"Tsk tsk, the synergistic creation born from two awakened Devil Fruits… this is ridiculously powerful."
Michael flew once more to the front of the combined giant robot.
…
Although the one who took that head-on blow just now was Michael…
The ones beginning to question their lives were Douglas Bullet and the other two.
A colossal robot towering into the clouds, over thirty thousand meters tall—its already terrifying power further amplified by Byrnndi World's "thirty-times speed." With that single strike…
Even Kaido would be unable to face it head-on.
In fact, without using certain techniques, Kaido might even collapse from overexertion after taking that one blow.
But such a thing, to Michael…
Simply did not exist.
Nearly infinite stamina allowed him, during the duration of the ultimate move to have every single strike reach its theoretical peak.
For example, in his previous battle with Kaido, that final blow—purely in terms of explosive power—Kaido's Flaming Dragon actually had the edge…
But in the end, it was completely defeated by Michael's utterly unshakable endurance.
That punch just now might have been very strong in terms of sheer destructive power.
But…
That was all.
For the members of the SWORD Secret Special Force, they had not yet reached their true peak, so in the face of such power, they could only be defeated helplessly.
But Michael was very confident—whether it was Kaido at full strength, or Charlotte Linlin who had now recovered from her eating disorder and truly begun unlocking her ancestral bloodline…
A true "Yonko"-level existence, when facing Douglas Bullet, a "sub-Yonko"-level awakened Devil Fruit user, along with the ultra-strong support of Byrnndi World, might not be able to completely crush them…
But would definitely win.
A true "Yonko" at their peak…
Was not something two awakened Devil Fruits could just scrape against.
And Michael, as the man who had defeated Golden Lion and Kaido…
Was even more so.
…
On this day, the SWORD Secret Special Force and the warriors of Wano together witnessed a grand demolition ceremony at the border of Wano.
The commotion was so massive that it even surpassed Michael and Kaido's ultimate clash.
Even Zunesha, slowly moving nearby, unconsciously altered its route and came closer to watch the spectacle…
After all, Zunesha had never seen something about its own size that could move…
Let alone seen something of comparable size being dismantled piece by piece.
That swift, elegant, and sacred figure…
Within Zunesha's millennia-old accumulated memories, something was suddenly awakened.
The figure buried deep within Zunesha's memories began to shine once more.
That was a man… surrounded by Holy Light and holy flames.
The man who once stood shoulder to shoulder with Joy Boy!
Zunesha's heart began calling out his name…
…
Michael, who had already dismantled the entire combined robot down to its base, suddenly shuddered and raised his head to look around.
He felt as though he had heard an ancient, muffled voice repeating his name over and over near his ears.
He shook his head, casting the sound to the back of his mind.
Douglas Bullet and Red the Aloof had always possessed a fundamental gap compared to a true "Yonko." Even with Byrnndi World's support, it was useless.
Of course, all of this was premised on him being strong enough.
If it were himself from five years ago, he might still have been able to defeat Kaido—but he absolutely would not have been able to deal with him so easily.
In that case, Douglas Bullet would have had more than enough time to unleash devastating destruction upon Wano.
"This world… seems destined to belong to the young after all."
Red the Aloof, having reverted from his vampire form to his original body, looked at Michael standing in midair and finally smiled in acceptance.
Michael glanced at him from the corner of his eye.
Red the Aloof was undoubtedly strong, but he was always just a hair away from the realm of the strongest.
That was precisely why, when Garp evaluated Red the Aloof, he said that he was "not enough to leave his name in history."
That personality…
Was a bit too laid-back.
Judging from past cases, Red the Aloof should have gone full laid-back the moment he witnessed Michael's terrifying power.
Not like now—beaten half to death by Michael and forced into lying flat.
"Hard to tell, Bullet. Someone like you actually treated Red the Aloof and the World Destroyer as companions?" Michael raised an eyebrow as he looked at the completely limp Douglas Bullet in his grasp.
"Hmph… just do it already." Douglas Bullet snorted coldly. "As for those two old men… whether they live or die has nothing to do with me."
"Alright, whether they live or die isn't my concern. After all, the ones who stopped you were the SWORD Secret Special Force… whether you survive or not depends on how old man Sengoku rules."
Michael smiled faintly.
The next instant, a sword came down from above…
The final massive base was completely severed and sank into the sea.
"Michael…"
Another call!
Michael abruptly raised his head and looked around…
Were his ears malfunctioning?
Or was this haunted?
But with that upward glance, Michael—who had been fully focused on demolition—finally saw Zunesha stretching out its head, observing him with eyes as massive as mountains.
The instant their gazes met—
"Michael!"
Alright, confirmed!
It seemed he really was hearing Zunesha's voice…
Wait, Zunesha can talk!?
"What's wrong with you!"
Rosinante and the SWORD Secret Special Force approached aboard the Seraphim.
At first, they hadn't thought Michael would be able to end the battle so quickly…
Yet from beginning to end, it didn't feel like fighting a boss at all—rather, it felt like the thrill of demolition.
"Uh, it's nothing, Rosinante… the rest is up to you now…" Michael looked at Rosinante. "Remember this well—the ones who defeated the Beasts Pirates coalition were the SWORD Secret Special Force and Wano… and Kaido was killed by Michael for kidnapping Whitebeard Jr."
"Killed…"
Rosinante subconsciously turned to look toward the distant shoreline.
Kaido, though barely clinging to life… was stable.
And alive.
"From this day forward, there will be no one named Kaido on this sea."
Leaving those words behind, Michael turned and flew toward Zunesha in the distance.
He needed to confirm something.
…
Four large and two small wings—six in total—emerged once more from his back.
With a flap of his wings, he arrived before Zunesha's enormous eye.
Michael did not speak aloud, but silently thought—
"Was it you who called me just now, Zunesha?"
"Michael… you have once again… appeared… I miss… you… very much…"
Listening to those broken, halting words, Michael became certain…
That he had somehow…
Gained the ability to hear the Voice of All Things.
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Fanfic is finished. 583 chapters in total on p@treon/tambeerg