"Marshal Benedict."
"Has your Armament Haki reached its ultimate domain?"
Hyogoro stared at Benedict in shock, unable to help but ask.
In that punch just now, Hyogoro had witnessed the strongest form of Armament Haki. The ink-black Ryuo, radiating a sheen, had already begun to affect a small area.
This was Armament Haki, the highest state within the Ryuo level.
Benedict looked at Hyogoro and smiled, "Hyogoro, your Armament Haki is also very good."
With that, Benedict turned to Toki and smiled, "Lady Toki, you truly surprise me."
"I originally thought your ability only allowed you to travel to the future, but I didn't expect you could also accelerate the flow of time within a certain area."
The three assassins who were killed had died due to time acceleration.
Lady Toki was not a weak woman.
Being able to travel 800 years into the future to the present world required not only the power of her Devil Fruit but also Lady Toki's own strength.
Benedict could see very clearly that the moment Kōzuki Toki acted, she possessed the combat power of a Vice Admiral.
This was quite beyond Benedict's expectations.
However, Lady Toki's stamina seemed to be a real issue.
After just a brief display of power, her body became weak.
Lady Toki, cradling the sleeping Kōzuki Hiyori and Kōzuki Momonosuke, faced Benedict's gaze with a faint smile. "I apologize, Marshal Benedict."
"I did not intend to conceal anything from you."
"It's just that, unless absolutely necessary, I do not wish to use this ability."
"After all, once it's used, there is no turning back."
Benedict nodded upon hearing this.
Accelerating the flow of time within a certain area, he had to admit, was truly terrifying.
How much time would it take for a person's physical body to age, decay, and their bones turn to dust?
Twenty years? Thirty years? A hundred years? Or perhaps several hundred years?
Benedict didn't know the exact duration, but the mere knowledge that it could turn a person into ashes was incredibly frightening.
In that moment, Benedict felt as if he were reading a wuxia novel.
It was too powerful.
"This is my clone, it will continue to stay by your side for the time being."
"Oden has reached Kuri, and Kurozumi Orochi has fled to Onigashima."
"Therefore, next, we will head directly to Onigashima."
Benedict looked at Kōzuki Toki and introduced the clone that had walked out from beside him.
The reason Benedict could arrive so quickly and know the situation happening here was because he had left behind a clone and marked it with the Flying Thunder God Technique.
After all, Kōzuki Toki was still very important to Benedict.
Especially since the ability she had just used had also made Benedict take her very seriously.
"Hyogoro, Lady Toki, I will need your continued protection." Benedict looked at Hyogoro and smiled.
"It is my honor," Hyogoro said with great seriousness.
Hyogoro's expression had remained calm when Kōzuki Toki was attacked, showing no particular shock.
This indicated that Hyogoro was aware that Kōzuki Toki possessed Devil Fruit powers.
He also understood the power of Devil Fruits.
"Marshal Benedict, please take care of Oden for me."
"Wano Country cannot be without him."
Kōzuki Toki requested of Benedict.
"With me here, as long as he doesn't do anything foolish, he should be fine," Benedict stated confidently.
With that, Benedict used the Flying Thunder God Technique and vanished instantly.
Benedict's clone nodded to Hyogoro and Kōzuki Toki before disappearing into the darkness.
Kuri.
Without Kurozumi Orochi's interference, under the combined efforts of Oden's samurai, control was quickly established here.
The entire process went much more smoothly.
Kōzuki Oden, casting aside all pretense of samurai spirit, went all out.
Under the impact of Conqueror's Haki, a large number of people fell.
The remaining individuals who had not fallen did not last long, either being killed or surrendering to Kōzuki Oden's might.
Benedict smiled as he watched the much more cold-hearted Kōzuki Oden.
This Oden seemed somewhat corrupted.
However, such decisive action was essential for a ruler during times of war.
A "saintly" personality would only embolden usurpers.
"Family Head, Kurozumi Orochi has likely boarded a ship bound for Onigashima by now."
"Shall we pursue him?"
Kin'emon of the Foxfire, after sweeping the General's mansion and finding no sign of Kurozumi Orochi, approached Kōzuki Oden and inquired.
Kōzuki Oden did not answer Kin'emon immediately. Instead, he looked at Benedict and asked, "Marshal Benedict, what is your opinion?"
Kōzuki Oden was well aware that Onigashima was currently the territory of the Beast Pirates.
It would not be easy to kill Orochi once he reached there.
Even if they were to venture there, without Benedict accompanying them, they would be like sheep entering a tiger's den.
Benedict smiled.
"Don't you have any ideas?" Benedict retorted.
Kōzuki Oden looked at Benedict for a long moment before smiling, "With Marshal Benedict accompanying me, I have no reason to retreat."
"Then let's go," Benedict said with a light smile.
"Kin'emon, prepare the ships to head to Onigashima," Kōzuki Oden said sternly to Kin'emon of the Foxfire.
Kin'emon of the Foxfire quickly replied, "Yes, Family Head."
Everyone quickly headed towards the seaside, with Kin'emon of the Foxfire leaving ahead.
However, after waiting for about half an hour, when Kin'emon of the Foxfire returned, no ships were in sight.
"Family Head, the ships in this area have been destroyed," Kin'emon of the Foxfire said with great helplessness.
Kōzuki Oden and the others were rendered speechless by this news.
To prevent them from pursuing, Kurozumi Orochi had dispatched a team to destroy all the ships in the vicinity.
"Kurozumi Orochi truly has a clever plan," Kōzuki Oden said, seeing the situation, and could only turn to leave.
Without ships, they could not reach Onigashima, nor could they kill Kurozumi Orochi.
"Family Head, look over there, a ship is coming!"
Just as Kōzuki Oden turned to leave, Kikunojo spotted a ship approaching in the distance and exclaimed in shock.
Hearing Kikunojo's words, Kōzuki Oden and the other Scabbards quickly looked back. Indeed, a ship was approaching.
However, upon seeing the flag on the ship, not only the Scabbards but also Kōzuki Oden's expression turned grim and cold.
Because this was a ship that only Kurozumi Orochi would sail.