Their Respective Struggles and Efforts!

"Mahapadma!"

Esdeath's sudden shout drew Imu's attention.

At that moment, pale-blue ripples swept outward, enveloping the entire clearing within a semicircular space.

The turf that had been swaying from the aftershocks of battle, chunks of ice splashing into the air before falling, and even the gusting airwaves all froze in an instant.

Historia, however, seemed to have been prepared. Her entire body was already protected by Armament Haki Hardening.

Even so, it merely kept her from losing all ability to move. Any action she took was still incomparably slow; only her thoughts continued to race at high speed.

"Not bad."

Imu offered his praise as he looked at the spatial surface less than a meter before him.

This meant Esdeath could now control the range of Mahapadma, something she had been unable to do before joining the World Government.

Not only had she improved her control over Mahapadma, but its duration and number of uses had also increased considerably.

Before this—

Esdeath's Mahapadma had lasted less than two seconds. Now, it could last a full ten seconds, and its daily uses had gone from once a day to three.

All of this was thanks to the various resources Imu had given her.

The Cell Enhancement Serum, training in the two types of Haki, gravity field training, natural energy training, and the boost from the Mythical Zoan Dragon-Dragon Fruit, Kirin Form.

These had allowed Esdeath's strength to catch up to Historia's in roughly a year.

Historia was not to be underestimated.

As the queen of the Eldians, she possessed the power of the Nine Titans. Combined with the support of the Cell Enhancement Serum and her diligent training in Physical Arts—

Her physique, stamina, Physical Arts, and many other aspects had long since reached the level of the military's current Vice