Bellory looked at the half-transparent dome covering most of the ship.
The other party was also an ability user?
Hehehe~!
He pushed his fruit ability to the maximum, his body emitting a terrifying heatwave, steam rising and filling the sky above the sea with thick mist.
The wooden deck began to dry and crack.
Most terrifying of all was his steel prosthetic arm, originally made of iron, now enhanced by the power of the Smelt-Smelt Fruit, glowing brilliantly red, dazzling and terrifying.
Hmph!
He charged forward, throwing a punch at Creed.
Creed's face remained calm as he said: "High-Frequency Scalpel!!"
His figure crossed Bellory's.
Clang!
A heavy sound rang out, like something crashing to the ground.
Bellory's steel arm was cut off at the root, falling to the ground.
He stared blankly at the severed arm on the ground, then at his empty shoulder.
"Ah!!!"
He went completely mad, eyes bloodshot, screaming in rage like a demon.
His arm was gone again—his arm was gone again!!
Hehehe~!
His body, glowing red like molten iron, suddenly flared even hotter, shifting from red toward gold.
The heatwave evaporated the sea around him, the ship beneath him catching fire.
At this moment, he was like molten steel, radiating endless might.
He had gone insane, charging at Creed in a frenzy.
Creed shook his head. Bellory's comprehensive strength might be SS level, but he couldn't truly wield it. His faith and confidence had been shattered by Garp.
Without conviction, without belief, can he still be called strong?
Even though Crocodile had failed against Whitebeard, his faith wasn't broken. He kept striving, still daring to challenge Whitebeard.
That's why, during the Marineford War, he attacked Whitebeard without hesitation.
If Bellory had that kind of conviction, he wouldn't have come for Creed—he would have gone straight for Garp.
Whoosh~!
Creed's blade sliced through the air.
Slash~!
Another arm flew off—his left arm severed.
Creed shook his head. This was already over; he didn't even need Armament Haki.
Then, with two more cuts—
Both legs flew into the air.
Bellory was reduced to a limbless stump.
He still screamed in agony.
With one final horizontal slash, Creed severed his head, which spun and dropped to the ground.
In that instant, Bellory's eyes regained clarity. He looked at his severed head, yet felt no pain—he could even still sense his feet.
Before he could process it, a lightning-wreathed fist slammed down on his skull, smashing him dizzy.
Another blow followed, wrapped in crackling electricity.
Finally, he fainted, unsure whether it was from the lightning or the blows.
Whoosh! Whoosh~!
Creed and Ain returned to the warship.
The Marines were stunned—was it over?
Three people had destroyed the infamous "Navy Hunters" crew?
"Clean up the battlefield, capture the survivors, and send them all to Impel Down. Consider it my inauguration gift as temporary director." Creed said.
Everyone froze in shock.
"Y-Yes!"
They quickly obeyed, gazes burning with fanatic admiration.
So strong—too strong!!
They steered the warship toward the pirate fleet. All around, pirates lay collapsed, none standing, the scene a complete ruin.
Though they knew Creed had won, seeing it firsthand still left them in disbelief.
Three people had annihilated the Navy Hunters crew.
The Marines began the cleanup. Soon, all the cadres and captains were locked in the warship's brig.
Creed glanced at Bellory's mutilated remains.
"Don't forget his body—bring the legs and head aboard."
The Marines shuddered at the sight of the dismembered corpse, but since it was Creed's order, they complied. By now, they were his devoted followers.
They hauled Bellory's parts onto the ship.
The warship set course again toward Impel Down.
Suddenly—
"Ah! Ah!! The… the head… it's alive!?"
A Marine screamed.
Everyone turned to see Bellory's severed head alive again: "Brat! You dare chop off my head!!"
His mouth moved and spoke.
He was just a head—yet still alive.
The Marines were horrified.
Creed walked over, lifted the head in his hand: "Relax. You're not dead. You'll be coming with me to Impel Down."
Then—bam! Another punch knocked him out cold.
The Marines stared in terror—their worldview shattered. A man reduced to only a head, still alive?
But hearing the exchange, they realized it must be Creed's ability.
Hours later…
Before them rose a steel fortress in the sea.
Impel Down.
Soon, the gates opened and the warship docked.
A man with glasses, chains, and devil-like wings stood waiting.
This was Hannibal, Vice Warden of Impel Down.
"Take them down!" he ordered as the pirates were escorted off.
Then—
Bellory awoke again.
"ROOM: Baton!"
A transparent sphere appeared as Creed waved his hand in the air.
Bellory's limbs floated and reattached to his body.
Creed fixed his head back on.
Bellory's face lit up—his limbs were back! No scars, no signs of injury, as though nothing had been severed.
The onlookers nearly had their eyes pop out.
What kind of ability was this?
So strong—too terrifying!!
"Such a terrifying new warden…"
"Ahh, I said it out loud! He won't chop off my head now, will he?" Hannibal shivered in fright.
And so, the escort ship began its return voyage.
On deck, a Marine captain stared at Impel Down fading into the distance, his face grim.
It was Vergo.
"What's wrong, Vergo? Haha, were you scared by Vice Admiral Creed's power? I was too, such a bizarre ability. Truly worthy of Vice Admiral Creed." another captain said, patting his shoulder.
"Y-Yeah."
Vergo looked back one last time, eyes deep.
Could it be… Law is already dead?
Or was this just a coincidence, a similar ability?
I must report to the Young Master.
(End of Chapter)
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