In late autumn of the year 1515 of the Sea Circle Calendar, at midnight, the moon was hidden and the stars sparse as a bitter north wind swept the shores of the West Blue. The thousand-year-old capital, Yujing City, resembled an enormous beast lying dormant in the darkness, its walls gleaming a cold, hard blue in the night. For days, the frequent troop movements and intimidating drills of Peach Blossom Spring's army along the border had left the city's defenders tense and exhausted. Most believed the decisive battle would unfold on the plains outside the city or in a brutal struggle over its walls. No one could have imagined that the true thunderous blow would come from the silent night sky, regarded as an absolute barrier.
Yet at that moment, above those very clouds, a deadly blade had already been drawn.
Northeast of Yujing City stood a solitary peak rarely visited by anyone, its summit hidden in drifting clouds and mist. Guan Yu stood facing the wind, his long blue-green beard and the energy-formed cloud mane behind his head stirring gently. A keen light lay within his Phoenix Eyes as they opened and closed, as though he could pierce the layers of darkness and take in both the outline and the presence of distant Yujing City. Invisible air currents surrounded him, not only supporting his body but also forming a wondrous "Wind-Hiding Barrier" that perfectly concealed his presence, sound, and even body heat, along with those of the hundred carefully selected elite soldiers behind him, all of whom had gained a basic grasp of Geppo or gliding.
"The time has come." Guan Yu's voice rang low like metal and jade, channeled into a thread that reached every soldier's ears. "Follow me closely and proceed according to plan. Once we land, head straight for the First Treasures Navy's camp. Slay their commanders, seize their banners, and throw their foundations into chaos!"
"Yes!" The hundred men growled, their voices like muffled thunder, only to be swallowed entirely by the air currents.
Guan Yu said no more. He gestured forward with the Green Dragon Crescent Blade, and the currents around him suddenly intensified with a low howl! He stepped off the cliff, but rather than falling, he seemed to merge with the wind, gliding soundlessly toward Yujing City along an invisible channel of air. The hundred elite soldiers followed close behind, using the "Wind Path" Guan Yu had opened to swoop silently toward their target like bats in the night.
At almost the same moment, deep within higher clouds to the southwest, Zhao Yun transformed into Reshiram's hybrid form, his silhouette blending into the darkness. Reshiram's Turboblaze was restrained to the utmost behind him, emitting only a faint hum like a vibrating string while providing powerful, sustained thrust. He moved faster, following a more elusive trajectory, his target the imperial palace district at the very heart of Yujing City, where defenses were tightest.
His mission was exceptionally dangerous: precisely locate and subdue Luo Shunzhi, king of the Flower Country, and the Chancellor, while remaining ready to face any hidden royal experts who might exist. His Observation Haki spread to its fullest extent, scanning the layout of the palace below like the most precise radar, taking in its visible sentries, concealed posts, and those obscure yet powerful fluctuations of presence.
At a quarter to one in the morning, all was silent in Yujing's imperial palace. King Luo Shunzhi had long since retired, but the Chancellor was holding a secret discussion with several trusted senior ministers in a side hall, an atmosphere of gloom hanging over them. Suddenly!
Boom-!!!
An earth-shaking crash came from the direction of the palace's main hall, the Hall of Supreme Harmony. The shattering of glazed tiles, the snapping of beams and pillars, the guards' shrill alarms, and the clash of weapons erupted in an instant!
"Protect His Majesty! An assassin!" The Chancellor's expression changed in horror as he rushed outside.
A white figure plunged like a meteor from the highest heavens, smashing straight through the dome of the Hall of Supreme Harmony! Zhao Yun landed on one knee and slowly rose, his white robe and silver spear illuminated by moonlight and the sudden flare of fire, imposing as a god. Reshiram's oppressive presence mingled with the fierce killing aura tempered on the battlefield, spreading outward as though tangible.
"Zhao Zilong of Changshan is here! Surrender and you will be spared!" His voice rang like a dragon's cry through the palace, and many guards went weak in the limbs beneath his intimidating presence.
"Arrogant fool! Protect His Majesty!" Suppressing his fear, the captain of the guards led his elite men in a surrounding attack.
Zhao Yun moved, becoming several elusive afterimages as his spear stabbed in rapid succession. "Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix: Army Breaker!" Wherever the spear tip passed, blood blossomed from guards' throats, and a swath of men fell in an instant. He did not linger in battle. His Observation Haki precisely pinpointed the direction of the king's bedchamber, the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and he swept forward unstoppably, thrusting his spear and parrying swords along the way!
His face ashen, the Chancellor tried to flee toward a secret passage beside the bedchamber, surrounded by his personal guards. But Zhao Yun had already anticipated him. A backsweep of the spear shaft knocked him to the ground, capturing him alive!
Just as Zhao Yun was about to charge into the Hall of Mental Cultivation, a presence as heavy as a mountain, decaying yet immensely powerful, suddenly erupted from within!
"What scoundrel dares disturb His Majesty?!" An aged, hoarse voice rang out, accompanied by an exceedingly concentrated shock wave of Armament Haki that blasted toward Zhao Yun!
Zhao Yun's pupils contracted slightly, and his spear darted out. "Seven-Snake Coiling: Guard!" The spear tip traced illusory rings, barely blocking the sudden strike, though the impact made him sway slightly.
The hall doors swung wide, and an old man in a worn python-patterned robe slowly emerged, holding a Coiling Dragon Iron Staff. His hair and beard were white, and his face was withered. His eyes were clouded, yet carried the coldness and authority of long years.
"Lord Nian!" the captured Chancellor cried involuntarily, a trace of hope amid his despair.
This man was Nian Genyao, one of the Flower Country royal family's hidden pillars of strength, a senior minister who had served three generations of kings. His strength had long since reached Vice Admiral level, but unfortunately, it was now gradually declining with age. Because he practiced a special cultivation method, his presence was obscure. He remained hidden deep within the palace year-round to protect the king and would not appear unless the nation and its people faced destruction!
Nian Genyao's clouded eyes swept over Zhao Yun. "Such fine skill, such a powerful presence," he rasped. "A pity you are destined to be buried here today." He planted his iron staff, and powerful Armament Haki pressed toward Zhao Yun like a tide!
At almost the same moment Zhao Yun broke into the imperial palace, at the First Treasures Navy's camp in the east of the city.
Most of the soldiers were still asleep. Suddenly, fierce winds howled above the camp, sending sand and stones flying and making the banners snap!
Bearing Rayquaza's majestic heavenly might, Guan Yu descended like a god, landing with a crash before the command tent! The Green Dragon Crescent Blade blazed with brilliant blue-green light, Armament Haki coiling around its blade with earth-shaking force!
"Guan Yunchang is here! Traitors, meet your end!" His thunderous voice exploded in the ears of every sailor jolted awake!
"Enemy attack! Above us! Form ranks!" Luo Duo'er, the Pillar of the First Treasures Navy, reacted extremely quickly. Startled but not panicked, he donned his armor, seized his saber, and rushed from the command tent, powerful Armament Haki erupting around him as well!
"Rayquaza: Azure Dragon Crescent Moon Blade: Mountain-Splitting!" Guan Yu wasted no words. His Phoenix Eyes opened wide as he delivered a full-force slash! An enormous blue-green wind blade spanning dozens of meters tore through the air, slashing toward the Pillar with the force to destroy everything!
"Guard!" the Pillar of the First Treasures Navy roared. Gripping his saber in both hands and pushing his Armament Haki Hardening to its utmost, he met the attack head-on!
Clang-!!!
A deafening crash rang out as shock waves spread in every direction! Though the Pillar barely managed to block it, his blood churned, the webbing between his thumbs and forefingers split, and he staggered back several steps, his eyes filled with horror! Guan Yu's strength and mastery of Haki actually seemed slightly greater than his own!
"Kill!" Guan Yu pressed his advantage without mercy, unleashing his blade work like a raging storm. Rayquaza's power controlled the air currents, forming countless tiny wind blades that swept in every direction! Ordinary soldiers were wounded the moment they touched them, and their formations fell into chaos!
The Pillar of the First Treasures Navy was beaten so relentlessly that he had no power to fight back, and signs of defeat were already showing.