The news gods stepped out of the magnificent bolt of lightning appearing on the steps of the capital's palace. The brothers stood still examining their surroundings. Compared to the One City in their domain; earthly capital remained a shit hole. Although for mortal standards the palace architecture impressed. However it wasn't saying much, the god's saw the people of the world as rats living in a sewer.
Alpha, the leader pushed past his brothers glaring at the high councilor, ignoring his band of fighters gathered behind him. The fight he's been waiting for was nearly upon him. If the man ruled the free world, defeating his brother in a life and death battle; this would be a test of his strength. Something the leader couldn't wait to start, having been devoid of a worthy battle in centuries. His outward demeanor showed no outward signs of trepidation. Where as, any mortal from the high councilor's world would shake in their boots coming face to face with the leader of the free world himself.
"I'll make this simple mortals, give us our brother's body and we'll grant you mercy." Alpha spoke not taking his eyes off the high councilor. Luffy showed no outward signs of nervousness nor an ounce of fear. Alpha seen many fearful mortal eyes over the centuries and yet this man gave none. He supposed after everything the mortal had been through, it wasn't a surprise. Alpha smirked knowing his lack of fear and trepidation toward his presence only made his task easier.
"We both know that's not going to happen, you would kill us the second we surrender." Luffy said, not breaking the intense stare from the group of gods.
The blonde god smirked, "then I guess there's nothing left to discuss." Alpha turned towards his youngest brother. "Zeta, go find our brother."
The youngest god teleported out of sight.
Borsalino disappeared in a ray of light pursuing him.
"It's a shame, this is nice place ya got here. Now we have to tear it all down, and everything you've ever built." The ground beneath Alpha's feet crumbled as he charged directly towards Luffy.
Bartolomeo summoned a barrier to block the incoming strike, only to have it shatter into a million pieces.
Luffy caught the strike while Alpha caught the one he threw. The two came to a stalemate as the ground beneath them began to crackle.
The steps of the capital palace became a war zone in a matter of seconds. Councilmen and Gods battled throughout the palace grounds. Powerful winds from various strikes could be heard in the city. Some of the nation's royalists in their respective sector watched with intrigue as the once serene palace, looked like it had a storm blow through. Citizens from the city climbed on their rooftops witnessing the intense battles. Their eyes darted back and forth trying to keep up with the lightning movements of the combatants; it was truly the experience of a lifetime.
Soldiers clutched their weapons tightly witnessing the god-like beings appear in a bolt of lightning and assault the world's strongest fighters. They could only hope their side would end up victorious like always.
Luffy and Alpha's battle unlike the others hadn't budged from their original spot of engagement. The two were locked in a stalemate, the crater beneath them only growing by the second.
Alpha used his superhuman strength to break from the hold first, tackling the high councilor onto the ground before throwing thunderous punches toward his head.
Luffy could only keep his head guarded with his armament haki arms to prevent the god from ending the fight prematurely.
"You couldn't have defeated Delta, your nothing special, just very ordinary." Alpha gloated bringing the strikes down harder. Luffy could feel his forearms starting to strain from the thunderous impact of the punches. It was obvious this god would not take him lightly like his brother.
Luffy could see the god raise both his fists high in the air attempting to break his guard. Surrounding his forehead in armament haki, he stretched his neck toward the bridge of Alpha's nose.
Before he could register, Alpha staggered backwards grasping his nose, feeling the pieces of crunched bone. The god let out a sigh breaking his nose back in the correct position. A furious gust of wind caught his attention.
The transformed Luffy flew at him stretching a taloned leg, kicking Alpha high into the atmosphere, far above the city skyline.
"Lets see how you like this." Luffy brought his hands together before pulling them apart, revealing a telltale hellfire lance. Without a second to waste the spear launched into the sky trailing Alpha.
Royalists, citizens, and soldiers all watched the spear ascend into the air in a flash. A still few moments passed before a loud boom erupted in the clouds. The ordinary people watching the battle shared a collective gasp seeing the sky ignite in a gargantuan cerulean and black explosion. It came as a shock seeing the leader of the free world's true power. His attack reminded them of a nuclear weapons as the winds crackled towards the surface from the devastation. The clouds in the sky shredded apart as a single body fell to earth crashing onto the steps of the palace.
Luffy approached the smoke filled crater near the palace entrance. Alpha emerged placing his hand firmly on the outer edge of the crater pulling himself up to his feet.
"Well that was surprising, guess I can't take this lightly anymore." Alpha said smirking. The thick gold cuffs surrounding his wrists engulfed his fists, metamorphosing into two large gauntlets in the shape of lions. Electricity bounced off the gold emphasizing the vigor of the newly acquired weapons.
"Now mortal, you'll experience the true power of a god—I'll truly show you the difference in our strength.
Luffy could only stare at the gauntlets, the power radiating from them drew an uneasy feeling from him; something he hadn't felt in along time.
"Show me then, you arrogant fuck." Luffy taunted igniting his forearms in hellfire matching Alpha's intensity.
"Gladly." The god grinned banging the gauntlets together to extenuate the lightning protruding from the weapons.
—
Xi pulled out his golden dual pistols firing away wildly at Dark King Raleigh. The swordsman deflected the bullets as he charged toward the cowboy like god.
Raliegh's Busoshoku haki dripped from katana as he continued parrying the hardened bullets. They weren't ordinary bullets by any measure; the force from their discharge was so strong he couldn't redirect them toward the god, the bullets would simply spread off in random directions.
Xi dodged the incoming katana with extraordinary speed continuing to fire his dual pistols, flipping them in out of his hands to try and break the aging swordsman's concentration.
Raleigh brought his katana down towards Xi's head. The god barley had time to put his weapons in front of him as the blade collided with the pistols.
"Damn what are ya? Some kind of god yourself?" Xi asked flashing a wide grin. When they first heard of the council, he didn't assume any of them would be a challenge. However the old man proved to be more than enough to unleash his true potential.
"I may be old but I'm full of surprises." Raleigh spoke, the glare of his glasses hiding his expression.
Xi's grin grew even wider. "So am I."
The pair threw each other back at opposite ends of the large palace hallway.
The firearms in Xi's hands became engulfed in electricity, transforming into otherworldly weapons the dark king did not recognize.
The weapons resembled large crossbows with smaller arrows hanging from the bottom; however the arrows resembled gun chambers. It was truly a weapon he couldn't wrap his head around.
"You're probably wondering about this huh?" Xi asked rhetorically nothing Raleigh's curious look. "These my friend, are my arrow guns. I'll show you how they work."
The god pointed his sniper rifle type weapons toward Raleigh as he prepped his guard.
A voice from the high ceiling broke the Raleigh from his thoughts. "Where are you looking?" Xi shouted standing upside down, standing on the ceiling firing his arrow guns aimlessly.
Beams of blue energy shot rapidly towards the swordsman as he attempted to slash at them with his haki infused katana.
The blasts exploded on impact sending Raleigh on his heels towards the far wall. It was just like he assumed; the energy arrows were teleported using spacial rifts—not directly aimed.
This battle was an anomaly, a weapon and abilities like this shouldn't exist in his world. Sweat beat down Raleigh's brow as he tried to fathom in the far reaches of his battle experienced mind, on how to beat an opponent that had unique abilities such as these. The only weakness that appeared was the weapons need to reload after several barrages of shots—it was still a firearm after all.
Releasing his awakening, the palace walls began to shake. Xi could sense the swordsman's dramatic power increase. Raleigh tore a chunk of the marble floor from the ground, chucking it at the god attached to the ceiling.
Xi fired his energized arrows in the rifts as it bypassed the flying debris toward the swordsman. Xi smirked shooting the large marble floor into pieces, the explosion at the far end of the hallway engulfed Raleigh.
The moment Xi shifted to reload his weapons, he felt an unnerving powerful presence closing in.
Raleigh slashed his sword at an unfathomable speed cutting the god latched to the ceiling while sending him crashing into the ground.
The swordsman drove his sword toward the ground attempting to decapitate the downed Xi.
Recovering in time, the god was able to expertly roll out the way of the lethal attack.
"Woah you were really trying to kill me back there; As if, you're far too old—don't fall asleep on me now, we're just getting started." Xi spoke smirking at the dark king as he was breathing heavily.
It took a lot to out of him to dodge the deadly accurate arrows that defied physics and let out a series of powerful strikes.
Xi combined his arrow guns to resemble a well designed sniper rifle. "Now the fun begins." The god aimed directly at the swordsman as Raleigh prepped his guard again. He could only hope the rest of the councilmen were having better success at their respective battles than him—he feared they were far outmatched and underprepared for these foes.
—
Katakuri and Epsilon stood on the beach near the empty Regime docking harbor. The station remained empty from the evacuation orders given earlier that day.
Katakuri was relieved knowing he didn't have to worry about civilian casualties; he could truly go all out. In almost every battle up until now he has outmatched his opponents overwhelmingly. Even during the war against his own country when battling his mother, he used restraint against his siblings. Sensing this giant god's power, it would be his toughest since facing the high councilor back in the Mirror World.
Epsilon folded his arms speaking to the emperor. "This is pointless, your battle against us is futile—surrender." The god glared at the expression of Katakuri. The pair stood at nearly the same height.
"Doesn't seem like you're much a talker; in that case good, neither am I." Epsilon spoke placing his hands behind his back.
Katakuri wasted no time charging his opponent drawing Mogura from his mochi. The trident aimed a critical blow directly toward Epsilon's gut.
In a gust of a wind a golden lance appeared halting Mogura. Katakuri's eyes widened slightly witnessing the lance appear from nowhere. Parrying the trident, the lance began spinning, throwing strikes charged by the wind.
Katakuri simply turned his body into mochi as the lance passed harmlessly through his shoulder. Mogura rose toward the god ready to impale him.
Katakuri's trident was repelled by two more lances this time.
"You don't get it, do you? I'll show you what you're in for." Epsilon spoke earnestly.
Three more lances appeared behind Epsilon sending another gust of wind toward the emperor.
Katakuri took a step back as the lances spun around Epsilon creating a barrier of wind, putting some distance between himself and the mochi master.
The emperor observed the six golden lances as they lunged toward him with powerful bursts. Even with his ability to glimpse into the near future, he couldn't read Epsilon's movements. The god's wind lances were unpredictable yet, expertly controlled. Katakuri assumed the weapons must've been controlled by the god's subconscious mind—he used telekinesis.
Epsilon shot the six spears in a gust of wind looking to impale his opponent. Katakuri darted towards the god letting the lances pass through his adhesive like-body. Epsilon simply floated up in the air out of the emperor's range.
Katakuri stretched his arms throwing a flurry of haki infused mochi fists at Epsilon. The god dodged as best as he could, summoning the lances to impale the emperor from behind.
Using his haki ability, Katakuri once again let the spears pass through him. Epsilon barley had time to stop the lances before receiving blows to his body from the solid strikes.
Katakuri tugged hard on the god's ankle sending him crashing back into wooden docks.
A moment later Epsilon reappeared along with his lances.
"That ability, you can see in the future...but only slightly." Epsilon commented with genuine interest. Out of everything he expected an opponent to have in an arsenal, that ability was by far the most intriguing he'd ever encountered. His follow up attack usually killed all his opponents, because there wasn't a possible way to dodge the perfectly placed lances. Countless times powerful beings of immense strength and skill had fallen from the technique.
"It seems I can't hold back with you." Epsilon spoke summoning his six lances expanding the weapons and fusing them together, creating a mini black clouded whirlwind. Lightning bolts crackled from the mini tornado as Katakuri looked on curiously.
In a matter of moments a golden dragon emerged from the tornado. A whirlwind released from its roar sending Katakuri back a ways.
Epsilon hopped floated onto the top of the dragon's head, electricity sparked from its plated body.
"I will end your life with my dragon storm, nothing will save you."
Katakuri summonsed his trident to his side. "I've killed bigger." He said causing the god to frown.
The two wordlessly charged at each other. Katakuri expanded his bludgeoned fist to a massive size, nearly rivaling the dragon; his knuckles dripped with haki.
Epsilon and Katakuri's strikes crashed into one another, sending a shockwave felt throughout the kingdom.
People in the far distance turned their heads to toward the direction of the epicenter. Some citizens stood on their houses staring off in the distance hoping to catch a glimpse.
Epsilon's eyes slightly widened; the golden dragon storm began to crack as Katakuri's bludgeoned hand dug further into the dragon.
Before the god could blink a trident impaled his left shoulder as it bypassed his wind barrier surrounding his body.
Katakuri gave a forceful yell, as the dragon shattered and the two combatants became engulfed in a blinding light.
—
Dragon's opponent proved to be tougher than he could've imagined. Omicron fought with an unbridled rage, slamming his hammer-like weapon on the fortress dueling platform. Granite and marble flew into the air as he smashed the ground in a futile attempt to catch the logia-wind type user.
Dragon gathered all the air in his lungs, releasing his breath when the god approached, sending him flying off the balcony.
Omicron angrily glided in the air, dashing toward the former revolutionary army commander. Dragon simply vanished into thin air confusing the god.
"You're not too bright." Dragon spoke throwing furious punches at the enraged god sending him crashing into the observation bleachers.
Omicron couldn't see the man, but his superior senses never failed him. He closed his eyes briefly before snatching his hand out in a chosen direction. "You can't hide from a god, no matter what your ability is." Omicron stated gripping Dragon by the neck.
Dragon placed his hand in front Omicron's face.
"What the hell is this? You stupid fuckin hum—"
The extraordinary wind blast sent from Dragon's palm sent Omicron through the palace walls. An enraged yell could be heard as the god charged back through the broken walls—this god was truly berserk.
Dragon gathered a wind sphere in his hands, continuously throwing his palms inwards, charging the sphere of winds—he needed to wait for the right moment for this.
Omicron raised his hammer above Dragon's head ready to strike. Dragon stealthily revealed the wind sphere rotating in his palm.
Omicron's eyes widened slightly as the sphere forced its way into his stomach. Dragon flipped the god over his head, before slamming him back into the ground causing the center of the platform to collapse from the force.
The pair fell through nearly half a dozen floors as Dragon's wind sphere evaporated. Dragon stepped back to assess his opponent, who slowly got to his feet.
"I severely underestimated you mortal, you ain't such a pansy as I thought—but your stroke of luck ends here." The gaping wound in his gut healed leaving only scarred tissue from the powerful wind attack.
Dragon stood slightly surprised that his wind sphere did only minimal damage to the being. Every other opponent he'd faced up until that point had faltered from that attack. Although if he was truly an otherworldly presence, then it shouldn't come as too much of a shock.
The giant hammer in the god's possession became surrounded in electricity expanding slightly. "This is my true power, I will shake the earth with one swing."
"Anyone ever tell you, you should shut the hell up and just fight." Dragon stated evenly, creating a mini storm in his hands. Random furniture in the palace room began to swirl around the combatants. The room shook from the extreme power gathering in such a small occupied space.
Omicron dashed with an unbridled rage toward Dragon dragging his hammer on the ground, tearing up the stone floor in the process—electricity sparked from the uniquely shaped hammer.
Dragon brought his hands together creating another wind sphere. However this one was filled with dark clouds instead of clear air—it resembled a storm. Lightning threatened to pour out from the sphere. Dragon constantly slammed his palms against it to contain the monstrous storm sphere that raged in his hands.
The Regime commander finally pushed the sphere in his right hand, connecting with the godly hammer. The warriors were locked in an even struggle pushing their respective attacks forward.
Both combatants became surrounded in white light as their attacks reached the limit, exploding from the impact.
—
The dynamic duo of Sabo and Marco took on Beta and Upsilon. Kuma and Bartolomeo watched from the sidelines ready to assist if need be.
Sabo surrounded himself in flames as Marco's flaming phoenix swept Sabo on his back.
The teal and red flames became one; their bodies became surrounded in a magenta like glow aiming for the two gods, who stood meters away on the sandy beach.
"Can't hold back brother." Beta said cooly, summoning his saber swords within his hands. The energy blades extended passed his knees. Beta slashed the sand in front of him showing off its deadly capabilities.
"Like I was going to hold back ya bitch." Upsilon spoke with venom. To say he was the unhinged one of the family would be an understatement. A large scythe manifested in his hands as he prepped the weapon to halt the incoming emperors.
"I'll take out saber boy." Sabo spoke disappearing in a dance of flames.
Marco's flaming phoenix screeched increasing its speed toward Upsilon. The flaming beak clashed with the red scythe; Upsilon summoned wooden vines, wrapping them tightly around Marco.
"Looks like I caught me a little birdie! Nothing gets outta this hold punk." Upsilon bragged raising his scythe to land the finishing blow to the phoenix.
The phoenix screeched loudly, the teal wings burst through the wooden vines catching the god off guard. Marco's taloned legs kicked him into the sky;the emperor wasted no time pursuing his foe.
Sabo's flaming pipe combated the red energized sabers. The energy burned brightly as the pair slashed back and forth.
Beta flipped in the air trying to break Sabo's guard. The god started to teleport all around Sabo to break his concentration. The emperor sensing his opponent's fleeting aura quickly spun the flaming pipe around his body like a baton.
Beta appeared behind Sabo ready to decapitate the mortal. At the last second Sabo stopped twirling his pipe, bringing a halt to the god's attack.
"You know for a god, you're pretty predictable." Sabo smirked turning to look at Beta.
"Don't get cocky boy, this battle has nearly begun." Beta stated jumping back a few feet to let his opponent reset. Out of all the brothers none liked to test his own mettle and abilities more than Beta. He wanted a challenge after not having a true fight in decades; he hoped the emperor that stood before him was up to the task.
The sabers clashed against one another before the god charged toward the emperor dragging his sabers behind him. The energy incinerated the red sand turning it black from the searing heat.
The combatants clashed once again trying to slash, stab, or simply strike their foe. Each one was gifted with extraordinary speed and senses, being able to dodge the respective attacks.
Beta sensed an incoming projectile and proceeded to jump back to move out the way. Marco crashed into the sand, igniting his phoenix flames. Beta's eyes widened seeing his brother fall behind Marco unmoving.
"I see you... you gotten lucky against my crazy asshole of a brother. In that case, I won't hold back anymore." Beta said hovering into the air.
The lasers of energy on his palms dispersed into smaller beams, surrounding the emperor duo.
Marco and Sabo stood back to back, activating their respective devil fruit abilities.
"We got this, just like target practice." Sabo smirked glancing toward his comrade.
"Yeah ain't nothing but a glorified training session." Marco said giving a grin back.
Beta gritted his teeth hearing their arrogance, they were simply roaches that needed to be stepped on. Beta stretched his arm forward before clenching his fist signaling the beams to start their assault.
Marco and Sabo used their haki to its fullest capabilities as the beams rapidly fired away at them. The dynamic duo slashed away furiously deflecting the energy lasers as best they could.
Beta watched the pair for a few moments before pulling his brother to his feet. "The hell is wrong with you? Wake up, you've grown complacent, you crazy bastard—being defeated by a mortal." Beta scoffed leaving his bewildered brother behind.
Upsilon's eyes widened at his brother's harsh words. He gripped his scythe charging his brother Beta while he had his back turned.
"YOU STUPID, CRAZY FUCK!" Beta shouted summoning his laser blades back in palms to parry his brother's slash. "You really aimed to kill me just now, you truly have lost it."
The lasers around Sabo and Marco dispersed as the god's attention was taken away from them; the two didn't waste the opportunity to catch their breath.
Upsilon nearly let tears spill out his eyes from the harsh words. "You guys always spit and look down on me! I'm sick and tired of you talking down to me like I'm not one of you, your my brother dammit." Upsilon spoke finally letting tears fall from his eyes.
In a flash Beta snatched his younger brother by his collar lifting him off his feet. "You're soft and weak, I truly wish to believe you aren't my brother, but you are. Now stand up and act like it, before I report this to Alpha."
A look of fear crossed the younger god's face as more tears poured from his eyes. Thinking of what his sadistic older brother would do to him if he found out he attacked Beta. They already tortured him enough over the centuries. Locking him in cages, hazing him with impossible feats, looking down on him as an unhinged loose canon all the while alienating him due to his aloof nature; the only one that showed him any semblance of kindness was their youngest brother Zeta.
Upsilon nodded smacking Beta's grip off his collar. The two were back on the same side.
"Where did they go?" Upsilon asked referring to emperors who vanished into thin air.
"Without your bitchin and moanin they would've been dead by now." Beta deadpanned earning a snort from his brother.
The pair immediately snapped their heads upwards. A large chunk of the seventeen meter wall that surrounded the city was heading directly toward them being directed by Marco.
Before they could move the gargantuan chunk of wall smashed them into the ground. Sand flew up in the air as the chunk sunk partially into the ground.
"See piece of cake Sabo." Marco exclaimed heading directly above the devastation.
"Yeah, if you were trying to piss em' off." Sabo retorted from the top of the wall.
The god's emerged enraged, smashing the chunk of wall into pieces. Before they could blink, Sabo flew towards them with a large attack brewing above him.
"RYOSUKEN: FIRE FIST!"
Large white flames akin to a solar flare engulfed the gods in a blinding light. The bright flames continued burning as Marco made his way down at a great speed, beginning to rotate rapidly.
"WINGS OF THE FLAMING PHEONIX!"
Marco smashed into the ground at a high speed nearly draining all his energy. Teal and White flames surrounded the nearby beach area. Both the emperors hunched over on their knees trying to catch their breath. They poured nearly everything they had into their respective ultimate attacks.
Beta and Upsilon rose from the ashes unscathed with a translucent blue crystallized shield surrounding them.
"You owe me for that one." Upsilon remarked glaring at the pair of emperors.
Beta snorted in response prepping to finish the emperor's off.
"Kuma, we have to do something, Sabo and Marco need us!" Bartolomeo shouted at the former pacifista.
Kuma nodded toward the former Bartolo captain indicating he was listening.
"You get them out them out of there, I'll create the distraction." The green haired second Regime commander proclaimed puffing his chest out.
"What about you?" Kuma asked softly.
"Don't you worry, I'll make it back—that's a promise." Bartolomeo said with a thumbs up and a smile.
Kuma couldn't help return a slight smile of his own before the two darted off to save their comrades.
"Hey you damn bastards, pick on someone your own size!" Bartolomeo shouted placing his hands at his sides.
The brothers turned their attention away from the fatigued, fading emperors.
"What now?" Upsilon asked palming his forehead.
"Those guys were just the warmup, now you're dealing with me!" Bartolomeo proclaimed loudly.
Beta and Upsilon shared a glance before chuckling loudly holding their sides.
Bartolomeo's confidence remained undeterred seeing Kuma reach the emperors. The former captain had been underestimated his entire life; an underdog. He appreciated having that edge and chip on his shoulder. It gave him the bravery to do what most would never attempt for all the money in the world.
"I'll end your life quickly to not make you suffer, mortal clown." Beta spoke raising his palm to shoot lasers at Bartolomeo.
The commander expertly deflected the beams with the barriers resting on his hands.
Upsilon attempted to use his wooden vines to grasp Bartolomeo's ankles.
Using his wits, Bartolomeo created a path of small barrier platforms in the air; hopping diagonally forward to dodge the incoming lasers.
Upsilon drew his scythe readying his strike. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the worn emperors were no where to be seen. Due to his loss of focus, he missed his attempted slash toward Bartolomeo, as the commander front flipped over the brothers.
The pair of brothers shared another bewildered glance noticing nothing happened. A soft hissing caught their attention. Upsilon could see Beta had three skull and cross bones bombs amateurishly taped together. It hit them all too late, this clown was a distraction.
"Boom!" Bartolomeo gloated tossing the brothers the bird before floating away on one of his barriers. The explosion shook the ground, green flames surrounded the beach and engulfed the gods.
"Damn cockroaches." Beta said emerging from the smoke and fire, teleporting with Upsilon back towards Alpha.
—
Borsalino pursued Zeta into the throne room. In his time battling the shifty god, not once had the god-like teenager used lethal force or taken the battle seriously.
The young man kneeled down next to his deceased brother Delta cradling his head.
"You're leaving yourself wide open ya know." Borsalino said standing behind the vulnerable god.
"I'm not here to fight, I don't have an interest in that—I came for one reason and one only." Zeta spoke turning his attention back to his brother.
A small smile could be seen on Delta's features as he laid in peace. The man loved a fight to death like no one else in the family; he must've been having the time of his life. As much as Zeta detested his brother's fighting, he wouldn't deny what made him happy. For Delta, it was seeking out strong opponents to battle; he died doing what he loved, Zeta couldn't fault him for that—or anyone for that matter.
Zeta slung Delta over his shoulder heading toward the exit without sparing Borsalino a glance.
"Why do all this? Your brothers are the ones who sought us out, for what purpose does that bring you?" Borsalino asked placing his hands in his pockets.
Zeta contemplated for a moment before answering. "Because they can... my whole life they've been conquerers. Whenever my brothers see something they desire, they obtain it. Eventually they'll set their sight here and rule this place—with or without you guys."
Borsalino's eyes widened through his shaded frames realizing their worst case scenario was indeed in play.
"However," Zeta said catching the emperor's attention again, "Your leader's friend, doesn't have much time." Zeta had a grim look reminiscing about the way his brother Alpha treated his former wives—it wasn't a pretty sight, he vowed to never be apart of something like that again.
"We will surely win the battles today make no mistake. But IF you find a way to our domain, your result will be different if you prepare well." Zeta said turning to leave through the exit.
"Wait! So there is a way into your domain?!" Borsalino asked shouting toward the god.
Zeta paused with his hand resting on the large door handle. "Your swordsman friend is in trouble, you should assist him." Zeta offered with a smile before exiting the throne room with Delta's body in tow.
"Shit, Raleigh." Borsalino said to himself activating his glint powers. Zeta didn't deny there was a way into their world—it gave the emperor hope. Perhaps if they took them by surprise, there was a chance to win. Thinking no more he vanished into a ray of light towards the dark king.
—
Alpha landed on a knee on the steps leading to the palace.
Luffy landed meters away cracking the steps from the impact.
"Come on!" Alpha growled impatiently. Hellfire blasts surrounded the god, exploding against his body.
Luffy expanded his wings, taking flight toward Alpha as the black smoke began to clear; aiming a double legged taloned kick toward him.
The kick hit Alpha's chest forcefully as he staggered backwards with a loud grunt. Luffy used his momentum from the kick, backflipping to land only feet away from his foe. The god came forward to strike with his golden electrified lion gauntlets.
Before he could make contact, Luffy surrounded his arms in haki/hellfire aiming a double fisted strike toward Alpha's chest sending him into the nearby palace wall.
Alpha's back bounced off the wall as it crackled from the force. Before Luffy could block, Alpha snapped Luffy's horns with a backhanded gauntlet strike.
Luffy's dragon transformation vanished as he reverted to his normal state. Alpha smirked, landing a right hook across the high councilor's face, laying him out on his stomach.
Luffy got to his feet in time to block the purple lightning shooting from the gauntlet. The lightning struck his expanded armament forearm. He was fortunate his haki hadn't expended quickly over the course of the fight.
The force of the blast pushed him back forcefully as his fleet slid against the stone floor. Luffy spun out of the way of the blast breaking free of the attack radius.
The high councilor transformed once again into his second form, flying toward Alpha at a great speed—he would be sure to neutralize the gauntlets this time. Luffy aimed a kick toward the left gauntlet, pinning it underneath his left taloned foot. This caused Alpha to drop to a knee from the strain and weight.
"Hellfire Elephant Gun!" The massive fist struck Alpha across the temple, sending him through the palace wall once again.
A few moments later Alpha reappeared through the hole, touching his cheek lightly.
The god looked at his fingertips noticing that Luffy's last attack drew blood—he never bled from a mortal before. It mattered none however, he could sense the man's power draining.
"All that for a drop of blood." Alpha said smirking while continuing to approach the high councilor.
Before Luffy could move Alpha dealt a devastating blow to his head knocking him to the ground. All he had time to do was guard his face with his arms, seeing Alpha throw a flurry of punches at his face.
The god managed to break Luffy's guard, striking his vulnerable head. He managed to raise his guard once again, but only sparingly as the gauntlet slipped past, hitting him in the face once again.
Alpha picked Luffy up by the top of his head, slamming one of the gauntlets into his gut, unleashing another lightning blast into his stomach.
Luffy flew nearly halfway down the tall steps, before finally skidding to halt. If he hadn't been in his second transformation and been immune to electricity, who knows what state he would've been in.
The high councilor felt his remaining power fading, the gods had once again pushed his durability passed its limit. He desperately let out hellfire from his hands attempting to incinerate his foe. Even with his dragon form evaporated, Luffy continued on with his assault.
The black and cerulean flames harmlessly deflected off the gauntlets. Alpha continued leisurely making his way towards Luffy's position.
Once in range Alpha backhanded Luffy with his left gauntlet, forcing him to stop his assault. Luffy halted the follow-up gauntlet strike with his arms.
Luffy attempted one last hellfire hawk in his right hand. He threw a simple chaos flame strike with his left hand, which Alpha swiftly caught. He suddenly attempted to strike the god with his hidden attack.
Alpha barley sensed it as he stepped to the side, swiftly dodging the attack aimed at his heart.
The leader of the new god's right gauntlet absorbed Luffy's attack, redirecting in its owner's torso.
Luffy coughed loudly flying near the bottom of the steps. He attempted to stand only for Alpha to place his heavy sandaled foot near his neck.
"You've lost, don't get up." Alpha spoke as his gauntlets returned to their original cuffs.
The council descended down the stairs slowly, feeling their heavily injured bodies. Borsalino, Bartolomeo, Kuma, and Garp were the only ones who stood with relatively with minor injuries.
In a flash of light Alpha's brother's appeared at his side, all relatively stood unscathed. Luffy could only stare in disbelief at the new gods. Delta had been right all along, they truly were a force unlike he could've ever imagined.
Alpha noticed Zeta had Delta draped across his shoulder; a small smile formed on his expression. He turned his attention to the councilmen as they made their way further down the steps. They had remaining opponent that stood a threat, but he wouldn't do much by himself.
Bartolomeo put multiple barriers around the council to shield them from an incoming attack as a precaution.
"It's what the high councilor would want." Bartolomeo exclaimed as the others turned their attention him. They couldn't help but agree, silently turning their attention back to their leader.
"Brother..." Sabo wheezed holding his ribs, continuing to lean on Garp for support.
Ace floated above the scene just in time to witness the climax of the events that were unfolding.
"What do we do with these mortals brother?" Beta asked glancing at the council then back to the high councilor beneath his brother's foot.
Alpha grinned devilishly at Luffy who struggled to get up before being roughly slammed back down by the god.
"I actually was thinking of slaughtering you and your entire council today...but you've provided us with fun we haven't had in centuries." Alpha spoke before joining the laugh his brothers shared. Zeta looked on with pity towards the high councilor as he continued to struggle.
Alpha's grin returned. "You know, that pretty girl of yours. She'll bear me beautiful children. I'll have them come and kill you in the years to come after we rule this place. The children that were supposed to be yours will be calling me father." The gods with the exception of Zeta, laughed loudly at Luffy's enraged expression.
Zeta closed his eyes in shame for his brother's remarks looking away as the horns on Luffy's head threatened to grow back. His eyes reflecting a man on fire—the vow of vengeance.
Alpha noticed, quickly placing his foot on Luffy's neck applying pressure. "There's nothing you can do now, you missed your shot. Don't want worry, I'll be sure to take good care of her." Alpha kicked the high councilor into the steps, creating a small crater from the impact.
The new gods turned their back getting ready to head home.
"ALLLPPPHHHAAA!"
Hearing his name come from the mortal like that made the hair on the back of his neck stand up. A mystery feeling crept up his spine as he turned to face the high councilor.
Despite bleeding profusely from his wounds that began to slowly heal. Luffy's eyes glared straight at Alpha, something about this mortal unnerved him.
"That's impossible, no mortal should stand after that." Epsilon said examining the man's condition.
"Brother..." Ace spoke softly witnessing his wounded leader stand upright slowly.
"Don't think you can live after saying shit like that, I'm going to spend every moment of my life hunting you down...I swear if you touch her...-"
"You'll what?" Alpha mocked. "Even by some miracle you find me you'll—"
"I'll kill you." Luffy said through gritted teeth glaring directly into his soul. For a split second a twinge of fear entered the gods' hearts hearing his eerie message—especially Alpha. Zeta couldn't help wear a hidden wide smirk witnessing the mortal he admired in action.
Luffy fell to a knee as he prepped a strike with his chaos flames.
Alpha regained his composure, snorting at his weakened opponent. "Good Luck." In a flash the new gods were gone in a bolt of lightning as Luffy's attack hit nothing but air—they were truly gone.
Bartolomeo released his barriers, the council slowly made their way over to Luffy.
"Son...are you al—" Dragon started noticing his son's anguish.
"I'm fine!" He snapped standing up fully.
Luffy looked around at his council seeing nearly everyone of them with major wounds. Even Katakuri was battered and bruised from the wind god he faced earlier. The councilmen truly gave it all they had, only a lucky few obtained minor injuries. The high councilor couldn't berate his council for anything, they gave everything they had—they just...lost.
In Luffy's mind, if it were any other opponents they faced today, he didn't have a doubt they would've came out on top. Instead, they ran into invulnerable beings that nearly crippled his council.
Luffy slung his father's arm over his shoulder supporting him along with Bartolomeo. The council walked slowly up the staircase not saying a word to one another. Ace silently trailed the group with his hands in his translucent pockets.
Coby joined the group with a platoon of medics after receiving a call beforehand by Garp. The group still did not speak as they made their way into the palace.
The only words spoken came from Garp. He commanded the leaders of the soldiers to tell the citizens to resume normalcy among their schedules. The people did not need to know about what happened nor worry about it, not many would care and it wouldn't change much, just create fear and hysteria among the masses. The soldiers were also ordered to resume their normal positions, almost as if nothing happened.
The council stood outside the throne room getting patched up expertly before heading inside until only Sabo, Ace, and Luffy remained.
The two older brothers could see the pain Luffy was feeling standing a ways down the hallway.
Luffy's hat covered his eyes reminiscing about the woman that plagued his mind.
"Your my strength Luffy."
"Don't ever leave me."
"I will always love you, forever and always."
The words she spoke ran through his head almost as if she stood next to him. Luffy violently smashed a good portion opposite wall into pieces, unable to contain his rage. Alpha's words fueled him with such furious anger and vengeance it hurt just to think about. Someway he would find a way to their domain and take him down—he would make the arrogant bastard regret letting him live.
The brothers behind him couldn't help hiding a smirk on their features seeing his determination unaltered. He truly believed in the people around him; guaranteeing the second time around would be far different—they would kill the new gods and the one that stood above them.
With a renewed purpose the trio of brothers entered the throne room. Luffy angrily slammed the door behind him; the council had a lot to discuss.