Dæmon and Stussy stopped and looked toward the source of the voice.
Saint Jaygarcia Saturn.
Among the Five Elders, Saturn was the only one whose full name Dæmon could clearly remember.
Was this merely a chance encounter?
Dæmon noticed the Elder’s unwavering gaze and quickly dismissed that possibility.
No.
He was waiting for me.
A faint smile appeared on Dæmon’s face.
“Good afternoon, old man Saturn.” Stussy silently stepped behind Dæmon, shamelessly using him as a shield.
Saturn snorted.
His gaze briefly swept across Dæmon before shifting toward Stussy.
A crimson light flashed within his eyes.
The next moment— Poof!
An invisible force struck Stussy directly in the head and sent her falling backward.
Dæmon turned and saw blood covering her face.
However, the scattered blood droplets appeared to possess lives of their own.
They reversed direction and flowed back into her body as the gruesome wounds across her face healed within seconds.
Stussy climbed back to her feet and covered her aching face.
She glared furiously at Dæmon.
“You promised to protect me!
That really hurt!” Dæmon shrugged.
“How am I supposed to protect you from someone’s glare?” In truth, Dæmon knew about Saturn’s Evil Eye and had possessed enough time to pull Stussy out of the way.
However, she was immortal.
Since the attack could not kill her, Dæmon had decided to let Stussy suffer a little and observe the ability’s power for himself.
That attack is rather impressive.
Dæmon glanced at Saturn with growing interest.
If I devoured him, would I obtain the Evil Eye as well?
Still angry, Stussy weakly punched Dæmon in the shoulder before turning her fury toward Saturn.
“You miserable old geezer!
You ruined my makeup!” Pain could be endured.
Damage to the makeup she had carefully applied that morning was unforgivable.
Did Saturn have any idea how long it took her to prepare her face?
Saturn remained calm.
He merely narrowed his eyes and carefully observed Stussy’s flawless recovery.
Just as our intelligence reported.
She truly possesses immortality…
Ignoring Stussy’s complaints, Dæmon strode toward the hill.
Armament Haki coated his right fist, turning it pitch-black.
“Dæmon,” Saturn called calmly, “regardless of why the Rocks Pirates invaded God Valley, I can offer you the status of a Celestial Dragon.” Dæmon continued approaching.
“You will also be permitted to join God’s Knights,” Saturn added.
“What do you think?” He had deliberately waited here to recruit Dæmon.
Dæmon suddenly accelerated.
He crossed the remaining distance like a bolt of lightning and drove his fist directly into Saturn’s face.
“You don’t sound very sincere, old man!” Bang!
Saturn’s face caved inward beneath the force of the punch.
Advanced Armament Haki penetrated his defenses, destroying him from within.
His body shot backward like a cannonball.
He crashed through several trees, bounced repeatedly across the ground, and finally slammed into a stone wall.
“Well done, Dæmon!” Stussy clapped enthusiastically.
“That was wonderful!
Hit him harder!” Dæmon ignored her and continued walking toward the injured Elder.
“If you genuinely want to recruit me, then prove your sincerity.” He smiled faintly.
“Give me ten Devil Fruits first.” “You insolent bastard!” Saturn rose from the rubble.
Blood covered his face, but the terrible damage caused by Dæmon’s punch was already healing.
His cold gaze locked onto Dæmon.
A crimson light flashed within his eyes once again.
Evil Eye!
Dæmon tilted his head.
The invisible attack passed harmlessly beside him.
At the same time, Dæmon surged forward like a hunting cheetah and swept his leg horizontally.
Bang!
His kick shattered Saturn’s cane and continued into the Elder’s body like an enormous steel whip.
Saturn was launched backward again.
He slammed into the stone wall and remained embedded there like a painting hung for display.
“Did you truly believe the same trick would work on me twice?” Dæmon scoffed.
Saturn’s Evil Eye followed the direction of his gaze.
Furthermore, his eyes emitted a red flash immediately before the attack activated.
Once Dæmon knew those details, avoiding it was simple.
After being humiliated repeatedly, Saturn finally lost his composure.
Black lightning crackled around him.
His body began expanding as six enormous spider legs emerged from his lower half.
Black flames swirled around his upper body, and an oppressive aura filled the surrounding forest.
Within moments, Saturn had transformed into a gigantic, monstrous hybrid.
He towered above Dæmon.
“According to our intelligence, the alcohol you brew is known as the Elixir of Immortality.” Saturn’s voice became deeper and more sinister.
“Anyone who drinks it gains an immortal body.” His eyes narrowed.
“That power is precisely what we need.
There can be no mistake.” One of his massive spider legs rose into the air.
“But don’t become too arrogant, brat!” The razor-sharp leg plunged toward Dæmon.
Dæmon crossed his arms and concentrated his Armament Haki around the point of impact.
Bang!
The tremendous force shook the surrounding forest, but Dæmon successfully blocked the attack.
Before Saturn could withdraw, Dæmon wrapped both arms around the enormous spider leg.
He planted his feet firmly against the ground.
Strength flowed from his legs, through his waist, and into his arms.
Dæmon twisted his body and hurled the gigantic Elder over his shoulder.
“What?!” Saturn’s breath caught in his throat.
Shock flashed across his eyes.
What monstrous strength!
Does this brat possess the power of a giant?
His enormous body flew through the air before crashing into the ground.
Boom!
The impact created a massive crater and sent dirt exploding in every direction.
However, Dæmon’s attack had not ended.
He leaped high into the air.
Armament Haki enveloped his right fist, radiating a blazing crimson aura.
Saturn was still off balance from the throw.
Before he could stand, he saw a streak of red light descending from above.
Boom!
Dæmon’s fist struck the center of Saturn’s chest.
The ground cracked beneath them, and the crater instantly expanded several times over.
Advanced Armament Haki penetrated Saturn’s body.
The internal force tore through his chest and crushed his organs.
“Gah!” Saturn coughed up a large mouthful of blood.
Veins bulged across his forehead as pain tore through his body.
One of his spider legs swept in from the side and struck Dæmon, sending him flying away from the crater.
Dæmon regained his balance in midair.
He landed lightly against the trunk of a tree and remained standing horizontally on its surface.
“Is this all the Five Elders are capable of?” Saturn’s overturned body struggled within the crater.
The sight of the enormous spider frantically moving all six legs as it attempted to right itself was strangely comical.
Once Saturn finally regained his footing, every injury inside his body had already healed.
He stared coldly at Dæmon.
“Your attacks are meaningless.” Saturn’s voice was filled with confidence.
“Did you believe you were the only one who possessed immortality?” After a brief pause, he delivered his final ultimatum.
“This is your last opportunity.
Join God’s Knights and brew the Elixir of Immortality for us!” A disdainful smile appeared on Dæmon’s face.
“You seem remarkably confident in your immortality.” He slowly straightened his body.
“You’re nothing more than a dog kept by Imu, yet you dare stand before me and bark so arrogantly.” Black lightning began crackling around Dæmon.
Pitch-black demonic power emerged from his body and swirled around him like smoke.
Then— Boom!
A pillar of dark power erupted into the sky.
Black lightning flashed within the torrent of demonic energy as an enormous pair of jet-black wings spread from Dæmon’s back.
The wings blotted out the sunlight and cast a vast shadow across the forest.
Saturn stared in disbelief.
“What…
What is this?!” For the first time, an instinctive sense of fear emerged within him.
His monstrous body trembled as if an apex predator had appeared before lesser prey.
Whoosh!
A streak of black light flashed through the air.
Saturn’s pupils abruptly contracted.
Dæmon had vanished from the tree and appeared directly before his face.
Their eyes were only inches apart.
Before Saturn could react, Dæmon’s pitch-black hand shot forward like a blade.
His fingers plunged into Saturn’s right eye.
“Aaaaaaargh!” Saturn released a piercing scream.
His six spider legs staggered backward in panic, causing his enormous body to sway like a drunken man.
“My eye!” Saturn covered the ruined eye with one hand.
“My eye!” An unbearable pain tore through his skull.
More frighteningly, the injury showed no sign of healing.
Dæmon gently flapped his wings and rose above the terrified Elder.
He looked down at Saturn and revealed a malicious grin.
“Yes.” Dæmon’s voice carried unmistakable amusement.
“That’s exactly how a dog should bark.”