No, it's not just about being unable to move.
The closer he got, the more terrifying the aura of the Supreme King became, causing the vines of the entire forest to spontaneously curl up and tremble.
The trunk where his main body resided even cracked open with several fissures with a snap!
"This kind of aura..."
Fujitora's face was also trembling violently. He looked up, surprised, "Could it really be that the captain has returned...?"
How strange, how strange, it's only been a day and night.
The decisive battle between the two Sea Emperors has ended so quickly? Has the outcome been decided?
He was originally prepared to engage in a drawn-out battle with Aramaki for days and nights.
Now it seems that won't be necessary.
"Hey, Green-haired Tree-man."
Nami perked up, crossing her arms with a playful smile, "What were you saying just now? Blowing the horn of counterattack... why don't you say it again in front of my brother?"
Aramaki's face turned ashen.
He had no time to deal with Nami, staring intently at the end of the sky, the various rumors of that man flashing through his mind. He finally gritted his teeth and yelled in anger:
"Damn it, count yourselves lucky this time!"
With a rustle, all the vines quickly retracted as Aramaki transformed into a human form, leaping onto the sea, with a large yellow flower blooming atop his head.
"But don't think this is over! I'll make you pirates pay the price someday!"
After spewing such words, he flew away in the opposite direction without looking back, the large yellow flower spinning rapidly, so fast that it left a white ripple on the sea surface.
However.
Something moved faster than him.
"Pay the price? Are you talking about yourself?"
The world was suddenly illuminated by black and red light, and a thick Sword Qi whistled over, overtaking the fleeing Aramaki within a few breaths.
Kamusari!
Feeling the chill from behind, Aramaki was instantly shocked, only managing to dodge sideways, but still getting his right arm slashed by the sword.
"Ahhhh!!!"
Blood gushed as the entire right arm was severed at the shoulder, and Aramaki let out a terrible scream.
Yet he dared not stop for a moment, gritting his teeth, urging the yellow flower atop his head to spin faster, fleeing into the distance with even greater speed.
"Hmph, he sure runs fast."
Shano finally appeared in the sky, casually catching the severed arm, looking at the embarrassingly fleeing green silhouette, he sneered.
"Brother!"
Nami excitedly waved at him from the ground. Shano glanced over, then descended, rubbing her head:
"Good job."
"Hehe!"
Nami proudly placed her hands on her hips, her eyes curved into crescent moons:
"Aren't I amazing! If it weren't for me, Uncle Issho couldn't have beaten that green-haired freak so badly!"
She suddenly noticed the bandages on Shano's body, her smile paused, and she nervously checked him over:
"Brother, why are you so badly hurt? Was it that old witch BIGMOM? What happened to Bonney, did you rescue Bonney?"
"The injuries have healed, don't worry."
Shano shook his head with a smile.
He had just ended the battle not long ago and teleported back from Ten Thousand Nations.
Wrapped in supreme bandages, the blood on his body had been wiped clean by Chopper. The wounds had been simply treated and were mostly healed.
But his stamina hadn't fully recovered, so he couldn't pursue for long distances.
"As for BIGMOM, I've already killed her, and Bonney has been rescued, so rest assured, the war is over, and Ten Thousand Nations is now under my command."
"Eh?!!!"
Nami's eyes widened, her mouth agape.
That BIGMOM... is dead?
This news was too shocking; it took her a while to come back to her senses. She counted on her fingers, unable to help jumping up and hugging Shano's neck, beaming with joy:
"From the start of the battle to now, it's been less than 24 hours! Brother, you actually beat a Four Emperors... wow, that's incredible!"
Truly her invincible brother!
Truly the world's greatest Sword Master!
"Cough cough... let go..."
Like a koala, Shano felt his wounds ache as he was squeezed and helplessly patted his sister's back, pulling her down:
"I'll tell you the details later, or you can call your sister and ask. I'm really tired now, just want to take a shower and eat something."
He turned to Fujitora, nodding, "Thanks for your hard work, Issho."
Fujitora remained dazed, clearly not yet fully processed the shock.
She's really dead?!
Unlike Nami.
He was more aware of the weight of BIGMOM, the veteran Four Emperors.
And he could realize first-hand what it meant to defeat her in a day...
After finally digesting this news, Fujitora bent slightly, smiling:
"I'm glad the captain returned safely. As for here, it's merely doing my duty."
When he lifted his head, the rising morning sun happened to fall on Shano, cloaking him in a layer of golden brilliance, dazzling as if like the gods.
Fujitora couldn't help but feel dazed again.
Joining the Endgame, following Shano... did I really make the best decision of my life?
"Alright, stop spacing out, let's go, it's time to head back!"
Shano didn't notice Fujitora's anomaly. He stretched lazily, then laughed heartily, wrapping an arm around each of their shoulders:
"This time we won a great victory! Let's have Uncle Zeff prepare, when the fleet returns, we'll have a grand banquet!"
——————
The Holy Land Mary Geoise, within the halls of power.
The Five Elders rarely gathered all in one place, sitting around the sofa, the tension in the air was almost solid.
The latest intelligence collected by the CP Department was casually spread out on the coffee table, the photos inside piercing the eyes of everyone present.