The two walked one behind the other toward the Divine Tree's roots.
However.
Just as they were about to reach the Divine Tree's central area.
A sudden change occurred.
"Roar—"
A beastly roar filled with violence and bloodlust descended from above.
It made the air across the surrounding area tremble.
Hashirama Senju frowned slightly and looked up.
A massive shadow leaped down from the Divine Tree's towering branches.
Carrying a violent gale, it crashed viciously toward the area where they stood.
[Boom!]
Dust rose in all directions, and shattered rocks flew everywhere.
When the dust settled.
A savage and terrifying giant beast appeared before them.
It stood nearly thirty meters tall, larger than most Starfish Giants.
Its entire body was an eerie pale purple.
It also possessed a pair of outrageously huge horns.
They resembled the horn ornaments on Japanese Samurai helmets.
Making it look both imposing and ferocious.
Its back and shoulders were covered in distinct layers of incredibly thick exoskeleton.
Layer upon layer, like indestructible armor.
Along the sides of its powerful forelimbs grew long, razor-sharp arm blades.
At the end of its thick tail was a spear-like conical structure resembling a cross lance.
A casual swing of it could tear through the air.
Most unnerving of all, purple flames coiled around the giant beast's entire body.
They burned around it as though alive.
And radiated an aura of resentment potent enough to make ordinary people shudder.
"This is..."
Hashirama's gaze sharpened as he immediately recognized the monster.
"Magnamalo?"
"Is this the one I encountered before? No, something's off. Its aura is far too strong!"
A Magnamalo had appeared in Hakumai last March.
It was Hashirama who had driven it out of Wano Island.
But this one, whether in size or presence, far surpassed last year's specimen.
"It