On the battlefield, Marco and Doflamingo stood side by side, their expressions tight as they stared at the advancing technological troops.
These soldiers were like a nightmarish blend of lesser Devil Fruit users — capable of flight, regeneration, and wielding attacks of flame, ice, and laser fire.
Looking toward Commander-in-Chief Kong's direction, both men felt a chill.
"It seems Ashveil was right," Marco muttered grimly. "The World Government's eight-hundred-year foundation isn't just the Marines' power. There's far more hidden beneath the surface."
Doflamingo's grin faltered as disbelief flickered in his eyes. "The strongest of the previous era… He's truly terrifying."
"Ultimate Armament Haki against ultimate Conqueror's Haki," Marco said, his voice low. "I wonder who'll stand at the end of this clash."
Across the field, a colossal black bone dragon lashed its tail, arcs of dark lightning coiling around it as it hurled itself at Ashveil's shimmering protective barrier.
Boom!
A deafening explosion ripped through Marineford. The ground beneath Ashveil shattered, sending cracks spreading outward like veins of destruction — fissures stretching for thousands of meters. Within a ten-kilometer radius, the earth quaked and split open, the sheer force tearing the battlefield apart.
At the center, two overwhelming powers — Armament Haki and Conqueror's Haki — collided and spilled across the island like an endless storm.
Gales howled through Marineford. Lightning flashed. A downpour began in an instant, while the sea roared in fury, throwing massive waves against the island's walls.
Admiral Kizaru narrowed his eyes, his usual aloofness gone. He swallowed hard.
"I didn't think anyone could unleash that kind of destruction without a Devil Fruit…"
Even the mighty fortress of Marineford trembled. If not for its reinforced structure — sturdier even than the Sea Stone walls of Impel Down — the place would've been reduced to rubble.
From afar, the crimson eyes of Red Count glowed faintly. His keen Observation Haki allowed him to read the battle without even looking.
"Kong…" he murmured, voice thick with disdain. "Even though I beat you once, that attack of yours nearly destroyed me. If it weren't for that wound… I'd never have lost to Garp."
His lips curled into a thin smile before he turned away, striding toward the depths of Marineford. He had no interest in joining the chaos.
Back on the battlefield, Ashveil's barrier — formed from pure Conqueror's Haki — finally shattered under the combined assault.
Kaido, Sengoku, and Kong all showed the same expression: a spark of elation.
"Excellent!" Kaido bellowed, tightening his grip on his massive club. "His defense is down! That brat isn't invincible after all!"
Sengoku's furrowed brow relaxed for the first time, his golden Buddha form gleaming.
"My analysis was right. That Conqueror's Haki barrier can be broken — if you hit it with enough force!"
Kong wasted no time, barking orders.
"Now's our chance! While his defense hasn't reformed — kill him! Don't leave him alive. His existence threatens the World Government itself!"
Kaido's rage flared, his Haoshoku swirling around his club like a dark storm.
"Kid! This is what happens when you cross me — Kaido of the Beasts!"
Sengoku's giant form loomed, his fists wrapped in swirling golden energy. The air itself cracked from the pressure of his descending punch.
"Your rampage ends here, Ashveil! No one has ever dared to wreak such havoc in Marineford!"
Kong too unleashed his full might, striking down with an earth-shaking blow.
Three monstrous forces collided — their combined killing intent so intense it froze the air.
"Die, Ashveil!" Kaido roared, driving his club forward.
But at the final instant, all three attacks halted — one millimeter from Ashveil's body.
Kaido's grin froze. "What… what is this?"
Sengoku and Kong stared in shock. "Another layer of defense?! Impossible!"
Blue flames erupted around Ashveil, rising like wings from his back — the immortal fire of the Phoenix.
The flames shimmered, forming a thin but unbreakable veil just above his skin. It wasn't Conqueror's Haki this time. It was Phoenix Haki, the perfect fusion of his energy and will.
This shield was ten times stronger than the last — undying, indestructible, eternal. Even if destroyed, it would reignite instantly, consuming his energy to maintain its rebirth.
It was Ashveil's ultimate defense — a safeguard that activated only when his primary shield fell.
On the battlefield, the Marines froze in despair as the truth dawned on them.
"Even Kaido, Sengoku, and Kong together couldn't harm him…" a soldier whispered.
"If those three can't break his defense," another muttered, trembling, "then who in the Marines possibly can?"
Even Garp, locked in a fierce clash with Whitebeard, felt his heart skip. His knuckles trembled slightly as he blocked a strike.
He swallowed hard, disbelief flickering
across his face.
"Thorne Ashveil… what kind of monster have you become?"
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