Countless thread-like internal energy wrapped in Armament Haki suddenly surged within the Awakening Domain.
This Internal Energy rose and wound around, eventually weaving into 16 massive internal energy pillars.
Their tips converged at a single point in the air.
Blue and red lightning flashed from time to time, crackling and popping.
The Vibration Energy shield at the tips emitted a soul-shaking blue glow!
"Zzz Chila"
Immediately after, the internal energy pillars, like incredibly sharp spears, pierced through the air with a shrill whistle, stabbing straight down.
Burgess and the other two had been on high alert since Taro approached; the moment he released his Domain, they wanted to flee back into the castle.
However, the rapidly spreading Internal Energy Domain had already assimilated part of the castle's walls, blocking their retreat.
The reason Burgess was highly valued by Blackbeard wasn't because of his strength, but simply because he had followed him early on!
In Blackbeard's original crew, excluding Blackbeard himself who had no bounty due to lying low, Burgess's bounty was only 20 million Berries, the lowest among them.
With his strength, he knew it was impossible to withstand this strike from Taro, and he was scared out of his wits.
That old woman Bakin couldn't be relied upon, so he could only place his sole hope on Vasco Shot.
Hoping that this great pirate who had come out of Level 6 of Impel Down would have a way.
It was unclear whether the drunken Vasco Shot was muddled in the head or sufficiently confident in his own strength, but there wasn't much fear on his face.
Holding his blade with both hands, he took a step back, and Armament Haki spread from his forearms to the entire blade.
Then, his belly bulged, his mouth opened wide, and he spat out a large cloud of wine mist!
[Drunken Mist learned successfully]
Taro watched with interest as this fellow nicknamed "Barrel of Wine" struggled in his death throes.
Observation Haki foresaw his counterattack, and also foresaw his end.
A trace of mockery appeared on his face; Taro smiled disdainfully, not caring at all.
Within the wine mist, Vasco Shot's movements seemed much lighter, and his strength appeared to have increased significantly.
His arms bulged explosively as he slashed upward against the descending internal energy pillars.
"Zzz, Boom~"
"Rumble Bang"
"Crack, crack, crack!"
The attacks of the two only clashed for an instant before the Vibration Energy attached to the tips of the internal energy pillars suddenly exploded.
Instantly, within that narrow space, every inch of air seemed to be torn to shreds.
The tyrannical airflow was sliced into pieces, launching a multi-directional assault within the wine mist!
Next, the blue and red lightning of the Haoshoku also burst forth; that cloud of mist was like an ignited powder keg.
Flames suddenly flickered to life, and in an instant, a towering blaze soared upward.
"Boom~"
With a world-shaking roar, the area where Vasco Shot and the other two were located exploded violently.
"Aaaah~"
Amidst the flames, the "Barrel of Wine" who had tried to block Taro's attack let out a shrill scream.
With no further obstacles, the internal energy pillars stabbed down fiercely, instantly piercing through his chest; the momentum didn't slow as they continued to stab towards the fire-engulfed Burgess and Bakin.
At the moment of life and death, Burgess instinctively raised his elbow.
"Crack Snap"
Upon contact, the metal elbow guard on his arm shattered, and the internal energy pillar pierced straight through his arms and into his chest.
"Ah~"
The old woman Bakin screamed in terror and slumped to the ground, her hair and beard completely burnt away, her face covered in black ash.
Seeing the Internal Energy spear-lance stabbing towards her, she could only wave her cane feebly.
"Puff Bang"
The internal energy pillar pierced directly into her chest and abdomen, and after passing through her body, it still had remaining power, stopping only after piercing a giant pit into the ground!
Taro looked coldly at the three corpses, raised his right hand slightly, and the internal energy pillars vibrated slightly before rising again.
The three were like candied haws, skewered on the internal energy pillars and lifted into mid-air.
Wisps of fire were still burning their corpses, emitting a foul stench.
Taro frowned and lightly waved his right arm, an Internal Energy cyclone dispersing the odor around him.
Then, he withdrew his gaze and looked ahead at the castle, which had been nearly half-destroyed by the previous strike.
"Now, do you understand the consequences of provoking me?"
On the ruins of the castle, the Vinsmoke family stood dumbfounded, watching the scene before them with shock, unable to say a word.
Taro squinted his eyes and scanned their faces one by one, beckoned to retrieve the thunderstorm, and then deactivated the Awakening state.
Losing the support of the internal energy pillars, the three corpses fell from mid-air, hit the ground, and rolled a few times.
The corpses of Vasco Shot and Burgess were relatively intact.
Because Miss. Bakkin was short, her entire chest and abdomen had been turned into a gaping hole, with only bits of flesh connecting her limbs.
Judge's eyes twitched wildly, and sweat poured down like rain.
Reiju's face was ashen, her eyes filled with shock and fear.
Although the three brothers including Ichiji lacked rich emotions, their faces were now grim, and they could no longer smile!
Taro snorted disdainfully.
"Vinsmoke Judge, is this what you meant by no pirates?"
Judge just stared blankly at Bakin's corpse.
After a while, tears welled up uncontrollably.
He wasn't crying for Bakin's death.
Rather, with Bakin's death, his dream of restoring the Germa Kingdom's former glory had also been shattered!
Having already been severely injured physically by Taro, his spirit had now suffered a heavy blow.
The old fellow's legs went weak, and he collapsed to the ground, fainting!
Taro frowned; this old fellow's ability to withstand pressure was truly weak!
"You four..., well, you then, answer my question now!"
Taro's gaze scanned Reiju and the others again, finally pointing at Reiju.
In his memory, Reiju seemed to be the only normal person in their family, so communication should be easier.
"What did that dead old woman say when she came to find you?"
Taro asked, looking at Reiju, then shook his head.
"I advise you to be honest. Harboring pirates while being a World Government member nation... it wouldn't matter even if I killed you directly!"
Before Reiju could answer Taro's question, Four Judge next to her started shouting with a stiff neck.
"Then you kill...!"
"Bang~"
Before he could finish his sentence, Taro had already appeared in front of him, grabbed him by the neck, and slammed him against the wall.
"Slap~"
Taro slapped him. "Be polite. When I'm not asking you, keep your mouth shut!"
Then, he turned to look at Reiju again.
"I've said it before, my patience and time are very limited. Don't force me..."
"She wanted to facilitate a cooperation between us and the Blackbeard Pirates. Blackbeard is going to have a final battle with the Whitebeard Pirates Remnants and needs our military strength to help him control some islands!"
Before Taro could finish, Reiju had already spoken.
The Payback War?
Has Blackbeard's strength recovered?
Taro frowned upon hearing this.
"Where is Blackbeard? Where is the location of their final battle?"
Reiju shook her head. "I don't know!"
Seeing Taro's gaze turn cold, Reiju hurriedly added.
"I really don't know. They don't need our help for the final battle; they only told us to enter the New World in five days!"
Taro pondered for a moment, then released Four Judge's neck.
"Tell me the details of your cooperation!"
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