"Boom!!!"

  A thunderous explosion shook the heavens.

  The sea ed violently, waves surging and crashing in all dires. Fierce gusts of wind swept through the area, their pressure rippling outward in a massive storm.

  Two figures stood iermath, leaning on their ons, breathing heavily. Yet, it was clear that Irehe Blood Demohe upper hand. She appeared far more posed than her oppo.

  “That’s enough for today…”

  “Mamahahaha, as expected of the man once called the Beast. Your mastery of Mighty Nation is being more refined!”

  Desding from the sky atop Thundercloud Hera, El and Linlin appeared before them, clearly pleased with Cyril Oka’s performance.

  The Elbaf Spear teiques, inally crafted for the Giant Tribe, proved equally effective for the t Bueers warrior, whose physique resembled that of a small giant. With natural talent and sharp instincts, Cyril had fully mastered the Elbaf Spear teiques ihan a month. Of course, his success stemmed rgely from his formidable strength aensive experience, which provided a solid foundation.

  Uhers, such as Gerd or Hajrudin, Cyril had long since reached a level where power and skill intersected seamlessly.

  “There’s news from the Woveroday,” El said, crossing his arms as his eyes narrowed. “Both the Fleet Admiral and Kong were summoned by the Five Elders.”

  “Oh?”

  “It’s finally starting?”

  Both Cyril and Irene’s expressions grew serious, their eyes gleaming with anticipation.

  “Yes,” El firmed. “Over the past few days, Tsuru has overseen the covert evacuation of personnel from Cake Isnd. It’s nearly plete.”

  Unbeknownst to the outside world, the “residents” of Cake Isnd were nely wax replicas.

  Thanks to the ret acquisition of the Color-Color Fruit, recovered from prisoners in Impel Down, El had orchestrated an eborate deception.

  First, the Color-Color Fruit user, chosen from the Dream House members, gave lifelike c to wax replicas created by Sark.

  Sed, Gerd ihe wax dummies with just enough soul energy to animate them for oo two months.

  These rudimentary Homies, though g intelligence or bat ability, could mimic basic human behaviors such as walking and talking. They were perfect decoys to fuse the Wover’s reaissance efforts.

  Meanwhile, the actual civilians of Cake Isnd had beely relocated to Atntis, a floating Sky Isnd, for their safety.

  Though the aodations were rudimentary—temporary woodeers crafted by El’s powers—aain areas were restricted, the dispced residents marveled at the rare opportunity to live on a Sky Isnd.

  “If only Barry weren’t so preoccupied,” El remarked, referring to the Mirror-Mirror Fruit user.

  The inal pn had been to relocate everyoo the Mirror World instead.

  “Mamahahaha, let’s head back to Cake Isnd!”

  Thundercloud Hera expanded once more, carrying the group skyward. Their silhouettes disappeared into the horizon as they sped toward Cake Isnd, brag for the storm ahead.

  El pulled out a Den Den Mushi, dialed a number, and gave a direct order:

  “Jiehe signal to those guys. It’s time for them to move.”

  “Uood, Boss El!”

  Turning to Linlin, El asked, “Have Gad Jace returned yet?”

  “Not yet!” Linlin grinned wickedly. “But they should be back soon. When they do, let’s give them a big surprise. Mamamama…”

  Her grin faded slightly, repced by a look ret. “It’s a shame about Iron Arm. He could have been a valuable addition if not for his scheming.”

  “Iron Arm” Tok aramecia-type Steel-Steel Fruit user, with a bounty exceeding 1 billion berries. A monstrous powerhouse once imprisoned in Impel Down’s Level 6: Eternal Hell.

  His Steel-Steel Fruit ability had reached Awakening, allowing him to transform anythiouched into steel and manipute it at will.

  Uhe aging and weakened Blood Demon Ireok was still in his prime, less than 50 years old, aained peak bat capabilities despite his captivity.

  Initially, El had no illusions about easily subduing such a formidable figure. The pn had been to cooperate temporarily, utilizing Tok’s strength to withstand the impending pressure from the Wover.

  However, Tok’s scheming and hidden agenda were exposed instantly by El’s unique Observation Haki, which detected his ill iions.

  Without hesitation, El had Linlin turn him into a Blood Sve.

  “If he couldn’t py hen so be it.”

  El shrugged, a cold smile on his face. “At the very least, he’s still a powerful addition, parable to a ‘Queen-level’ Homie, even as a Blood Sve.”

  While Blood Sves were reduced to soulless puppets devoid of personality or free will, they retaiheir Devil Fruit abilities, Haki, and even their Awakened skills.

  Though they couldn’t fully utilize their former peak strength due to the loss of self-awareness, they remained formidable in battle and valuable assets.

  “Mmhahaha~! El-sama, perhaps Linlin should have taken some of his lifespan first, using it to coerce him…”

  The Blood Demon Irene licked her lips and cackled wickedly.

  “Then, once he’s served his purpose, you could dispose of him. Wouldn’t that be more effit?”

  “Someone like him wouldn’t be so foolish as to submit to such threats,” El replied, casting her a sharp gnce.

  “If he retaliates at a critical moment, injures one of our key forces, or takes someone important hostage to demand Linliore his lifespan, then what? If there’s even a ce of that happening, we eliminate all risks.”

  It was the same reason he had tread cautiously with Rocks D. Xebec. Their earlier standoff with the Rocks Pirates had been a calcuted show for the Wover.

  However, had Xebec shown any io exploit the situation, El wouldn’t have hesitated to ensure he didn’t leave Totto Land’s waters alive.

  “Mamamama, you’re absolutely right!” Linlin nodded seriously, fully agreeing with El’s decision.

  Leaving such a threat unchecked was simply too dangerous.

  “Tsk tsk, how decisive you are, El-sama!” Even Irehe ruthless Blood Demon, couldn’t help but feel relieved she had chosen wisely.

  She had no doubt that any ulterior motives on her part would have resulted in the same fate as Tok—stripped of free will, reduced to a mindless Blood Sve obeying Linlin’s every and.

  Bleam