51 Chapter 51

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051: Overwhelming Combat Power!

"One, all of you together?!" exclaimed Bai Ye defiantly.

"...you bastard!"

"Stop joking around! Don't underestimate us!"

"Do you know who you're dealing with?" everyone shouted in disbelief.

Bai Ye's demeanor seemed arrogant as he expressed his willingness to take on all challengers single-handedly. The initial shock wore off, and anger took hold. A muscular man with a hedgehog hairstyle clenched his fists, veins popping on his forehead. It was clear why this man was upset. 

Whatever had transpired with Bai Ye, the details were notably different from the information provided by the World Government. Nonetheless, if Bai Ye had the audacity to join this "demon slaying operation," his ambition for the privately promised position of Marine Admiral was obvious. His confident posture left no room for denying that he wasn't taking any of them seriously.

Unable to tolerate such insolence, the hedgehog-headed man transformed, his body contour drastically altering. His flesh grew and, in moments, he stood as a half-orc monster, brown-skinned, three meters tall, with spikes protruding from his back.

In this formidable Zoan half-orc state, the man lunged, shooting sharp spikes at Bai Ye, yelling, "Let's attack together!" The sight made everyone else's hearts sink. They were already aware of Bai Ye's formidable power, and the notion of even more unknown abilities left them troubled.

Although resentful, nothing mattered more at this moment than defeating Bai Ye. So they channeled their strength and unleashed various abilities in unison. The scene was chaotic—slashes through the air, manifestations of Devil Fruit powers, and the future Marine Admiral Green Bull causing vines to burst forth from the planks. Their combined assault bore down on Bai Ye with a menacing force.

Despite the onslaught, Bai Ye remained composed. His Reiatsu energy flowed thickly into Ryūjin Jakka, and flames erupted from the blade. He had hoped for this—they were all attacking together, playing right into his hands. Bai Ye had no interest in wasting time with this doomed group, pawns of the World Government.

In an instant, Bai Ye moved with the ease of someone strolling on a calm sea. The heat he emitted was like the sun itself descending upon the Grand Line, causing the sea to steam and evaporate. In the next second, all the attacks were engulfed by Ryūjin Jakka's fierce flames.

Bai Ye's form vanished, then reappeared before one of the assailants. "So fast!" the transformed man gasped as he suddenly found Bai Ye before him. Reacting swiftly, he tried to defend himself with his spike-covered back, but it was too late. The flame-enveloped Ryūjin Jakka slash had already connected with its target.

Observing Bai Ye's cold gaze, the man felt an inexplicable terror deep within him. As he regained his senses, he was horrified to see his own lower body still standing in place. "That's... my body! What happened?!" His eyes widened in shock, only to realize that the flames were rising from the severed area. Engulfed by flames while still in his half-orc form, his screams faded as he turned to ash and fell into the sea.

"Go first, die!" someone snapped.

"Go to hell! You bastard!" came a sudden, angry shout from the left.

An obese middle-aged man was the first to snap back to reality.

The sight of the half-orc closest to him meeting a tragic end brought him to a stark realization: he might be next.

Without a second thought, he swung his sledgehammer towards Bai Ye.

But as he drew near, he sensed an almost tangible menace: Bai Ye's Reiatsu.

It was then that he understood the chasm between them was as vast as the difference between a wide river and an unfathomable ocean.

Dense sweat broke out on his forehead as he aimed a haphazard smash, desperate now to put distance between himself and Bai Ye.

However, Bai Ye had no intention of letting an enemy who came knocking escape so easily.

From the moment this group chose to serve under the World Government's banner and oppose Bai Ye, they were marked for death in his eyes.

Bai Ye's blade, Ryūjin Jakka, carved a fiery arc, creating a tornado of flames to envelop and incinerate whoever dared cross his path. Not until his enemy turned to ash did the inferno subside.

This was the technique Bai Ye had employed against Kizaru, who had narrowly dodged it. His current opponent, however, stood no chance.

A scream was abruptly silenced as another life dissolved to nothing in the flames.

"Next..." Bai Ye muttered, disregarding the remains and turning his attention elsewhere.

The swift consecutive deaths of two comrades filled the others with dread. "We... we can't win! It's impossible!" Panic set in. "Such a monster! Were we deceived by the World Government?!"

An elderly balding man watched helplessly as two more fell victim to Bai Ye. Terror took hold, legs shaking uncontrollably as he turned to flee.

But Bai Ye wasn't one to let fear be his adversary's shield. As his opponent ran off, Bai Ye's eyes narrowed; he positioned Ryūjin Jakka horizontally before him.

Unlike the earlier Hadō 4 Bailei, a golden glow emanated from the sword.

In the next instant, Hadō Thirty-two 'Yellow Fire Flash' burst forth. Bai Ye's Reiatsu required no incantations for this destructive display.

A surge of energy rent the air, altering the expressions of all around. It struck the fleeing bald man with deadly precision.

Another cry ended abruptly, signaling the end of another life amidst an exploding sea.

And so, on this battlefield where the air grew hotter by the moment, the few survivors grappled with an overwhelming fear in Bai Ye's presence.

He had no time to waste on them.

Aligning themselves with the World Government, they'd chosen their fate.

And now, they would meet that fate, just as the orchestrator of "Operation Demon Slaughter," the World Government's army commander-in-chief 'Kong' Kong, would very soon.