Chapter 397: Bait...

"Damn it…"

"It's Fallen Angel El—!"

"That blue dragon and that ape‑like monster…are they members of the Kukulkan family?"

"How many monsters does the Fallen Angel Pirates still have hidden?"

"Gulp! Does he plan on waging full-scale war with the World Government?"

All around the ruined battlefield, both sides abruptly paused, looking skyward.

Hovering above them were three hulking creatures, exuding a daunting majesty reminiscent of primeval behemoths, putting tremendous pressure on everyone. Something about their monstrous aura—chillingly powerful—made onlookers shudder, their scalps prickling.

"Fallen Angel El—are you declaring war on the World Government?"

Saint Mars, having transformed into an Itsumade bird, flapped his wings and shouted furiously at the sky.

"Originally, I just intended to seize a few Devil Fruits in passing. But looks like there's been some unexpected twist, with others beating me to it…"

Up in the air, the giant Quetzalcoatl at the head of the group abruptly shrank.

It took on a human form—none other than Fallen Angel El himself. Even in human shape, he was strikingly handsome and imposing, still youthful yet naturally exuding a reverent aura.

"Huhuhu…"

With a flap of his wings, El hovered in midair, looking down upon the five Elders who were now in various monstrous transformations. He rolled his neck, smiling:

"But since I'm here, I'll entertain you old codgers for a bit!"

So saying, as the Five Elders, Rocks, and others watched warily, El drew out from behind him a large ring, thickly wrapped in cloth, and slipped it onto his right arm.

"Don't say I'm bullying you geriatrics…"

That tall, imposing figure, El, now had a sizeable shackle on his right hand.

Suddenly, searing flames ignited around it, melting it into iron slag that dripped to the ground. Eyeing the five Elders before him, El spoke calmly:

"This is a 100%-pure seastone shackle.

From here on, I won't use my Devil Fruit powers. All five of you can come at me together—if you manage to hold me off, I'll leave immediately.

But if you fail, you can all stay here for good!"

"Roar—!"

Meanwhile, in the sky, both the gigantic azure dragon and the giant demon-bird shrank back into human form—two youthful figures dropping onto God Valley's heights, clearly not planning to join the battle. Many pirates and World Government personnel alike shot them glances. So these, too, were Kukulkan children?

"Tch—"

Those present were visibly shaken. What kind of confidence was this? To don pure seastone and challenge the Five Elders alone—an act that made onlookers' scalps tingle.

"Hey, Kukulkan El, quit ignoring us!"

Rocks' voice cut in disapprovingly.

"If you want in on the fight, I don't mind you joining,"

El said to Rocks with a bland tone, though actually he was addressing him mentally.

"Huhuhaha, so arrogant…"

Rocks narrowed his eyes, grin twisted with cunning and brutality:

"But as for us, we won't meddle in your skirmish!"

"Then hurry and take your men and scram!"

Saint Saturn said icily. The moment Fallen Angel El appeared, the World Government's goal became singular, especially when he brazenly handicapped himself with seastone, wanting to duel all five Elders. Even if they couldn't kill him, believing themselves immortal, the Five Elders wanted to probe El's current level of power. If any chance arose, they wouldn't hesitate to assemble all World Government allies on the island to finish him—once and for all.

"That won't happen…"

Rocks licked his lips, sneering:

"Now you fellas can deal with the so-called Strongest Creature. Meanwhile, yahahaha, we'll gladly handle Steel-Bone Kong and those Holy Knights!"

They certainly weren't about to give up so many valuable Devil Fruits they'd come for.

"You dare—"

"Bastard!!"

The Five Elders roared in fury. Saint Nasujuro, without pause, swung the First Generation Kitetsu in a fierce strike.

"Crack—"

A sonic boom tore through the air, sending a massive slash whistling over. However, El stomped his foot, appearing instantly up front, swatting the slash aside:

"Bang!!!"

With unstoppable strength, the slash was flung away.

"Boom… BOOM…"

That terrifying slash ricocheted off, carving a giant trench in the distant sea—a wound that refused to close, a chilling sight.

"Tch—"

"He didn't even use Haki!"

"He just swatted away the Five Elder's slash!"

"That monster…"

This shocking scene caused all observers to blanch in disbelief, feeling cold chills wash over them.

"Don't waste my time; I'm short on patience!"

As if he'd done nothing remarkable, El faced the grim-faced Elders, killing intent rising:

"Now, your only foe is me—Kukulkan El!"

…

At that moment—

Up atop God Valley's cliffs, within some unknown greenish space:

"Hey, Dal, you guys are mean…"

Using the Door-Door Fruit, the 6th child, Eden, had opened a separate dimension. She glared at her elder brother Dal with displeasure as he spied on the outside world through a tiny "portal":

"You didn't tell me about this, so I came here for nothing!"

"In what way was it for nothing?"

Dal snapped:

"Because you came uninvited, Father had to change the plan!"

"He's volunteering as bait, even sealing off his own powers, bringing Frey and Ares along—hoping to lure out the Celestial Dragons' 'National Treasure' and destroy it. After we get home, you'll be in for it!"

"I just wanted to get the Devil Fruits and make Mom and Dad happy!"

Eden mumbled guiltily. Gazing through that alternate space at El, who stood alone against the Five Elders:

"By the way, is that really seastone?"

"Of course it is. But aside from blocking Fruit powers, it hardly weakens Father at all—he…did some modifications to it."

Dar smiled proudly:

"Yes, for an ordinary top fighter, that cuff would be unbreakable. But if Father wants, his Haki can crush it anytime, freeing him in a blink. You don't think he'd truly be naive enough to bind himself for real?"

"Without giving them some small chance to hold him back—some desperate hope that they can trap the arrogant, over-confident 'World's Strongest Creature'—those guys would never take the bait."

"Also, the Rocks Pirates basically came with their entire force. Opportunities like this don't come often. Now we can try to make the Government's 'King of the World' to take the hook!"

"Eh? Dad is so sly!"

"Dummy, it's called brains!"

~~~~

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