi and Nami also looked unwell, especially Vivi, who might have already passed out if Robin hadn't steadied her.
Since this wasn't Nami's first time experiencing Conqueror's Haki, she fared slightly better, though her pretty face remained pale and her body shook uncontrollably.
For a girl who'd never experienced a true life-or-death battle, this level of intimidation was enough to paralyze her with fear.
In contrast, Pell and Chaka were holding up reasonably well. As commanders of a nation's military, their combat abilities might be lacking, but their willpower far surpassed that of the Baroque Works members. Their current condition was no worse than Bonis'.
"Conqueror's Haki, huh..."
Ace grinned, the strands of hair at his forehead standing slightly on end as if stimulated, some latent power within him stirring restlessly.
Even before setting sail, he'd sensed this power's existence and could already control it consciously. After systematically learning Haki under Caesar's guidance, he'd mastered Conqueror's Haki release in no time.
But Conqueror's Haki Infusion that Caesar mentioned? He still hadn't the faintest clue about that.
As for Caesar's claim that Conqueror's Haki would automatically infuse when he got excited...
Ace considered that complete nonsense!
He'd verified with Yamato—only those who've mastered Armament Emission could possibly achieve Conqueror's Haki Infusion! And that was just a possibility!
But Yamato also told him Caesar was the exception!
That freak had mastered Conqueror's Haki Infusion first, then Armament Haki, and within two weeks of learning Armament, he'd achieved Armament Emission.
In the past, Ace would have dismissed this outright.
But after actual Haki training, even someone as confident as him had to admit—that guy was a damn monster!
Still, only someone like that deserved to be his captain...
"Let's go, everyone!"
Ace clashed his fists together eagerly. "Mind if I take point?"
"Be my guest..."
Nami forced an awkward smile—this wasn't something she'd argue about.
"Then... begin!"
Law suddenly declared from behind his back: "Room!"
Whoosh!
Ace instantly appeared beside Caesar, throwing a fierce punch at his face!
Just as Caesar moved to dodge, multiple arms sprouted across his body, wrapping around him and delaying him for a crucial instant.
"Twelve-Wheel Bloom!"
Robin's figure instantly teleported behind Caesar in sync. The moment she restrained him, a delicate fist coated with faint Armament Haki struck toward Caesar's back!
Two dull thuds sounded as Caesar slightly tilted his head.
On his cheek and back, two patches of darkness blocked Ace and Robin's attacks, firmly holding them at a distance of a few centimeters from his body, preventing any further penetration.
"Can defensive techniques also project Armament outward?"
Ace looked as if he'd witnessed something incomprehensible.
Before he could process his shock, whoosh—Ace and Robin were teleported away again.
Not giving Caesar any chance to retaliate, Barto and Deuce were shifted beside Caesar. Deuce waved his hand grandly: "Aging Disease!"
Caesar's appearance suddenly aged, then instantly reverted, making Deuce's eyelids twitch violently.
He hadn't expected the disease to last less than a second. Panicking, he hurled several other ailments at Caesar.
Caesar snorted, a surge of Armament Haki sweeping over his body, instantly dispelling all the diseases!
"Forgive my rudeness, sir! Pot Lid Barrier! Seal him now!"
Barto roared as a pot lid-shaped Barrier descended over Caesar's head. Caesar merely looked up, unmoved.
Boom!
The lid clamped shut, and Barto finally exhaled in relief.
"Heh haha, as long as we can restrain sir—"
Before he could finish, a deep darkness seeped from Caesar's feet, enveloping the Barrier.
Then, to Barto's stunned gaze, the usually invincible Barrier creaked and shattered under gravitational pull, turning into dust that was wholly devoured by the darkness!
As the darkness dissipated, Caesar grinned at Barto, his gleaming white teeth seeming to glint coldly.
"Waaah!! Law, save me!!!"
Barto threw his hands up, tears streaming.
Whoosh—Barto was teleported away by Law.
Though Caesar had broken Barto's ability, it remained the only one capable of restraining Caesar to some degree. Thus, preserving Barto's combat strength was essential.
"Um... I have a question!"
Galdino trembled as he spoke up: "If His Majesty is so powerful, why don't we all rush him at once?"
"I don't know your abilities, nor all of Caesar's," Law said coolly. "We can only probe bit by bit. It's not even noon yet—he likely won't hurry to finish us off. We must use this time to familiarize ourselves with coordinating our powers."
Hearing Law's words, Robin couldn't help but chuckle.
"Did I say something wrong?" Law frowned.
"A little..."
Robin laughed softly. "Though the end is set at sunset, why couldn't he defeat us first and then torment us until dusk?"
"Hmm..."
Baby5 nodded repeatedly. She too felt Caesar wasn't the patient type.
Though she'd always seemed like an indecisive accessory trailing behind Caesar, his doting, along with Yamato and Robin's care, had long since transformed her from the girl who craved being needed and couldn't refuse requests.
Now, Baby5's consciousness was entirely independent—though her independence manifested as being Caesar's little maid. Yet this wasn't mindless devotion; it stemmed from her understanding of Caesar, considering things from his perspective.
"How so? Isn't that guy testing us?"
Nami's expression changed. If that were really the case, it would be disastrous. She still hadn't fully recovered from the earlier Conqueror's Haki.
"Exactly. Testing our self-protection abilities in a crisis—knowing him, he could come up with dozens of irrefutable reasons for it at any moment."
Robin chuckled lightly. "Of course, I don't think he'd be so cruel as to give us no chance at all. But once we're familiar with each other's abilities, that might change."
"That's just how he is!"
Ace nodded. Whenever Caesar fought him, it was always a one-hit victory, never giving him a chance to counterattack—or even catch his breath.
As Caesar put it, villains died from talking too much.
"Tch, in that case, those who haven't mastered Armament Haki are useless here."
Law frowned deeply. "Who among us has mastered Armament Haki?"
Robin, Baby 5, Ace, and Barto all raised their hands.
Among the four, Ace and Baby 5 had the highest proficiency in Armament Haki. Ace had already grasped the basics of Armament Haki Flow, while Baby 5 was still at the Coating Hardening stage. Their talents in this area differed significantly, but considering her age, Baby 5's potential was undoubtedly impressive.
"Then the three of you will lead the assault. Barto, you're on support and defense. I'll coordinate. The rest of you, provide harassment and distractions."
He then turned to Vivi and the others. "Do any of you have restraining-type abilities?"
"I can manipulate sand, though it might not be very useful…" Vivi said sheepishly.
"We're Zoan types. I can fly," Pell spoke up.
Bonis and the others also began introducing their abilities. After listening, Law fell into complete silence.
They all ate Devil Fruits, so why did these people's abilities feel like they were on a completely different level compared to the crew's?
What kind of powers did the Dawn members have?
Great Mouth True God, Paw Pad, Gravity—these belonged to the three main fighters on the ship.
Even the seemingly weakest among them—the Arms-Arms Fruit, Flower-Flower Fruit, and Barrier—each had their own ingenious uses.
But Baroque Works? What kind of nonsense were these?
Slash-Slash? Spike-Spike? Bomb-Bomb?
These three could practically be considered inferior versions of the Arms-Arms Fruit.
Wax-Wax?
The creation ability had some utility, but that was about it.
The Imitation Fruit wasn't bad, but its focus wasn't on combat.
As for the other Devil Fruit abilities… they were even harder to praise.
Pell and Chaka, the two Zoan users, were decent—above average for ordinary types—but they couldn't pose a threat even to Law, let alone Caesar.
At this point, Law was convinced Robin was right. That bastard Caesar was probably here just to torment them.
"Whatever, let's just go with this…"
Law sighed wearily. "My ability drains a lot of stamina. When I give the signal, Barto, you'll cover us."
"Got it!"
"Let's move!"
Law turned his gaze toward Caesar, who stood in the distance with his arms crossed, watching them leisurely. Figures rushed past him.
Ace charged ahead, his face alight with excitement.
Bonney transformed into her teenage form, her long legs carrying her swiftly behind him.
Ace leaped high into the air and threw a punch. "Fire Fist!"
"Fire Fist!"
Behind Caesar, flames erupted. With a deafening boom, two blinding flashes of fire collided, triggering a violent explosion!
"Nani?!"
Ace's face twisted in shock.
"Hmph, the Flare-Flare Fruit? Even dogs wouldn't eat it!"
Caesar smirked mischievously, turning swiftly to seize Bonney's wrist before hurling her toward Robin, who had been teleported behind him by Law.
"Look out! Dodge it!"
Bonney's hands glowed pink, and Robin, fearing she might get hurt, had no choice but to spread her arms and catch her.
Pop—
A flash of light later, Robin had transformed into a seven or eight-year-old girl, looking utterly adorable.
"Oops, sorry, Robin-nee~"
The two tumbled onto the sand, and Bonney giggled before quickly reverting Robin back to normal.
The next moment, a shadow loomed over them, blocking the sunlight.
They looked up to see Caesar slowly raising his fist, aiming to strike Bonney.
"Hyah! Protective Barrier!"
Barto suddenly teleported in front of them.
Clang!
A deafening impact shook the Barrier.
"My apologies, sir! Barrier Impact!"
The Barrier surged toward Caesar, who didn't bother engaging—instead, he flickered away, evading the attack.
Suddenly, the sand beneath Caesar's feet churned violently, ensnaring his legs.
The sand morphed into Vivi, who clung tightly to Caesar. At the same time, Robin was teleported to Caesar's left side, locking his arm in place with Haki.
"Candle Shackles!"
A white chain burst from the ground, coiling around Caesar and restraining his right hand.
"Nice work!"
In the distance, Baby 5 steadied a sniper rifle, aiming squarely at Caesar's chest.
She knew his abilities well—even if they managed to restrain him, unless they killed him instantly, any wound would heal in moments.
"Take this—Cupid Shot!"
Bang!
The bullet shot straight for Caesar's heart.
Whoosh—
A surge of crimson erupted as a blood-red Barrier materialized before Caesar.
"Protective Barrier!"
"Nani?!"
Barto gaped at the red Barrier in shock.
Clang!
The Barrier deflected the bullet, and Caesar snorted in amusement. Behind him, the crimson energy swirled, forming multiple arms.
The scarlet limbs spread slowly, framing him like some sinister deity.
"Ara ara, this isn't good~"
Seeing Caesar "bloom" as well, Robin chuckled and snuggled his left arm closer to her chest.
Caesar: "..."
Did she think that would stop him from hitting her?
The crimson arms shot forward, lashing toward Robin and Vivi.
Whoosh—
Both were teleported away again, forcing Caesar to Elementalize and slip free of Galdino's candle restraints.
But the moment he broke free, Ace appeared out of nowhere, throwing a punch straight at the swarm of blood-red bats that had replaced Caesar's arm.
"Oh? You noticed?"
Caesar's brow arched. Like the Sand-Sand Fruit, his Elementalization had an elemental weakness—just as sand could be hardened by water, blood could be evaporated by fire. If flames struck him while Elementalized, the burns would carry over.
Thud!
Caesar kicked Ace away mid-air, then dusted off his pants.
"Not bad teamwork, you lot."
His gaze then shifted to Law amidst the crowd.
"Especially you, Law..."
Oh no...
Law fell silent.
Truth be told, after spending so much time together, he had a decent grasp of Caesar's personality.
How to put it...
As a leader, he was undoubtedly capable.
But the man held grudges!
"As a recognition of your efforts, I plan to take the initiative and defeat you myself!"
Caesar clapped his hands with a smile. "Are you ready?"
Law's heart sank instantly.
This guy really holds a grudge!
"It's fine, wasn't our coordination just now pretty good? It's not like we can't fight at all, right?"
Seeing everyone's grim expressions, Vivi quickly tried to lift their spirits.
"That's right!"
A hand lightly rested on Law's shoulder as Caesar cheerfully slung an arm around him, nodding in agreement.
"Partners should stick together!"
When they got a clear look at that youthful face, everyone felt as if they had been plunged into an icy abyss.
Teleportation?