Old Gaban's death

Loki had merged with the Nidhogg power of this timeline, while Houka had devoured this world's Loki's strength and Haki.

"Is this what Imu felt when ascending to God-level Conqueror's Haki?"

Houka licked his lips. Devouring this world's Big Mom, one of the Four Emperors, and then Loki had sent his strength soaring.

Big Mom's innate Armament Haki and Loki's innate Conqueror's Haki had benefited him immensely.

Houka would certainly go and devour the innate Observation Haki of Red Earl Redfield, who was still in Impel Down.

He would also pick up the Vampire Fruit in Sleepy Town while he was at it.

The auras of Houka and the other monsters prompted Gaban, who had remained on Elbaf, to hurry down to the Underworld.

He saw the "freed" Loki, and even a young Whitebeard?

Houka put away the shattered Tirei Ragnir, planning to forge another weapon.

Loki, who had merged with another Nidhogg power, and Tirei Ragnir, who had merged with another Ice Squirrel Ratatoskr, could now unleash their full strength in this world.

Or rather, they had become "legitimate" beings of this world, completely replacing the original Loki and Tirei Ragnir.

Sensing Loki's even more terrifying aura, Gaban felt even less confident about facing him.

Back then, it had taken all of Elbaf's elite warriors, together with him and the Red Hair Pirates, to capture Loki, who had been wreaking havoc across the seas, and bring him back.

Even then, Elder Jarul's persuasion had played the biggest role.

Otherwise, they could never have brought Loki back to Elbaf.

"Loki! Are you trying to escape? Have you forgotten Harald's wishes and Elder Jarul's expectations?"

Cold sweat broke out on Gaban's forehead. Why did that eerily handsome stranger seem even more terrifying than Loki?

"Is this Gaban in his old age?"