Allen used his body as a lock, forcefully stabilizing the collapsing sky. The crack that stretched across the heavens was suppressed by the " Spacetime Closed Loop " he had created by burning his own essence, its expansion was forcibly halted, and the arrival of the terrifying being within it was also greatly delayed. However, the price was enormous— Allen's figure seemed to be nailed to the crack, the silver-purple Divine Chains of Order clashing fiercely with the dark red energy surging from the crack. Each collision caused the space-time ripples around him to vibrate violently, and his aura weakened at a visible speed.
He bought time, but the price the world paid is already etched into the earth.
Although the demonic tide fell into brief chaos due to the loss of its supreme commander, within the vast occupied territory that had been transformed into a purplish-black hell, five terrifying auras, like infernal volcanoes, soared into the sky! They were scattered across different core nest islands, and the mere pressure emanating from them made the soldiers far beyond the defensive line tremble in their souls.
Five Rift Demons Lords of the Four Emperors level have arrived!
They came in all shapes and sizes; some were as majestic as mountains, their bodies covered in crystallized dark red carapaces; others were as ethereal as shadows, swallowing even the light in their wake; still others were surrounded by swirling vortexes of boiling energy, like moving natural disasters. They did not rush to attack, but instead consolidated their nests, greedily absorbing the vast " Tribulation Power " accumulated in the occupied territories, their aura steadily increasing!
"Five... there are actually five Four Emperors- level beings..." Sabo's voice was hoarse as he looked at the energy images that the reconnaissance team had desperately transmitted back. They had originally expected at most one or two, but the harsh reality far exceeded their expectations.
Inside the command post, there was a deathly silence. The morale that had just been boosted by Allen's heroic feat was instantly crushed by this despairing intelligence. One Four Emperors- level being was enough to change the course of the battle, five... This was an almost hopeless power imbalance.
" Allen... how much longer can he hold on?" Ace clenched his fists, the platinum flames pulsating violently with anger and worry. He could feel that the lonely aura supporting the Space-Time Barrier in the distance was constantly weakening.
"I don't know... but we must take down at least a portion of the Demon Lords before he collapses!" Luffy, pressing down on his Straw Hat, unusually refrained from shouting, but the determination in his eyes was stronger than ever. "We can't let him sacrifice himself in vain!"
A new strategy had to be urgently formulated. The originally planned general offensive had to be transformed into the more brutal "king-slaying" operation.
• Objective: Before Allen's Space-Time Barrier collapses, concentrate all high-end combat power to prioritize the elimination of at least two or three of the five casualties among the Rift Demons Lords, thereby weakening the enemy's top combat power to the greatest extent possible.
• Risk: Extremely high! Any of the Four Emperors- level Demon Lords possesses devastating power, and being in their lair gives the enemy a significant advantage. The decapitation squad is highly likely to perish.
• Allocation: After heated debate and assessment of capabilities, the final decision was:
Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji form a team, their target being the " Incineration Demon Lord," whose aura is the most violent and who seems to excel at head-on attacks.
Ace and Jinbe formed a team, using a combination of fire and water abilities to deal with the " Tidal Demon Lord," surrounded by an energy vortex and seemingly vulnerable to attacks of the Fear attribute.
Sabo and Robin are responsible for restraining the other two demon lords and looking for opportunities. Their goal is to outsmart and disrupt them, creating opportunities for the main force.
The last and most mysterious, ethereal " Shadow Demon Lord " is being monitored and kept at bay by Franky, Brook, Nami, Usopp, and Chopper using special means such as technology, souls, and weather to prevent him from launching a surprise attack on the rear or interfering with the main force's operations.
This is a desperate gamble! It's about splitting up our already limited elite forces to challenge five powerful, well-rested enemies!
"There is no other choice." The dragon's voice was heavy and hoarse. "The time Allen has bought us is limited. We either fight to the death now to weaken the enemy, or we wait for the barrier to crumble and the five Demon Lords to crush us with their full demonic tide, and then it will all be over."
The order was given, and no one flinched. Every powerful individual who was called upon knew that this journey might be their last, but their eyes held only unwavering resolve.
Luffy patted his Straw Hat, grinned, revealing his pearly white teeth. "Let's go, Zoro, Sanji! Let's go beat that big guy to a pulp!"
Ace and Jinbe exchanged a glance and nodded heavily.
Sabo pushed up his glasses, his eyes flashing with data as he began calculating the optimal route and tactics.
Just as the decapitation squad was about to depart, the light of that Spacetime Closed Loop seemed to flicker faintly in the distant sky. Allen's aura dropped again.
Time is running out.
The final chapter of the endgame unfolds in the most brutal way. The fate of the world rests in the hands of these few squads that have ventured deep into hell to slay the king. And the master of time and space, who has become a chain to the heavens, still stands alone, supporting the collapsing sky.