Chapter 674: Don't Go!
Chapter 674: Don't Go!
Having figured out the method, dealing with an ancient demon wasn't too difficult for Sager.
After a single strike shattered Totemgika's arm, the latter clearly started to panic. The eyes of the double-headed dragon on the brim of his hat glowed red, and he spat out a beam that shot straight toward Sager.
Whoosh!
Boom!!
But just as the beam was released, two beams of yellow light shot out, colliding with it mid-air and causing an explosion.
Boa Hawkeye had one hand in his pocket, the other extended with two fingers, and he chuckled as he looked at the massive Totemgika. "That won't do, now. Compared to despicable pirates, a world-destroying demon takes priority. Besides, that's what my superiors ordered."
He then turned to Sager. "Though it seems you don't need my help."
"Of course not!"
Sager stretched his shoulders, his body unmoving, and extended a single finger, gathering a spiral of black and red light.
"Tengahu Surge!!"
Boom!!
Compressed to the extreme, the spiral wave of Haki burst through Totemgika's other arm, causing another explosion. This time, it felt different. While it still penetrated and exploded, the severed arm seemed to be sliced as if by a blade.
"Oh, this feeling. Mihawk must have struck."
After the hit, Sager laughed, slightly moved his finger, paused for a second, and continued to emit the spiral beam, piercing through and shattering Totemgika's head.
This time, there were signs of the body fragmenting.
Crocodile.
He fired another beam, targeting the center of Totemgika's upper body, which was surrounded by a black cloud. The beam struck the center, causing a web of cracks to form. Crimson light burst from the cracks, shattering Totemgika and completely annihilating him.
Whoosh!
In the distance, a silver streak appeared in the cloudy sky, quickly reaching a broken island. The silver streak moved to the side, and the sea breeze swept through a head of lustrous, golden hair.
Sager turned and smiled at her. "The final blow was yours, Lily."
"Not much to it."
Lily commented coolly, "Totemgika seemed strong, but he was quite fragile. His defenses were weak."
"Ha ha ha ha, combining the real and the illusory to break through, that's enough to make him a formidable demon. If his defenses were also strong, he wouldn't have been destroyed in the past. Once it was destroyed once, it will be destroyed again and again."
This was within his expectations.
The demon's destructive power was strong, but its greatest strength lay in its summoning ability. If the Ope Ope no Mi were allowed to continue singing, and it really did eliminate 80% of the world's population, then summoned the demon to consume those lives, it would become unimaginably powerful.
But it never reached that point. It was killed as soon as it appeared.
Sager raised his hand. Unlike before, he now wore a watch on his other wrist. Opening it, he found a small Den Den Mushi inside. After dialing a number and waiting for it to connect, he asked, "Have you collected it?"
A small live-streaming Den Den Mushi was clipped to his shirt collar, which had been active since he arrived on the island.
"The video footage has been collected, and we have a basic understanding of the mechanism. The initial collection work is complete", the Den Den Mushi responded.
"Good, then hang up. These things are uncomfortable to wear. I only love treasure."
Sager's wrist trembled, and the small Den Den Mushi and the live-streaming Den Den Mushi on his chest shattered.
For this mission against Totemgika, he was only responsible for the final kill, but the preparation and other tasks were extensive.
To gather and analyze data on this demon's existence, Begapunk had specially assigned a team to listen to Uta's song through Den Den Mushi earphones, ensuring they could enter the hypnotic mental world.
Then, they analyzed it using machines.
For Begapunk, Devil Fruits were mostly a mystery only in the Logia category. He could recreate Zoan and Paramecia.
The Ope Ope no Mi was a Paramecia. Although it had no physical form, analyzing its capabilities and origins wasn't that difficult.
Even the ancient melody that Uta used to summon Totemgika, which no longer included the hypnotic element, was personally listened to and recorded by Begapunk.
With the collection work complete, the next step was gradual analysis.
This was why Sager had been patient, waiting for Totemgika to become fully formed.
Now that it was done, the next step...
Sager's gaze fell on the deck of the Red Force, where Uta, who had been surrounded by the Red Hair Pirates after Totemgika's destruction, lay on the deck. Whether by accident or coincidence, she had ended up there.
The life force had reached its limit.
Sager shook his head: "Forget it. No matter how well she sings, it’s useless with a stubborn person like her. This ending fits her. A stubborn teenager, paying a stubborn price for stubborn values and actions."
While a good singer was a rare resource, Sager didn’t want to recruit someone so stubborn. If she had a strange idea, many people could suffer, affecting his prosperity.
"My daughter won’t be your recruit."
Red Hair’s ears twitched, and he turned his head, coldly saying, "Sager, you’ve burned many of my protected islands."
Sager stood on a black cloud, looking down at the ship with a sinister expression, "Whose fault is it that your crew isn’t as agile as Titch’s? I don’t know if it’s good or bad to be a pirate like you."
The battle lines had been steadily advancing, and they strictly followed Sager’s orders without any slack.
He had issued his demands to the entire world, especially the latter half of the New World, which was a key target. While not every island could receive the message, the areas closer to Sager’s territory definitely did, and the closer to his domain, the more islands received the message.
Three fronts moved simultaneously, targeting all islands flying the flags of two pirate crews with indiscriminate attacks.
Islands flying the Blackbeard flag were more flexible, almost welcoming the new authority. After all, those who wanted a peaceful life certainly didn’t desire chaos. Sager’s reputation in the New World was well-known.
While many feared Blackbeard and didn’t immediately lower their flags, they were smart enough to send patrols around their islands. As soon as they saw the Worldslider Pirates’ flag, they would immediately send a signal.
Then, the locals would joyfully remove the Blackbeard flag, even burning it in public, and welcome the Worldsliders.
Only the most chaotic islands, where towns resembled Devil’s Throats, remained stubborn until the end.
And they were annihilated.
Red Hair’s side was completely the opposite.
Perhaps it was because people respected Red Hair’s name. Only a few, fearing the Worldslider Pirates, hastily changed their flags, while the rest remained stubborn.
Sager often heard reports that people on islands flying Red Hair’s flag were shouting things like, "Red Hair will avenge us", "Get out, this is Red Hair’s territory", "Red Hair is the greatest pirate", and "Give Red Hair some respect, leave quickly."
As if their words alone could make anyone leave.
Who knows where they learned that from.
In such cases, the Worldslider Pirates strictly followed Sager’s orders.
Kill them all!
Reduce the islands to flat ground!
Respect?
If they did this, Red Hair’s respect would be intact, but Sager’s would be trampled underfoot.
"From the moment you entered Ohara, the war began."
Sager said, "Of course, whatever you did, I will repay in kind. You didn’t kill my subordinates back then, so I’ll give you this chance. I can revive her, as it’s only a matter of physical exhaustion. I can extend her life, and once she recovers, she’ll live for a long time. Or I can give you time to say goodbye and allow her remains to be preserved. This island is gone, but there are still some small places left, suitable for burial."
"Should I say thank you?"
Red Hair smiled, shook his head, and turned to look at the barely breathing Uta, closing his eyes in prayer. Then, he turned back, drawing the sword at his waist.
The legendary blade, Griffin.
"Our daughter’s fate is for us to decide. You have no right. Defeating you is enough. The rest, we will handle ourselves!"
A powerful aura surged forth as Red Hair spoke, transforming the surroundings into a tangible red sea.
"Oh~ How terrifying."
Boa Hawkeye remarked, "Still as commanding as ever, Red Hair."
Behind him, Bepo spat out his cigarette and held his spear with one hand, aiming it forward, "Are you going to join in, Boa Hawkeye? The navy and pirates working together is a serious threat, almost on par with the Rocks Era."
"Oh~ Bepo, you’re also terrifying."
Boa Hawkeye raised his hands in surrender, pouting, "I’m only here to deal with Totemgika. My mission is complete, and I have no reason to intervene. After all, starting a war with the Four Emperors requires authorization. Besides, a battle between two Four Emperors is beneficial for us."
"Is that so."
Bepo responded, then shifted his gaze to Lily on the reef. This woman’s killing intent was strong, but he sensed no strong desire to fight. Although she held a sword, she didn’t seem eager to join the battle.
“No need.”
Before Beckman could ask, Lily said, “Sager expects to handle you all alone. I’m not the ace in the hole; I’m just here as a backup.”
The plan was to deal with Red Hair, but the fight wasn’t going to be that simple. Sager truly wanted to take out the entire crew by himself, testing his current combat strength.
Lily had come along to ensure that if things went south, she and Sager would act together to keep the entire crew here.
As for defeat—
That was never a consideration.
Back then, Sager alone could make Red Hair’s entire crew flee. This time would be no different.
“Even that guy Mihawk is here.”
Red Hair noticed the Damnation Star and Cross Organization’s ships slowly approaching after dealing with Totemgika. They had woken up.
“Hey! Mihawk!”
Red Hair shouted, “Which side are you on?”
“Neither side.”
Mihawk replied calmly, “I’m quite content with my life in the Cross Organization. Moving elsewhere wouldn’t be any better. Besides, opposing the Worldslider Pirates would cost me a potential escape route. This isn’t an ordinary battle. Also, I didn’t expect you to be here. My advice is to withdraw now; this is going to be dangerous.”
Life in the Cross Organization was good, but it still meant being somewhat in the spotlight and a major enemy of the World Government. It wasn’t exactly a safe haven.
If he wanted a more peaceful life, he had another option: living in Ohara.
While his strength would likely draw attention wherever he went, he knew Sager. Sager wouldn’t force anyone into his Pirate crew. He might be asked to do some tasks, but it would be relatively peaceful.
Recent events had only reinforced this belief.
Fujitora had also joined Ohara, not as part of the Pirate crew, but as the head of security, responsible for maintaining order in the entire territory.
If the Cross Organization failed and couldn’t complete their plans, Crocodile might willingly abandon his dreams to join Sager, indirectly achieving his goals.
Boa Hancock would likely do the same. While she saw Sager as a different kind of Celestial Dragon, at least there were no slaves, and there was no discrimination. Everyone was treated equally.
If the Cross Organization couldn’t succeed, even with the Red Line secured, Nanashima would accept Sager’s protection.
For a Pirate to reach Sager’s level was unprecedented.
He and Red Hair were friends, but just friends. He wasn’t about to ruin his peaceful life for a friend. If that were the case, he would have joined the Red Hair Pirates back then.
Dealing with powerful Pirates was one headache after another.
He enjoyed sipping fine wine and living a calm, refined life, even in a dilapidated castle, maintaining his standards.
Living as a vagabond with Red Hair—
Physically, he just couldn’t handle it.
Just being able to warn him was enough.
“Hahaha, Mihawk, you actually advised me to withdraw. Normally, I’d let it go.”
Red Hair laughed heartily, gripping his sword hilt tightly, his voice turning serious, “But this time, Sager has gone too far. Those people are all dead, and the island is flattened. I need an explanation!”
“Excellent! I love your attitude! No holding back, whoever backs down is a sea clown!” Sager grinned.
“Eh? Who called me?”
Buggy, who had just vomited out seawater and regained consciousness, heard this and immediately looked up, “Shanks?!”
“Buggy’s here too.”
Red Hair’s lips curved into a smile, but he quickly grew solemn. Seeing the black cloud beneath Sager’s feet rise and darken the already gloomy sky, he fell silent for a moment, then gently picked up Uta and threw her toward Buggy.
“Buggy!”
“Eh? Eh, eh, eh!”
Buggy instinctively extended his hands to catch the person Red Hair threw, fumbling to stabilize her.
“Take care of her for a bit.”
Red Hair took a deep breath and looked at Sager, “Let’s go.”
“Fine, if you die within the time limit, I’ll keep her alive. If she dies first, I’ll ensure she’s buried properly. Consider this debt repaid.”
Sager chuckled, extending his finger, “Now, don’t move!”
Whoosh!
A rapid spiral beam struck the Red Force before anyone could react!
(End of Chapter)
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