Origin points +4.5, origin points +0.1, origin points +0.1...
Although this volcanic eruption was related to Sakazuki, Sakazuki was merely the catalyst; the true eruption was the power of heaven and earth.
This kind of power is beyond human reach...
Without looking at the increased origin points, Sakazuki silently watched the apocalyptic scene, sighing and musing.
With Sakazuki's current strength, destroying an island was not impossible, but the method of destruction would be different.
It depended on how much stamina he had, as Logia-type Devil Fruits consumed one's own energy.
To destroy this island, he could use Meteor Volcano a few times at full power. Then, with lava covering the entire island, there would be no survival for flora or fauna, and complete annihilation.
But this was only superficial destruction, and it would be useless against strong individuals. Something like this, where the entire island was erased from existence by an undersea volcanic eruption, was absolutely impossible.
Even someone as strong as Rocks, a king who could face eight of the world's top fighters without flinching, was turned to ash by the wrath of heaven and earth, swallowed by lava, and turned into origin points...
The island, covered in lava, began to collapse and sink.
*Bang!*
With a loud noise, a hundred-meter-wide hole opened in the island covered by lava, and a golden shockwave shot up into the sky, reaching the clouds.
Then, eight figures leaped out, drew their swords, confronted each other for a moment, and then split into two groups, departing east and west.
Sakazuki, seeing the golden pillar of light shooting into the sky, knew that Sengoku and the others were there and ordered the sailors to steer in that direction.
When the ship stopped at the edge of the lava, he activated his ability, forming two colossal magma hands the size of warships. The outer layer was slightly solidified, low-temperature magma, which would not damage the ship's hull.
The two giant hands gripped the sides of the ship, lifting it straight up into the air.
Then, lava surged from beneath the magma hands' arms, lifting the warship and carrying it rapidly towards the golden light.
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"What is that?"
"Sakazuki."
Sengoku and the others, who were leaving the island, saw the two giant magma hands carrying a warship at high speed a moment later.
The warship stopped in front of them. Everyone leaped onto the warship, and then the giant magma hands, gripping the ship, moved it towards the sea.
"Fleet Admiral, Admiral Sengoku, Vice Admiral Garp."
Sakazuki greeted them one by one. Towards the other two, Sakazuki showed a "puzzled" expression and did not speak.
Sakazuki knew these two were the Five Elders, but others didn't know he knew, so he could only remain silent and appear confused.
"Sakazuki, these two are the Five Elders of the World Government."
Fleet Admiral Kong, noticing Sakazuki's confusion, spoke up with a subtle intention to introduce them.
"Five Elders."
Sakazuki said the title with a stern and rigid expression.
The Five Elders had also heard of Sakazuki from Kong, referring to him as the top navy officer of the younger generation, known for his upright character and cruel methods. They smiled at Sakazuki and nodded with satisfaction.
Cruel methods were not necessarily a bad thing. With the seas about to be thrown into chaos, only iron-fisted methods could suppress the scum of the oceans.
"Sakazuki, what about the other pirates? What are the casualty figures?"
Seeing the Five Elders' satisfied expressions, Kong was also slightly pleased, as he himself held Sakazuki in high regard. He then adjusted his tone and asked about the situation outside.
"On the pirate side, there were Shiki, Edward Newgate, Charlotte Linlin of the Rocks Pirates, and some mid-level executives."
"There were also some pirates from the New World. A total of five ships escaped."
"Casualty figures."
"The Buster Call fleet lost seven warships, with 23 dead, 246 severely wounded, and 1,485 lightly wounded."
"The casualty figures for the Four Sea Branches have not yet been tallied."
"But... only 874 wounded were collected."
Hearing that only a few hundred wounded were collected from the navy drawn from the Four Sea Branches, everyone on the ship, except for the two Five Elders, felt a heavy heart. Sakazuki was no exception.
Knowing these facts was one thing, but hearing them spoken aloud was another. As Sakazuki spoke, he hesitated, unsure how to proceed, and finally managed to utter the words stiffly.
For a moment, the atmosphere on the ship became somber.
"Kong, tally the fallen soldiers and disburse their compensation fivefold."
"If their descendants join the navy, they shall receive preferential treatment."
The burly Five Elder broke the somewhat oppressive atmosphere and instructed Kong.
Although they were not interested in the lives of these "lowly beings," necessary pleasantries had to be observed. They were all astute individuals; reaching their positions was not just about status and power, but also about intellect.
"Yes."
In the Sea Calendar year 1486, Rocks was defeated and died at God Valley. The once-dominant Rocks Pirates fell apart. The remnants of his crew recruited their own subordinates and continued to stir up trouble on the seas.
Meanwhile, the Navy, concealing certain individuals, extensively publicized the details of the God Valley battle. Vice Admiral Garp was hailed as a "hero" by the world's citizens and navy soldiers, protecting the peace of the seas.
In the same year, due to heavy casualties in the Four Sea Branches, Sakazuki voluntarily proposed to patrol the Four Seas and eliminate pirates.