[One Piece: My Crew Is Trash!] Chapter 291/292/293 (Patreon)

The two sides were already well-acquainted with each other's strengths, so there was no need for excessive banter. The five Admirals remained silent, focusing on steadying their breath and aligning their power with their Haki, keeping it at peak condition.

Magma, frost, light, plants, and gravity—all elements representing their respective Devil Fruit powers—burst forth, forming massive, spectral beasts like the Hellhound and Ice Pheasant.

The elemental forces intertwined and rapidly took over half of the frozen continent!

With Haki surging, an intense, terrifying pressure seemed poised to rip apart the surrounding space mercilessly!

The simultaneous move of the Navy's five strongest forces was an awe-inspiring sight, even more so than the great war three years ago in the Land of Gods—a rarity in pirate history!

Yet, faced with such a formidable lineup that could make any of the Four Emperors despair, the Demon King Organization didn't show much fear.

Their officers were ready, fists clenched, eager to join the battle.

"Wahahaha! I've been waiting for this day for far too long!"

Moria spread his shadowy arms wide, laughing loudly, "As my first battle since my rebirth, fighting Navy Admirals isn't too bad!"

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

As he spoke, shadows surged from beneath Moria's feet, spreading an inky blackness.

But this wasn't merely a covering of shadows—wherever his shadow touched, the solid ice underwent a strange transformation, gradually assimilating into a deeper, darker shade!

Yes, after Escanor's relentless beatdown, Moria, who had been biding his time, had successfully awakened the Paramecia-type Devil Fruit power to assimilate his surroundings, achieving a qualitative leap in overall strength!

Due to the unique properties of the Shadow-Shadow Fruit, his awakening granted him a hidden additional ability beyond environmental assimilation.

That was: anyone within the realm of shadows could receive both physical and mental empowerment equivalent to "shadow infusion" through Moria's control of shadow forms!

In simple terms, he had become a tactical powerhouse for team battles!

"Come on, everyone! Let my shadows fill your bodies!"

Excited to showcase his awakening ability for the first time, Moria directed streams of energy within the shadow realm, aiming to grant his nearby allies unparalleled power boosts.

However, his triumphant smile froze at the scene before him.

Whether it was Hancock, Escanor, Ishtar, or even the normally meek Kana, they all wore expressions of absolute rejection.

With their sheer presence alone, they firmly resisted the shadows' attempt to enter!

"Moria, if you dare to sully my body with that filthy substance like sewer sludge, I'll stomp your head flat, even if we are allies!"

Hancock, her Haki-laden foot stomping down, dispersed the shadows around her with an overwhelming force.

Her beautiful face was now cloaked in a murderous aura so intense it seemed almost tangible!

"Hahaha, I appreciate the thought, Moria, but I'm confident in my own power," Escanor said, flames simmering around him. The sunlight alone repelled the shadows before he even needed to lift a finger.

"Disgusting! Are you the reincarnation of an evil god?"

Ishtar floated mid-air, her face openly showing disdain.

"Kana thinks the same!"

Seeing her companions voicing their objections, Kana raised her hand high in agreement.

Though her voice was soft and cute, it struck Moria's ears like a painful blow.

"Damn it! You all, you…" Moria's face turned red with anger.

His intentions for the team's benefit were genuine, but he had underestimated his unruly companions' defiant nature.

"Allow me to test its effects."

Finally, Zyhark stepped forward to break the awkward silence, lowering his Haki defenses slightly to let the shadow meld with his own.

As the two shadows intertwined, Zyhark's already muscular frame grew slightly more defined.

He could distinctly feel a continuous surge of power coursing through every corner of his body.

Even his mental acuity became noticeably sharper!

"Interesting. It's indeed a decent skill, although…"

Zyhark's brows knit slightly.

Unlike Aqua's full attribute enhancement, Moria's shadow boost included fragments of Moria's own personality. If one wasn't careful, it could affect their judgment and alter their character subtly.

This would make it impossible to wield Haki with the utmost precision, greatly diminishing its effectiveness.

After some analysis, Zyhark concluded, "A bit impractical, not as refined as Aqua's."

That said, Moria's awakened ability could still be incredibly valuable on a battlefield below the level of emperor-class fighters!

"So, how do you feel? Do you feel filled with strength now?" Moria eagerly asked.

"Not bad. Those five over there, I'll leave them to you all."

Zyhark waved his hand and returned to Yamato's side to continue absorbing power.

This battle was meant to allow his companions to hone their combat techniques (Escanor and Kana) and push their limits (Hancock and Moria), so he had no intention of participating directly.

If they truly intended to annihilate the opponents entirely, the Demon King Organization wouldn't have sent just these few.

"What?! You're not going to show off a bit?" Moria looked more aggrieved than if he'd swallowed something foul.

After all this time, was he just here for a brief appearance, you jerk?!

"Ahem, sorry to interrupt, but we're not here to watch your antics. We're here to wipe you all out!"

The five Admirals, long primed and ready, had seen enough.

Green Bull was the first to make a move, merging with the forest that emerged behind him and transforming into a colossal wooden figure.

"Forbidden Forest!"

Massive tree roots as thick as pillars burst through the ice, their shadow-casting, fist-like branches pounding relentlessly towards Zyhark and the others.

"Damn it, what's your hurry, you bastard!"

Already angry, Moria finally found a target for his fury, bellowing at Green Bull as he clasped his hands and squeezed the air fiercely.

"Chaos Shadow Fist!"

Within his awakened realm, shadows surged like waves, forming fists the size of the giant tree roots to clash against them.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Shadow fists and tree-root fists collided in midair with thunderous explosions, shaking the space around them.

"Gravity Blade: Fierce Tiger!"

Amidst the flying debris of wood and shadow, a fierce tiger formed of horizontal gravity sliced through, heading straight for Moria.

A towering figure appeared in front of Moria.

With an expressionless face, Escanor raised his golden divine axe and swung it at the oncoming gravity-formed tiger.

"Super Slash!"

Enhanced by immense magical power, the high-temperature slash cleaved through the approaching tiger.

The fierce collision erupted with a deafening roar!

(End of Chapter)

The sun and gravity clashed, creating waves of scalding, heavy air.

With her cheongsam swaying, Hancock stepped forward, her long legs surrounded by Haki as she swiftly broke through the air currents, appearing instantly in front of the Admirals.

"Perfume Femur!"

Her striking red high heels, now cloaked in advanced Armament Haki, turned jet-black. Using the momentum from her sprint, Hancock leapt, aiming a powerful kick directly at Akainu's grim face.

Buzz!

A flash of light appeared on Hancock's path, transforming into a blindingly bright leg!

"Pirate Empress, I can't just let you attack so freely~"

A lazy voice floated through the air as Kizaru, hands still in his pockets, used his Light Kick to intercept Hancock's powerful strike.

Their high heel and Light Kick collided mid-air, creating thunderous shockwaves.

"Borsalino…"

Recognizing her opponent, Hancock's expression grew serious.

Before she could react, an even more dazzling light burst before her.

Kizaru increased the output of his Devil Fruit power, breaking the deadlock with a kick that sent Hancock flying, smashing into the icy ground hundreds of meters away.

As powerful winds ripped past her, Hancock, still tumbling backward, used her legs to dig two long grooves in the ice, eventually stomping down to dissipate all the impact force.

Just as she steadied herself, a path of faint white smoke appeared, followed by a flash of yellow light—Kizaru's next attack was already on its way!

A red glow flickered in the depths of Hancock's blue eyes as she used Observation Haki to lock onto Kizaru's position. She raised her hands, forming the shape of a heart.

"Slave Arrow!"

A pink beam instantly condensed and shot toward Kizaru!

Sensing the danger, Kizaru's face changed slightly as he halted his attack, sidestepping to dodge the pink beam's sweep.

"The world's most beautiful woman… truly terrifying~"

Though the pink light barely missed him, Kizaru, despite his calm voice, was clearly rattled.

While Slave Arrow had no effect on the simple-minded, even as a Navy Admiral, Kizaru was still a man, making it impossible to completely ignore Hancock's beauty.

Though top-tier Haki could neutralize a Devil Fruit's negative effects, Kizaru wasn't about to gamble his life on it when facing an attack that could petrify upon contact.

Besides, the Pirate Empress's Haki and physical strength were formidable!

"What a troublesome woman. I should've let Issho handle her…"

Feeling unprecedented frustration, Kizaru, who typically enjoyed loafing around, sighed in annoyance.

Still, he pulled his hands from his pockets and unsheathed his gleaming golden Ama-no-Murakumo.

As he contemplated, a fierce gust slammed into him.

Hancock's long black hair flew as her black high heels covered the hundreds of meters between them in an instant, landing right in his face!

Meanwhile, on the main battlefield…

The sky, ravaged by various attacks, was filled with countless red dots as a torrent of magma fireballs plummeted toward them.

This was one of Akainu Sakazuki's ultimate moves—Meteor Volcano!

"First light, then gravity, and now a volcanic eruption. The people of this world have such bizarre attack methods."

Ishtar muttered, forming a finger-gun gesture aimed at the descending magma fireballs.

A golden orb appeared behind her, launching an arcing beam that struck the magma precisely, triggering a cascade of explosions in mid-air!

In an instant, molten magma rained down like a deluge, its intense heat melting glaciers and producing sizzling steam.

Whoosh.

In the next second, a cold wave shot forth, freezing the lava-filled inferno in its path.

"Ice Time Capsule!"

Finally, after a long absence, Aokiji made his move.

As a goddess of battle, Ishtar's reaction speed was remarkable, even without Observation Haki. She leapt high to avoid the cold wave.

"A sneak attack? How ungracious…"

Just as the ditzy goddess was about to boast, her vision was suddenly obscured by a towering shadow.

"Miss, I attacked head-on, you know."

With a sigh, Aokiji, covering his ice-armored right arm in Haki, leapt at her with black lightning crackling around him.

Boom!!

Though Ishtar managed to raise her arms in defense, Aokiji's punch sent her flying, leaving a massive crater in the icy ground below.

On the other side, the last Admiral still standing in place, Akainu, finally grew impatient. He began marching forward on the melting ice, his steps leaving trails of scorching magma.

His target was clear—it was the petite figure of Kana, who also stood still.

Though he knew her cute, innocent demeanor was just a facade hiding the power of an ancient dragon, Akainu couldn't forget their fight outside Water 7 three years ago.

For the past three years, Akainu had trained tirelessly, giving his all to prepare for this long-anticipated rematch!

Whoosh!

Before Akainu could snap out of his thoughts, Kana, sensing his fighting spirit, took the initiative, launching a powerful electromagnetic cannon.

Purple electricity surged, blasting apart half of Akainu's body and exposing a molten, magma-leaking wound!

"Just as I thought, against these Logia types…"

After testing the waters with a yawn, Kana's expression became serious.

She clenched her dainty fist, her dragon-like pupils gleaming red.

A familiar energy flared, coating her pink fist, staining it a deep, pitch-black hue.

"Now that's more like it!"

Successfully coating her fist with high-level Armament Haki from her training in the Divine World, Kana ignored the advancing Akainu and turned to look at Zyhark behind her.

Her delicate vertical pupils blinked, her face filled with expectation.

"What? That's advanced Armament Haki? My goodness, Kana, when did you learn that?" Zyhark gasped in exaggerated surprise.

Though he already knew about Kana's advanced Haki from their spy Wiz, he had been shocked by the ancient dragon's monstrous talent back then.

Stare…

Kana watched Zyhark's theatrical reaction intently, her cheeks puffing in slight annoyance. "Zyhark, you're so fake!"

"Aha…haha." Zyhark scratched his head in embarrassment.

When did this little one become so perceptive?

"Go shopping with Kana!" Kana's sudden demand was a surprise.

"Huh?"

"After this fight, Zyhark has to go shopping with Kana!" she repeated earnestly.

Realizing her clingy nature, Zyhark chuckled softly. "Alright, no problem!"

Thinking back, since the war in the Land of Gods, he had been either training in Haki at the Demon King's Castle or occupied with various matters, then off to Onigashima to duel Kaido. He hadn't spent much time with Kana.

Even dragon hatchlings need companionship~

After they made their pinky promise, Kana finally felt reassured, a joyous smile lighting up her face.

But that joy quickly vanished when she looked at Akainu, replaced by…

The brutal, savage wrath of an ancient dragon!

(End of Chapter)

Whoosh!

With Zyhark's promise, Kana burst forth with unmatched vigor, shattering the ice beneath her as she vanished from her spot.

In the blink of an eye, purple lightning crackled as the small figure appeared directly in front of Akainu! Her tiny fist, cloaked in a dark aura of destructive lightning, headed straight for Akainu's grim face with no frills or unnecessary moves!

Akainu's eyes flashed red with Observation Haki as he raised his right arm, coated in Armament Haki and searing magma, to block the incoming strike.

Boom!

Purple lightning exploded, and the violent energy coursed through Akainu's arm, shaking his entire body and scattering magma in all directions!

"No doubt about it, this monstrous strength still makes my heart race, but…"

Gritting his teeth to withstand the initial impact, Akainu tightened his magma-enlarged fist. "My power now is worlds apart from what it was three years ago!"

"Hellhound!"

His magma-coated fist transformed into a fearsome hound's head, launching a vicious attack directly at Kana's head!

Over the past three years, Akainu had used this swift and lethal technique to eliminate countless pirates with bounties over a billion, and he held great confidence in its effectiveness.

But this time, his move was destined to fall short.

After all, he was facing a powered-up ancient dragon hatchling who had overcome her stamina limitations and mastered dual Haki! With a flicker of red in her purple, dragon-like pupils, Kana used her dragon-born combat instincts to effortlessly dodge Hellhound's brutal strike with a simple tilt of her head.

At the same time, her hands, covered in purple lightning, grabbed onto the Hellhound. Using Armament Haki, she detected the tangible arm hidden within the magma, and with a smooth turn, lifted the towering Akainu onto her shoulder.

Her tiny legs tensed with power, and in a deceptively effortless move, she tossed Akainu into the air!

Zzzt! Zzzt! Zzzt!

Kana's hands at her waist gathered compressed lightning, creating a storm of energy that whipped her gradient-colored hair wildly in all directions.

"Take this, magma brat! Destruction…"

"Blazing White Blast!"

The high-powered electromagnetic cannon shot skyward, tearing through space and striking Akainu as he was suspended in mid-air.

The explosion echoed across the sky, and magma burst like dazzling fireworks!

However, Akainu wasn't defeated. Instead, having used elementalization to avoid damage, he manipulated the exploded magma into a massive barrage, showering down on Kana below!

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Kana weaved quickly across the expansive ice field, dodging through mushroom clouds of magma explosions.

Finally, her escape route was completely cut off, and she was struck by a high-temperature magma blast, sending up plumes of black smoke.

As Akainu reformed his magma body, intending to sense Kana's condition amidst the smoke, his pupils suddenly contracted.

An immense pair of white dragon wings unfurled, and dragon-form Kana soared from the smoke!

"This is a skill that Meowth secretly taught Kana. Prepare yourself, smelly magma!"

Kana coated her dragon's head with Armament Haki, then accelerated, pushing her flying power to the limit.

"Rocket Headbutt!"

Thud!

The dragon's head struck Akainu's waist with such force that he spat out a mouthful of blood on the spot.

"There's more…"

Kana extended her dragon claws, tightly gripping Akainu. She soared higher into the sky before twisting her body to face the icebound sea below.

"Earth Slam!!"

The gale-force winds from their descent pressed Akainu's eyes shut. However, being a Navy Admiral, he wasn't about to go down quietly.

"Raging Hellfire!"

Crimson magma erupted, corroding Kana's dragon body.

Under the blazing light, the white dragon looked like a massive fire dragon from a distance!

Boom!!!

Man and dragon crashed into the ice, creating a crater that spanned hundreds of meters.

Magma splattered, purple lightning crackled, and Kana, steadying herself, resumed her clash with Akainu!

"Sakazuki-senpai, let me give you a hand!"

Thick trees surged forward, casting enormous, terrifying shadows.

As Akainu's most loyal follower, Green Bull raised his tree-like fist, comparable to a small island, and hammered down at Kana's back!

However, just as Kana was about to brace herself to take the hit head-on, the mighty wooden fist suddenly stopped.

Long, slender shadow lines bound the fist to the ice below.

The shadows twisted and flowed, and Moria, using his "Shadow Mage" technique, stood arrogantly atop Green Bull's massive arm.

"Wahahaha! To think you'd dare sneak attack Lady Kana—truly worthy of the Navy's style," Moria laughed with open arms.

"To deal with villains who dare attack the noble Celestial Dragons, any means are justified!"

Green Bull's face darkened as he blindly defended the Celestial Dragons, then swung thorny vines at Moria.

If he could land a hit, he'd drain his opponent to a husk in an instant!

However, no matter how powerful an attack was, how could it affect an untouchable shadow?

Moria used his Devil Fruit powers to swap places with a distant shadow, easily dodging Green Bull's assault.

Having regained his confidence, Moria was now far beyond his previous peak, fortified by the faith-based power he had received from Aqua over the past three years. And now, with his Devil Fruit awakened, his overall strength was formidable!

"Don't get cocky, you sneaky shadow fool! I'm a Navy Admiral!"

Glaring at the shadows covering the battlefield, Green Bull dropped all pretenses, shouting as he unleashed his full power.

Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

Giant tree roots sprouted from him, extending in all directions. The terrifying destruction shattered the ice, transforming the battlefield into a forested terrain advantageous to him!

The Admirals' terrifying power was on full display—monsters capable of permanently altering an entire region's natural environment at will!

Facing the enraged Green Bull, Moria didn't back down. He slammed his hands onto the ground, activating his ultimate move.

"Awakening: Shadow Gathering Ground!"

Unlike the standard version, which relied on absorbing large shadows for brute strength, the awakened Shadow Gathering Ground was a perfect fusion of Moria and his shadow.

In this state, his overall combat strength increased exponentially!

The massive wooden figure and giant Moria clashed like two colossal titans!

In comparison, the battle between Escanor and Fujitora seemed much more composed.

"You don't need to cover your eyes. I may not be powerful, but I am not so pitiful as to need your sympathy,"

Fujitora said calmly, using his gravity blade to push Escanor back.

"If you can manage it, try opening my eyes, old man,"

Escanor, eyes closed, smiled slightly, exuding absolute confidence.

He neither denied his arrogance nor discussed a fair duel; his actions alone defined pride and haughtiness!

For Escanor, this was an excellent battle experience.

"What a cocky man…"

Fujitora chuckled, his staff blade gathering profound, terrifying gravity.

…

At the edge of the battlefield, Zyhark stood shoulder to shoulder with Yamato.

All around them, the frozen sea was filled with violent energy storms, where even the smallest impact could obliterate a mountain!

While the Demon King's side was temporarily holding off the Admirals, Zyhark observed each battlefield closely, aware that, as time and intensity wore on, his companions' advantage was gradually slipping.

Considering the legendary ten-day battle between Aokiji and Akainu, it was clear the Admirals were tireless stamina beasts, masters of prolonged combat.

On their side, Kana was still fine, but Ishtar, who had recently unleashed a powerful special move, was already running low on stamina.

Moria's situation against the life-force-laden Green Bull was even less favorable.

Only Escanor, under the Sun's Blessing, could remain invincible!

Despite his recovery, Zyhark had no intention of intervening to support them.

This epic 5v5 battle was meant to push his companions to their limits, squeezing out their potential to prepare them for the final showdown. Stepping in would defeat the purpose.

Besides…

Electricity sparked in Zyhark's eyes as his Observation Haki waves spread across the entire sea of Wano, landing on a certain man hiding on a pirate ship among the wooden stakes.

He needed to reserve his strength for dealing with those sneaky pirates lying in wait!

(End of Chapter)