An Invincible Barrier?
The smoke and dust cleared, but the embers continued to burn.
What was once a secret meeting place is now nothing but scorched Scorched Earth.
The aftershocks of Meteor Volcano had not yet completely dissipated; the earth was etched with deep red lines, and lava meandered through the cracks, like the blood vessels of hell.
The Adventurers' Alliance... had already been completely overwhelmed by this attack.
The remaining soldiers were few in number, their cries and groans a chaotic mess.
In the heart of that inferno, a green curtain of light still stood firm.
That is a barrier.
"Whoosh--whoosh--"
Bartolomeo stood in the center of the barrier, his hands clasped together, veins bulging on his forehead, the green energy wall shimmering, blocking out the magma, rubble, and flames from the outside.
He clenched his teeth, sweat streamed down his face, yet he still grinned wildly.
"Hahaha... My barrier is invincible!!"
Behind the barrier, the few survivors were breathing erratically.
Chinjao knelt on one knee, his body scalded by flames. Ideo and Orlumbus leaned against the wall, their chests heaving violently, sweat mixed with blood dripping onto the charred ground.
"This... is the power of Marine Admiral?" Ideo struggled to raise his head, his pupils trembling.
"Just... a single strike could cause this level of destruction?!"
Orlumbus gritted his teeth, gazing at the still-burning hell outside.
"This isn't war... this is a natural disaster..."
The Chinjao silently lowered its head, its gaze fixed on something not far away.
That's where Sai collapsed.
He no longer had a complete body; only his hands, swallowed by lava, remained.
"Could it be... that I, an old man, am still indulging in wishful thinking...?"
He whispered to himself, his tone a mixture of regret and helplessness.
Enel floated lazily above the Thunderclouds in the sky, golden arcs of electricity coiling around him.
He lowered his head, looking down at the devastated wasteland, his eyes filled with disdain.
"Tsk--This is so boring."
"One blow and your morale is completely shattered... What a bunch of boring mortals."
Suddenly, his gaze fell upon the enormous figure on the ground—
That was the giant Hajrudin.
"Hey, hey--"
Enel smirked, his tone laced with mockery and disdain.
"Why are there still giants here? Didn't Loki keep an eye on you guys?"
Loki?!
Hajrudin glared, veins bulging on his forehead, his anger almost igniting the air.
"Don't mention that bastard!"
He roared as he stood up, the ground beneath his feet trembling, and the shockwave whipped up dust and sparks!
Enel chuckled softly, lightning flashing between his fingertips. "Heh, quite the temper, huh~"
On the other side, Sakazuki slowly turned around, his crimson coat gently lifted by the heat wave, the ground beneath his feet already melted into lava.
His gaze swept over the fallen enemy soldiers, finally settling on the five men with Razor.
After confirming that Hibari and the others were not seriously injured, Sakazuki slowly raised his head and turned his gaze to the Chinjao in front of him.
"I remember," his voice was low and cold, "This area... was cleared away long ago."
With each step he took, the ground was scorched by lava, creating deep pits, and the oppressive feeling swept over everyone as if it were a tangible force.
The air was thick with the smell of sulfur and iron; even breathing felt like swallowing a scorching blade.
Everyone fell silent, even Hajrudin's breathing was suppressed by the oppressive aura.
But in this desperate silence—
"Hehehe--!"
A burst of arrogant laughter suddenly rang out!
Everyone turned around and saw Bartolomeo in the center of the barrier, his two fingers crossed, grinning wildly.
Don't be afraid!
He raised his finger and forcefully made that familiar gesture.
"Didn't you see that?!"
"That old guy's attacks—they can't even break through my barrier!!"
His voice was high-pitched and hysterical, yet it was like a ray of light, shining into the hearts of everyone who had long been consumed by fear.
We still have a chance!
Everyone was stunned, and they all looked towards the enormous green barrier.
Flames burned outside, lava churned beneath their feet, yet this barrier remained steadfastly standing in the heart of hell!
Akainu's Meteor Volcano--
Indeed, it couldn't be penetrated.
Bartolomeo's laughter echoed wildly across the Scorched Earth.
His hands were crossed, and the green light wall shimmered in the flames, as if he were raising the middle finger to hell.
The remaining soldiers, upon hearing this wild laughter, briefly felt a surge of excitement.
But to Sakazuki, that laughter sounded like the piercing buzzing of a mosquito.
--Smack.
That was the sound of leather boots stepping into lava.
Sakazuki walked slowly with no expression on his face, and just then, a calm voice sounded behind him.
"Report--"
It's Hibari.
She looked up, her expression as calm as ever, yet exceptionally clear amidst the flames and Thunderclap.
"Bartolomeo, Devil Fruit User, captain of the Barto Adventurer's Guild."
"Born in Loguetown. Before going to sea, he was a gang leader who controlled more than 150 towns. He is arrogant, domineering, and extremely self-centered. He often exploits civilians under the guise of 'protection money'."
Her tone remained unchanged as she continued reading, "In pursuit of greater profits, he led his men out to sea, forming Pirate crew to burn, kill, and plunder everywhere."
"The Pirate crew was later disbanded due to a major naval purge, and disguised as an 'adventure crew,' but their underground business... remains the main focus."
The air was still.
But everyone could feel the temperature gradually rising.
The sound of the lava grew deep, as if even the underground volcano was holding its breath.
Enel floated in the sky, golden light shimmering on his face.
He sighed, patted his forehead, and said with a wry smile, "Idiot~"
He looked at Bartolomeo in the green light, his tone tinged with helplessness.
On the ground, Sanji, with a cigarette dangling from his lips and his eyes half-closed, looked at Drake:
"What's about to happen... might get a little brutal."
He turned around, gently exhaled a puff of smoke, and smiled slightly, "Ladies, please excuse us for a moment."
The Kujaku and the Hibari exchanged a glance. Just as the Kujaku was about to speak, Drake grabbed it.
"They're gone."
Usopp, carrying his Sniper Rifle, took one last look at Bartolomeo's still arrogantly smiling face and muttered:
"Hopefully he can keep that smile later..."
The group turned and walked heavily away from the burning ruins, their figures disappearing into the end of the heatwave.
The wind stopped.
Sakazuki raised his head, his gaze fixed on the green light and shadow.
His eyes were like Tekkai in lava—devoid of anger or emotion.
It's just "cold".
"A barrier...?"
He muttered to himself, his tone calm, yet it sent chills down one's spine.
He raised his Right Hand, and the lava in his palm flowed slowly. A drop of scalding magma fell to the ground, instantly scorching a deep pit into the stone.
"They even dare to block Justice from passing through?"
"Then I—I'll melt even that thing of yours down!"
"Gurgle--Gurgle--"
The churning sound of the magma suddenly intensified!
An unprecedented heatwave swept across the surroundings in an instant; the air was burning, and the ground groaned as it was scorched.
Bartolomeo's laughter finally stopped.
At that moment, he saw Sakazuki transform into a lava giant, enveloping his barrier—
It resembled the shape of hell itself.
"Hey... what are you talking about--"
He didn't finish his sentence.
"Boom!!"
The intense light consumed everything around him.
In the instant that green light and red flames intertwined, Bartolomeo's scream tore through the night sky!
"Ahhh--!"
Molten lava poured down, engulfing him and everyone around him; the ground shook, and flames soared into the sky.
--A few minutes later.
Enel floated in mid-air, looking down at the charred ruins.
He scratched his head, preparing to leave.
Suddenly, the Den Den Mushi on my waist rang.
"Brew... Brew..."
He answered, and the familiar, languid tone of the Den Den Mushi: "Oh~ I heard you guys went to help Drake?"
"Oh, and there's a guy named Bartolomeo inside; remember to bring him back."
"His Devil Fruit ability... is actually quite useful."
--It's Roy.
Enel paused slightly, his gaze slowly shifting to the ground.
There, the lava still churned, and only that half-charred hand stretched weakly out from the lava—
He was silent for a few seconds, his lips twitched slightly, and he murmured softly:
"... Sorry, Roy."
That 'useful fruit'—has been burned to ashes.