At the entrance to the Holy Land, a Crimson Lava Pillar shot into the sky, staining the entire heavens fiery red.
Countless chunks of rock exploded from the erupting magma and fell toward the ground. The slaves raised their heads to stare at the apocalyptic scene not far away, their expressions turning blank.
When the Gorosei and their group arrived and saw the lava pillar erupting from the crater, their faces became exceptionally grim as well.
"Sakazuki!"
"Has that guy gone mad too?"
Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro looked at the scene before him, his expression darkening as he muttered. As he spoke, the First Generation Kitetsu resting against his shoulder slipped away.
Bang!!
With a soft sound, Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro drove the sheath of the First Generation Kitetsu straight into the ground. His body shifted slightly as the sharp blade slowly slid from its sheath. Endless cold radiated outward, reaching Issho, Jinbe, and the others.
The lava erupting from the meteor crater had already caused the temperature of the Holy Land to soar, yet when Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro drew his sword, Issho and the others all felt a chill run through their bodies and turned to look at him.
That chill did not come from their skin, but from the depths of their hearts—from their souls.
Tsugikuni Yoriichi tilted his head slightly and glanced at the lava pillar soaring behind him before quickly withdrawing his gaze and fixing it on Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro.
"A swordsman?"
"Does every one of the Gorosei possess this level of strength?"
Yoriichi flicked his wrist, spinning his blade in his hand, then ordered, "Issho, take King Neptune and the slaves and leave first."
As Yoriichi spoke, the towering lava pillar slowly subsided until it vanished. At the same time, countless burning volcanic