Boom!
A straight punch tore through the air, striking Redfield squarely in the chest.
He did not resist. In his aged eyes, there was not even a flicker of emotion.
Resistance was meaningless.
Soon, his old friends would come to keep him company.
Newgate…
Crack.
Amid the sound of breaking bones, the legend of "The Solitary Red" came to its end.
[Host eliminated "The Solitary Red" Balorick Redfield. Justice Points gained: 90,000.]
[Remaining Justice Points: 1,034,598.]
Enough. One million Justice Points!
Hawk's consciousness sank into his mind without hesitation.
"Enhance, Conqueror's Haki!"
[Consume one million Justice Points.]
[Remaining Justice Points: 34,598.]
[Conqueror's Haki has reached the ultimate level – Proof of Sovereignty.]
[Proof of Sovereignty: The host's will is no longer an invisible deterrent. It becomes tangible, capable of tearing through all.]
[Enveloping the body, it becomes the King's Armor; attached to the fists, it becomes Divine Punishment.]
[The heavens change color, the sky trembles. This is the power of one who stands at the peak of the world – Kingly Conqueror.]
An indescribable sensation surged through Hawk's limbs, pouring into the depths of his soul.
It was a transformation of pure essence.
If his previous Conqueror's Haki was like a raging river, now it was an infinite starry ocean that embraced all things.
Hawk slowly turned, his gaze falling on the last cell in the Infinite Hell.
Barrett, seated cross-legged, opened his eyes abruptly.
"Another round?"
He paused, then a wild, feral grin spread across his face.
This was once the sanctuary of Sea Kings. Countless massive beasts swam beneath the calm waters, enjoying their quiet domain.
Roar!
A Sea King the size of an island froze, terrified, staring at the gates of Impel Down.
A fear from the very depths of its being seized its throat.
Its massive body trembled violently, twisting madly as it dove into the deep sea.
Within a hundred-mile radius, every Sea King, big or small, strong or weak, fled frantically from Impel Down.
The deep-sea giants wailed silently, curling up in trenches tens of thousands of meters below, shivering uncontrollably.
Creak.
The gates of Impel Down slowly opened.
Two figures emerged, one after the other.
Hawk stepped forward first, draped in the cloak of justice, his expression calm.
Behind him, Barrett was bare-chested, every muscle coiled and tense.
They took a step, lifted off the ground, and faced each other in the sky above Impel Down.
"Barrett," Hawk said,
"Do we need to combine Devil Fruit abilities?"
Barrett shook his head.
"I don't want to use my fruit."
He flexed his wrists, producing cracking sounds.
"I want a fight of pure physical combat and Haki, a life-or-death clash."
Hawk's lips curved into a slight smile.
"Let's go."
Boom!
In the same instant, their Conqueror's Haki erupted.
Hawk's crimson Haki soared from within him, dyeing half the sky red.
Barrett's black Haki exploded outward, deep and menacing like the abyss of hell.
Red and black, two tangible wills of terror, collided violently in midair.
The clouds above shattered instantly, rolling and intertwining as blood-red and black energies twisted together.
Then, they struck simultaneously.
Crimson and black lightning coiled around their iron fists, clashing with brutal force.
Where their fists met, space shattered inch by inch. A black rift tore open, spreading upward at terrifying speed.
A massive wound ripped through the sky.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Above, the ultimate clash of Conqueror's Haki reached its peak.
On the docks of Impel Down, everyone stood in awe.
Magellan, Hannibal, Zoro, Sanji, and all members of the G-3 unit and Impel Down's staff crowded together, looking up.
The reflection of the apocalyptic sky shimmered in their eyes.
Each face was etched with shock.
"This… is… the battle of world-class warriors?"
Magellan's expression was serious. Having served as the warden of Impel Down for years and handled countless pirates, he had seen things few could imagine.
"Look at the energy surrounding their fists," he said.
"That is Conqueror's Haki in its highest form."
He took a deep breath and explained to the younger Marines.
"This technique is mastered only by those who stand at the pinnacle of the world."
"Major General Hawk has mastered it. His strength now rivals the Navy's top combat forces!"
The words drew a collective gasp.
The Navy's top combat force!
A title only the three Admirals could claim.
And their commanding officer, Major General Hawk, had reached that level.
Zoro gripped Wado Ichimonji at his waist.
Is this… my big brother's true strength?
This is what it means to be a top-tier fighter?
The "blood aura" he had just sensed in Impel Down seemed tiny, like a firefly against the full moon, compared to the red-and-black might tearing the sky apart.
Sanji quietly lit a cigarette, watching the godlike figures above, waves of shock stirring within him.
The gap… was crushing, overwhelming.
"Big Brother…"
Hibari lifted her young face, staring at the blood-red figure in the sky.
She had thought that after all her effort, she might barely keep pace with him.
Now, it seemed her tiny streaks of lightning were insignificant, mere decoration against the red-and-black storm.
She thought of her father, his presence as formidable as a volcano.
Big Brother… are you about to catch up to him?
The sky darkened, clouds thickening without warning.
Boom!
Lightning shot wildly across the clouds, roaring deafeningly.
Then, heavy rain began to pour, each drop like a bullet, instantly forming a curtain of water.
Splash!
The sea around Impel Down was enveloped by the violent storm.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Above, the two fighters, fully unleashing their power, entered the white-hot climax of their battle.
Hawk's fists moved faster and heavier with each strike.
He could feel his newly elevated Conqueror's Haki merging with his body, Armament Haki, Observation Haki, and martial technique.
Every punch struck like a perfectly orchestrated symphony.
Crimson Conqueror's Haki burned with stellar intensity under his will. Each clash with Barrett's black Haki extended the rift in the sky further.
Lightning intertwined with his fists, roaring in fury.
"Fist Theory: Celestial Annihilation!"