The terrifying slash, imbued with five elements, transformed into an apocalyptic storm under the Wind Homie's enhancement.
The wind howled like a banshee. A powerful suction force pulled in surrounding ancient trees and rocks, grinding them into dust.
Facing the killer moves of the three, Raynor, standing in the center, dared not be careless.
"Wide-Range Divine Punishment!!!!"
Rumble...Rumble...
Thunder hissed and roared, shaking the surroundings.
Raynor spread his arms and floated upwards. Bolts of lightning guarded his body as if he were the Lord of Thunder. Thousands of lightning bolts condensed and compressed, ultimately leaving only a dozen or so thick bolts containing terrifying power.
Just one look at them caused palpitating fear.
Under Raynor's control, the dozen or so bolts of lightning split into three parts. Carrying hurricane-force winds and boundless electrical energy, they clashed violently with the attacks of Linlin and the others.
Boom! Boom! Boom!Bang! Bang! Bang!
Explosions and roars echoed continuously, rising and falling in waves.
Seeing this, Raynor, Linlin, and the others quickly fled the scene.
Just as they vacated the area, the four attacks collided fully, generating a massive, cataclysmic explosion.
In the center of the island, a small mushroom cloud slowly rose, then erupted completely.
BOOM!
An unprecedented shockwave of energy swept outwards, enveloping the entire island.
"Let's get out of here!"
Roger, experienced as he was, saw the danger immediately and retreated to the Totto Land.
"Get on!!!"
Jace, transformed into lightning, boarded the Ark Maxim and hurriedly called out to everyone.
"Soru!!" "Soru!!"
Everyone used Soru repeatedly, boarding the Ark Maxim at their fastest possible speeds.
Whoosh—
Jace unleashed his lightning power, activating the Ark Maxim. In a single breath, it shot up into the sky.
In the next second—BANG!
The mushroom cloud exploded fully. An unparalleled shockwave swept across the island, tearing it apart completely.
The ground cracked, mountains collapsed, ancient trees snapped like twigs, and countless birds and beasts fled in panic.
Not long after, seawater began to rush in, and parts of the shattered island sank into the ocean.
Hiss—
On the Ark Maxim, seeing the devastation caused by their clash, everyone sucked in a breath of cold air in unison.
It was truly terrifying!!
If they had been just a split second slower, they might have been vaporized, leaving nothing behind.
"Captain, and you guys... was it necessary to be that serious??"
"If we hadn't run fast enough just now, we'd all be dead."
Shadow, surviving the ordeal, slumped on the deck and complained.
"Who knew the power would be that great? Especially that move of the Captain's... holy crap, that was scary!!"
Thinking back to the power of Raynor's attack, Jace shuddered.
"I didn't expect it to cause this much damage either."
Raynor was also a bit shaken. He had only tested this move once on a deserted island, but it hadn't been this powerful back then.
Presumably, the collision with Linlin and the others' attacks had created a "one plus one is greater than two" effect.
He let out a sigh of relief. It seemed he would have to be very careful about using this move in the future.
Not only was it powerful, but its range was massive.
While effective at striking enemies, one wrong move could easily harm his own people.
"Alright, at least it was just a scare without any real danger."
"Captain, when did you master the power of lightning??"
Once everyone calmed down, Jace's question made them all look at Raynor in unison.
Shakuyaku, looking somewhat disheveled, pouted playfully. "Raynor, I'm with you day and night, we're inseparable even when we sleep. How come I didn't know you had lightning powers??"
"Linlin didn't know either!!!"
Linlin, puffing up her cheeks and putting her hands on her hips, was clearly dissatisfied with Raynor keeping secrets.
"Ahem, ahem... about that. Actually, it's like this. I..."
Puru Puru Puru—Puru Puru Puru—
Just as Raynor was about to explain, the Den Den Mushi in his pocket rang.
This was the specific Den Den Mushi he used to contact the Kast Kingdom.
Although he was away year-round, he always kept up with the situation back home. During this period, he and Roger had even gone back to visit twice.
The urgent ringing came at just the right time, saving Raynor from the awkward interrogation.
Shakuyaku huffed, crossed her arms, and turned away.
Raynor gave an awkward laugh and took out the Den Den Mushi. As soon as he picked up, a panicked voice came from the other end: "Young Master, it's bad!!"
Raynor's face instantly darkened, becoming so gloomy it looked like water could drip from it.
A moment later, he hung up the phone.
Realizing the severity of the situation, the crew dropped the previous topic and asked with concern, "Captain, what happened??"
Although they had never been to the Kast Kingdom, they had heard Raynor mention it more than once.
From his few words, it wasn't hard to tell that Raynor had deep feelings for the Kast Kingdom, especially for his father, Leyton.
"Something happened in the Kast Kingdom. I need to get there immediately."
"Big Bro, I'm coming with you." Linlin stepped forward without hesitation. Raynor's business was her business.
She wanted to see exactly which blind fool was courting death.
"Exactly, Captain. Daring to make a move on the Kast Kingdom? I think they're tired of living."
Jace, Shadow, and the others chimed in supportively.
"No. The Totto Land is too slow. I'll take the Ark Maxim and go directly."
"As for Linlin, you guys stay on the Totto Land just in case you run into strong Marines."
After all, the Totto Land had cost him a massive amount of manpower, resources, and money to build. nothing could be allowed to happen to it.
He could handle this matter on his own.
"Alright then. In that case, we'll catch up as fast as we can."
Knowing Raynor had made up his mind, they didn't argue further.
"Roger, you're in charge."
"Don't worry, Captain." Roger, manning the helm, looked back and acknowledged.
Soon, Raynor piloted the Ark Maxim and vanished from everyone's sight.
"Seems like something big happened in Kast Kingdom. I've never seen the Captain like that before."
Jace spoke first, breaking the heavy atmosphere.
"It's my first time seeing it too. So we must hurry now."
Roger pushed the engines to full throttle, steering the ship in the direction Raynor had left.
...
Kast Kingdom.
A medium-sized nation located in a remote area of the New World.
The entire island comprised one main city and five towns.
Within a hundred miles of this sea area, besides the Kast Kingdom, there was a World Government-affiliated nation eyeing Kast hungrily.
It couldn't be helped—the island where Kast Kingdom was located was rich in resources. Even without trade, they could basically be self-sufficient.
Not to mention, they had several very precious mineral resources.
These were the reasons they were being targeted by the Romanov Kingdom.
Unlike Leyton, who loved his people like his own children, the King of Romanov, Flander, was cruel and tyrannical.
His entire country was filled with grievances. However, since the Romanov Kingdom was affiliated with the World Government, even if people complained to the Marines, they would find excuses to shirk responsibility, turning a blind eye.
Flander had set his sights on Kast Kingdom's abundant resources long ago.
But because Kast Kingdom had a strong military, and the forces of the two countries were roughly equal, several medium-scale wars had ended in mutual losses.
Neither could do anything to the other. Since then, no major conflicts had erupted, though minor skirmishes were constant.
Flander spent every day thinking of ways to bite off this piece of fat meat but had no solution.
But luck was on his side. He finally got his chance!
Just a few days ago, an exploration team sent by King Leyton was searching for treasures on a certain island when they accidentally discovered a Devil Fruit on the side of the highest peak.
Although Kast Kingdom was in a remote area, it was still in the New World.
They had records of Devil Fruits that had appeared in the past.
Based on the exploration team's detailed description and careful comparison with the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia, Leyton was 100% certain: this fruit was the legendary, incredibly destructive Paramecia type—the Tremor-Tremor Fruit (Gura Gura no Mi).
Decades ago, the previous owner of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit was a powerful pirate. Relying on its power, he defeated enemy after enemy and killed countless Marines.
Eventually, the Marines set a trap and besieged him to death.
Confirming it was the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, Leyton was ecstatic. If he could obtain it, what would he have to fear from Flander?
He would be even more capable of protecting his country and his people.
He immediately ordered men to retrieve the fruit. However, due to the dangerous terrain and the fruit's location on a sheer cliff face, the team lacked the strength to retrieve it and could only send the news back first.
But who would have thought that one of King Leyton's personal guards was actually a spy sent by Flander, lurking by his side?
Upon learning the news, the spy immediately used a private Den Den Mushi to inform Flander.
Flander was overjoyed. If he could get the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, what was Leyton? What was Kast?
Wouldn't everything have to bow at his feet?
And he believed Leyton had the same idea.
This time, he would get the Tremor-Tremor Fruit at any cost.
However, he also understood that even if he attacked, Leyton wouldn't reveal the specific location of that island.
But luckily, as a World Government-affiliated nation, he happened to have a Celestial Dragon visiting the Romanov Kingdom.
Truth be told, King Flander kept a respectful distance from the Celestial Dragons.
Although they had never visited before, he had heard they were unsavory characters. His own cruelty was nothing compared to theirs.
If they were dissatisfied with even the slightest thing, the result for the offender was only one: death.
Normally, he would try every method to coax them into leaving. But now... he could make use of them.
...
Kast Kingdom, inside the magnificent palace.
The envoy sent by Flander looked arrogantly at Leyton on the throne and said smugly:
"Hehe... Your Majesty, I hope you consider this carefully. This is the last chance our King is giving you."
"As long as you tell us the location of the island with the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, we promise never to be your enemy again!!"
Hearing these empty promises devoid of any trustworthiness, Leyton flew into a rage. "I didn't expect Flander to be this insidious, planting a spy right next to me! Get out of here and tell him that I've already killed his man!"
"The Tremor-Tremor Fruit is ours! Don't even dream of getting it!!"
"Once we obtain the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, it will be the end of Flander!!"
Furious, Leyton wanted nothing more than to kill the man standing before him.
"Hahahaha..."
To Leyton's surprise, instead of showing fear, the envoy suddenly burst into laughter, looking completely confident.
"Your Majesty, I advise you to think this through carefully. Don't be in such a hurry to refuse me."
"You probably don't know this, but the Celestial Dragon, Saint Roswald, is currently a guest in Romanov. Our King is personally entertaining him."
"I've heard that this Celestial Dragon Lord is quite... lustful. He fancies any beautiful woman he sees. I wonder if you..."
As he spoke, he glanced intentionally or unintentionally at the beautiful Queen.
Understanding the implication immediately, Leyton slammed his hand onto the armrest of his throne, a powerful aura erupting from him.
"Insolent!!!"
The envoy showed no fear and calmly replied, "Your Majesty, I am merely stating a fact."
"As long as you reveal the location of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, I will tell our King, and he won't mention you in front of the Celestial Dragon."
"But if you refuse to speak... well, if the Celestial Dragon takes a liking to your Queen, it won't be something we can stop."
His calm tone carried an undisguised threat.
"Hehehehe..." Leyton sneered, his voice cold. "Keep dreaming! Do you think I don't know?"
"With Flander's nature, even if I told you the exact location of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, he wouldn't let me go!!"
"Now get the hell out of here!!"
Having his scheme exposed by Leyton, the envoy's expression shifted slightly, but he quickly composed himself. Calmly, he said:
"I will convey your words to His Majesty exactly as you said them. I take my leave."
Knowing that his mission had failed, the envoy said no more and left with a cold face.
"Your Majesty, they..."
Learning of the enemy's plot, the Queen looked terrified. If it were anyone else, it might be manageable.
But the opponent was a Celestial Dragon—an existence they absolutely could not afford to provoke.
Leyton gripped the Queen's hand tightly, frowning.
"That damned Flander! I didn't expect him to find a Celestial Dragon as a backer!!"
"I'm afraid we can't avoid this one!!"
Knowing the power of the Celestial Dragons all too well, Leyton gave up hope.
Whether this envoy returned or not, the moment he voiced the threat, Leyton knew Flander intended to follow through.
It was only a matter of time.
"Your Majesty!"
At this moment, Leyton's personal guard, Luo Feng, walked over from the side, looking like he wanted to say something but hesitated.
Luo Feng was Roger's older brother and the strongest warrior in the Kast Kingdom!
"At a time like this, stop hesitating! Whatever it is, just say it!"
Given permission, Luo Feng spoke slowly:
"Your Majesty, I have already... informed the Young Master about this matter!"
"The Young Master should already be on his way here!!"
"What did you say?!"
Already angry, Leyton shot up from his seat, instantly enraged.
"Luo Feng, do you know what you've done??"
"Aren't you harming Little Nuo (Raynor)??"
"If the opponent were just Flander, that would be one thing. But now it's a Celestial Dragon! Do you not know who the Celestial Dragons are??"
Slap—
Furious, Leyton slapped Luo Feng across the face.
"Your Majesty!!!"
Unfazed, Luo Feng knelt on one knee and cupped his fists. "Your Majesty, it is precisely because I know how terrifying the Celestial Dragons are that I notified the Young Master! I cannot just watch you be killed by them. Right now, only the Young Master can save you!!"
His words were firm and resolute!
During the years Raynor was out at sea, Luo Feng had often kept in touch with his younger brother, Roger, asking about their pirate crew while expressing his concern.
Although he didn't know exactly how strong Raynor was, from Roger's few words, he could judge that Raynor's strength had reached a height they could hardly imagine.
Under these circumstances, only Raynor could resolve the crisis facing the Kast Kingdom.
"You... you!"
Trembling with rage, Leyton pointed a finger at Luo Feng.
"Contact Little Nuo! Tell him not to come! Tell him to leave immediately, to go as far away as possible!!"
"Perhaps before long, he will be the only bloodline left of the Kast Kingdom!!"
Knowing there was no hope, Leyton closed his eyes in despair.
"Your Majesty, you..."
"Go! Now!!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!!"
Unwilling but obedient, Luo Feng gritted his teeth and responded.
"Luo Feng, assemble the troops immediately! Even if we are to be wiped out, we will make these bastards pay the price!!"