The battle raged on the mountaintop platform.
Black-and-red lightning intertwined with blue-green flames, erupting as freezing air and gusts from flying fists tore through the air.
Yamato's kanabo swept forth with the force of wind and thunder, wrapped in black-and-red lightning as she fought two opponents at once.
Ace, who could use Conqueror's Coating, and Marco, who refused to die, handled offense and defense respectively, trading blows with Yamato.
Elsewhere, Urouge's swollen body resembled a wrathful guardian deity as he enthusiastically traded blows with the siblings Ulti and Page One.
"Arrow Notch!"
Yamato swung out a shock wave, hammering Marco away.
Of all the opponents she had faced, he offered the most satisfying feeling when she hit him.
"Marco!"
Ace swung his saber, wrapped in black-and-red lightning, into Yamato's attack path, stopping her pursuit.
BOOM!!!
As the residual force of Conqueror's Haki swept across the platform, the gate leading into the research facility suddenly slid open. Several figures emerged.
"Oh, my. I never expected it to be so lively here. Mr. Ace, Mr. Marco, thank you for your efforts."
Bondrewd led the group, followed closely by Katakuri, his expression composed beneath his scarf as his gaze quickly swept the battlefield. Oven and Daifuku followed behind.
A dozen chess-themed Homies Soldiers followed, carrying Apoo, whose face had turned blue from the cold.
Bringing up the rear, under the Homies Soldiers' careful watch, were the five bewildered members of Chabō's family.
The tense atmosphere on the mountaintop had clearly terrified them, especially the youngest, Daisy, who clung tightly to her mother's skirt.
Their arrival brought the fierce battle to a halt, as though someone had pressed pause.
"...So the mastermind makes his entrance..."
Yamato eyed Bondrewd's group warily, with a hint of eagerness to fight. But when she spotted Chabō's family, her