Are You the Celestial Dragons' Lapdogs?

After Sakazuki let out an angry roar.

A massive magma fist came crashing toward Roya. Just before it reached him, the magma fist transformed into the shape of a dog's head and bit down at him.

"Dog-Bite Crimson Lotus!"

Sakazuki had made his move!

"Hmph!"

Roya snorted and turned around. The sword stained with Celestial Dragon blood became coated in Armament Haki. Facing the menacing magma hound, he showed no fear whatsoever and blocked it head-on.

Boom!

Sizzle, sizzle...

An explosive boom rang out. Roya had blocked the magma hound, and molten lava splashed away on both sides of him.

The instant the magma hit the ground, it melted the surface.

Although Roya had blocked Dog-Bite Crimson Lotus, he was still forced back two steps. As expected, Akainu Sakazuki, a Marine admiral, did have some strength.

"Not bad, Sakazuki," Roya said with a smile.

But then—

Before Roya could react—

Kuzan had already appeared behind him and wrapped both arms around him.

"Ice Time!"

Kuzan spoke calmly, breathing out icy mist.

In an instant—

Roya's entire body was frozen into an ice sculpture!

It was Kuzan's prized Ice-Ice Fruit ability!

"Admiral Roya!"

"No way, Admiral Roya was frozen by Admiral Kuzan!"

"Wait, look! That ice sculpture of Admiral Roya is smiling!"

The surrounding Marines cried out in alarm.

Quite a few Marines hoped Roya would not lose, especially those who had followed him on missions.

They knew very well that they had personally witnessed the powerful pirates Admiral Roya had defeated during their missions together. Not to mention that they had watched him defeat Kaido, one of the Four Emperors, at Marineford.

In their hearts, they sincerely admired Roya.

As for Roya killing a Celestial Dragon, they had naturally been shocked at first. After all, everyone feared the Celestial Dragons.

But fear did not mean that they did not hate the Celestial Dragons deep down.

To put it bluntly, the reason so many ordinary people did not dare defy the Celestial Dragons was simply because they lacked the strength.

So, at the instant Roya killed the Celestial Dragon, aside from shock, many people secretly felt delighted.

And they were not wrong. Roya, frozen into an ice sculpture, really was smiling.

Then—

Borsalino made his move as well, firing several fierce laser beams from his fingertips straight at Roya.

Just as Borsalino's attack was about to shatter the frozen Roya, several cracking sounds rang out. The ice covering Roya began to break apart, and he appeared before everyone once more, completely unharmed.

Boom!

This time, Roya did not waste words. He directly unleashed his Conqueror's Haki. Not only did it neutralize Borsalino's attack, but it also sent Kuzan, who had been standing close to him, flying away.

Likewise, because Roya had released his Conqueror's Haki, none of the surrounding Marines were spared. Most of those unable to withstand it rolled their eyes back and collapsed unconscious.

"Has this guy's Conqueror's Haki really reached such a level?" Kuzan frowned at Roya's Conqueror's Haki.

Given Kuzan's strength, there were very few people who could truly force him back.

Yet Roya had sent him flying so easily just by releasing Conqueror's Haki. It truly exceeded Kuzan's expectations.

"Since you've chosen to fight!"

"Then I'll give you a proper fight!"

The smile on Roya's face gradually vanished, leaving only seriousness behind.

"Fine, Roya. Then I'll grant you your wish!"

Sakazuki was the first to charge forward. He had already been deeply dissatisfied with Roya's rapid rise through the ranks. Now that Roya had killed a Celestial Dragon, he could rightfully make a move against him.

Suddenly—

Sakazuki's magma fist shot straight toward Roya's face.

Although Sakazuki's power was extremely domineering, Roya easily blocked the punch.

Seeing Roya block his attack so effortlessly, Sakazuki naturally refused to be outdone. He retreated several steps, then transformed his arms into enormous fists of molten lava.

"Meteor Volcano!"

After Sakazuki let out a low roar, his lava-coated fists produced a massive number of gigantic molten fists and launched them into the sky. Then, like a meteor shower, magma fists began raining down continuously from above.

This move could completely turn the entire land into a blazing sea of lava.

"You are far too dangerous. I absolutely cannot let you live, or you will surely become a disaster!"

Sakazuki shouted righteously.

"This is bad!"

"Run, everyone!"

"Admiral Sakazuki's attack can destroy the whole place!"

Countless Marines cried out in panic once more and fled in every direction.

It was not just the Marines who were shocked!

Even the pirates still hiding in various corners of the Sabaody Archipelago noticed the battle here.

All the pirates looked toward the sky and in this direction.

"What happened over there?"

"What terrifying power. Is someone fighting there?"

"I really want to go take a look!"

"Are you crazy? You're going to watch a battle on this level? Do you not care about your life?"

"..."

All the pirates hiding in the Sabaody Archipelago who had not yet escaped to sea turned their attention this way.

Naturally, that included supernovas such as Straw Hat Luffy, Trafalgar Law, and Captain Kid.

Of course, some pirates unafraid of death began slowly moving closer, hoping to witness this earth-shaking battle for themselves.

"Kuzan, are we really going to let Sakazuki run wild like this? This place can't withstand his attacks."

It was rare to see Admiral Kizaru become serious.

"Indeed."

"Sakazuki is really going too far!"

Kuzan looked at the magma that was about to crash down. After shaking his head, he leaped into the air.

In midair, Kuzan released an immense amount of cold air, freezing a vast area and swiftly surrounding the location where Roya and Sakazuki stood. With Kuzan's intervention, an icy battlefield was created.

Roya did not take Sakazuki's attack seriously at all. He even sheathed the sword in his hand.

"You like using Devil Fruit abilities that much, huh? It's not like you're the only one with one!"

Roya spread his hands and began using the Dark-Dark Fruit's power. Dark matter surged from behind him, while another pillar of darkness shot into the sky like a waterspout, swiftly forming a massive dark net. All the magma raining down from Sakazuki was absorbed into Roya's darkness.