Above the N-7 Sea Area, dark clouds churned like ink, and serpents of lightning darted through them, as though heaven and earth had sensed the terrifying power about to erupt. Ma Chao stood in midair, his Tiger-Head Gilt Spear angled toward the sea, dark blue electricity dancing at its tip. The hybrid dragon-man form of his Zekrom Fruit ability made him look like Thunder God Descends, and even as he stood motionless, the arcs bursting from his body electrolyzed the sea beneath his feet, making it bubble and boil.
Doberman, Onigumo, Strawberry, Yamakaji, and Momonga-five elite Vice Admirals from Marine Headquarters-spread out in a fan formation, surrounding him in midair. All five wore grave expressions, Armament Haki already covering their entire bodies, their weapons humming incessantly under the oppressive lightning. Even these battle-hardened veterans had never felt such pure, violent thunderous pressure.
"Elite Vice Admirals from Marine Headquarters... five against one. You certainly think highly of me, Ma Chao!" A muffled laugh came from beneath Ma Chao's dragon-headed faceplate. His turbine tail spun faster, absorbing energy from the atmosphere as his indigo markings grew ever more dazzling.
"There's no need to talk about honor when dealing with a pirate of your caliber!" Doberman roared first, his longsword wrapped in pitch-black Armament Haki as he led the charge! "Rokushiki Ogi: Instant Slash!"
Sword light tore through the air like a bolt of silk, heading straight for Ma Chao's throat! At the same time, Onigumo swung all eight arms, his eight long blades cutting off Ma Chao's retreat from different angles, their edges gleaming black-these were slashes imbued with his Armament Haki!
"Well met!" Ma Chao neither dodged nor backed away. His left dragon-clawed hand shot out and caught Doberman's blade with astonishing precision! Dark blue lightning spread along the sword, and