Deep within the roots of the Adam Tree, the light was so densely blocked by layers upon layers of roots that only a faint glimmer remained.
This is the lowest level of the underworld in Elbaf.
The massive, intertwined tree roots, like the skeleton of an ancient behemoth, weave a labyrinthine passageway in the darkness.
The air was damp and cold, carrying the scent of earth and decay. Water droplets occasionally seeped from the cracks in the tree roots, dripping into the puddles on the ground and making a crisp echo.
In the deeper darkness, rustling sounds could be heard from time to time, like some kind of creature wriggling in the dark, or like tree roots slowly growing.
Akira walked at the front, his Observation Haki already locking onto Loki's location.
Hancock linked arms with him, walking closely beside him. The clatter of her high heels on the wet floor was particularly clear in the quiet space.
Mihawk, Yamato, Denjiro, Nekomamushi, Duke Inuarashi, and the Marshal's personal guard led by Morgan followed closely behind, all remaining vigilant.
"Is this the underworld?" Yamato looked around, his tone tinged with disappointment. "It's not that scary! That scheming Robin, all she knows how to do is scare people with a straight face!"
As he spoke, Yamato, carrying his spiked club, searched the darkness with his eyes, trying to find a target to deliver a Thunderous Thunder Bagua!.
However, the entire underworld was deathly silent, with no other sounds except for the constant chirping of crickets coming from the depths of darkness.
"Husband." Hancock turned her head to look at Akira, a hint of doubt flashing in her beautiful eyes, "Where are we going?"
Since her encounter with Akira Akira the training ship, Hancock naturally began calling him "husband." Akira didn't take it to heart. Although he didn't place much importance on romantic relationships, he was still a normal man. Especially after his encounter with Shalulia was possessed by Imu, in the Holy Land, his previously focused-on career life had been unleashed, and his sexual desires began to surge.
Of course, none of this matters.
The important thing is that Hancock has become his woman, so it's not an exaggeration for her to call him her husband.
Akira smiled slightly, "I'm going to see someone, a prince of a cursed Elbaf."
Hancock blinked, understanding Akira's intention. "My husband wants to bring him under his command?"
"I have that idea," Akira nodded, "But it might not work. After all, this cursed prince is no ordinary character."
After walking for about ten more minutes, the view ahead suddenly opened up.
A relatively open area appeared before everyone's eyes. Thick tree roots converged here, forming a natural cage. And in the very center of this cage, a huge, suffocating figure sat slumped on the ground with its back against the massive tree roots.
That was a giant who was over sixty meters tall.
He wore a wide-brimmed helmet, his eyes were wrapped in thick bandages, and his hands and feet were shackled with Seastone shackles thicker than ship anchors. Dozens of chains as thick as wrists extended from all directions, binding him firmly to the tree roots.
Even under such tight confinement, the giant still exuded an unsettling aura—evil, dark, like a ferocious beast ready to pounce and tear its prey to shreds!
Akira stopped, less than ten meters away from Loki.
Loki slowly raised his head, his eyes covered, yet he seemed to see through everything. He grinned, revealing a set of sharp teeth, and his enormous tongue dangled from his mouth, swaying in the air.
"Hehehe..." A sinister laugh echoed in the underworld. " The World Government really is a persistent ghost."
Loki's voice was deep and hoarse, each word seeming to be squeezed from the depths of his throat, sending chills down one's spine. Fortunately, everyone present was a seasoned veteran who had seen it all. Even the group of naval soldiers following Morgan, though lacking in strength, possessed the courage bestowed upon them by their Lord Marshal!
"The mission the Knights of God failed to complete has actually been handed over to the Navy Marshal." Loki twisted his arms, his laughter growing louder. "So, Navy Marshal Akira, what terms are you going to offer me to join the World Government?"
The sudden sound drew everyone's attention to Loki.
Mihawk narrowed his eyes and placed his hand on the hilt of the Black Blade, Night.
Denjiro, Nekomamushi, and Duke Inuarashi also instinctively assumed fighting stances.
Yamato tilted his head back, his eyes shining.
Akira took a step forward, slightly raised his head to look at the gigantic Loki, and said unhurriedly, "If I remember correctly, when I launched my coup to become the Navy Marshal, you were already imprisoned here! In such a dark underworld, you actually recognize me? It seems that not everyone in the Giant Kingdom wants to keep their distance from you, the cursed prince."
Before Loki could react, Yamato suddenly stepped forward to stand beside Akira, his large eyes fixed on Loki, and exclaimed excitedly, "You're Loki, the cursed Elbaf?"
"Looks very strong!"
Yamato slung the spiked club over his shoulder and said excitedly, "Let's save the nonsense for later, how about we have a fight first?"
Upon hearing this, Loki's attention shifted from Akira to Yamato, a playful expression appearing on his face beneath the bandages. "A female Marine who doesn't wear a Marine uniform? It seems your identity in the Marines is quite special..."
Before he could finish speaking, Loki suddenly changed the subject, "You have an aura that seems familiar... Hmm? I remember now, it's Kaido's aura! What's your relationship with Kaido?"
" Kaido is my father!"
Yamato didn't hide anything and simply said, "I am his son, Yamato!"
Kaido's son?
Loki tilted his head slightly. Although he couldn't see, he wasn't deaf. Judging from the voice, Yamato was clearly a young girl!
However, he didn't pay attention to this minor detail, and instead grinned bloodthirstyly, saying, "Interesting. As the son of Kaido, one of the Yonko, you've actually become a lackey of the Celestial Dragons!"
"Hey hey hey--"
Yamato suddenly raised his voice, furious, "What nonsense are you spouting? How dare you call me a lackey of the Celestial Dragons?!"
Without hesitation, Yamato leaped up, raising his spiked club. Black and red Conqueror's Haki swirled around the club, and he unleashed a Thunder Bagua! at Loki's head.
Surprisingly, Akira did not stop him, but watched with a smile as Yamato rushed out to start a fight at the Yamato disagreement.
With a sudden loud bang, terrifying Conqueror's Haki spread out, and the spiked club wrapped in Conqueror's Haki slammed heavily onto Loki's head.
Loki's massive body remained motionless, seemingly oblivious to the spiked club falling on his head, while his enormous tongue thrashed wildly under the Conqueror's Haki.
" Kaido's son? He's nothing special, huh? Hehehe~"
With a sinister laugh, Loki suddenly raised his head. Even though he was restrained by Seastone Handcuffs and shackles, and his body was covered in chains, it did not prevent him from releasing his ferocious Conqueror's Haki.
As a vast and powerful Conqueror's Haki burst forth, Yamato felt an invisible pressure bearing down on her, forcing her to retreat abruptly and return to Akira's side.
Yamato returned to Akira's side, Loki suddenly stood up, his towering height of over sixty meters instantly creating an oppressive atmosphere that enveloped the entire area. Dark clouds then gathered in the sky above, with faint flashes of Inazuma.
Looking down at the tiny Yamato beneath his feet, Loki stood up, grinning, his aura as a Elbaf unleashed. "If you really want to fight me, unlock these Seastone Handcuffs, shackles, and chains, and I'll show you what true power is!"
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