“Whoosh…”
On the vast ocean in the distance.
A colossal Sea Homie, transforming into raging waves.
It propelled the 魔王·Lucifer forward.
“Whoa!” At this moment.
El, who had reverted to his human form, flapped his wings and approached from afar.
“El/Onii-chan, are you alright?”
“El Boss/Sir!”
Seeing El return safely.
Lingling, Gailz, Long Bread, and the others, who were somewhat worried.
All breathed a sigh of relief.
“I’m fine, don’t worry…”
El waved his hand, gazing back at the battlefield, filled with a sense of wonder: “He’s truly strong, befitting a Vice Admiral candidate!”
Although he possessed both Lunarian and Giant bloodlines, making him a natural monster.
He had immense strength and a steel balloon-like defense that rendered him impervious to weapons, and he was a Zoan-type Devil Fruit user with the powers of the feathered serpent god.
But he hadn't truly grown yet.
Without his Lunarian race's ability to ignore damage.
It would be suicidal to recklessly challenge a monster like Steel Bone Kong.
However, his brief but intense clash with Steel Bone Kong yielded significant gains.
Not only had he honed himself, but he also gained a wealth of combat experience.
His Armament Haki, which he had barely mastered.
Had improved considerably.
“He managed to escape from Steel Bone Kong, a Vice Admiral candidate, unscathed…”
Soon, a glass of freshly squeezed juice was served.
Gazing at El, who appeared unscathed aside from a bit of dishevelment, Long Bread exclaimed with excitement: “El Sir, you are truly incredible!”
He was a monster who had been put on a bounty list for 600 million berries at the age of nine.
At this moment, Long Bread’s conviction in his choice solidified further.
Only a figure with such limitless potential was worthy of his allegiance.
“So-so…”
El accepted the juice.
He sat at the bow, chuckling lightly: “But it wasn't all in vain. I at least destroyed the fleet that guy commanded.”
Those Navy higher-ups, their ship styles were truly unique.
The ship he had burned, its bowsprit had a sculpture of a gorilla with its arms raised, flexing its muscles.
So stupid, trying to show off their strength?
It was just begging to be punched.
“Eh!?”
…
“What are you saying?”
At this time—
Far away in the first half of the Grand Line, at the Navy Headquarters building.
Fleet Admiral William, shocked, stood up, grabbing the mouthpiece, his voice trembling in disbelief: “Even you, Vice Admiral candidate, couldn’t handle that Lunarian kid?”
“Kong, are you kidding me?”
Steel Bone Kong was his most valued member of the younger generation.
He was not only a Zoan-type Devil Fruit user with the powers of the Kong Giant Ape.
He also possessed the qualities of a Conqueror's Haki and had exceptional leadership skills.
Whether it was martial arts or the three types of Haki, he had honed them to perfection, demonstrating the strength of a Navy Headquarters Admiral.
Especially, his current display of “political awareness” had even garnered admiration from several high-ranking figures in the Holy Land, Mariejois.
If the current Admiral Ross, who was already 68 years old and in poor health, officially stepped down.
He, the Fleet Admiral, would immediately issue a new appointment.
Placing him on the Admiral's throne.
A Lunarian kid who was less than ten years old.
Even if he was some kind of natural monster, or a Zoan-type Devil Fruit user.
He shouldn’t be able to render Steel Bone Kong, a powerhouse with overwhelming strength, helpless, right?
“I’m not joking, Fleet Admiral William…”
Far away in the second half of the New World, in a certain sea area.
Standing on the only warship that had survived under his full protection.
Steel Bone Kong, the Vice Admiral candidate, his face solemn, grasped the Den Den Mushi attached to the mast, his voice deep: “Fallen Angel El’s strength far surpasses that of a typical Vice Admiral… Of course, his potential is astounding, but in terms of raw power, he’s still far from his prime and certainly not my equal!”
“But his race's abilities and the powers of the Zoan-type feathered serpent god grant him incredible flight speed and formidable aerial combat capabilities…”
At this point.
Steel Bone Kong sighed in frustration, gritting his teeth: “And as a natural monster, he’s practically immortal!”
“Even my full-power attacks couldn’t truly harm him… This meant that neither I nor him could prevail against the other!”
He was filled with self-reproach.
He straightened his posture, sincerely admitting his mistake to his superior: “I apologize, my Devil Fruit power is simply not suited for aerial combat. I couldn't hold him down, and could only watch helplessly as he destroyed most of our fleet and escaped!”
“Even with your full strength, you couldn't hold him down…”
Fleet Admiral Hamans William, his brow furrowed.
His expression was gloomy, revealing an indescribable sense of dread: “Then, I’m afraid it won’t be easy to eliminate this threat!”
In this great ocean.
Devil Fruits were diverse and numerous.
But overall, flying Devil Fruit powers were extremely rare.
Even among the three Admirals of the Navy, aside from Admiral Ross, a pure martial artist, there were no true fliers.
Steel Bone Kong, the Vice Admiral candidate, had already honed his mastery of the Rokushiki’s Soru to a perfect level, making it effortless.
His statement that he was not skilled in aerial combat was, of course, just a humble or face-saving excuse.
Two years ago, a powerful Dragon-Dragon Fruit, Ancient Zoan type, Pteranodon user, with a bounty of 300 million berries, had failed to escape from him.
Even he couldn’t defeat Fallen Angel El and could only watch helplessly as other warships were destroyed, showing just how extraordinary his speed was.
Ordinary Headquarters Vice Admirals, even those with the ability to fly, wouldn’t be able to catch Fallen Angel El, not to mention defeating him.
They would only be sending themselves to their deaths.
“Alright, let’s not dwell on it…”
Hamans William paced back and forth, directly stating: “Kong, you first organize the rescue of survivors who fell overboard, collect the bodies of our fallen comrades, and return to G-11 Fortress. Afterward, remember to submit a detailed report!”
“I’ll have CP investigate Fallen Angel El's whereabouts and find a way to eliminate him as quickly as possible… The threat posed by this Lunarian kid is too great. We cannot give him time to grow!”
Even Steel Bone Kong, a Vice Admiral candidate, couldn’t hold him down.
He could only watch helplessly as the other destroyed most of the Navy fleet and escaped.
The potential shown by Fallen Angel El was too terrifying.
It even made him, the Fleet Admiral, somewhat uneasy.
“Yes——”
“Click!”
He hung up the Den Den Mushi.
Gazing towards where Fallen Angel El had disappeared.
Steel Bone Kong's expression was fluctuating between gloom and rage, his fists clenched tight.
He silently made up his mind: “Damn it, looks like I need to master Conqueror’s Haki Envelopment as soon as possible. Otherwise, I really won’t be able to handle that Lunarian kid!”
Even someone as prideful as him.
Had to admit, the other’s potential was terrifying.
He was that strong at the age of nine. If you give Fallen Angel El another few years.
He feared that even if he truly became a Navy Headquarters Admiral, honing his strength to a higher level, he still might not be able to defeat him.
That bloodthirsty guy wasn't someone who would behave himself.
He believed they would clash again sooner or later.
And he would definitely have headaches dealing with him.
…