"Brachio Bomber!!"
The massive Brachiosaurus dropped headfirst from the sky like a mortar round, crashing down at full force!
"Wahaha!! You're dead for sure... huh?"
Queen's vicious laughter cut off abruptly.
At that moment, a distinct clink echoed across the battlefield—the sound of Seastone shackles hitting the ground.
BOOM!!
A deafening explosion erupted, temporarily deafening everyone present. The shockwave blasted past the threshold of human hearing, and golden arcs of lightning seemed to shimmer through the air.
Centered on the Brachiosaurus's impact point, a storm of destruction swept across a hundred-meter radius. The earth rumbled like a heartbeat, splitting apart with jagged cracks.
Torrents of dirt surged like tidal waves. Loose stones were shattered into dust midair.
Blinding light swelled outward.
But on the faces of every member of the Beasts Pirates, horror and disbelief began to creep in. Their pupils quivered violently, as if they couldn't comprehend what they were seeing in the distance.
A grin tugged at the corner of Bullet's mouth.
The fierce wind rushed against Senor's face, forcing him to open his eyes once more.
What he saw left him frozen in place.
Amid the raging storm...
A tall, powerfully built, black-haired Marine stood firm on the ground, his feet embedded like anchors. His hair whipped wildly in the wind.
His eyes burned with raw intensity and defiance, and his forehead was coated in black Armament Haki...
He was stopping the Brachiosaurus's mountain-shattering blow—head-on!
"He... he stopped it..."
"He blocked Queen-sama's Brachio Bomber... with his head..."
"Not a scratch..."
"How is that even possible...?"
"A monster...?"
...
The Beasts Pirates were rooted to the spot, eyes wide, stunned by the sheer absurdity of what they were witnessing. A chill climbed up their spines from the soles of their feet, making their scalps crawl.
That was an ancient Brachiosaurus!
Its size and weight rivaled that of a small merchant ship. Dropping from dozens of meters in the air, it could flatten a hill—let alone a human body.
Yet that man had stood his ground, not taking a single step back, and blocked Queen-sama's full-force strike!
Sure, the Marine was unusually tall and built, but compared to the Brachiosaurus, the difference was still overwhelming.
Rumble...
Explosive shockwaves rippled outward. Under Queen's crushing weight, the earth beneath Daren's feet buckled and crumbled layer by layer.
But he lifted his head, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth—and suddenly, he grinned.
"Hey, hey... you overalls-wearing fatass, that really hurt..."
Queen's pupils shrank.
Before he could react, a flash of madness sparked in the Commodore's eyes. Daren suddenly lunged forward with both hands.
His muscular arms locked tightly around the Brachiosaurus's thick neck, veins bulging, muscles swelling like steel cables wrapped around bone.
"Now... it's my turn!!!"
Daren roared, eyes wild. He stepped forward, dropped his hips, and surged with power!
Under Queen's stunned gaze...
Under the frozen stares of every pirate...
Daren clamped down on the Brachiosaurus's head. His legs exploded with force, and his back snapped upward like a coiled spring!
The mountain-sized beast was actually hoisted into the air—
And then came a devastating over-the-shoulder throw!!
BOOM!!
Queen's massive body slammed into the ground with thunderous force. Shards of stone exploded into the air.
His mind went blank in an instant. His pupils lost focus as blood trickled from his mouth.
Everyone felt the tremor beneath their feet. The ground rocked violently.
Rip... rip...
Jagged, pitch-black cracks spread out from the point of impact. The earth within ten meters caved in at once, forming a massive, terrifying crater.
"Ssshhh!!"
The pirates all gasped in unison, jaws practically hitting the ground at the sheer impact of the scene before them.
"How... how is this possible!? Your strength! Your body! Your defense!"
Queen howled in disbelief, eyes bulging as his massive body rolled through the pit, kicking up thick clouds of dust.
Stars danced before his eyes as he staggered, trying to get up. Dizzy and reeling, he stared at Daren, voice cracked with shock.
"What the hell did you do!?"
Daren let out a cold sneer. The instant he stepped forward, his right leg swung high above his head.
His boot was coated in a dense layer of Armament Haki, radiating a chilling, metallic sheen.
He'd gained the upper hand—there was no way he'd waste the chance to strike!
His eyes sharpened.
His military boot came crashing down on Queen's head like a falling axe.
"Thanks to you!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!!
The sheer speed and explosive force of the kick ripped through the air, bursting into a visible white shockwave.
Daren's strength, power, and physique had long surpassed human limits.
And after enduring "special training" during his confinement, every aspect of his physical stats had skyrocketed. Compared to before his last mission, his combat power had surged by at least thirty percent!
Sensing the kick's monstrous force, Queen's pupils shrank, his eyelids twitching.
He clenched his teeth, fighting through the intense dizziness.
BOOM!!
The kick landed!
Rip!!
The ground groaned under the force, unable to bear it. A shockwave of rubble exploded outward.
A deep trench split from where the boot struck, carving a path dozens of meters long before it finally stopped.
Dust surged like a dragon, swirling and roaring across the battlefield.
Daren frowned and looked ahead—ten meters away.
The air was thick with smoke and dust. Queen's silhouette flickered within, panting heavily.
His form had shifted again. The Brachiosaurus's forelimbs had reverted to hands, and he now stood upright.
His mechanical arm twisted outward in a spiral, taking the shape of a massive claw.
In his right hand, he wielded an enormous cleaver.
His long, muscular orange-yellow tail had also transformed—now mechanical and rotating like a jagged saw blade.
Hybrid form!
"So he switched from full beast to hybrid form in an instant to dodge it?"
Daren's eyes glinted coldly.
He hadn't expected this fat guy in overalls to have such burst speed and power—completely at odds with his size.
"Hey! Daren! Quit playing around and get over here! Hurry up and unlock these damn shackles!"
From behind, surrounded by a swarm of pirates, Bullet bellowed through clenched teeth.
...
(70 Chapters Ahead)
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