“Cough!” Caught off guard by the sudden impact, Smoker coughed up a mouthful of saliva.
But he reacted almost immediately.
His body rapidly transformed into an elemental state, turning into a dense mass of white smoke that completely surrounded Demiurge.
Demiurge calmly clasped his hands behind his back and looked around at the thick smoke with interest.
“A transformation spell that allows you to turn your body into white mist?
An interesting ability.” “But if you think this alone can stop me, you’re being far too naive.” With that, Demiurge prepared to break through Smoker’s encirclement.
However, just as he was about to move, he suddenly stopped.
As though sensing something, he turned to look behind him.
Even with the thick smoke surrounding him, it seemed incapable of blocking his sight from what lay beyond.
At that very moment, outside the smoke— At the bow of the Marine warship.
A man with short black hair and a silver-white sword hanging from his waist slowly landed on the deck.
Tap.
His left hand rested lightly on the sword’s hilt as he surveyed the entire deck.
The Marines, who had finally gained a brief moment to breathe thanks to Smoker keeping Demiurge occupied, also noticed the sudden arrival of this newcomer.
After witnessing just how terrifying Demiurge’s strength was, none of them dared lower their guard.
They tightened their grips on their weapons and stared nervously at the man who had just boarded.
“Damn it…
We haven’t even dealt with the first monster, and now his companion is here too?” Tashigi tightened her grip on her sword and watched the newcomer with vigilance.
“Is he that monster’s partner?” “Captain Smoker has already tied up that monster.
As for this guy…
I’ll be the one to defeat him!” However, what surprised Tashigi and the others was that the man showed no intention of attacking them.
After scanning the deck, he simply called out softly: “Demiurge.” The moment his voice fell— The cloud of smoke created by Smoker exploded apart almost simultaneously.
Boom!
Demiurge shot out from within and landed calmly beside the newly arrived man.
“That was unexpectedly easy.” With a smile on his face, Demiurge lightly adjusted his round-framed glasses.
At the same time, the scattered smoke gathered once more and reformed into Smoker’s body.
“You bastard!” He glared at Demiurge with clenched teeth.
Just then, Tashigi stepped forward and came to stand beside Smoker.
“Captain Smoker, focus on dealing with him!” Her gaze locked firmly onto the black-haired man with the silver-white sword.
“As for the other one…
leave him to me!” Hearing that, Smoker shot Tashigi a surprised glance.
But given the current situation, there was no room for hesitation.
“Fine!
Be careful.
He might be strong too.” “I understand.” Tashigi responded and lowered her stance, ready to move at Smoker’s command.
“Go!” Smoker let out a low shout.
At the same time, his lower body transformed into smoke, propelling his upper body straight toward Demiurge.
The moment she heard the order, Tashigi burst forward as well, charging directly at the swordsman.
“How rude.” This time, Demiurge was no longer as tolerant as before.
Being disrespectful to him was one thing.
But to treat his captain with such disrespect and attack without a word?
That was unforgivable.
With that thought, Demiurge lowered his body, preparing to intercept both Smoker and Tashigi.
Yet before he could make a move, Carnes raised a hand and stopped him.
“Captain?” Demiurge looked at him in surprise.
But Carnes offered no explanation.
He merely turned slightly and looked at Smoker and Tashigi as they rushed toward them.
He did not draw his sword.
Nor did he make any grand movement.
With nothing more than a single glance, his top-tier Conqueror’s Haki erupted outward.
Boom!!
The wooden deck beneath Carnes’ feet collapsed instantly.
A violent wind swept across the ship as his Conqueror’s Haki spread through every corner of the warship in an instant.
An incomparable pressure descended upon the entire vessel.
Bwooom!!
As the tangible shockwave formed from his Haki swept across Smoker and Tashigi— Their minds went completely blank.
Smoker, who had been using his Devil Fruit ability, was instantly forced out of his elemental state and reverted to normal.
He crashed heavily onto the deck.
Tashigi’s legs likewise gave out beneath her, and she fell to the ground.
Thud!
Thud!
Clang…
Her sword slipped from her grasp and slid across the deck until it stopped at Carnes’ feet.
Under Carnes’ precise control, the Haki erupted quickly and faded just as quickly.
Like a passing breeze.
As that invisible wind brushed across the faces of every Marine present, the entire deck fell silent.
Even the killing intent that had filled the air seemed to have been swept away with it.
Several moments passed before a dull sound broke the silence.
Thud.
Thud!
Thud!
Thud, thud, thud…
At first, it was a single Marine collapsing to his knees.
Then a second.
A third.
Like falling dominoes, more and more Marines dropped to the deck.
The weapons in their hands clattered to the ground the moment they knelt.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang…
Some Marines rolled back their eyes and lost consciousness on the spot.
Seeing several of them pass out, Carnes revealed a puzzled expression.
“Hm?
Some of them actually fainted?” “I already lowered it to the minimum.
Did I fail to control it properly?” Meanwhile, Tashigi slowly pushed herself up from the ground.
Her face was deathly pale, and she looked as though she had just survived a nightmare.
Her eyes trembled violently.
Kneeling on the deck, she stared at Carnes in the distance, confusion filling her gaze.
“What…
just happened?” “My sword…
my weapon.” As if suddenly remembering something, Tashigi muttered to herself and tried to stand up to retrieve her sword.
But the moment she attempted to rise, she froze in shock.
She couldn’t stand.
Her legs felt as though they had been broken.
No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t muster any strength.
At the same time, she noticed that her hands were trembling uncontrollably like leaves in a storm.
“W-What…
is happening to me?!” Looking at her shaking hands, Tashigi’s voice trembled as well.
Every stone means a lot.
Thank you!