Chapter 147: Six Mythical Beast Lords and the Legion Commander!
BOOM!
At this moment, what unfolded on Neverland was undoubtedly a unique spectacle on the entire sea.
Two massive forests intertwined, collided, and entangled with each other.
Branches twisted like giant snakes, biting and tearing.
Tree trunks moved like giants, beating each other.
Churned soil was like shattered flesh; splattered sap was like blood.
But the key was—whether the Fairytale Forest or the Forest of Rage summoned by Aramaki...
The trees, once destroyed, would repair themselves instantly.
This made the battle between the two forests almost endless.
The scene resembled 'Nature' fighting 'Nature'.
In the center of the battlefield.
RUMBLE!
Aramaki's body had transformed into a massive treant, rampaging through the forest.
His fists, covered in Armament Haki, constantly tried to rush toward Hitsujii's location.
But every time he approached, countless dream trees grew out of thin air to block his path.
Of course...
BOOM!
They couldn't pose much hindrance, often shattered by Aramaki's punch.
But in the time it took to shatter them, the ground would inexplicably retreat, widening the distance between him and Hitsujii.
So from the start of the battle until now, he hadn't even touched Hitsujii.
This frustrated Aramaki greatly—he felt the island seemed alive.
But frustration aside, he wasn't overly anxious or worried.
He knew his ability well. In this environment, he believed he feared no one on the sea.
"Hey, is this all you got?"
"I don't know what's with this forest, why it's not part of 'Nature'..."
"But if you think you can defeat me relying on it, it's laughable!"
He stared at the person in the distance.
But...
"How could that be?"
Aramaki saw Hitsujii sitting casually on a distant tree, legs crossed.
He even held a drink of unknown origin, sipping it leisurely.
"Mr. Aramaki is a precious guest of Neverland—I wouldn't want the guest to feel neglected."
At this moment, his voice carried a smile.
"So to be honest, I've already found opponents for you, Mr. Aramaki. Calculating the time... mm, they should be here."
Opponents?
Hearing this, Aramaki paused—other Zodiac members?
Just as the thought arose...
A strong sense of crisis surged in his heart.
Above his head...
ROAR!
A massive beast roar rang out.
Instantly...
SLASH!
Aramaki felt his tree body being... sliced open!
No, not just sliced.
WHOOSH!
Aramaki saw clearly—on the sliced part of his tree body.
Flames ignited.
"Hot!"
The scorching flames made Aramaki growl in pain instantly—as a tree, fear of fire was instinct.
But...
"Fireproof Forest!"
Aramaki had long overcome this instinct—he prepared to activate his fire-prevention ability.
Meanwhile, he saw the creature that slashed him clearly.
It was a behemoth resembling a dragon and a dog, holding a sword in its mouth, with a single horn, its size rivaling his 'treant form'.
Aramaki could see burning rage in the behemoth's eyes.
[Dream Legion · Mythical Beast Lord of Rage · Yazi]
"What are y..."
Aramaki growled, but stopped mid-sentence.
Because the forest around him told him.
There was far more than one monster like the one before him.
"..."
He tried to turn instinctively but found his body immobile—even the activation of 'Fireproof Forest' was interrupted.
Looking down, he saw a strange creature resembling a snake and a fish swimming in the soil where his roots were anchored.
Wherever it swam, the soil turned into a swamp, entangling his roots and preventing him from pulling out.
Simultaneously, his arms felt completely different.
Crack...
He heard the sound of freezing. His arms were being covered in hard ice.
The source of the frost was a creature resembling a 'Mermaid'.
But fundamentally different from mermaids of Fish-Man Island—she floated in the air, surrounded by cold mist, looking dreamlike.
The cold mist strangely unaffected by the flames on him, but made Aramaki feel a chill from his core.
[Dream Legion · Mythical Beast Lord of Desire · Ranyi]
[Dream Legion · Mythical Beast Lord of Sorrow ·鮫人 (Samebito / Shark Person)]
"These two guys... want to trap me?"
Aramaki didn't know their purpose—but the burning flames told him he couldn't sit still.
Just as he prepared to resist...
ROAR!
He heard another roar and piercing wind from behind.
With combat instinct, he judged immediately—the opponent's size, strength, and speed were astonishing. The power of this strike must be...
RIP!
The next instant, sharp giant claws tore through his tree body, causing his already flame-scorched fragile body to shatter instantly.
Behind him, a massive creature resembling a red leopard with five tails let out a piercing roar.
[Dream Legion · Mythical Beast Lord of Hatred · Zheng]
"You bunch..."
Aramaki was thoroughly enraged.
Ignoring the burning flames and the pain of being torn apart.
"Forbidden Hate Shards!"
He roared, and the scattered body fragments grew in the air, turning into sharp wooden spikes shooting at the creatures.
But moments later...
Aramaki saw the spikes, sharp enough to pierce steel, being blocked.
It was a massive monster resembling a stone.
[Dream Legion · Mythical Beast Lord of Joy · Shigandang]
"Another one..."
Before Aramaki could react.
He felt the howling wind above his head.
Looking up instinctively.
He saw a giant beast resembling a tiger with wings, flapping them and glaring at him.
In its mouth, shining lightning aimed at him.
[Dream Legion · Mythical Beast Lord of Fear · Qiongqi]
Next moment...
BOOM!
Six powerful dream creatures attacked Aramaki simultaneously.
Flames burned, lightning flashed, frost spread, rocks fell...
RUMBLE!
Centered on the constantly spreading and fighting forests, the entire Neverland shook violently. Aramaki's already crumbling tree body was blasted to smithereens instantly.
Scattered leaves and wood debris drifted in the air.
But...
ROAR! (x6)
The six Mythical Beast Lords didn't relax—their gazes remained locked below.
Moments later...
VMMM!
A tree seed drilled out of the ground, then... broke the soil and grew.
Aramaki's figure reappeared on the ground.
"Haha..."
His body seemed weak but was recovering at a visible speed.
"These monsters are Neverland's... Mythical Beast Lords?"
Looking at these powerful creatures with different appearances and abilities, but all emitting powerful auras, he recalled the legend of Neverland.
It was said among the many dream creatures on this island, six were called Mythical Beast Lords.
Guardians of the Fountain of Youth and the Island Spirit, the strongest and most beautiful kings among all dream creatures.
"Are you kidding me!?"
Aramaki finally felt the absurdity felt by the mercenaries earlier.
What do these violent, ferocious monsters have to do with 'Dreams'?
This level of power was rare even among the countless creatures of this vast sea.
However...
"Though strong, they are just beasts after all—daring to act recklessly against me, who represents 'Nature'..."
The pain of annihilation stimulated Aramaki's nerves, making him angrier.
"Don't think..."
RUMBLE!
His figure grew again, returning to the massive treant form.
From beneath his feet, massive roots surged wildly.
Black Armament Haki flowed on them, dyeing the newly grown trees pitch black.
The trees themselves emitted a hardness like steel and sharpness like blades.
They covered Aramaki's body continuously until he turned completely black.
Finally...
The black trees formed a set of armor and a massive wooden katana covering him.
[Forbidden Hate Woods · Giant Tree Armament]
Next moment, Aramaki swung the wooden katana.
Massive power raised a gale instantly.
The ground cracked, deep ravines carved out of thin air.
"That you can get away with this unscathed!"
He charged at the behemoths.
"..."
Hitsujii, sitting in the distance, still had his legs crossed.
From start to finish, he remained calm.
His eyes under the mask narrowed, looking at the surrounding forest.
While Aramaki fought the Mythical Beast Lords...
The roots of the forest and trees he created were undulating and expanding, seemingly absorbing something from beneath the earth.
"Just this much is not enough..."
He murmured softly.
"You have to work harder—Mr. Aramaki."
The Legion Commander is the chess player.
He wouldn't step onto the front line easily.
Unless...
Victory and defeat were already decided.