Chapter 124: Reiner's New Weapon, Ring of Ouroboros!
RUMBLE!!!
Accompanied by a sound that resounded through the heavens, the continuously tilting Tower of Justice finally crashed down onto a vast expanse of white ice.
Its massive volume, carrying exaggerated weight, smashed a giant hole through the thick ice layer, and frigid seawater immediately surged upwards.
Countless stones and ice fragments flew out from the thick cloud of smoke, splashing into the air before falling, sinking into the seawater with gurgling sounds.
"Ree~~"
The two King Bulls cried out, carrying the Franky Family as they fled. Their numerous fins flapped frantically on the ground, propelling their massive bodies.
Splash!
Splash!
Seeing the ice surface broken, the King Bulls immediately changed direction, rushing into the lake formed by the surging seawater, kicking up giant waves.
"Ah! So cold!!"
"We're gonna freeze to death!"
Zambai and the others shivered uncontrollably from the icy seawater. The two square-headed sisters, dressed in their light attire, hugged each other tightly for warmth.
"Why is it all ice!?"
"What on earth happened outside!?"
Seeing the scene of ice and snow outside, everyone wore expressions of bewildered shock.
Franky jumped directly onto the ice surface, his expression grave as he looked at the Marines swarming towards them, wielding swords, spears, and halberds.
"No time to worry about this!"
His bare lower legs trembled, yet Franky's face remained resolute as he yelled, "Prepare for battle, boys! Let the Marines witness our strength!"
"OOOH!!"
"Brothers, prepare cannonballs!"
The Franky Family hoodlums were filled with fighting spirit, one by one shouldering various types of bazookas and aiming at the charging Marines.
Pat!
Pat!
Several figures leaped down from the hawk in the sky; Zoro and Usopp were prominently among them.
"Looks like the real show is just beginning."
Zoro pulled down the bandana tied around his arm, his gaze towards the enemy gradually becoming fervent. "That long-nosed bastard earlier didn't let me have my fill."
He had just encountered Kaku in the Tower of Justice. Although his opponent was tricky, he was ultimately defeated by Zoro.
"You just fought Kaku, didn't you?"
Reiner glanced curiously at Zoro. "Well? Did you awaken it?"
"Awaken what? Oh, you mean that."
Zoro reacted, looking down and clenching his fist. "No. Feels like I'm still a little bit off."
He knew what Reiner was referring to. They had been training for some time now.
Ever since leaving Sky Island, both he and Curly Brows had vaguely sensed that inexplicable power within their bodies, but they hadn't yet grasped the feeling of condensing it.
"Are you talking about this?"
Sanji walked up, his expression calm. With a thought, a Haki, flowing with a dark sheen, gradually spread over his leg, making his already black suit trousers appear even deeper in color.
Only then did Sanji reveal his true nature, smirking at Zoro and mocking, "You're not so great after all, Moss Head."
"Bastard Curly Brows!"
Veins popped on Zoro's forehead, clearly extremely displeased that Sanji had awakened Haki first. "Even you can awaken it!? Is it because you're too much of a pervert!?"
"Are you sour, Moss Head?"
Sanji, instead of getting angry, laughed coldly in mockery. "Someone who doesn't even have Haki is worthy of speaking to me?"
As his words fell, he added, "Of course, Miss Nami and Miss Robin are exceptions."
"Are you looking for a fight, bastard!?" Zoro gritted his teeth and leaned his forehead against Sanji's.
Damn it! I'm offended too! Reiner pushed the two quarreling figures apart. "Alright, you two! I haven't even said anything yet."
As he spoke, he gestured upwards towards the Marines charging towards them, a smirk playing on his lips.
"There are plenty of opponents. Let your actions do the talking. Who's more capable than whom... we'll know once we fight."
ZING—!
Zoro drew his sharp longswords, Wado Ichimonji clenched tightly in his mouth, and grinned at the enemy.
"Then let's compete and see who defeats more enemies! Don't awaken Haki only to crap out when the fighting starts."
"Heheh. My thoughts exactly," Sanji said, smoke curling from the cigarette at the corner of his lips as he stepped forward.
The two glanced at each other, a sharp glint flashing in their respective eyes. The next moment...
BANG!!
The ice surface instantly shattered. Both their figures had vanished from their spots, each leaving behind spiderweb-like cracks spreading outwards.
Ice fragments pattered against Reiner's blue shirt. He lifted a hand, adjusted his glasses, and shifted his gaze towards the distant warships.
Five Vice Admirals stood ramrod straight at their bows, looking back at them from afar.
"Not planning to make a move?"
Reiner couldn't help but feel puzzled. "Does old man Garp really have that much face?"
Boom! Boom! Boom! As soon as the Marine elite troops entered firing range, the Franky Family's cannons unleashed a fierce barrage.
Swoosh~~
Dense cannonballs streaked across the sky. Upon seeing the incoming attack, the Marines agilely scattered. Some even used Rokushiki techniques like Soru or Geppo!
"Artillery fire! Take evasive action!"
A Captain, shouldering a bazooka, roared loudly, simultaneously aiming his weapon towards the sky. A rocket, trailing a long tail of flame, shot out.
BOOM!!
A violent burst of fire exploded in the sky, engulfing a large number of cannonballs in the blast. Several stray rounds flew out from the black gunpowder smoke and fell.
Immediately, several figures in white capes leaped out.
"Leave it to me!"
"Me too!"
One burly Captain, gripping a giant axe with both hands, held it horizontally beside him. As two cannonballs approached, he swung it forcefully, slicing them in two and sending them flying behind him to detonate.
Another Captain drew the rapier from his waist, using Geppo to flicker between several cannonballs.
As he sheathed his rapier, soaring flames erupted behind him, the hurricane winds making his cape flap loudly.
"Truly worthy of being Headquarters officers dispatched with a Buster Call. Indeed much stronger than the usual weakling officers I've seen."
Reiner couldn't help but marvel, witnessing their skills. Smoker, as a Logia user who had eaten his Devil Fruit long ago, was still only a Headquarters Captain.
Although Smoker's attitude was likely a significant factor, it was also evident that the strength of Headquarters officers was by no means comparable to ordinary soldiers.
"So cool!"
"This is the strength of Headquarters Lieutenant Commanders and Captains!"
The elite troops began to display their formidable strength. Their cool postures made the soldiers on the warships below unable to help but cheer excitedly.
However, the next moment, they saw two figures, one blue and one yellow, skimming across the ice surface at high speed, charging towards the Marine officers like meteors streaking across the night sky.
"Three-Sword Style!"
Zoro leaped before the Captain wielding the rapier. His longswords glinted coldly as he held them behind his shoulder, then twisted his upper body and slashed out fiercely!
"108 Pound Phoenix!!"
A green slash spiraled outwards, carrying the Captain's body as it charged into the crowd.
Meanwhile, Sanji's figure flickered, arriving before the burly Captain. A spinning back kick, his leg black as ink, smashed out, striking the giant axe held horizontally before his opponent.
The burly Captain only felt an irresistible, immense force transmit up his arms. The next moment, the giant axe actually shattered into pieces!
"Puwah!"
A long leg, like a pitch-black steel pillar, slammed hard into his abdomen, making him unable to help but spray out a mouthful of blood.
Then, Sanji exerted force again, a powerful kick sending the opponent's massive body flying, crashing into the crowd and knocking down several more Marines.
"They were insta-killed!!"
"Those were two Headquarters Captains!!"
The ordinary soldiers on the warships stared dumbfounded, looking at the blue and yellow figures below, finding it deeply unbelievable.
One of the Marines immediately recognized Zoro's figure, yelling to those around him, "That's Roronoa Zoro!"
"The 60 million Beri third-rate swordsman!?"
"It's the Three-Sword Style swordsman!!"
The others, remembering the bounties of the Straw Hat crew, chimed in, then once again fixed their gazes on the battlefield below.
"Yo. Your power isn't all that great, huh, trash swordsman," Sanji removed his cigarette and spoke contemptuously. He had gone all out with that kick from the start, naturally so he could mock Zoro now.
"Heheh. Smelly cook!"
Zoro sneered coldly, then charged straight into the crowd. His body moved like a swimming dragon, weaving through the Marines, unleashing a flurry of sword glints and shadows!
Clang—Puchi—Clang!
Amidst the Marines, blood sprayed along with sparks. Zoro's speed was extremely fast, his three longswords blurring into afterimages.
Weaving through the enemy ranks, he was like a death-bringing butterfly, dancing gracefully.
However, his opponents were not ordinary soldiers he could easily overwhelm. From time to time, experts capable of blocking his moves or even counterattacking would appear.
One Marine caught sight of his figure, gripped a long spear with both hands, and lunged forward with a thrust.
Zoro sidestepped, evading the spear tip. Simultaneously, he twisted his body around the spear shaft, spinning forward. His longsword 'Shusui' flicked upwards, slashing across the spear-wielding Marine's chest.
The pitch-black blade of the loạn nhận tiểu đinh tự drew a streak of crimson. Then, without any hesitation, it smoothly slashed towards the next enemy.
"Soru!"
A Captain, wearing clawed gauntlets and having mastered several Rokushiki techniques, flickered behind Zoro just as he swung his sword.
"Got him!" The Captain's face revealed a triumphant expression as his five claws, glinting coldly, stabbed towards Zoro's abdomen.
Just at that moment...
A black leather shoe abruptly appeared before his eyes. The Captain was instantly alarmed. Before he could react, the black shadow, carrying immense force, smashed into his face. Broken teeth flew out along with a spray of blood.
"One," Sanji stated coolly.
Zoro, however, unhesitatingly swung a flying slash towards him. Sanji didn't dodge. The sharp slash swept past him, striking an officer who was sneak-attacking from behind.
"Even," Zoro replied flatly. He swung his twin swords downwards, flinging off two arcs of blood that splattered onto the pure white ice.
"These guys aren't fodder."
Sanji looked around. As far as the eye could see, Marines were swarming towards them relentlessly. "They're quite tricky when their numbers increase."
RUMBLE!!!
Two thick bolts of lightning, accompanied by thunder, descended from the sky, striking the ground around them. Even the solid ice was melted by the high temperatures they carried. Then, a continuous barrage of lightning bolts blasted into the midst of the Marines.
"Ah!!"
"Who is it!?"
The speed of the lightning, arriving in an instant, made it difficult for most of them to react. People were continuously struck.
"Scatter! Scatter quickly!!"
"Minimize the losses!!"
However, this group of Marines truly lived up to their elite status. Seeing that the lightning strikes were impossible to block head-on and difficult to dodge, someone immediately and decisively stepped out to command.
In the sky, lightning surged wildly around Nami. Her orange short hair danced in the wind, blue light illuminating her fair face.
Standing high in the heavens, with the backdrop of endless dark clouds stretching behind her, Nami looked like a Queen of Heaven, commanding the thunder.
"The weather isn't great today, but... it suits me just fine!"
Nami shouted cutely, raising her palm above her head. Coiling arcs of electricity, like fine snakes, darted into the dark clouds.
Underneath this boundless expanse of thunderclouds, Nami didn't even need to expend much stamina; merely utilizing the energy within them was enough.
As her five fingers pressed down forcefully, the berserk electrical current within the thunderclouds seemed to completely obey her command. Dozens, even hundreds, of lightning bolts struck downwards from within.
RUMBLE!!!
Thunderclaps boomed endlessly. Faced with the dense, instantly arriving lightning strikes, even if the Marines scattered, it was inevitable that people would be hit one after another.
The Marines on the warships all looked terrified. Even the five imposing Vice Admirals gradually furrowed their brows.
"That woman..."
Gion stared intently at the figure in the sky, subconsciously placing her hand on the hilt of the sword at her waist. "The ability to seemingly control nature... plus her current posture..."
A resolute voice sounded from behind, affirming her suspicions.
"It's a Logia, alright."
Aokiji, on his deck chair, lifted his eye mask slightly, glanced at Nami in the sky, and said gravely, "The power to control lightning... A Logia type. User of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit."
"A Logia type that controls lightning!?"
Although the Vice Admirals had their suspicions, hearing Aokiji's definitive answer still made them secretly alarmed.
They were all too familiar with the threat level of Logia Devil Fruits. After all, the three Admirals hailed as the highest combat powers were all Logia users.
Though there were differences in strength even among Logia types, and it also depended on the user's ability... but...
Lightning!!
That was undoubtedly one of the natural forces humans feared most. Just hearing about it could make one tremble with fear.
Even if an ordinary person ate it, they could gain ridiculously exaggerated power in an instant!
"We can't let her continue like this," Gion stated coolly, her meaning already self-evident.
"And that swordsman."
Momonga's gaze was icy. "Roronoa Zoro. His eyes are as fierce as a wild beast's. If left unchecked, he will definitely become troublesome in the future."
"That one in black clothes is a chef, right?"
Yamakaji looked at Sanji on the battlefield below. "Another one who has mastered Haki. The intel didn't mention this at all."
"The threat of the Straw Hat Pirates... is far greater than we imagined."
Onigumo crossed his arms. "I know everyone has their own thoughts, but no matter what, if we don't make a move soon, it won't look too good, will it?"
"Most importantly... those meteorites that smashed down from the sky earlier."
A sharp glint flashed in Doberman's narrowed eyes. "No matter what means the opponent used to unleash that kind of technique, their strength is absolutely formidable. Yet, we haven't seen anyone with similar abilities up until now."
"I say, Kuzan-chan."
Gion turned to look back at the languid Aokiji. "You made a special trip here. Are you really not planning to make a move?"
However, Aokiji made no response, merely picking his ear with his little finger, his expression hidden beneath his eye mask.
"Stop dawdling! My Haki has recovered enough. Old Me is going in!" Momonga declared and leaped out directly.
His feet stamped continuously on the air, creating explosive sounds as he shot straight towards Zoro!
The other Vice Admirals followed close behind. Gion's gaze was fixed straight on Nami in the sky. She bent her long legs, crouched down, and pushed off forcefully.
The next moment, the deck was directly caved in by the powerful impact, and Gion's entire body, like a pink rainbow, shot straight into the clouds!
"The Vice Admirals are making their move!"
"These are several of Headquarters' most renowned Vice Admirals!"
"Every single one of them is as strong as a monster!"
The appearance of the Vice Admirals undoubtedly greatly boosted the morale of the Marines remaining on the warships.
On the ice surface near the Bridge of Hesitation, the elite troops, entirely composed of Headquarters Lieutenant Commanders and Captains, were currently engaged with the members of the Straw Hat crew.
Aside from the majority of forces tied down by Nami, Zoro, and Sanji, a small number of Marines directly bypassed them.
Arriving near the lake formed by the collapsed Tower of Justice, they fought against Robin, Chopper, Usopp, and the others.
Only Reiner sat alone on the hawk's back, circling at low altitude, using Frieren's Observation Haki to survey the entire field. Wherever emergency support was needed, he could provide it at any time.
More importantly, he had to keep an eye on the movements of the Vice Admirals, especially with Aokiji still present!
Five powerful auras instantly erupted, their momentum so strong it was unlike anything the Straw Hat crew members had ever witnessed.
"Time for me to rejoin the battlefield."
Reiner was the first to feel the intense threat approaching. With a thought, Frieren beside him gradually dissipated.
Then, he raised his hand and waved. A void crack opened beside him out of thin air, and a bone-white serpent, its surface smooth as porcelain, emerged from within!
Three drums, smooth as mirrors and engraved with tomoe symbols, were attached to its body.
The bone serpent coiled in a circle behind Reiner. As its head and tail touched, it opened its mouth and swallowed its own tail.
The Ring of Ouroboros stood behind Reiner, the three tomoe drums positioned above his head and on his left and right shoulders respectively.
This was an idea that suddenly came to him after seeing Enel in Skypiea. He had originally planned to fashion Frieren into a weapon form in the future, just hadn't decided on the specifics.
Coincidentally, after meeting Enel, he thought the style of the three tomoe drums on his back was quite fitting and directly copied it.
"This still isn't enough... Ai~~"
Reiner sighed, raised his palm to his chest, and azure flames surged forth, enveloping him.
"Have to reveal another trump card. If Aokiji hadn't come, things wouldn't be so troublesome."
Simultaneously, another void crack opened, and a figure emerged from it, heading off in the direction of the warships.
He then fixed his gaze on the five approaching Vice Admirals, a cold glint reflecting off his glasses.
"One Hundred Million Volts."
Zzz! Zzz!
As Reiner's cold words fell, the tomoe drum above his head suddenly erupted with lightning, flashing arcs of electricity coiling around it.
"Quintuple Lightning Beam."
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! From the mirror-drum above, five lightning beams, as thick as two fingers and condensed like whips, emerged from all directions, aiming at the five Vice Admirals, shooting through space like long rainbows.
"Hm?" Doberman, stepping on Geppo, suddenly felt his heart skip a beat. His Observation Haki's premonition warned him of impending danger.
Just as he looked up, following the alarm in his mind, he saw a lightning beam carrying terrifying high temperatures speeding towards him.
"So fast!"
Doberman's scarred face instantly showed shock. Armament Haki, like black ink, rendered his chest, and the lightning beam arrived in an instant, striking it.
Zzz—!
The pitch-black Armament Haki actually began to turn red under this attack. Doberman immediately reacted, twisting his body sideways.
Bang!
The lightning beam grazed past his chest, pierced straight into the ice surface leaving a hole, the melting ice around the edges sizzling.
"This speed... and power..."
Watching this scene on the ice, Doberman was secretly alarmed, simultaneously shifting his grave gaze towards the source of the attack.
The same went for the other four Vice Admirals; they too were subjected to the sudden assault, either drawing their swords to cut it down or quickly dodging.
"What is this? Laser technology!?"
Gion, continuously stepping on the air to stay afloat, looked towards Reiner standing on the hawk's back in the distance. After a moment of hesitation, she shouted to the other Vice Admirals,
"Leave him to me! I'll go deal with that Logia user!"
"Stop struggling. I won't let you pass," Reiner stated coolly, looking at her. Lightning once again gathered above his head.
"Two Hundred Million Volt Lightning Beam!"
A lightning beam as thick as an arm condensed above his head, then tore through space at extreme speed, shooting towards the pink figure in the sky.
"The power can actually be even greater?" Gion frowned slightly. Someone with this kind of strength... how have I never heard of them before?
Her left hand on her scabbard, her right hand drawing Konpira, Gion dove straight down from the sky, yelling:
"Looks like unless I deal with you, we probably can't do anything else!"
Pitch-black color coiled up her blade from her wrist. With an upward slash, a pink crescent moon slash shot out from her sword.
BOOM!!
The two powerful attacks collided and exploded. The massive impact spread outwards, the intense wind pressure even making the clothes of those below flap loudly.
Gion's figure charged into the explosion. Then, countless flying slashes shot out from the smoke, raining down like a torrential storm.
"Sand Rhombus Mirror!"
The tomoe drum on Reiner's right shoulder activated. Brown flying sand condensed into countless rhombus-shaped shields, all without exception rapidly turning pitch black.
The template won't lose its original abilities just because its appearance changes!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Hard black rhombus blocks arranged themselves before Reiner. The dense barrage of flying slashes bombarded them, leaving deep or shallow sword marks, but without exception, all were blocked.
"I'll hold him off! You go deal with the others first!" Gion roared, her speed undiminished as she flew towards Reiner.
The other Vice Admirals, seeing her make her move, prepared to continue dealing with the others. Two of them soared into the air, continuing towards Nami.
"Still don't understand what I mean?"
Arcs of lightning flashed behind Reiner, and another five lightning beams coiled out. "Didn't I make it clear from the start? None of you five can get past me!"
The speed of the lightning was astonishing. Even Vice Admirals possessing Observation Haki couldn't easily avoid it. More importantly, the Ring of Ouroboros also possessed predictive Observation Haki!
The change in its appearance wouldn't affect its inherent abilities. To put it bluntly, the bone serpent behind him was still an undead!
Choosing to change its form was merely to confuse the enemy.
The blue light beams, carrying terrifying high temperatures, once again forced the five Vice Admirals back. Even someone as strong as Gion dared not underestimate the power they contained.
As the distance closed, these rapid attacks became even harder to dodge. Gion had to fully activate her Observation Haki, concentrating all her attention on Reiner.
Pushing off hard against the empty air with her long legs, her figure flickered rapidly, evading the attacking lightning. Simultaneously, she sheathed her sword, accumulating sword intent.
"Iai Slash: Fleeing Rabbit!"
Gion instantly drew her sword. A slash following an irregular trajectory, like an agile rabbit zigzagging through the air, shot out at extreme speed.
"Sand Python!"
With a thought from Reiner, a massive python surged from the drum on his right shoulder, opening its ferocious maw as it pounced on its prey. He smirked coldly.
"A rabbit... is quite a tasty meal for a snake."
The python danced its body, charging upwards, its pitch-black, sharp fangs tearing down viciously.
Hiss! Hiss!
However, Momousagi's deliberately charged Iai slash was not to be underestimated. The sharp slash held its ground for a moment, then tore through the giant serpent, ripping it to shreds!
Until both attacks dissipated simultaneously, innumerable fine grains of sand scattered, raining down from the sky like raindrops.
At the same time, Gion weaved through this brown curtain of rain, finally about to close in on Reiner, her tightly gripped longsword glinting coldly, ready to pierce!
"Within this rain of sand... is my domain," Reiner stated coolly.
As his words fell, the air seemed to solidify. The raindrop-like fine sand suddenly froze in mid-air.
Armament Haki spread out with Reiner at its center, all the sand grains condensing into black, fine needles!
Gion's pupils instantly contracted!
(End of this chapter)
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