This Marine Headquarters colonel was no ordinary officer. He possessed the strength to contend with pirates whose bounties exceeded one hundred million, placing him far above the colonels stationed in the Four Seas.
He had mastered two types of Haki and was proficient in the Six Powers. Among Marines, fully grasping Rokushiki required exceptional talent. Most could only learn a few techniques, and even fewer could use them fluently in real combat.
"You're in my way."
Enel grinned, his Panlong Staff slicing through the air with a sharp whistling sound as he brought it crashing down toward Colonel Skin's head.
"Iron Body!"
Skin's blood surged through his veins as his muscles hardened. He raised his arm to block, reinforcing it with both Iron Body and Armament Haki at the last possible moment.
Even so, his arm trembled violently. The ground beneath his feet cracked, sinking under the pressure as his legs were forced deep into the mud. He was pushed back more than ten meters by the sheer force of the blow.
Enel's strength had exceeded all expectations.
Without Armament Haki, that strike alone would have shattered his bones.
Skin realized instantly that he had underestimated his opponent. To stand a chance, he would have to rely on both types of Haki. Even then, victory was far from guaranteed.
He was still human. The gap in physical ability and innate talent determined not only the strength of Haki, but also how much of it one could sustain. Most people simply did not have the reserves to use it freely.
At present, Skin could only use Armament Haki reliably. He had not mastered it. This level was typical for many fighters in the Grand Line.
That meant he had to be careful. Every exchange consumed precious stamina.
At the same time, he understood clearly that Enel had yet to reveal his full strength.
Enel gave him no time to think.
He surged forward again, and the battle resumed with full intensity. Both men understood that only one of them would leave this battlefield alive.
Behind them, three hundred pirates stormed into the stronghold, colliding with the defending Marines in a chaotic clash.
A difference of two hundred men did not guarantee superiority. However, these were elites of the Nightfall Pirates. Like a stampede of wild beasts, they tore through the defensive lines with overwhelming ferocity.
Their killing intent alone shook the Marines' resolve.
Worse still, their colonel was being completely suppressed.
The realization spread quickly. The enemy was far stronger than expected.
Enel wielded his staff with growing mastery. Though he had only learned the basics, countless battles had shaped his own fighting style. His defense was tight and fluid, leaving no openings for Skin to exploit.
At the same time, his relentless offense steadily wore the colonel down.
Observation Haki, combat experience, instinct, all of it leaned heavily in Enel's favor. Armament Haki, once a decisive advantage, had been reduced to little more than a defensive buffer, prolonging the inevitable.
"Mere colonel. Die and send someone stronger."
Enel's grin widened.
Bare-chested, clad in loose trousers and a white headscarf, his long earlobes adorned with golden earrings swayed with each movement. With one hand, he swung the golden Panlong Staff down in a brutal arc.
A sickening crack echoed.
Colonel Skin's body was sent flying, smashing into the pillar of the watchtower behind him. The structure shuddered violently, half of it collapsing as debris rained down.
Skin fell to the ground, unable to move.
Enel exhaled slowly, his breathing slightly heavier now. Without hesitation, he drew a flintlock pistol from his waist and fired.
The shot ended it.
Around them, the battlefield had already turned into a graveyard. Marine bodies lay scattered across the ground, while the Nightfall Pirates stood largely unscathed, save for a few minor injuries.
Though many Marines had learned fragments of the Six Powers, very few had truly mastered them. Advancement within the ranks required both merit and time, and even then, mastery was far from guaranteed.
"Take a break," Enel said casually, resting his staff on his shoulder as he bit into an apple he had somehow acquired. "Then we move on to the next stronghold."
His tone carried a hint of dissatisfaction.
This had not been enough.
On another island, panic spread rapidly.
"It's Muscle Clemons! How is he here?"
Clemons, a Supernova of the Nightfall Pirates, had made a name for himself during the Swordsmanship Tournament. His overwhelming strength had crushed many rising stars, and he was far beyond the level these Marines could handle.
The outcome was immediate.
The leading commodore was killed outright, falling beneath Clemons's fists.
Across countless small battlefields, similar scenes played out. Powerful pirates, carefully deployed by Redyat, swept through enemy positions with brutal efficiency.
Most engagements ended in decisive victories.
A handful remained evenly matched, typically naval battles where distance limited individual combat strength.
Very few resulted in disadvantage.
The war did not stop.
For half a month, the fighting continued without pause. Exhausted troops were rotated out, replaced by fresh forces. After recovering, they returned to the battlefield once more.
The entire world watched.
The World Economic Journal even opened a dedicated forum, allowing people everywhere to discuss the war.
"It's relentless. It hasn't stopped for a moment."
"Based on calculations, casualties on both sides have reached forty thousand in just half a month. That's over two thousand five hundred per day." [Data Emperor]
"It looks evenly matched so far." [East Blue Vegetable King]
"Evenly matched? Are you sure?" [IQ 180]
That single comment stirred a storm of discussion.
People flooded the forum, demanding an explanation.
Most observers focused on the three main battlefields, where the clashes were most intense. From that perspective, the war did seem balanced.
"No need to argue. Let the data speak. @Data Emperor, you should already have the answer." [IQ 180]
The name carried weight.
[Data Emperor] was not a single individual but an entire organization, one that had risen to prominence in the Age of Images. Their analyses were known for accuracy and neutrality, earning them immense credibility.
When their video was released, it was immediately promoted to the forefront.
On screen, a figure clad entirely in white stood before a map of the Golden Sea.
"In the past half month, total casualties have reached forty thousand," he began calmly.
"However, the distribution is not equal. The World Government's allied forces account for over eighty percent of the losses, with thirty-three thousand dead. The pirate alliance has lost only seven thousand."
A ripple of shock spread across the audience.
"Why is this happening?"
He pointed to the map behind him.
"On the three main battlefields, casualties are roughly four to one. This is expected, given the strength of New World pirates."
He paused briefly.
"But the real difference lies elsewhere."
His pointer shifted.
"In the smaller battlefields, the World Government has lost seventeen thousand men, while the pirates have lost only three thousand. A ratio of nearly nine to one."
The map lit up with markings, showing the movement of pirate forces deep within enemy territory.
"They strike, withdraw, and strike again. The front lines appear stable because lost positions are quickly retaken. This creates the illusion of balance."
He tapped the board lightly.
"In reality, this is controlled attrition."
"They are fishing."
"The World Government focuses on the main battlefield. Jaya Island focuses on the small ones."
His voice sharpened slightly.
"There is no doubt. This is the work of a strategist."
"As for the World Government…"
He paused, then spoke with a trace of dry humor.
"I have yet to see any effective strategy from them. Perhaps their staff should justify their salaries."
The implication was clear.
For the first time, many realized just how dire the situation had become.
Redyat watched the broadcast with a faint smile.
"So, they've finally noticed."
Even so, it changed nothing.
The pirates still held the advantage in mid-to-high-level combat power. The New World produced countless strong fighters, many of them Devil Fruit users.
His plan simply shifted from hidden manipulation to open execution.
With superior intelligence, he knew exactly who the enemy would send and where. If an opponent proved too strong, he would withdraw or call in reinforcements. If an opportunity appeared, he would exploit it immediately.
Every piece was in place.
Meanwhile, Enel continued to dominate his battlefield.
At first, he concealed his Devil Fruit, relying solely on physical strength. When stronger opponents arrived, he pushed his body further, stimulating his cells with suppressed power to increase speed and strength.
Only when necessary did he unleash it.
Lightning tore through the battlefield.
Blinding speed, searing heat, and overwhelming destructive force.
Without powerful Armament Haki, there was no defense.
His performance quickly earned him a new title.
"Thunder God."
His bounty rose to 270 million Berries.
For Enel, that was far more satisfying than any previous nickname.
And as the battles continued, he could feel it.
The threshold was close.
Armament Haki was within reach.