Aeridar's gaze sharpened as he muttered under his breath, "Amphitrite... Saint... A Celestial Dragon, then..."
Looking at the man's semi-transformed beastly state, Aeridar noted that despite the absence of the typical bubble helmet, his arrogant posture was a perfect match for any other world noble.
"That punch actually stung! I haven't felt pain like that in years!" Saint Amphitrite massaged his jaw, his wings beating rhythmically behind him, a look of mild irritation crossing his face.
Saint Aeolus Amphitrite, World Noble, age 45, one of the strongest members of CP0, and the man who held the title: "The Strongest Shield of the Celestial Dragons."
"I didn't think there were actually interesting individuals among the trash of Mariejois. I suppose I should say, as expected of a lineage with eight hundred years of history," Aeridar remarked, a flicker of killing intent dancing in his eyes.
Amphitrite's brow arched as he let out a light chuckle. "Trash? Heh... Compared to those who know only how to eat, drink, and play while ignoring the importance of power, they are indeed trash. However…"
His voice dropped as his face darkened, his gaze turning frigid. "Even so, those pieces of trash are my kin. 'Trash' is a word only I am allowed to use for them. A low-life human like you has no such right."
Aeolus Amphitrite was an anomaly among the Celestial Dragons. Much like Doflamingo or Saint Aldrich, he was a man who worshipped strength.
Thirty years ago, a fifteen-year-old Amphitrite was traveling the first half of the Grand Line with his father, Saint Landermas. They crossed paths with a pirate crew much like Luffy's—reckless, ignorant of the world's hierarchy, but possessing no small amount of power.
During the chaotic battle, the escorting knights and agents were overwhelmed, and the young Amphitrite was wounded by a stray bullet.
When a Celestial Dragon is attacked, a Marine Admiral is naturally summoned. Sengoku, who was an Admiral at the time, happened to be patrolling nearby and arrived on the scene within minutes.
Sengoku demonstrated overwhelming, terrifying power. In less than ten minutes, he had completely crushed the pirate crew.
That event left a profound impact on the fifteen-year-old Amphitrite. It taught him that all external power was unreliable; only the strength one held within oneself was a true guarantee of safety.
From that day on, he pursued power relentlessly. He mastered martial arts and consumed an incredibly rare Devil Fruit from his family's treasury, the Ancient Zoan, Mythical Type, Dragon-Dragon Fruit, Model: Red Dragon.
Guided by the strongest members of CP0 and blessed with immense natural talent, he frequently ventured into the outside world to "test his hand" by slaughtering pirates, causing his strength to skyrocket.
Many legends of dragons on the high seas originated from witnesses who saw him training on those unfortunate pirates. Fortunately, the World Government suppressed the reports, letting them fade into "unbelievable" myths.
Yet, despite his strength, he shared the typical vices of his kind: a love for luxury, fine cuisine, exquisite wine, and beautiful women.
His personality was utterly vile. Aside from the strong who earned his respect, he looked down on everyone, not just ordinary humans, but even his own kin and his father. He viewed them as useless "fat pigs" who defiled the title "Descendants of the Creators."
Because of his overwhelming power, he had been drafted into CP0 as the man known as the "Strongest Shield."
Due to his abrasive nature, he hated staying in one place for long. He spent much of his time sleeping or vacationing in extreme environments, like active volcanoes. When Fisher Tiger attacked Mary Geoise years ago, Amphitrite happened to be away, otherwise, the raid wouldn't have been nearly so successful.
"Low-life human? I never agreed to that title." Aeridar sneered with open contempt. "Hmph... In my eyes, you Celestial Dragons are nothing more than high-ranking trash!"
"Hehehe... Such an arrogant fellow. No wonder the World Government and the Marines have such a headache dealing with you!" Amphitrite grinned, his laugh cold and sharp. "You've actually managed to stir my killing intent!"
Whoosh—!
The wings on Amphitrite's back beat violently, launching him forward like an arrow from a bow.
"I'll slaughter you, and then I'll throw your remains into the Abyss!"
Amphitrite roared as he reached Aeridar, swinging a fist directly at his head.
"If you can do it, then try!"
Aeridar laughed dismissively and threw a counterpunch. The two fists collided with an explosive impact.
BOOM—!
The shockwave rolled out, a ring of white vapor expanding from the point of contact.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
In the next instant, the two were locked in a fierce exchange. Powerful strikes rippled through the air, creating countless shockwave rings that swept outward in layers.
High above the world, at several thousand meters, a battle capable of shocking the entire globe had broken out, unseen by any witness.
…
Dressrosa – Corrida Colosseum.
On the ring below, only two combatants remained.
"Huff... huff... huff..."
Beads of sweat rolled down Carlo's forehead. His chest heaved as he gasped for air. He stared at the figure ten meters away, a glowing red, steam-emitting "Lucy." Carlo's eyes were heavy with fatigue and grim focus.
Shua!
Lucy kicked off the ground, moving at a speed nearly invisible to the naked eye. He appeared above Carlo's head as if he had teleported.
"Armament: Hardening – Gomu Gomu no… Jet Gatling!!!"
With a roar, a blur of fists rained down. Just like the name suggested, the strikes were as dense and rapid as bullets from a machine gun.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
A rapid-fire series of metallic clangs rang out. Carlo's sword turned into a shimmering afterimage, desperately parrying every single blow.
"Get back! Moon Sword: Half-Moon!!!"
After a few heartbeats, Carlo spotted a gap in the barrage. He swung his blade with a violent force, unleashing a crescent-shaped white energy slash.
In mid-air, Lucy crossed his arms to block. The white slash slammed into him with a metallic CLANG, the immense power behind the strike sending him flying backward.
Carlo seized the moment, lunging forward. He leaped high into the air, his blade trailing light as he thrust toward the mid-air Lucy.
Moon Sword: White Moonlight!
"Huff—!"
Suddenly, Lucy twisted his body in mid-air. He bit down on his thumb and blew into it with all his might.
A massive volume of air surged into his right arm, causing it to inflate like a balloon. In the blink of an eye, it had transformed into the arm of a literal giant.
"Gear 3! Gomu Gomu no… Elephant Gun!!!"
Lucy roared, his Haki instantly coating the giant arm in a glossy black. He slammed the fist downward.
THOOM—!
The sharp tip of the sword struck the blackened giant fist, producing a sound like a massive bell being struck.
The air shuddered as a powerful shockwave erupted, and the entire Corrida Colosseum began to shake violently.
"It's too intense! Too intense! This is a truly magnificent battle!"
Up in the announcer's booth, Gatz gripped his Den Den Mushi microphone, shouting with passionate fervor.
"Go! Get him!"
"Finish him off!"
"Lucy! I'm rooting for you!"
The audience was in a frenzy, their faces flushed with excitement as they screamed at the top of their lungs.