Yet no matter how he struggled, the Conqueror's Haki infused with golden grit was like an invisible hand, pinning his head down and forcing his proud back to bend.
His knees struck the hard flagstones with a dull thud, smashing two deep, spiderweb-cracked craters into the floor.
His trident fell to one side. He braced both hands against the ground and gasped for breath, sweat dripping from his cheeks like rain.
"Why... why would a human possess this kind of power..."
Hody Jones stared toward the hall with bloodshot eyes, his heart filled with despair.
With just one burst of Haki, thousands of menacing Fish-Man thugs had been wiped out in the blink of an eye.
Inside and outside Ryugu Palace, everything instantly fell silent, with only the sound of heavy breathing echoing through the air.
Neptune lay on the ground, looking at the Fish-Men sprawled outside the palace. Cold sweat poured off his trembling body, soaking his clothes.
He stared blankly at Lorne, who stood at the seat of honor, his eyes filled with endless awe and fear.
He finally understood why the World Government was so wary of this young Marine Rear Admiral.
This was not power a human could possess. It was nothing short of divine might!
"Father... are they... are they all dead?"
Manboshi asked in a trembling voice, on the verge of tears.
"No, they only passed out, but their minds have already broken."
Fukaboshi struggled to his feet and answered hoarsely as he looked at the devastation outside.
The doubt in his gaze as he looked at Lorne was gone, leaving only a profound sense of helplessness.
Inside the hall, Ryan and Bakel watched the scene with expressions that said this was only to be expected.
"Boss's control over his Conqueror's Haki is getting