Chapter 1222: Pokemon Combination Attack, Reincarnated Phantoms

“Luffy, though it might sound cruel, you’d better carefully observe their battle. Based on your previous performance, you’re at most at their level.”

The number 21 on Speed’s vest is very conspicuous, which is Marco’s estimation of Luffy. Based on the current performance, it should be considered an overestimation.

“Marco…”

“Don’t interrupt me, Ace. He’s your brother. If you want what’s best for him, you need to let him understand his actual strength. The New World is very cruel; if you’re not careful, you’ll die without a trace. Those who don’t accurately recognize themselves will eventually sink into the depths of the ocean.”

For Ace’s sake and considering Luffy’s efforts in the war at the summit, Marco is willing to say more to him. If it were irrelevant people, they wouldn’t even spare a word if they died outside.

“I remember you want to challenge Kaidou? You were on the battlefield back then, do you remember what Dad’s last words were? ‘No revenge,’ that was Dad’s final request to us.”

Marco didn’t expect Luffy to remember this, so he simply stated the answer.

“Based on Dad’s personality… he probably thought that it was a very fair battle, but there’s another reason. Two years ago, Kaidou, in Dad’s perception, was an opponent we could never defeat. So Straw Hat, before taking action, you’d better think it through.”

Listening to Marco’s words, Heko nodded repeatedly and handed Marco a pineapple from the side. Even though it wasn’t peeled yet, Marco still bit into it directly, truly a fierce man.

“Moreover, there’s another point, the numbers… should only be used as references, not something to always believe in. In rare cases, a larger number might not mean stronger than a smaller one. Although ranking is based on strength, there’s a bit of Hundred Beasts’ interpersonal relations involved. Some people feel embarrassed to challenge others due to private relationships, so they maintain the status quo. Others can’t defeat the opponent because of their combat style; overall, it’s very complex.”

As for how Marco knew this… let’s just say someone in the Whitebeard Pirates messed up because of this.

Marco’s words are significant, but how much Luffy really processed remains unknown.

While Marco was giving a lesson, the battle in Zone F had already begun. Though no strong enemies were visible, Speed and the others immediately formed a triangular formation, rigorously guarding against possible pitfalls.

“Numbers determine strength! Clearly, Speed at the forefront is the strongest of these three! What kind of power can No. 21 truly unleash?”

The Numberer system has pros and cons; it can effectively deter opponents, but to some extent, it also exposes their strength.

There is no explicit requirement for the position of the numbers, and they can even not be painted on the body. Sorlithia’s number 22 is on her helmet, while Mizerka’s 23 is on the back of her neck, nearly invisible without close inspection.

And the result of revealing numbers… is that individuals with larger numbers become easier targets for breakthroughs.

Currently, the three are in an inverted triangle formation, with Mizerka at the back, Sorlithia and Speed positioned at the front sides, and with her number exposed and larger, Mizerka is consequently targeted.

BAM!

A whip sound rang out, causing several people on the bullfighting arena to suddenly stand in a row uncontrollably, then a large hand grabbed the person at the front.

“Admiral Bowling Ball!”

A mercenary was tossed out by Orlumbus, then thrown towards Sorlithia’s direction.

Looking at the surprise attack coming in the form of a human ball, Ambipom-transformed Sorlithia extended two arms from behind, which were fuller in strength and more flexible in movement, using a clever maneuver to easily neutralize Orlumbus’s attack.

“Finally, someone dares to confront us? That’s somewhat daring.”

“Don’t joke around, woman! It was your people who took away my subordinates’ ships back then!”

From the beginning, Orlumbus aimed at the Hundred Beasts crew. Back then, Jack took away ten ships from the Yotamaria Grand Fleet.

Due to faithfully executing Kaidou’s purpose, Jack merely took away ten ships and did nothing else.

But for Orlumbus, it was the first time he experienced public robbery since leading the Yotamaria Grand Fleet, and this incident has been remembered by him ever since.

“Do you guys know about this?”

“Don’t remember.”

“I remember, but I seem to recall… it might have been the young lady’s pet that wiped out that ship group.”

Pet, referring to the meter-tall Tyranitar that can summon seastone sandstorms with a wave of the hand. Though what they say is true, it feels like pouring salt on Orlumbus’s wound.

“Bastards… Do you think you’re some kind of monster too? Let me show you the power of this Admiral!”

Since that day, Orlumbus has studied the structure of Hundred Beasts’ officials, consisting of disaster-level high-level officials, single-digit high-level officials, and two-digit Numberers, who, though also officials, are far different in strength compared to those with single digits.

In addition, seeing that Speed and the others looked like frail women, with numbers greater than 20, Orlumbus thought they wouldn’t be that difficult to deal with.

“Admiral…Killing Arm Clamp!”

Orlumbus relied mainly on brute strength for battle, lacking any real technique. At this moment, he resembled a wild bear, charging heavily towards Sorlithia.

However, he seemed to forget that even if his target was Sorlithia alone, the three of them were a team.

“Mizerka, make your move!”

“Here I come, I’ve been ready for a long time!”

Just now, Mizerka’s tail had been in the pool outside the arena, maintaining a water-storing stance. For a Water Type ability user, utilizing external water can significantly reduce their own consumption. Mizerka had already stored a massive amount of seawater within her.

As for the fighting fish in the sea, such creatures posed no threat to them.

Facing the rushing Orlumbus, Mizerka’s tail pulled out from the water, blasting a high-pressure stream directly at Orlumbus.

At the same time, Speed’s hooves pounded the lightning-charged ground, releasing two currents that merged mid-air with Mizerka’s water, forming a combined attack against Orlumbus.

ZZZaaap!

The seawater soaked Orlumbus’ body, and the current seeped into every part of him. Taking advantage of this moment, Sorlithia had already drawn her blade and approached him.

“Four-Sword Iaido: Strange Tail Slash!”

…

“A beautiful combined attack! Truly worthy of the Hundred Beasts Pirates, showcasing the most terrifying power of the Hundred Beasts—the Phantom abilities! I’m sure everyone knows that Phantom abilities are even rarer than the Logia-type Devil Fruits, and ability users not only possess the vitality of the Zoan-type but can also harness the power of nature! Competitor Mizerka is exceptionally rare in her ability to manipulate water, syncing with electricity and slicing attacks. The three are truly the Ghost Princess’ elite guards! Orlumbus is simply no match for them, having already lost his fighting capability! The seed competitor of Zone F, Orlumbus, has now exited the stage!”

Orlumbus became the first seed competitor to exit Zone F. At this time, Gatz was unabashedly praising the Hundred Beasts, but Mizerka and her team had already initiated a new round of battle, while the only one responding to him was Yamato, cheering for her own subordinates.

Although Orlumbus was quickly eliminated by their combined attack, Mizerka and Speed did not intend to stop. They further unleashed their powers, aiming to swiftly eliminate all opponents with water and electricity.

It was at this moment that a sudden change erupted on the field.

“What?! What is this? Why are the legendary pirates appearing here?!! This is unbelievable! Is this the capability of the Bake-danuki Fruit?!”

Earlier, Padoom had been attacked by other competitors, forcing him to take out a Transformed Blade co-created with Redfield, which he finally used on the stage.

“Most people here might not recognize them, so allow me to introduce them grandly: the man on the left is the current Grand Marshal of the World Government, former Navy Admiral, Steel Bone Kong! As for the other man… he’s also a legend from those times, a great pirate of the same era as Roger, the Golden Lion—Shiki!”

This was a transformed leaf created by Redfield based on his memories, and the opponents worthy of Redfield’s memory were few, each a leader of their era.

However, the transformed figures are ultimately directly linked to the ability user, with Padoom using the Bake-danuki Fruit unable to replicate the full strength of these monsters, scarcely even one-tenth of it.

Yet, even so, these phantoms can still retain the master’s abilities including swordsmanship, body techniques, and Devil Fruit powers—undoubtedly a disaster for the other competitors.

“You two, knock everyone off the stage!”

The transformed figures created with painstaking effort and Redfield’s drawn leaves unleashed a fierce attack on the surrounding people under Padoom’s command, with the youthful Kong and the leg-intact Golden Lion launching a series of fierce assaults.

The transformed puppets seemed to have lost their agility, silently executing the commands like automatons.

“Kong” clenched his fists, clearing a vast space in front of him, while “Golden Lion” was even more direct, holding dual swords and rampaging through the crowd, slicing through like there was no one there.

Even without using the Float-Float Fruit ability, Golden Lion himself was a Great Sword Master, sufficient to handle such a scene despite heavily reduced strength.

“What terrifying abilities! To be able to manifest phantoms of past titans! What kind of waves will these legends of the old era stir up!”

Each punch from “Kong” and each slash from “Golden Lion” could send numerous competitors flying, yet Speed and her team remained unfazed, choosing to engage in a probing exchange.

“With this level of strength, we can handle it.”

“Indeed, real as the phantoms are, this ability is still weaker than Lady Olga’s.”

It seemed that Padoom heard Speed and Mizerka’s words, digging into his hands and producing another stack of transformed leaves.