...
The privilege of the weak...
There seemed to be a sound of something shattering.
In the New World, those possessing Conqueror's Haki were as numerous as carp swimming across a river.
The leaders of all factions present possessed Conqueror's Haki, with the Red Hair Pirates even having two such users.
During the Red Hair Pirates' challenge against Charlotte Linlin, it was confirmed that Beckman was a master of all Three Colors of Haki, completely suppressing the Big Mom Pirates' second-in-command, Charlotte Katakuri.
He was considered by the Marines to be "a man rivaling Shanks"!
...
Those who awaken Conqueror's Haki share at least one common trait.
Confidence, or perhaps arrogance.
At least in one aspect, they believe they will inevitably reach the pinnacle!
...
Even Wang Zhi considered his ability "invincible under heaven."
If he could make enemies unable to find him, how could that not be invincible?
He had endured countless insults, curses, and scorn, but...
Never!!
Never had anyone, with such an attitude, spoken words that showed such utter contempt for him!!
...
What made him feel miserable was his inability to refute it.
That strike that had swept across Hachinosu Island shattered his complacent mindset, forcing him to seek opportunities nearby.
He was afraid, terrified that if this Marine achieved complete victory, it would deal a devastating blow to his paradise.
...
But the place where he hid, under that gaze.
Wang Zhi wouldn't deceive himself into thinking it was a coincidence - his most prized ability had been cracked!
This made him willing to abandon Hancock as his "treasure," risking Marine retaliation just to bury Griffin here!
...
He longed to see this Marine's panicked expression.
Even if he didn't beg for mercy, at least he would compromise with him, especially with his sworn enemies, the Red Hair Pirates, present.
Nothing...
That detestable face showed complete and utter disregard!
...
...
...
"Keehee... Keeheehaha... KEEHEEHAHAHAHA..."
A sinister laughter echoed, resembling the sound of ancient ocean tides from hundreds of millions of years ago.
Wang Zhi's back muscles violently squirmed and expanded, tearing through his upper garments.
BOOM—
A massive, cold-gleaming spiral shell formed on his back, while simultaneously Wang Zhi's limbs underwent dramatic changes.
His arms and legs transformed into incredibly thick tentacles with the cold, hardened coloration of fossils, resembling twisted giant pythons.
His head, which still retained some human features before, now completely resembled a monster.
Two enormous eyes occupied half his face, while the other half featured a... it couldn't be called a "mouth" anymore, but rather a "mouthpart" with serrated tentacles.
...
This was the ultimate form of the legendary great pirate Wang Zhi - Zoan-Ancient-Fish-Fish Fruit: Ammonite Form!
An extremely rare Fish-Fish Fruit, and a powerful Ancient Zoan at that!
To maintain control over Hachinosu Island to this day, he relied not just on his hiding ability - for pirates to maintain dominion, formidable strength was an essential requirement!
...
"Experience the terror of the ancient seas! You ground-dwelling insect!!!!"
SWOOSH—!!
The sound of tearing air was piercing and shrill as several massive black tentacles whipped forward, moving so fast they created sonic booms!
SWISH—
Griffin weaved and dodged between the tentacles, his movements so fluid that Wang Zhi couldn't even graze his clothes despite frantically swinging them.
Meanwhile, the Mangekyo's eerie patterns rotated softly, emitting a faint glow.
...
These tentacles were coated with Armament Haki, their surfaces dotted with spiral-shaped pores that generated a powerful suction force.
This was another technique combining Haki and Devil Fruit abilities.
Most proficient Haki users with Devil Fruit powers had similar moves.
For instance, Luffy's Fourth Gear - Kong Gun was an excellent ability that effectively combined Armament Haki with his Devil Fruit characteristics.
...
"I don't care if I accidentally hit you, Wang Zhi!"
Shanks transformed into a red streak, darting between the tentacles while unleashing incredibly sharp slashes.
His movement speed surpassed even the tips of Wang Zhi's tentacles, and he was getting faster by the moment!
Even Griffin had to tank several slashes when he failed to dodge in time.
...
While Griffin would verbally mock his opponents, he never let his guard down during combat.
While evading attacks, he continuously analyzed the battlefield situation and each combatant's unique abilities.
...
Among the present enemies, Shanks was undoubtedly the strongest.
Nourished by failures and the deaths of comrades, this rising king was rapidly evolving, potentially reaching the level of 'Pirate Emperor' earlier than in the original timeline.
Of course, this was contingent on him surviving this battle.
...
Next was Beckman.
This guy pressured Griffin no less than Shanks. Though he appeared stationary while holding his gun, Griffin was actually diverting part of his Eye Power to engage him in a mental confrontation.
Wang Zhi...
After their brief encounter, Griffin had gauged his strength.
He was only marginally stronger than Chin Jao from two and a half years ago. Perhaps hiding had become instinctual - even his enraged attacks carried a hesitant, timid quality.
If their physical abilities were equal, Griffin believed Chin Jao could defeat him.
...
An old fossil who couldn't keep up with the times, no wonder a Marine 'deserter king' and a Blackbeard who hadn't mastered his Devil Fruit could take him down.
Smack—
Griffin raised his hand to block Hancock's kick. Given her posture and her preference for wearing high-slit cheongsams, he chivalrously averted his gaze.
"If you wear a cheongsam, don't kick so high. I don't want to dirty my eyes."
...
...
When Hancock first arrived, she had intended to help Griffin.
Even after being insulted, she thought she'd just kick him to vent her anger, then continue their agreement if he apologized.
But her mindset kept shifting.
Wang Zhi's threats provoked her pride - why should she, the empress, act according to someone else's threats!
If Griffin had said something nice at this point, Hancock could have comforted herself... Gentian would forgive me, she wouldn't want me to be threatened!
...
Truth be told, even as the situation escalated, Hancock hadn't planned to go all out.
Why...
Why do you have to be so infuriating!!!
"Once..."
"Once more..."
"Again... and again!!"
"How far must you push me, you bastard!!!"
...
In terms of pure combat ability, Hancock was no weaker than Wang Zhi.
Compared to the three enraged parties, Griffin remained calm.
If this were a simple combat calculation problem, Red Hair Pirates + Wang Zhi + Hancock would undoubtedly surpass Griffin alone.
This lineup was strong enough to challenge two of the Pirate Emperor crews besides the Whitebeard Pirates.
But they lacked coordination, and Griffin even felt less pressured than when he faced the Red Hair Pirates alone.
Shanks' attacks paid no regard to Wang Zhi, having already severed several of his tentacles.
Perhaps due to Rayleigh's influence, Shanks still showed some consideration for Hancock, urging her to leave the battlefield.
When he found the enraged Hancock ignoring his pleas, he gave up and simply tried to avoid hitting her with his attacks.
The Red Hair Pirates' well-honed coordination was repeatedly disrupted by Hancock's willfulness.
...
Griffin stood like an unyielding rock amidst violent waves, remaining steadfast against all assaults, appearing increasingly at ease.
...
This isn't going well...
I can't even scratch this kid, while I'm getting chopped to pieces by Shanks!
Wang Zhi, who had suffered the most injuries, realized something was wrong.
Withdrawing his tentacles, he cast a cold gaze toward Doll standing at the edge of the battlefield.
...
Heh... back to my old tricks!
"Bastard! She's your important subordinate, right?! I'll make you kneel and beg me to spare her!!"
Wang Zhi broke away from the main fight and lunged toward Doll.
...
Griffin only glanced briefly out of the corner of his eye before ignoring the situation.
Did you think I brought her along just to have a personal assistant?
I've personally measured that woman's growth...
She stands there because she's earned the right to.
...
BOOM—!
Wang Zhi's massive body surged forward, tentacles whipping wildly with tremendous force.
Any normal person would be frozen in terror at the sight of such a monstrous creature charging toward them.
Wang Zhi assumed Doll would be no different.
Until—
Dark Armament Haki enveloped Doll's fist.
Directed toward the ground beneath her—
...
"Crushing Blow!!"
That dark, gleaming fist that had haunted countless pirates' nightmares...
It was Zephyr's technique!!
Wang Zhi immediately recognized the origin of this punch, then felt the violent tremors shaking the earth beneath him!
RUMBLE————
The ground between Doll and Wang Zhi fractured like a spiderweb, the massive figure tumbling into the newly formed crater.
...
Doll stood at the crater's edge, backlit by the sun, raising her fist.
"Old relic living in the past, I'm no delicate little flower."
"Ready to taste the iron fist of justice, you scum!"
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