The battle had already lasted more than fifty hours.
In the blink of an eye, it was 7:34 p.m. on the twenty-sixth.
Day and night had already alternated several times over the skies of RL1111 Area.
Not a single inch of the entire continent, spanning one hundred million square kilometers, remained intact.
Yet.
The red glow of the National Transmutation Circle still shone brightly.
This meant the power of the ley lines operating underground had not been damaged.
Jozu's enormous diamond body was covered in all kinds of scuff marks.
They were the traces left behind by countless impacts from Alchemical Lightning and Sand Blade.
Even the aura blazing around him had dimmed and weakened like a candle flickering in the wind.
But the most serious issue was the exhaustion and agony tormenting his mind.
The continuous bombardment of Conqueror's Haki made his consciousness feel as though it were being hammered repeatedly by a heavy mallet, and his vision was now doubled.
Crocodile, standing opposite him, had likewise lost his initial composure.
His face was pale, his breathing hurried, and cold sweat covered his forehead. Clearly, he was in no better condition.
Only the holy mark on the back of his hand still glowed brightly.
The two stood at the bottom of a massive crater, repeatedly plowed through and hundreds of meters deep.
Separated by swirling Dust, they stared at each other.
"Jozu, I have to say, you're evenly matched with Loki—in both strength and brains."
Crocodile's voice was clearly hoarse and weary.
"Your Haki is no longer enough to resist the transmutation circle. It's time to end this."
His icy gaze pierced through the whipping sandstorm, as though he could see through the other's outward strength and inner weakness.
The moment his words fell.
Jozu, sensing something wrong, abruptly