The First Fallen Five Elders

"Boy, I was planning to capture you alive," the round-headed old star sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "But you're far too clever for your own good. I'll have to eliminate you now and spare myself the trouble later!"

More than a hundred of the old star's clones surged toward Finn in a frenzied assault.

Yet Finn, with his mastery of the Flying Thunder God spell, evaded every attack with uncanny precision. The old star's strikes found only air, and even if they had landed, they lacked the force to seriously harm him.

The battle stretched on, and the number of clones multiplied. 150. 160. Each new split seemed to add to the round-headed old star's mounting frustration.

Desperation flickered in his eyes as he suddenly shifted tactics. The clones ceased their pursuit of Finn and instead targeted the Marines below.

"Ah, resorting to attacking the weak? Desperate times, it seems," Finn muttered, his tone laced with sarcasm. Yet, beneath his words was a cold confidence. He knew the old star was reaching his breaking point.

Finn called out to the Marines, his voice booming over the chaos. "All units, listen up! If you can't hold your ground, teleport away immediately. That's an order!"

The Marines, heartened by his command, quickly obeyed. Using their return spells, they vanished from harm's reach, leaving the round-headed old star's clones flailing at empty air.

"Keep moving, keep them busy," Finn ordered the remaining generals. "Don't engage directly—just waste their time."

The tactic worked. The number of clones swelled past 200, each as powerful as the original, but the round-headed old star was visibly unraveling. His composure cracked as he barked in frustration.

"Damn it, you insolent brat! Mark my words—when I return, it will be your last day alive!" With those parting threats, the 200 clones turned and fled, retreating across the sky with frantic haste.

The sight stunned everyone.

"Did they just… run away?" one Marine murmured in disbelief.

"That's 200 Admiral-level entities retreating!" another gasped.

Relief swept through the ranks.

"Finally, they're gone. We couldn't have held out much longer," a general said, his voice heavy with exhaustion.

But Finn wasn't finished. A sly grin spread across his face. "Escape? Not so fast."

More than 100 energy swords erupted into motion, streaking toward the fleeing clones like meteors. Finn's figure flickered as he teleported between them, slicing through their ranks with unrelenting precision.

"Stop this madness, boy!" the clones shouted, their voices a cacophony of anger and fear. "If you keep this up, the World Government will never let you go!"

Finn didn't falter. His attacks quickened, his resolve sharpened. He noticed something strange—each clone's surface began to ripple and bulge unnaturally, as though they were under unbearable strain.

"So, you're finally cracking," Finn murmured, a spark of realization in his eyes. His strikes grew even more aggressive.

"Stop! You fool!" The round-headed old star's voice was shrill, tinged with desperation. "You'll destroy everything!"

The clones became increasingly grotesque, their forms distorting as if about to burst. Finn's relentless assault had pushed them to their limit.

From the sidelines, the Marines and even the pirates watched in awe and disbelief.

"Look at them—what's happening?"

"Finn's figured it out. He's forcing them to their breaking point!"

"Could it be… we're witnessing the fall of a Five Elder today?"

The battlefield fell silent as all eyes turned skyward. Even the pirates, momentarily forgetting their hatred, watched in stunned anticipation.

The clones of the round-headed old star, now numbering over 200, suddenly froze mid-air. Their twisted faces contorted in a mix of fury and despair.

"Curse you, boy! You'll regret this!" the clones roared in unison, their voices trembling with unspent rage.

And then, it happened.

The clones erupted simultaneously, their bodies disintegrating in violent explosions. Blood and viscera rained down, staining the sea crimson. The once-mighty round-headed old star was no more.

A stunned silence blanketed the battlefield.

"He's… gone," one Marine whispered.

"Finn did it. He actually took down a Five Elder," another murmured, awe in their voice.

As the shock subsided, murmurs turned to cheers. For the first time, hope glimmered in their eyes.

"Finn!" a Marine shouted, raising his weapon high. "He's our leader! He'll bring us victory!"

Even the pirates, though shaken, couldn't help but acknowledge the feat they had just witnessed.

In the sky, Finn sheathed his weapon, his gaze calm but resolute. "One down," he muttered. "Who's next?"