It wasn't until everyone's vision slowly recovered that Sanji slowly opened his eyes, shifting his gaze toward the direction of the sound.
However, he discovered that Allen was shadowboxing with his eyes closed in the clearing, as if there was an invisible enemy right in front of him.
This bizarre scene looked exactly like when Allen usually used his Demon Brain for simulated training, battling wits and strength against thin air!
"What's going on?!"
"He turned invisible. This is the ability of a creature from the Forest Kingdom known as the Chameleon Bug. By manipulating the pigment cells on its surface in conjunction with the special structure of its carapace to refract light, it can achieve near-perfect invisibility."
Heracles explained.
Hearing this, Sanji was so shocked that he froze in place. His mouth fell open slightly, not even noticing when the cigarette dropped from his lips.
"In... Invisible..."
"Are you saying... he can turn invisible...!!"
Sanji's pupils trembled. He was so agitated that he unconsciously clenched his fists. Turning his head to look at the battlefield, his jealousy was so intense it practically radiated murderous intent.
On the battlefield, gusts of fierce wind continuously blasted outward.
Although the enemy couldn't be seen, judging by Allen's dominant movements, it was obvious he had the upper hand.
After all, he was a Warlord of the Sea. Even as a newly appointed one, there was no way he could be weak; otherwise, the World Government wouldn't have invited Allen to take over the position.
Everyone had a solid understanding of his combat prowess, especially when he activated his Demon Back.
Their only concern was that Toruno might run away, in which case there would truly be no way to catch up to him.
But with them guarding the plant resin that held a fatal attraction for Toruno, unless Allen was completely defeated, it would be impossible for the creature to easily snatch it and escape.
In everyone's eyes, the odds of winning this battle were already at seventy percent.
Bzzzt—!!
Suddenly, violent lightning flashed across the clearing.
Under the brilliant illumination of the electricity, Toruno's figure gradually revealed itself.
Through the regenerative abilities of a salamander, his severed limb had completely recovered. His arms had transformed into mantis scythes and were currently locked in a struggle of strength with Allen.
At the same time, oval-shaped blue fleshy nodules attached to both sides of the giant Hercules beetle horn on Toruno's head continuously discharged powerful electric currents that struck Allen's body.
"Is this also a biological ability?"
"It's exactly like Enel. This guy has way too many tricks up his sleeve."
Buchi and Sham couldn't help but express their astonishment.
"Are you talking about the limb regeneration of a salamander or the electrical discharge of an electric eel? Regardless of which one, both should be very basic common knowledge, right?"
Heracles looked at them, his tone tinged with confusion.
"No matter how stupid a person is, how could they not even know this?"
"Is that so? You're really amazing."
Buchi blinked blankly, speaking in a tone of admiration.
Sham's eyes went dead, his face the picture of speechlessness.
Bang!!
Another loud crash echoed across the clearing. Allen unleashed a terrifying grip strength, squeezing his opponent's steel-like mantis arm until cracks formed. Following that, a fully charged high kick broke the sound barrier and viciously whipped against Toruno's head.
Toruno was sent flying sideways at extreme speed, his body snapping a large tree in half before he rapidly flapped his wings to stabilize his posture.
"So attacking your head doesn't work on you? Bugs really are too disgusting."
Allen said in a heavy voice.
If it were any other creature, they would have been knocked unconscious several times over by now. Yet, against this opponent, the effect was minimal.
Opposite him, Toruno fixed his gaze on Allen but didn't launch an attack. Instead, he raised his mantis arm and extended a sharp needle from his mouthparts, sucking up the blood stained on it.
A hint of confusion appeared on Allen's face.
"He is analyzing your genes, preparing to assimilate your abilities into his own body."
Heracles suddenly spoke up.
Hearing this, Allen frowned slightly. Then, realizing something, he immediately looked at Toruno in shock.
*Don't tell me you can activate the Demon Back too!*
"Wait, his ability can be used like that?"
"Of course. After all, you are also a biological organism. He once analyzed a Fish-Man and successfully transformed into one."
Heracles said dismissively, before adding:
"However, after assimilating a new form, it takes a long time to adapt to the movements. Otherwise, it will actually distort his actions and cause a drop in combat power, just like when a person first eats a Devil Fruit. It's nothing to worry about."
"Is that so? That's quite disappointing. I kind of wanted to see what I would look like in that form."
Allen said, the corners of his mouth curling up.
Since there was nothing worth seeing, he didn't need to give his opponent any more time.
The next second, various parts of Allen's body suddenly began to writhe. A large number of bones within his body slightly dislocated and restructured themselves. His muscles bulged, veins popping out, as his entire person gradually morphed into something resembling a ferocious humanoid Tyrannosaurus Rex.
"Hey, hey, hey, what kind of form is this now? Just what kind of monster are you?"
Heracles watched with a pounding heart, unconsciously taking a step back.
Let alone him, even Nami and the others were stunned. They had never seen Allen in this form before.
"Through countless years of evolution, humans eventually developed into the form most suitable for their survival."
Allen said as he lowered his stance. A savage grin spread across his face, his eyes fixed on Toruno with brutal ferocity.
"But in the most primal realm of bare-handed hunting, humans are practically the weakest creatures in nature among those of the same size. Except for a few abnormal individuals, of course."
"However, as long as one can slightly alter their body structure, sacrificing some advantages unrelated to combat, they can exchange it for a posture far more suited for battle."
A gleam of cold, scarlet light flashed in the depths of Allen's eyes. He crouched low and arched his back, the muscles in his long legs pulling taut as his toes dug fiercely into the ground to build up power.
Activating the Demon Back, combined with the Tyrannosaurus physique modified under the control of the Demon Brain—this was Allen's strongest Demon Dragon Form!
"Just like this...!"
"Demon Dragon Cannon!!"
Bang!!
With an explosive shout, Allen's legs surged with power, kicking a deep crater into the ground beneath him as his entire body shot forward like a heavy artillery shell!
Facing Allen, who was lunging at him with bared fangs and claws, a look of sheer terror actually surfaced in Toruno's eyes. It was as if he saw the phantom of a demonic Tyrannosaurus Rex, opening its terrifying, fang-filled maw to viciously bite down on him!
Bang!!
Without a single moment to dodge, Allen's figure arrived in the blink of an eye like a bolt of wild lightning, his shoulder violently ramming into Toruno's abdomen!
Bang!! Bang!! Bang!!
Grappling his opponent, Allen tackled him dozens of meters away, continuously snapping three large trees in half before finally slamming heavily into a massive boulder!
The boulder shattered into countless flying fragments of stone, and Toruno opened his mouth, agonizingly spewing out a large mouthful of blood.
With his arms wrapped around Toruno's waist, Allen violently arched his back backward, executing a devastating suplex that smashed Toruno's head ruthlessly into the ground!
Bang!!
Not giving his opponent any chance to break free, Allen quickly got up, mounted Toruno directly, and unleashed a flurry of left and right hooks!
Dense Armament Haki coated both of his wrists. With a ferocious expression, Allen brutally hammered his fists into his opponent's face, punch after punch!
Bang!! Bang!! Bang!!
"Giii—!!"
In an instant, blood sprayed wildly through the forest, accompanied by bouts of agonizing wails.
Toruno's limbs flailed frantically. His mantis arms slashed at Allen's body time and time again, tearing open flesh and drawing blooms of blood.
He discharged electricity at times, spat high-temperature liquid bombs at others, and even turned invisible, mindlessly trying every possible method to break free from the grasp of the demon before him.
However, all that greeted him were Allen's seemingly tireless, violently smashing fists, sending out shockwaves with every strike.
Punch after punch rained down for an unknown amount of time. One mantis arm hung limply over Allen's shoulder, while a shattered shrimp claw lay powerless on the ground.
Toruno's body twitched, his aura completely weakening.
Only then did Allen finally stop. Drenched in blood, he unclenched his fists and slowly stood up from the ground.
"To still be able to regenerate limbs even after all this... you really are hard to kill."
Looking down at the severed limbs that were currently repairing themselves on the ground, even Allen couldn't help but marvel at the sheer tenacity of his opponent's life force.
"Allen!"
"Are you okay, Boss?!"
At this moment, Nami and the others jogged into the forest, stopping in front of him.
Seeing Allen bathed in blood, everyone couldn't help but feel a chill run down their spines.
"To think this day would finally come, Toruno."
Heracles stepped forward with a sigh, crouching down and pulling out the capture net embedded with Seastone.
After draping the net over Toruno's body, Heracles looked up at Allen, his voice low.
"If you don't mind, could you let me be the one to send him off on his final journey? Please."
"Suit yourself. I just want to hurry back and take a shower."
Allen waved his hand dismissively and turned right around to leave.