Back during the Grand War, Kong hadn't fought Creed directly—but from Creed killing Aegis and the Bloodshadow Twin Blades, and later even taking down Admiral Akainu, Kong already knew Creed's combat power had reached a level comparable to Whitebeard in his prime.
So from the moment Creed appeared, Kong didn't dare hold even a shred of contempt.
That punch just now… had been the full concentration of all his strength.
But he never could've imagined that in front of that sword light, his Steel Bone God Fist would be this utterly helpless!
"Kong, you're old. It's time to retire and go home. Fighting and killing doesn't suit you anymore."
Kong's vision blurred.
In the next instant, a handsome young man in white stood a few meters in front of him, speaking calmly.
And the Seastone handcuffs and shackles on Ace's body had already turned to dust.
Kong stared at that ethereal, otherworldly youth. For a moment, his mind went strangely blank—he didn't even feel like those words were wrong.
"Commander-in-Chief!"
Frosty mist spread.
Aokiji's figure condensed beside Kong, an ice-thorn spear in hand, his expression icy—and clearly tense.
He knew how terrifying Creed was. He didn't dare let Kong face him alone.
"Creed, you brat!"
A streak of yellow light shot in—
But Creed simply lifted a hand and casually shattered it dozens of meters away, turning it into countless yellow light particles.
"Yoo yoo yoo… you're getting stronger and stronger. Looks like it'll be hard for me to get revenge. How irritating."
Kizaru appeared on the other side as well.
Even with three Admiral-level forces joining hands and acting as if they were facing a mortal enemy, Kong still had no real confidence.
Ever since the Totto Land Grand War, Creed had become their shadow… their nightmare.
Kong even regretted it now.
If he'd known Creed would come, he never would've driven Garp out of the Marines.
Deep down, he even cursed: he never thought Creed would become this sinister, this despicable—waiting until the Whitebeard Pirates and the Marines tore each other to pieces… then showing up to pick up the scraps…
Creed's sudden arrival didn't just plunge the battlefield into chaos.
It also made the entire world watching the live broadcast erupt into a frenzy.
Not long ago, the Marines had been defeated at Totto Land by Creed's alliance. Now Creed had come knocking on their door—it looked a lot like settling old debts.
That alone was enough to make an already explosive situation even hotter.
Especially the "Dark Kings" of the Underworld—Morgans and three others—who were staring at the screen, fists clenched.
One of them even snarled viciously, "Lord Creed—crush them! Then ascend the throne! Unite the New World!!"
But Morgans shook his head.
"Creed's ambitions aren't limited to the New World. Overthrowing the Celestial Dragons and washing away past humiliation—that's what he truly wants."
Only then did the other three remember what Creed's alliance flag actually symbolized.
It was the emblem of a severed Celestial Dragon's head—its meaning couldn't be clearer.
"Hiss… I always thought he was just raising a big banner to scam pirates into joining him. I didn't think he was serious!"
Someone sucked in a cold breath.
He knew Morgans had a close relationship with Creed—so what he said had to be true.
The other two also understood why Morgans had only revealed this information now.
After all, Creed had already won the Totto Land Grand War and gained the power to contend with the World Government.
And if today, Creed also crushed Marine Headquarters…
"I think… the new era has arrived. And we should do something too, shouldn't we?"
Another Underworld king spoke slowly, as if he'd finally made up his mind.
"Whitebeard dying at Marine Headquarters today announces the end of an old era. And Creed personally arriving at Marine Headquarters, kidnapping Ace… opens a new era. In the end, God's arrangements are flawless."
"Alright—now we all know what we should do. I'll be honest with you: I'm already Creed's ally. You guys who only did surface-level gestures before—now it's time to actually put something real on the table."
Morgans reminded them.
They had placed bets on Creed last time—but they hadn't gone all-in. If they still couldn't read the situation now, then their brains were filled with seawater…
"…Morgans-bro, you don't need to tell us!"
The three of them promised loudly, immediately picking up their Den Den Mushi to notify their subordinates…
Marine Headquarters.
Creed looked at the three of them and smiled.
"So… are you guys going to gang up on me?"
Then he turned his head and called down to someone below who could still barely remain standing.
"Luffy, are you alright?"
Down there, Luffy was standing upright while covered in injuries.
Beside him, Zoro held his sword, and Sanji was half-kneeling.
All of them looked miserable. Their stamina was basically at the limit. If Creed hadn't arrived in time—and crushed those Marines with his pressure—they would've started taking serious casualties very soon.
"Creed-niisan!"
Luffy, seeing him, nearly burst into tears.
If he hadn't fought his way here today to save Ace, he never would've understood just how terrifying the Marines' top-tier strength really was… and just how naive and overconfident he'd been about his own power!
"Heh."
"Luffy, it's been years. You still love crying like a little kid—aren't you ashamed? You're a grown man already! If you're like this, how are you going to become the Pirate King someday?"
Creed laughed.
Luffy didn't care about that at all. Instead, he bared his teeth and shouted, "Hmph! Even if you're Pirate King now, Creed-niisan, one day I'll defeat you! I'm the one who'll be Pirate King!"
Creed threw his head back and laughed.
"Good! ROOM!"
He was about to make his move.
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My P@treon For 20+ Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!] [[email protected]/Draumel]
[Thank You For Your Support!]