"Is that truly so? To receive such praise from you, Null-sama, it is a great honor!"
Air Force Marshal Galdino, known as the Puppet Strategist, trembled with excitement upon hearing Shirogai's words. Overwhelmed, he collapsed to the ground and fainted happily.
Aboard the Sky Island airship, the other Air Force members on deck flushed with excitement, their voices hushed yet filled with awe.
"Wow, it is really Shirogai-sama!"
"This is my first time seeing the God King-sama in person, he looks just like the portraits, even more impressive!"
"The strongest in the world, the founder of our Air Force. What right do those Marines have to compete with us for the title of justice's enforcers!"
Thump, thump.
Heavy footsteps echoed across the deck.
"Idiot Marshal, you are an embarrassment to the Air Force."
A tall, imposing man stepped forward. He wore a suit that carried a chilling aura of death, paired with a white cape that contrasted it with an eerie calm.
His ghostlike face twisted into a sneer as he looked down at Galdino, who lay at Shirogai's feet in tearful gratitude.
"Hey, Null. It has been a while."
The man leapt down from the airship, landing heavily on the island and causing the ground to tremble.
"You are quite something, creating an organization that has thrown the world into chaos, only to hand it over to people like us, destroyers by nature, and expect us to maintain peace. That is a bit too optimistic, is it not?"
He grinned as his gloved hands rubbed together with a harsh creaking sound, stepping toward Shirogai.
"Waaah!"
Little Labu's eyes widened in terror as she stared at the towering figure. His presence carried the suffocating weight of countless deaths.
She hurried behind Brook, trembling.
"Brook-papa, his aura is terrifying!"
"T t t t…"
Brook shook violently, his bones rattling. Having awakened the power of the Revive-Revive Fruit, he could clearly sense the dense aura of death surrounding the man.
This was no ordinary fighter. This was a true butcher, someone who had slaughtered countless lives.
"Yohoho, Little Labu, do not be afraid. Because if you are afraid, I will be even more afraid!"
The man before them was none other than Douglas Bullet, the Sky Demon General of the Air Force, a former prisoner of Impel Down, and a legendary figure feared across the seas.
"That annoying smile of yours has not changed!"
Bullet pulled his right arm back, power surging through it as Armament Haki crackled with black lightning.
"Null, it has been a long time. Have you grown stronger? Come, let me feel it!"
A violent burst of Haki erupted forward.
Shirogai responded with a calm smile. He drew back his own fist, a deep black aura gathering around it, swallowing the surrounding light.
"As expected of you, Bullet. Still reckless."
His voice remained steady.
"Unfortunately, your strength seems to have reached its limit. This attack is not enough."
Little Labu stared in shock.
Not enough?
She could not comprehend it. The attack felt strong enough to destroy everything, yet Shirogai dismissed it so casually.
Boom.
The two fists collided.
Bullet's overwhelming strike, capable of devastating the island, was instantly swallowed by the black aura surrounding Shirogai's fist.
The darkness did not just block it. It devoured it.
The aura expanded, growing denser, more oppressive, as if it fed on Bullet's power.
Bullet's expression shifted slightly.
"What kind of ability is this?"
He could feel it clearly. His Haki, normally inexhaustible, was being drained. Even his body felt weakened, as if facing a natural predator.
Shirogai slowly withdrew his fist, the black aura shrinking obediently into his palm.
"It is the power of the Dark-Dark Fruit, combined with another compatible ability."
He looked at Bullet with calm confidence.
"This power is the natural enemy of Devil Fruit users. It can nullify abilities, invade the body, and even control those it consumes."
Bullet flexed his hand, feeling his strength return as the connection broke. A grin spread across his face.
"So that is the Dark-Dark Fruit."
He chuckled.
"No wonder the Air Force reports mention a pirate crew called the Blackbeard Pirates hunting Devil Fruit users and transferring abilities among themselves."
His eyes gleamed with battle intent.
"Looks like I should pay Marshall D. Teach a visit."
Shirogai shook his head slightly.
"Do not underestimate them."
His tone was quiet, yet firm.
"Their true nature may be far more dangerous than you expect. Their strength is not something to take lightly."
A faint, knowing smile appeared on his face.
"Certain individuals and forces may have already formed alliances in secret, waiting for reckless people to step into their traps and become the first sacrifices of this era."
Bullet's expression sharpened.
He understood. For Shirogai to speak this way, the threat was real.
Could it involve one of the Four Emperors?
He began to reconsider everything.
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