Shouting. Crashing.
Inside the churning seawater, violent impacts kept echoing.
Those outside could only listen, unable to see who was winning.
Finally, the noise stopped.
The turbulent waters slowly calmed.
"Who won?"
"Lord Jinbe, please be alright!"
"Please, let it be Jinbe who comes out on top!"
Everyone prayed desperately for Jinbe's victory.
But reality rarely listens to prayers.
As the seawater cleared, a massive figure appeared.
Hody Jones surfaced first… and his body had swollen to nearly four times its previous size.
As for Jinbe, he dangled helplessly from Hody's grip, his body covered in wounds.
With a cold snort, Hody tossed Jinbe aside like discarded trash.
He stared at the drugs in his hand, his lips curling into a twisted grin.
"Ha ha ha ha!
With these pills… I am the strongest!"
His bloodshot eyes swept toward Neptune and the others.
With a single leap, he appeared right in front of King Neptune.
"From now on, Fishman Island belongs to me.
Die for me, Neptune!"
Neptune's face drained of color.
He swung his trident desperately to block.
"Hmph. That flimsy weapon can't stop me!"
Hody's fist smashed into the trident, snapping it like brittle wood.
He clenched his hand into a claw.
"Shark Claw!"
His razor-sharp fingers lunged straight toward Neptune's throat.
"Admiral Ezra! Save me!
I'll give you all the treasures of Fishman Island!"
Neptune shouted in panic.
Not far away, Ezra D. Vale's lips lifted into a small smile.
Soru.
He vanished and reappeared in front of Neptune.
"Nani?"
Hody hadn't expected someone to move that fast.
Ezra sighed lightly.
"Looks like King Neptune can't die yet."
He flicked his finger, spiritual pressure gathering at the tip.
With a casual snap to Hody's forehead
Crack!
The sheer force sent Hody flying, smashing into the tiled plaza with a thunderous impact.
Neptune exhaled in relief, weak-kneed.
He had genuinely almost been killed.
"Thank you, Admiral Ezra!"
Ezra waved lazily.
"Well, for the sake of your treasures… cough, I mean, your dignity as king, I won't let you die."
Neptune twitched.
No, he definitely heard the word treasures.
But he couldn't complain.
Ezra really did save his life.
"Someone tend to Jinbe's injuries. I'll handle the rest."
Ezra flashed forward, appearing before Hody again.
His crimson eyes glimmered with mocking amusement.
Hody staggered to his feet.
Fear flickered in his gaze.
That one flick…
What kind of monstrous power was that!?
"Hody Jones, I'll give you one last chance. End yourself.
Save me the trouble."
Hody clenched his fists, rage overwhelming his fear.
"Even if you're an admiral, there's a limit to how much you can look down on someone!"
He popped every remaining Energy Steroid pill into his mouth.
Gulp.
Pain twisted his face.
His body expanded violently.
Five meters.
Six.
Seven.
Eight.
He only stopped growing when he reached nearly ten meters tall.
Hody flexed his massive fists, eyes filled with madness.
"This is true power!
Ha ha ha ha ha!"
Neptune and the others shuddered.
"Admiral Ezra… are you sure this is fine?"
Neptune whispered.
Jinbe, who had just regained consciousness, shook his head.
"Neptune, don't worry."
"Jinbe! You're awake! Are you alright?"
"I'll live," Jinbe replied.
"Then good, good."
Star, still tense, asked,
"Jinbe, I know the Admiral is powerful, but with Hody swallowing so many pills… is Ezra D. Vale really okay?"
Jinbe chuckled softly.
"It seems you still underestimate Admiral Ezra."
"Please enlighten us."
Jinbe looked toward Ezra's back.
"Watch carefully. You will soon understand why Ezra D. Vale is known as the strongest admiral."
Before the words faded, Hody roared and charged.
His giant frame thundered across the plaza.
"Great Shark Drum… Infinite!"
He raised both fists and hammered them toward Ezra.
Ezra glanced up calmly.
He lifted a single finger.
"Die!"
Hody howled, furious.
But no matter how he punched, Ezra's lone finger met every blow precisely.
Bang.
Bang.
Bang.
Each strike was effortlessly neutralized.
Hody finally stopped, panting heavily.
His eyes, red with rage, glared at Ezra.
Ezra flicked his hand like dusting off crumbs.
"This is getting boring.
Let's end it."
His voice carried across the entire plaza.
Ezra's spiritual pressure exploded outward.
The overwhelming force slammed Hody to the ground instantly, pinning him in place.
Ezra walked toward him slowly, murmuring an incantation.
"Scattered bones of beasts.
Spire, crimson, rolling iron wheels.
The wind is born, the sky is still.
Let spears clash in the heart of Hueco Mundo.
Bakudō 63: Raikōhō."
As the chant finished, he raised his palm.
Spiritual energy flooded outward.
A scorching bolt of lightning struck Hody directly.
"No… no!!!"
His scream was swallowed whole.
The thunderous blast erased him completely.
Not even ash remained.
Ezra waved his hand lightly, dispersing the lingering energy.
Using Soru, he returned to Neptune's side.
Everyone was still frozen in shock.
That monstrous Hody…
defeated in one strike?
Neptune swallowed hard.
"Admiral Ezra… you're incredible."
Ezra shrugged.
"More or less.
King Neptune, don't forget your promise."
He then turned to the stunned Jinbe.
"You too.
Head to Marineford soon."
Jinbe inhaled deeply and nodded.
"I understand, Admiral Crimson Flame."