Chapter 476: Phantasm Kaku vs Ben`s Group
They walked towards the shiny orb. There were some markings on the floor. The floor around the altar was concrete.
"Let's be careful," Ben said.
"We will," Maya responded as she took Eros Edge out. She held it tightly.
Conis held out her Heat Javelin. "I am with you Ben," Conis said.
Hina nodded. "Hina is as well," Hina confirmed.
As they stepped onto the concrete, the orb started to glow. Once again, everyone got a vision of Conis as a young girl, laughing and smiling alongside her mother in their home in Skypiea. They could feel her mother's warmth and kindness as she combed Conis hair. However, the vision shifted. Her mother lay still, her light gone. Conis stood beside her, tears streaming down her face, her small hands clutching her mother's lifeless one. Then it showed Conis recovering, riding a bike across the clouds. The scene changed again, this time to the clouds of Skypiea. A figure appeared, it was Enel. He was ruthless and started to attack everyone, instilling fear in everyone. Another shift, and this time Conis was with Pagaya, her father, their bond stronger than ever after her mother's passing. Together, they had kept their heads down through the storm of Enel's rule. Finally, it shifted to Conis in Ben`s arm protecting her from Enel`s lightning.
The orb started to glow. There was a bright light. From the bright light a figure started to form. They saw a young man, who had big black eyes with 3 eyelashes on top of his eye, and a long nose. He wore a black cap, a black suit jacket with an orange handkerchief and a high-collared black shirt, pants and shoes. "Phantasm Kaku," Phantasm Kaku said.
"It is Kaku," Ben said.
"Didn't Alvida just fight him?" Conis asked.
"She did," Ben responded. "He will be strong," he added.
"Shave," Phantasm Kaku muttered, his form blurring as he vanished in a burst of speed, reappearing directly in front of Ben. "Finger Pistol," Kaku added as he thrusted his elongated index finger. Ben quickly transformed into his hybrid form. Kaku pierced his shoulder, causing blood to ooze from the wound.
"Ben," Maya and Conis shouted. They looked angry that Ben got hurt. Hina was surprised at his speed. She also felt pain when Ben got hurt.
Ben thought he was caught off guard. He did not expect Phantasm Kaku to be this aggressive. "Demon Abyssal Chains," Ben said as he created black chains coming from the palm of his hands and entrapped Phantasm Kaku. "Now is your chance," Ben added.
"Cess Barrage," Maya said as she dashed towards Phantasm Kaku. Her sword flashed in a rapid series of slashes, striking Phantasm Kaku multiple times across their torso and limbs..
Conis started to transform. Her body started to glow. Golden feathers started to emerge from her arms and shoulders.Her skin became gold. Her mouth grew into a large yellow beak. Her ears became flatter. Her eyes turned into orbs of molten gold, glowing . The small wings on her back extended, and grew bigger. Her legs transformed as well, becoming more muscular and bird-like.Her hands had sharp talons. "Sunfire Talon," Conis said as she ignited her claws with intense solar flames. She slashed through Phantasm Kaku.
"Iron Punch," Hina said as an iron rod extended from the palm of her hand and struck Phantasm Kaku.
Kaku took all the hits at once. The attack from Maya destroyed parts of his shirt. The talons from Conis burnt his back. The rod from Hina struck his stomach.
"Paper Art," Kaku said, relaxing his body and twisting in impossible ways. He flowed like a sheet of paper caught and escaped the chains. He jumped back.
"Wow. Conis you look great in the form," Ben said.
Conis smiled and blushed slightly. She thought hearing praise from Ben was nice. "Thank you," Conis quietly said.
"You should pay more attention to him," Hina said. However, she thought that form looked strong, it was a mythical zoan fruit. They were very rare and highly desired.
They all nodded. Ben thought his shoulder did sting but it did not hurt like before. "Let's be careful," Ben added.
"Storm Leg Line," Phantasm Kaku said as he stomped the ground and launched the compressed blade of air towards the group. The compressed blade of air went in a straight line like a bullet towards them.
Ben and the girls jumped out of the way. The attack went past them and hit a tree cutting it in half. Ben charged towards Phantasm Kaku. "Demon's Inferno Fist," Ben said as he channelled his energy into hand. He ignited the energy and released black fire as a result. His fist had black flames.
"Iron Body," Kaku declared, tensing his muscles as his entire body hardened like steel. Ben punched Phantasm Kaku in the chest. He took the hit and his mouth opened. The punch went through his defences and ignited. The black flames went over his chest. Phantasm Kaku`s eyes widened. He slid backwards. He dug his shoes into the ground and stopped.
"Sunfire Breath," Conis said as she felt her stomach get warmer. She let the heat build up. It travelled up her body and into her mouth. She held it for a second and then opened her mouth and released a streak of flames towards Phantasm Kaku. The flames were hot as they started to melt the ground.
Phantasm Kaku who looked up saw the flames coming towards him. "Moonwalk," Phantasm Kaku said as he launched himself into the air with a rapid series of kicks. His leg got caught in the hot flames. However he dodged the worst of it.
"Hex`s Blast," Maya said as she concentrated. She felt the sword draw her energy. The red got brighter. Maya then fired a red beam at Phantasm Kaku in the air who was trying to get rid of the fire. It flew through the air at great pace and hit Phantasm Kaku. There was a huge explosion.
Phantasm Kaku came crashing down and hit the ground. There was a loud thud. His body had smoke coming from it. Phantasm Kaku got up. He looked at Hina. "Storm Leg White Thunder," Phantasm Kaku said as he used both legs and sent a large compressed blade of air towards Hina. It went through the air.
Hina' saw the incoming attack, but before she could react, Ben dashed to her side, wrapping her arms firmly around her waist. He swept Hina off her feet and pivoted to the left, narrowly evading the strike as it tore through the air behind them. Hina clutched his shoulder. "You could've warned Hina," she said.
Ben grinned, still holding her close. "I could not take any risks," Ben remarked.
Hina huffed with a light blush. "You can put me down now," Hina stated but her grip on his shoulder lingered just a second too long. Ben put her down.
"Hex`s Fire," Maya said as she scraped the sword on the ground. The friction created a black-colored flaming projectile that she launched at Phantasm Kaku.
"Storm Leg," Kaku said as he kicked at high speed and strength which launched a sharp compressed blade of wind at the flaming projectile. They both clashed and there was a small explosion.
Kaku looked around and then his body began to shift and contort. His muscles expanded, bulging and his limbs elongated. His skin changed colour and was yellow with brown spots. His neck stretched out, becoming longer and more flexible, while his face morphed into a hybrid of man and beast, sharp, angular features resembling that of a giraffe. Two small, pointed horns sprouted from his head, and his eyes became more narrow. His torso expanded, growing broader and more muscular, and his arms. His legs transformed into hoofed limbs. He formed a tail lashed behind him, a long, whip-like extension. "He went into his hybrid form," Conis remarked.
"No matter," Ben responded. "We will beat him," he added.