Starting from the pirates, pushing the world.

Chapter 2497 Princess Lala's Return!
The battle has lasted for more than fifty hours.

Time flew by and it was 7:34 PM on the 26th.

The sun and moon have overlapped several times in the sky above area RL1111.

The entire continent, spanning 100 million square kilometers, no longer has an inch of intact land.

however.

The red light of the Land Transformation Array still shines brightly.

This means that the earth's ley line power operating underground has not been damaged.

Joz's enormous diamond body was covered with various signs of wear and tear.

Those are marks left by countless impacts from alchemical lightning and sand blades.

Even the aura emanating from his body dimmed and weakened, like a candle flickering in the wind.

But the most serious problem is the mental exhaustion and pain.

The continuous shockwaves from Conqueror's Haki made his consciousness feel like it was being repeatedly struck by a heavy hammer, and his vision was now blurred.

Looking at Crocodile on the other side, he too was no longer as composed as before.

His face was pale, his breathing was rapid, and he was sweating profusely, so it was clear that he was not in good condition.

Only the stigmata on the back of his hand still shone brightly.

The two were standing at the bottom of a giant pit that had been repeatedly plowed and was hundreds of meters deep.

The swirling sand and dust seemed to stare at each other.

"Jozu, I must say, you and Loki are evenly matched, both in strength and intelligence."

Crocodile's voice was noticeably hoarse and tired.

"Your domineering aura is no longer enough to withstand the alchemy array; it's time to end this."

His icy gaze pierced through the swirling sandstorm, as if he could see through the other party's outward strength but inner weakness.

The voice just fell.

Noticing something amiss, Joz suddenly looked down.

He was horrified to discover his legs, which should have been flawless and sparkling like diamonds.

Starting from the ankles, the skin began to lose its luster at a visible rate.

It transforms into lifeless, rough rock.

And this horrific petrification is rapidly spreading upwards along the lower leg.

"what?!"

Jozu was shocked and roared, recklessly unleashing the last remaining domineering aura within him.

The eerie petrification effect was forcibly purified temporarily, restoring the brilliance of diamonds to the legs.

But as the domineering aura gradually dissipated.

That despairing, earthy yellow color reappeared like a maggot clinging to a bone.

And it wasn't just his legs anymore; the same thing started appearing on his arms, neck, and face.

This is, of course, because his Armament Haki has been completely exhausted.

"hateful!!!"

Joz immediately let out an angry and unwilling roar.

He tried to take a final leap towards Crocodile.

The petrified parts have long lost all tactile sensation.

finally.

Joz's roar abruptly stopped.

A massive stone sculpture, seemingly struggling, stands majestically on a desolate desert landscape.

The anger on his face was frozen in time, as if expressing his indomitable spirit.

"Huhu. Huh."

Klock Dalton immediately relaxed.

Sweat soaked his forehead and dripped down his chin onto the scorching sand.

His chest heaved violently like a broken bellows.

Fifty-five hours of intense fighting was another great test of his mental strength.

It's important to know that both the three types of Haki and the Alchemical Lightning consume a lot of mental energy.

Not to mention there's also a national territory forging array.

Although it is maintained by the ley lines of this plane itself.

However, it requires a massive amount of mental energy to activate.

This is Crocodile's first time since the 'Marineford War'.

This was the second time he had fought so relentlessly, and he was showing signs of fatigue.

After all, no matter how strong he is, he is still only at the level of a general.

Being able to defeat the opponent within two or three days is already a remarkable achievement.

Crocodile glanced at the stone sculpture that Jozu had become.

His gaze was cold and indifferent.

Then he raised his head again and looked up at the vast sky.

It was as if it could penetrate the barriers of space and look directly at the countless officers and generals in front of the screen, their eyes filled with a mixture of shock and awe.

An eerie silence fell over the headquarters of both the army and navy.

There was silence for a moment.

Crocodile forcefully suppressed the throbbing pain in his chest.

With a hoarse yet unwavering voice, he made the same declaration for the seventh time.

"next."

Despite exhaustion and hardship, the promise of this Sand Crocodile General remains unchanged.

It still stands there, as hard and cold as the stone sculpture in front of me.

It has not been broken to this day.

No one could withstand him for more than five days and successfully survive this year's Summit War.

Seven of the nine challengers have already been defeated!
Kong once again ordered Crocodile to rest for four hours.

The latter immediately sat cross-legged on the ground, closed his eyes, and meditated to recover his mental strength.

Completely disregarding the surrounding environment and its own state during rapid backtracking.

Moreover, he didn't find the next two challengers to be difficult.

The Four Souls World.

Noah's Ark, a giant ship carrying history and legend.

It remained silently suspended in this eerie green space.

The top floor of the ship's building houses an extremely luxurious and comfortable harem-style living room.

Im casually leaned back on the gold and red sofa.

His deep gaze calmly fixed on the large, suspended light screen in front of him.

On the screen, Crocodile is sitting cross-legged in a grove of trees, meditating with his eyes closed.

It must be said that this 'sand crocodile' performed remarkably well.

Now look around this living room.

Four young women, dressed in matching, simple kimonos and possessing delicate and beautiful features, stood quietly and gracefully in the corner.

Stussy, dressed in a smart black suit and with her blonde hair neatly combed, was whispering something to the girl beside her.

Nico Robin was the one who studied under Stussy on the ship as a 'butler'.

At this moment, she was dressed in a well-fitting deacon uniform, looking calm and attentively listening to every word her teacher said.

She is extremely satisfied with her current life.

After graduating from Guanhao Island, I thought I would join 'CP' and spend my life with danger and darkness.

But I never expected to be sent here.

He was trained to be Lord Im's future secretary and butler.

Now she can video call her mother, Olvia, almost every day.

The latter is now the librarian of the Academy City's 'Tree of Knowledge' library.

Robin could see that her mother was smiling more often.

Besides.

She would occasionally speak with Rob Lucci on the phone.

Until last time, I heard that he received his first official mission and needed to leave Haixing, but I don't know the specifics.

I hope everything goes well for them.

Just then, a series of light and cheerful footsteps suddenly approached, breaking the tranquil atmosphere of the living room.

"Lord Im~ I'm back~"

Accompanied by a melodious, bell-like sound.

A pink-clad figure darted in like a joyful fawn.

It was Princess Lala, who had recently been playing around the starfish.

She was still wearing the white dress that 'Pekai' had transformed into.

A black tail with an arrowhead swayed merrily behind it.

Her stunning face radiated a bright smile, as if bringing in the sunshine from outside.

She ran a few steps to Im, her big green eyes sparkling, her face filled with undisguised anticipation.

“Sassin said you informed us that Dad was coming?”

Where is he?

Im shifted his gaze from the light screen to Lala.

Those unchanging, calm eyes seemed to ripple slightly with emotion at the sight of this vibrant young woman.

"King Cheetos' fleet will arrive in the Oceanus galaxy the day after tomorrow, on the 28th."

(End of this chapter)