After Akainu left, Kazan's phantom behind Long Yi suddenly became animated, a disappointed look appearing on his face.
Lowering his head to look at Long Yi, who was still gasping for breath, he gave a disdainful smile, his eyes full of mockery. Then, turning to sweep his gaze over the others in the room, Kazan's phantom licked his lips, making no effort to hide the greed on his face.
"Hm?"
As the Ghost God stirred, Fujitora, whose expression had been calm until then, suddenly frowned deeply and drew his sword-cane.
His clouded eyes locked onto Long Yi's back as if facing a formidable enemy.
Ghostly energy spread through the room. Zephyr and Sengoku's expressions changed as well, their bodies instinctively tensing as they clenched their fists tightly.
Kazan merely sneered, his face full of amusement.
How could mortal bodies possibly stand against a Ghost God!
"Get back in there!"
As if sensing the abnormality behind him, Long Yi shouted in a low voice. Forcing himself to stay conscious, the youth knelt on one knee and desperately resisted Kazan's endless whispers within his heart.
"Why bother? If you had let me merge with you just now—"
Within Long Yi's heart, Kazan's seductive voice rang out.
"Get back in there!"
Long Yi remained unmoved, only guiding the rampaging Ghost God power toward calmness.
"Hehe, forget it this time. But it won't be long before you belong to me completely."
Feeling the suppressive force upon him, Kazan unexpectedly did not resist. With a sinister grin, he left behind those words and merged back into Long Yi's body.
The phantom vanished, and the ghostly energy dissipated.
"Phew..."
Only after fully withdrawing the Ghost God power from his body did Long Yi finally release the burden in his heart and let out a long breath.