"We can't let this beast use that move!"
All three charged forward at the same time, aiming straight for the Nine-Tails' mouth. They had to block that massive power before it could be unleashed. If even one sphere slipped through, Mary Geoise would suffer devastating damage.
The city had already been struck once before by a Tailed Beast Bomb. If it was hit again, the World Government's authority would be completely shattered!
To be honest, none of the three had much fondness for the Celestial Dragons, but at least for now, their rule was the world's order. If that was shaken, chaos would sweep across the globe. Far more dangerous than pirates, ambitious men would rise and incite war.
A war that would engulf the entire world!
When that time came, who knew how many lives would be lost? They could not allow it to happen!
So even if it cost them their lives, they had to stop the Nine-Tails here!
Roar!
Seeing the three rush forward, the Nine-Tails spat out several Tailed Beast Bombs. The black orbs flew in no set path, giving the three no way to dodge. They had no choice but to take the terrifying blasts head-on. If their bodies weren't beyond normal limits, even the slightest touch would have torn them apart completely.
The barrage of bombs collided, and with a thunderous crash, a blast shook the world. A light brighter than the sun spread above the Sabaody Archipelago, as if a second sun had risen in the sky.
"Garp!"
Inside that blinding sun, Sengoku and Zephyr shouted. A figure then burst out from the smoke and fire—it was none other than…
Marine Vice Admiral, Iron Fist Garp!
Sengoku and Zephyr had blocked the bombs with their own bodies, shielding Garp from the direct hit. Garp knew very well why they had done it. It was so that he could…
"Get back!"
His entire body was coated in pitch black, Haki pushed to the extreme. He roared and drove his fist straight into the black Tailed Beast Bomb that was about to explode!
Boom!
With one punch, two powers clashed. Pouring every ounce of strength into it, Garp screamed with all his might, "Choke on your own blast, you idiot!"
The punch seemed to shatter the air itself. He released all of his strength in an instant, and the black orb that had been aimed at Mary Geoise was instead…
Smashed back down into the Nine-Tails' throat!
Boom!
A massive explosion went off inside the beast's body!
The violent energy tore through the Nine-Tails from within. Watching the scene, Garp couldn't help but grin. A blinding light burst out from the fox's mouth. Even though the Nine-Tails had taken most of the impact itself, Garp could still feel the terrifying force.
If that had hit Mary Geoise directly, the so-called "land of the gods" really would have been done for…
But with power like that, this should be the end…
"No way…"
Falling from the sky, Garp was about to relax, but then his whole body went cold.
From within the light of the blast…
The Nine-Tails appeared again—its body almost completely unharmed!
That monster!
Garp cursed in his heart. Couldn't this thing even be hurt?!
He tried to counter, but it was too late. Hatred poured from the Nine-Tails' eyes like liquid. It opened its huge jaws and before Garp could react, it snapped down on him!
He barely managed to cover himself in Haki again, but in the next instant his vision went black. He was inside the beast's mouth, tossed around, then swallowed whole by the Nine-Tails!
!!!
At the same time, Sengoku and Zephyr finally broke free from the terrible blast. Their bodies were covered in wounds. Even for Marine Admirals, taking that explosion head-on was almost too much.
And just as they emerged, they saw it—
The Nine-Tails swallowing Garp in one gulp!
"Garp!"
Sengoku roared, then charged without a second thought. Even with his body torn up, his rage erupted like a volcano, leaving no room to stop.
Zephyr charged with him. Their speed tore past afterimages, and in an instant they were at the beast's sides, both slamming their fists at its head.
The Nine-Tails howled in pain. Struck at once by both, it felt the blow deeply. Then, like a mad beast, it thrashed wildly. Its rampage turned the fragile island into something even more terrifying.
"Dammit!"
Zephyr cursed under his breath as he dodged the Nine-Tails' attacks with sharp movements. He could clearly feel it—while the beast didn't seem to tire, its power really had weakened a bit!
That meant there was still a chance, as long as it hadn't fully digested Garp yet!
Sengoku felt the same. Even though his body was covered in wounds, his stamina nearly gone, and his fatigue growing heavier by the second, his attacks only grew fiercer.
The battle between the Nine-Tails and Sengoku and Zephyr dragged on endlessly. Then, heavy rain suddenly poured down from the sky, as if the heavens were weeping for this broken world. The downpour hammered against the island and splashed into the sea with a deafening roar.
At last, the blast of another Tailed Beast Bomb drowned out the sound of the rain. Sengoku and Zephyr were thrown back by the impact, knocked away by the violent shockwaves.
Through the fire and smoke, the Nine-Tails advanced slowly, its massive body casting a shadow of dread. Its nine swaying tails looked like omens of disaster, and its scarlet eyes sent chills down their spines.
Sengoku and Zephyr forced themselves up, ready to charge once more.
But suddenly, the Nine-Tails stopped.
"?!"
Both of them frowned. The beast looked like it was in great pain. A moment later, it threw its head back and roared, a wave of power exploding outward. They raised their arms to shield themselves against the force.
"It's that bastard Garp!"
Inside the beast's body, faint movements shook from within. Small as they were, the jolts were clear, each one showing through the fox's pain—like something hammering away from inside.
It had to be Garp. Even after being swallowed, he still refused to stay quiet.
"This is our chance! We finish the Nine-Tails here and now!"
Sengoku shouted, and together with Zephyr, rushed forward again.
At the same time, the Marine warships near the island began firing their cannons. The thunder of gunfire boomed through the curtain of rain.
It was as if the world itself was declaring—the battle was finally coming to an end.
The Nine-Tailed Fox, the beast that had forced the Marines to gather so much power, and even caused huge damage to the holy land of Mary Geoise, as the bringer of war…
It had done its part well!