Chapter 416: Kukulkan Brothers and Sisters...

"The sky's split…"

"That's really my younger brother Ares's strength?"

"Tsk tsk, in just five short years, our eighth sibling's skill has soared. He's practically caught up with Brother Thor!"

Off in the distance:

Several tall figures hover in midair, observing the fierce battle unfolding on the island below without any trace of fear at that massive, awe-inspiring scene.

A handsome, imposing young man—eight or nine meters tall, likewise bearing black wings and gray-white hair—murmurs in admiration:

"No surprise there. He perfectly inherited the monstrous bloodlines of both Dad and Mama Linlin. Folks say Ares is the most perfect work of our Kukulkan family—a naturally born monster!"

Astoundingly, a third eye rests upon his forehead.

He is none other than Dal, the third child, who, after five years of experience and trials, has just turned twenty-two. He's more mature and composed than ever.

"I'd guess that aside from Brother Thor, Sister Sif, and you yourself, Brother Dal, none of us siblings can take him," says another youth, whose stunningly handsome face carries a resolute air rather than any hint of softness. He smiles as he speaks.

"Hmph. Ares not only was born with an iron-hard body and terrifying brute strength, but by fifteen he'd fully mastered the technique of Conqueror's Haki infusion…"

A mighty pair of wings flutters lightly.

Standing in midair, a statuesque figure of more than twenty meters tall—sleek and graceful—does not fall into the ocean below (which is churning with high waves stirred up by the clash on the island).

Her looks are strikingly similar to Gerd's, aside from her Lunarian features. This is Sif, the eldest daughter, crossing her arms with a slight pout:

"If it weren't for Thor being a few years older, he definitely wouldn't be Ares's match!"

"Ugh, each of them is so powerful. As the older sister, I'm definitely feeling the pressure…"

Nearby, another young woman—also towering and shapely at eighteen meters tall—gives a huffy little grumble:

"Sister Medusa's already left me in the dust… She's figured out Conqueror's Haki infusion, while I still haven't a clue!"

That's Eden, the sixth child, lazily flapping her black wings. One can tell she's none too pleased.

Despite persistent attempts to get a handle on Conqueror's Haki infusion (by tapping into Aunt Lily's "Chaos-Form" powers to experience it firsthand), she just can't crack it. Meanwhile, even Sister Medusa has managed to master that advanced Haki technique.

"You're one to talk, Eden," says the youth next to her—uncommonly handsome and with a gentle, radiant air—rolling his eyes in exasperation. "At least you have Conqueror's Haki. Brother Frey and I don't even have that!"

This speaker is the fourth son, Willie—peaceable by nature, never jealous. Conqueror's Haki, after all, is innate, and one can't simply will it into being.

By now, the Kukulkan household has over seventy or eighty children. Setting aside the very youngest, not all of those older than twelve have awakened Conqueror's Haki—some haven't shown signs of it at all yet.

So Willie (the fourth child), and also the seventh child Frey, both do not possess Conqueror's Haki. They may be strong, after all these years of grueling training ordered by El, but they can't keep up with monstrous siblings like Thor, Sif, Dal, or Ares—though they are quite formidable by any usual standard.

Indeed, with these older siblings maturing, the Kukulkan family's might has become shocking, enough to instill dread. Calling them a "Lunarian god-race" would not be an exaggeration.

"Sif, Dal…"

Just then, off in the distance, someone with large wings swoops over.

It's a tall, teenage boy about fourteen or fifteen years old, sporting golden irises and faintly dark rings around them, plus a pair of furry ears atop his head resembling a panda's, and claws on his fingers like those of a beast. Apart from those details, he has the same Lunarian traits: gray-white hair, black wings, and the fiery plume behind him.

"Number Eleven?"

"Arcas, my little brother…"

"How come you're here?"

Sif, Dal, and Willie all look over in surprise.

This is the Eleventh child of the Kukulkan family: Arcas, carrying triple bloodlines of Mink, Giant, and Lunarian—a formidable talent just slightly behind the Eighth child, Ares.

Here in the family, anyone over twelve typically goes out with the NEO Navy on missions, whether that's clashing with the Marines or hunting pirates who threaten the New World. After all, they claim the New World as Totto Land's territory now—any troublemakers have to go.

Even Roger's pirate crew, having tangled with them twice, dared not venture back into the New World and chose to linger in the first half of the Grand Line.

Nevertheless, the sea is vast, and each year countless impoverished or ambitious souls, stifled by the World Government's oppression, venture forth to chase dreams or stir trouble. So there's no shortage of scuffles, especially since Totto Land has begun extending its reach into the West and North Blue by stealth or direct intrusion; in those waters, their merchants or protectorates are regularly menaced by pirates. Older Kukulkan siblings undertake these missions for valuable experience.

"Hehe, I just got back from a sortie with Uncle Afar," says Arcas with a toothy grin. "I heard you guys were here, so I flew over…"

"Is that so, Arcas…" Dal nods. Then, noticing the electric flashes and conflagrations on the island and the rent in the sky, Arcas can't help but marvel: "Wow, so that's Thor vs. Brother Ares?"

"Mhm. Once they're done, it'll be me vs. Sister Sif next," Dal says with a confIdent smile.

"Just so you know, Dal: it's pointless," Sif retorts, crossing her arms. "I'll win for sure!"

Though Dal is quite strong, Sif—known as the "Phoenix Girl"—feels sure he can't really harm her at all.