The Burning Ohara

"Sakazuki, execute the Buster Call!"

"Understood!"

Sakazuki, who had finally heard those words, had a glint of excitement in his eyes.

He hadn't forgotten that Ross had referred to his position as 'Admiral candidate' during the broadcast. After all, it was a Buster Call; if his status were too low, people would inevitably question it. An Admiral candidate's position was just right. Moreover, this title was merely a tacit acknowledgment by the Marines, not an actual position. Even if Ross called him that, it wouldn't have any substantial impact. Now, it was his time to shine.

BOOM!!!

Under the gaze of the entire world, Sakazuki's legs turned to magma, and he personally shot into the sky. The mere act of departure drew gasps from countless civilians and the attention of all pirates with bounties below 100 million.

"Meteor Volcano!"

Sakazuki clenched his fists, like two volcanoes poised to erupt, aiming at the firmament. Immediately, an indescribable energy boiled within him, transforming into endless heatwaves and light. Sakazuki's fists suddenly became two cannons spewing magma, their immense power causing heaven and earth to change color.

RUMBLE, RUMBLE!!!

The thunderous roars exploded like thunder, shaking every inch of the air and the hearts of the spectators. Every second, hundreds of magma projectiles, like angry fire dragons, shot out from his fists. Each projectile was the size of a basketball, scorching and dazzling, tearing through the sky and leaving behind brilliant trails. These magma projectiles didn't fall immediately; under Sakazuki's astonishing control, they seemed bound by invisible chains, hovering in the sky to form a flowing ocean of magma. The magma slowly swirled in the air, weaving into breathtaking patterns, like a radiant meteor shower in the sky, yet carrying destructive power. In a normal battle, these magma projectiles would have already been unleashed under Sakazuki's control. But this time, for the best display effect, Sakazuki chose to build up power first. With his current stamina, he could spray magma like this all day. If anything was strenuous, it was controlling the magma in the sky to prevent it from falling.

Ross stood quietly at the bow of the ship, admiring the fiery clouds in the sky. Such a magnificent scene was enough to provide viewers with sufficient shock.

As the magma spread to a radius of 100 meters above the Tree of Knowledge, the civilians' eyes showed reverence, and pirates with bounties in the tens of millions displayed fear. When the magma expanded to 500 meters, pirates with bounties of 100 million began to show fear. When the magma expanded to 1000 meters, even the great pirates of the New World showed solemn expressions. At the same time, upon learning that the World Government was broadcasting the Buster Call, many people began to gather around their screens to watch this hard-won spectacle. Even some of the Kings of the New World, upon hearing the news of the Buster Call, joined in with the mindset of watching a show. This was around the time the magma sea had expanded to 2000 meters. At this point, the magma ocean had spread across the sky, resembling a natural disaster descending.

Seeing this, Dragon and Whitebeard, who were watching the broadcast, couldn't help but show solemn expressions. It wasn't that they felt they couldn't defeat him, but with the natural disaster-level strength displayed by a Logia type, even if they won, their companions nearby would all perish. Only lone wolves like Count Red, or great pirates like Big Mom who didn't care about their companions, could view Sakazuki's display with a calm mind.

RUMBLE!!!

When the magma sea accumulated to 2500 meters, two hours had already passed. Everyone was intently watching the live broadcast, with many betting on what level Sakazuki's move would reach. Only a few strong individuals could guess that Sakazuki was nearing his limit. If Sakazuki could continue expanding it further, his strength would be on par with Whitebeard, which was an impossible feat. However, after Sakazuki's demonstration, no one doubted his Admiral-level strength anymore, at most believing he was still a bit short of Whitebeard and the others. Sakazuki's eyes already showed a hint of strain; this level was approximately his limit. Nevertheless, the magma ocean had already completely covered Ohara.

"Meteor Shower!"

Sakazuki roared. Following his command, the magma ocean in the sky seemed to be pulled by an invisible, immense force and began to tilt slowly. The magma hovering in the air, like enraged meteors breaking free from their restraints, descended upon Ohara with world-ending power. The magma flowed down from the sky like lava from a volcanic eruption, tearing through the air with heat intense enough to melt everything and infinite might, heading straight for Ohara. The entire island seemed to be submerged in a fiery red ocean, with nowhere to escape and nowhere to hide.

Sakazuki's power was fully displayed at this moment. The lava flow was like nature's fury. Wherever it passed, whether it was solid rock or lush trees, they were instantly melted and turned to nothing.

The Tree of Knowledge, a thousand meters tall, located in the center of Ohara island, bore the brunt of it. Lava rained down on the trunk and branches like a storm, instantly engulfing it.

The Tree of Knowledge's massive body seemed so fragile under the ravages of the lava, as if it were merely a small plaything under Sakazuki's power. The trunk crackled as it was burned by the lava, and the leaves withered rapidly in the scorching heat, scattering into wisps of smoke.

If the Tree of Knowledge was like this, let alone the houses and buildings on the island, which almost instantly turned to ash under the torrent of lava.

The air was filled with a pungent smell of burning, and the scorching, suffocating heat of the lava, as if the whole world was enveloped in Sakazuki's flames.

On the nearest warship, Ross and the others could feel a scorching heat wave washing over them.

The expressions of the people on the ship varied.

Ross narrowed his eyes slightly, quietly admiring the grand fireworks before him.

Although he marveled at Sakazuki's strength, he knew that one day he would reach that level.

And the Devil Fruit he chose might even have a stronger effect than Sakazuki's.

Zephyr was the calmest of them all. Although he hadn't seen Sakazuki in action for a long time, he had already estimated Sakazuki's potential.

Seeing Sakazuki's current strength, a hint of relief showed in Zephyr's eyes.

Gion, Zany, and Stella watched silently, but their eyes showed reverence for the strong. Even Zany and Gion were witnessing an Admiral-level power unleashed in full for the first time.

If they were to fight one-on-one, they would be no match for an Admiral-level powerhouse.

Olvia and Robin, mother and daughter, had the most complex expressions. Watching the Tree of Knowledge burn in the raging lava, tears flowed from their eyes.

What was burning was their homeland.