The Goal Was to Buy Time?

"Were these guys... insane, or completely unconscious?"

Whitebeard swung his naginata fiercely, and a massive shockwave sent three Five Elders sprawling to the ground.

He took a slight breath, watching the fallen Five Elders stagger back to their feet, savage smiles spread across their faces.

"Just like madmen."

Whitebeard muttered a curse, but the wariness in his eyes did not lessen in the slightest.

"But the more they act like this, the more it proves they've run out of trump cards."

Jin An said nothing. He gripped the hilt of his blade tightly, his gaze calm as still water.

He knew all too well that although this frenzied assault seemed utterly irrational, there had to be a reason behind it.

His earlier deductions flashed through his mind—these changes in the Five Elders' forms were somehow tied to their very essence. Perhaps entering this state was precisely why they had become so out of control.

One Five Elder suddenly thrust his claws toward Jin An's chest. The movement was so fast it was nearly impossible to follow, and a piercing whistle tore through the air.

Yet Jin An reacted even faster. He shifted slightly to the side and swung his blade in one fluid motion, slashing directly into the Five Elder's arm.

"Riiip—!"

The blade tore through the Five Elder's arm, and pitch-black blood gushed out. Yet the Five Elder seemed completely oblivious to the pain, continuing to swing the claws of his other hand in an attempt to seize Jin An's shoulder.

Jin An frowned and retreated another step. His blade swept out horizontally, carrying a fierce slash of sword energy that cleaved the enemy's body in two.

"Bang!"

The Five Elder's body crashed to the ground, but Jin An did not relax in the slightest. He knew more enemies