Battle

As Charlotte Lingling and Bomb Man sank into the water together, the two on the shore stared wide-eyed at the unbelievable scene.

Charlotte Lingling being a Devil Fruit user had already shocked them, but what they found even harder to understand was this: since she was a Devil Fruit user, how did she dare charge into the sea?

Wasn't that simply seeking death?

Just then, the previously calm sea suddenly churned. A phoenix wrapped in blue flames burst from the water and soared into the sky.

"How is that possible? How can a user not fear seawater?" The two men's eyes widened, but their reactions were not slow.

Armament Haki wrapped around the giant hand as the Rock Giant swung it without hesitation at Charlotte Lingling.

Charlotte Lingling, now fully transformed into a beast, neither dodged nor evaded. She raised a talon and slammed it down.

[Phoenix Seal]

The instant the two attacks collided, cracks spread across the giant stone hand. The next moment, the palm made of rock shattered outright.

The Rock Giant, over fifty meters tall and resembling a true giant, could no longer withstand such tremendous force. Both of its stone legs snapped.

"Indeed, the king of Many Countries has some skill. But if you cannot find my true body, you will never win." A deep rumble came from within the giant.

Then the soil on the ground flowed continuously toward the Rock Giant, and its broken legs and hand gradually recovered.

"Though this old man does not know why you are not afraid of seawater, I presume it has something to do with that Disc on your body." The Old Man stared fixedly at the conspicuous Disc on Lingling's body in her phoenix form.

It was a fact known and accepted by everyone that Devil Fruit users became weak all over upon touching seawater. The Old Man did not believe Charlotte Lingling would be an exception.

If she was not an exception, then the only unusual thing on Charlotte Lingling's body was the Disc. Moreover, at the instant she emerged from the sea—

The Old Man had clearly sensed with Observation Haki that a strange energy had covered Charlotte Lingling's body when she first burst from the ocean.

"Ma ma ma ma! Both of you talk a big game, but your strength doesn't seem all that impressive." Obvious disdain showed in the phoenix's eyes. Their repeated attacks had not harmed her in the slightest. Even the internal injuries caused by Armament Haki—

Were instantly healed by the Phoenix Fruit's healing ability. Lingling had remained in peak condition throughout the battle.

With no more words to exchange, the three clashed once again.

The battlefield raged for three days and three nights. The island had become riddled with craters and utterly devastated, while the assembled soldiers had long since scattered and fled.

The three continued fighting. Yet unlike Charlotte Lingling, who remained completely unscathed, cracks had appeared on the Old Man's famous sword, as though it would break with the next swing.

The Middle-aged Strong Man no longer maintained his Rock Giant form. He panted softly, already beginning to feel exhausted.

The Old Man was panting even harder. He was already advanced in years; after enduring a fierce battle lasting three days and three nights, it was impressive enough that he could still hold his sword.

By now, however, neither man was thinking of killing Charlotte Lingling. Their hearts were instead filled with despair. The creature before them was a complete monster—no matter how powerful their attacks were, they could not inflict any obvious damage on her.

They had fought for three days and used every technique they had. Even when they occasionally managed to wound this monster, blue flames would ignite over the wound in the next instant, sealing it immediately. Her skin would be smooth and fair again, with no sign that she had ever been injured.

"You two look like you're done for!" Charlotte Lingling had returned to human form, dragging Giant Sword Chaotic along the ground and sending sparks flying.

"Huff... huff!" The Old Man gasped heavily. His once resolute gaze had become unfocused. "Rock boy, it seems we won't be winning this time."

"I have no intention of leaving my life here either, so I'll be taking my leave first." As soon as he finished speaking, the Old Man's figure shot backward and sped away.

The Middle-aged Strong Man watched the old man leave without the slightest change in his expression. "There is no point in continuing this battle." He too had accepted the fact that he had no way to deal with Charlotte Lingling.

His entire body gradually sank into the earth. But just then, scarlet light suddenly blazed in the sky.

Sensing that familiar presence, Lingling smiled. "You finally came, Milim!"

The radiant light streaked like a meteor, crashing without pause toward the fleeing Old Man.

Sensing danger, the Old Man instinctively raised his sword, wrapped in Armament Haki, to block.

"Ultimate Kick!" Milim shouted. Having turned into a scarlet meteor, she used the force of her momentum to unleash a fierce kick at the Old Man, who was defending with his sword.

Her kick collided with the famous sword in an instant. In that brief moment, the ground collapsed, and both of the Old Man's legs snapped with a crisp crack of bone.

As the force intensified, the cracks on the famous sword spread wider and wider. Finally, the famous sword that symbolized a Great Swordsman's glory broke with a sharp crack.

Amid the Old Man's dazed stare, Milim's foot slammed directly into his chest, kicking him more than ten meters underground!

"Hahaha! Lingling, you actually spent so long here?" Milim leaped out of the massive crater, her voice full of amusement.

Charlotte Lingling supported herself with her sword and let out a breath. Even she felt somewhat tired after fighting for three days and three nights.

After all, Charlotte Lingling was not yet at her peak. One must not forget that Lingling was only nineteen years old; her body was still growing rapidly, and much of her potential in stamina and physical ability remained untapped.

Now that Milim had finally arrived, she could relax a little.

"Milim, the guy underground can hide inside the rocks. He's as slippery as a loach, and not easy to catch."

"Hehe!" Milim wore a cheerful smile. "It's fine. Leave it to me."

After saying that, Milim raised her fist and slammed it into the ground. The immense force shattered the earth, and the whole island jolted as though it were sinking.

Milim did not stop. Again and again, faster and faster, she pounded the ground madly. The island's earth shook and trembled without end.

The Middle-aged Strong Man, who had burrowed underground, suddenly discovered that the entire island was shaking—and sinking. Massive amounts of seawater seeped continuously into the island, forcing him to move back toward the surface.

If the island truly sank into the sea, the Middle-aged Strong Man would undoubtedly be trapped to death in the ocean as well.

The closer he came to the surface, the stronger the vibrations became. He was a Stone-Stone Fruit user; though he resembled a Logia-type user, he was not one.

He could assimilate with rocks he touched, but he could not turn himself into rock.