The Ark Maxim hovered ten kilometers above Marineford.
Optical camouflage allows the ship's hull to blend perfectly into the clouds.
On deck, the Roy Pirates held their breath.
They watched the earth-shattering battle unfolding below.
When the Golden Lion was blasted into the plaza by the combined attack of Garp and Sengoku,
Roy sighed softly as the impact created a crater tens of meters in diameter in the ground.
"It's over," he said softly.
Bullet clenched his fist, a complex light flashing in his eyes.
"Even a figure like Golden Lion can be defeated?"
It's not that he's not strong enough.
Hawk Eyes said calmly,
"But it was in the heart of the Marine Headquarters, facing an attack from two Admiral."
At the same time, they also had to deal with interference from dozens of Vice Admiral —no one could win in such a situation.
Roy nodded and continued to observe the battle.
Just as he had expected, the Golden Lion's attempts to take off again were repeatedly thwarted.
Whenever he escaped Garp and Sengoku's clutches,
Whenever attempting to use the Float-Float Fruit's power to regain a superior aerial position, perfectly timed interference always occurs.
A laser beam shot out from a corner, forcing the Golden Lion to distract itself from its defense;
Several shells coated with Armament Haki slammed into his ascending trajectory;
There were even naval personnel skilled in sniping who used Seastone Bullets for precise point-fire.
"The Navy has thoroughly studied the Golden Lion's capabilities."
Stella analyzed,
They knew that once he was back in the air...
The battle would reach a stalemate or even turn around, so we must stop him from taking off at all costs.
"The tactics were correct."
Crocodile, a cigar dangling from his lips, looked grave.
"But this also proves how terrifying the Golden Lion's air superiority is."
Roy didn't interrupt, but simply observed quietly.
This battle was not just a clash of strength, but also a contest of tactics, experience, and will.
The combat wisdom that Golden Lion displayed under disadvantage, as well as the precise teamwork of the Navy, were very rewarding for him.
The Golden Lion struggled to its feet in the deep pit.
He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and looked around— Garp and Sengoku had blocked his retreat.
Dozens of Vice Admiral a semi-circle, with a dense array of naval soldiers further away.
There is nowhere to escape, neither in heaven nor on earth.
"Hehehe..."
The Golden Lion suddenly burst into laughter, his laughter filled with arrogance and determination.
"Fine! Very well! Since you won't let me leave..."
Then I'll drag the entire Marineford down with me!
His eyes went berserk, and he suddenly raised his hands high!
" Float-Float Fruit - Awakening-- "
" Earth Levitation --!!!"
The entire Marineford began to shake violently.
It wasn't just a localized area; the entire island was trembling!
A huge crack appeared in the ground of the port, and seawater poured in.
The walls of the fortress began to crack; even the Marine Headquarters building groaned under the strain.
Even more terrifying, large areas of the ground began to break free from the pull of gravity and slowly rise!
"He's insane!"
Kong's expression changed drastically in the command room.
"He wants to float the entire Marineford!"
Stop him!
Sengoku a roar, the Golden Great Buddha's form expanded once more.
" Buddha Shockwave - Maximum Wheel!"
The palm strike compressed the air into a tangible shockwave, causing even space itself to slightly distort in its path.
But the Golden Lion neither dodged nor flinched, but instead grinned and continued to unleash its power.
"It's too late--!"
boom--!
Sengoku's palm struck the Golden Lion squarely in the back, but the Golden Lion only coughed up a mouthful of blood.
He staggered forward a few steps, but did not stop activating his abilities.
Instead, he used the force of the blow to charge forward, his twin swords slashing at Garp in a cross pattern!
"Lion - Two-Sword Style - Thousand-Cut Valley Storm!"
The dense barrage of slashes poured down like a torrential rain, each one powerful enough to slice through steel.
Garp's pupils contracted, and his fists were covered with the most intense Armament Haki.
It was even wrapped in dark red, Conqueror's Haki Inazuma.
" Fist Bone Meteor Shower--!!!"
The fist collided with the slash, unleashing a continuous roar.
But Golden Lion's real goal was not to defeat Garp.
Under the cover of his slashing attacks, he turned and charged toward the weakest point in the encirclement!
"He's trying to break through!" a Vice Admiral roared. "Stop him!"
More than a dozen Vice Admiral attacked simultaneously, unleashing a barrage of various Rokushiki Ogi, Devil Fruit abilities, and sword strikes at Golden Lion.
But the Golden Lion had gone completely berserk, abandoning all defense and focusing solely on offense!
"Get out of here--!!!"
Oto and Kogarashi swung their swords, leaving afterimages as their attacks clashed with the Vice Admiral ' attacks, resulting in a series of explosions.
Three Vice Admiral were cut down, and two others collapsed to the ground severely wounded.
The Golden Lion also paid a price.
His left shoulder was Shigan: Piercing, and his right Rankyaku was cut open by a gust of wind, leaving a deep wound that exposed the bone.
His back was charred in a large area, as if by flames.
But he didn't care.
Blood, pain, and injuries became fuel at that moment, making the flames in his eyes burn even more fiercely.
"Not enough! Far from enough!"
The Golden Lion roared, and suddenly the ground beneath its feet peeled away, lifting it into the sky!
"Stop him from taking off!"
Kong's command was broadcast throughout the arena via loudspeakers.
But this time, the Golden Lion was well-prepared.
At the moment of takeoff, he placed his hands on the massive ground that was supporting him.
"Lion's Might - Earth-Swept Frenzy--!!!"
Centered on that piece of ground, all the rubble, soil, and building debris within a radius of several hundred meters were attracted there.
It formed a giant lion's head with a diameter exceeding several hundred meters!
The Golden Lion stood atop the tower, looking down at the navy below.
"Now—let's see who can stop me—!!!"
He controlled the enormous rock lion's head and began rampaging through the skies above Marineford!
Wherever it went, fortifications were crushed, buildings were collapsed, and warships were sunk!
"A madman! A complete and utter madman!" Kong trembled with rage.
All generals, take him down at all costs!
The battle entered its most brutal phase.
Golden Lion, wielding a giant lion's head, wreaked havoc in the air, while naval officers charged forward one after another, risking their lives to stop his destruction.
Sengoku and Garp unleashed their full firepower, bombarding it again and again in an attempt to shatter it.
But Golden Lion's Float-Float Fruit ability is just too bizarre--
Even if part of it is blasted apart, it can immediately absorb more materials from the ground to replenish itself.
This frenzied battle lasted for three days and three nights.
At dawn on the third day, the rising sun painted Marineford a blood-red hue.
After three days and three nights of fierce fighting, the Marine Headquarters was left in ruins.
A quarter of the buildings were destroyed, most of the port sank, and the square was filled with huge craters and cracks.
At the heart of the battle, the Golden Lion knelt on one knee, supporting his body with his two swords.