A chilling dread instantly enveloped Zodov as he heard Benedict's words.
Then, darkness descended.
"Flying Slash!"
Zodov immediately released his card person state and flung his cards, forming a slicing attack.
Bang!
Zodov's Kenbunshoku Haki could not predict Benedict's movements.
This sealed Zodov's fate, as Benedict dodged his attack in an instant.
One punch!
Zodov was unceremoniously smashed to the ground by Benedict.
The ice cracked, and Zodov's form exploded into cards, flying outward.
"Universal Pull."
Seeing Zodov resorting to such a tactic again, attempting to escape, Benedict
Smirked at the corner of his mouth.
A powerful suction force pulled all the cards that had just flown out back.
With no other recourse, Zodov immediately dispelled his card form, trying to break out again.
However, a mere attempt told him it was futile.
"K"
Zodov turned and attacked again.
Countless cards, under Zodov's control, transformed into card warriors, numbering thirty to forty.
These card warriors wielded weapons made of cards and, under the effect of the suction, charged towards Benedict at extreme speed.
Benedict paid no heed to these card warriors, unleashing a Shinra Tensei that repelled them all in an instant.
Zodov rejoiced, using the force of being flung away to repeat his trick.
However, a suction force reappeared.
Zodov's face turned incredibly grim.
Benedict's mastery of skills made him difficult to resist.
At that moment, he felt a pang of envy for Borsalino.
Light-speed movement would surely allow him to easily escape the suction.
"You're quite good at running, aren't you?"
Benedict's hand seized Zodov's neck.
The immense power made Zodov gasp for air.
Simultaneously, he lost the chance to use his card clones.
Hum!
Benedict's potent Haoshoku Haki, at close range, precisely targeted him alone.
A terrifying pressure descended, assaulting Zodov's neural pathways.
In that instant, Zodov's face, as if subjected to a level 15 gale at close range, contorted, becoming ferocious and hideous.
Moreover, Zodov's pupils rolled upward incessantly.
Though it lasted only a few seconds, it made him feel like he was experiencing life's darkest moment.
When Benedict withdrew his Haoshoku Haki, Zodov felt as if he had narrowly escaped death, gasping for air.
"Not bad, you actually endured it."
"Crack!"
Before Zodov could react, Benedict's grip on his neck tightened.
Zodov's life force was almost instantly extinguished.
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for defeating a Devil Fruit user and obtaining the Card Fruit. Does the host wish to use the Card Fruit to summon special forces?"
"Juice it!"
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining one drop of Five-Colored Awakening Potion."
The familiar voice echoed in his mind, and Benedict's face beamed with a smile once more.
"Not bad, I have three drops now."
Benedict's lips curved. Three of the Seven Warlords were dead, leaving only Mihawk, Edward Weevil, Blackbeard, Bartholomew Kuma, and Tengu Kiyokaze.
Tengu Kiyokaze was an ally. Mihawk and Edward Weevil were not Devil Fruit users, but they each had opponents, so there was no need to rush.
That left Blackbeard.
Benedict's gaze swept across the battlefield.
Soon, Benedict locked onto Blackbeard.
Blackbeard, already at the edge of the battlefield, instantly stiffened, a wave of immense fear washing over him.
He's here.
He has arrived.
"Van Augur!"
Blackbeard yelled.
Van Augur understood immediately, reaching out and grabbing Blackbeard.
Teleportation ability activated.
Blackbeard and Van Augur vanished in an instant.
The other members of the Blackbeard Pirates, upon hearing Blackbeard's shout, understood what they needed to do.
Escape!
This was their prior agreement.
If a crisis occurred, they were to flee immediately.
Without any hesitation.
For this reason, Blackbeard had always insisted on Van Augur staying close by, not venturing far.
It was for this moment.
Benedict squinted, watching Van Augur and Blackbeard disappear. His Kenbunshoku Haki spread out, his gaze constantly sweeping the surroundings.
This Blackbeard is truly a coward to the core.
However, Benedict had to admit that Van Augur's ability was quite useful.
A pity that the potential for developing his head was limited.
"Hmm?"
Benedict suddenly turned and looked behind him.
On the iceberg, Van Augur and Blackbeard appeared.
"Go!"
Blackbeard's voice, filled with terror, rang out. Van Augur used his ability again, rapidly teleporting away.
"Directly from one end of the battlefield to the other?"
"That's roughly ten thousand meters."
"It's going to be tricky to capture Blackbeard."
Seeing this, Benedict knew capturing Blackbeard was impossible.
A teleportation fruit and a Door-Door Fruit – truly excellent tools for escape.
Boom!
The vast battlefield trembled violently.
Seawater erupted into the sky from the center of the iceberg, and the battlefield, under the impact of the water, became chaotic once more.
That was the battlefield between Edward Weevil and Olaf.
Edward Weevil, having endured Olaf's Wrath of the Gods, was smashed through the iceberg continent, the powerful impact also blasting seawater outward.
Crack!
Olaf placed a hand on the ice and leaped out of the water.
Simultaneously, Edward Weevil was also pulled up by Olaf.
Olaf panted heavily. His fight with Edward Weevil had been incredibly intense and dangerous.
Five of his ribs were broken, his left shin was fractured, and his right hand was broken.
Blood streamed from his forehead, leaving him in a battered state.
In the final collision, he had almost died.
"Dead?"
Benedict's voice echoed as he appeared.
Olaf dropped Edward Weevil to the ground and glanced at him. "Not quite dead yet."
"Well done," Benedict said, then delivered a kick, directly crushing Edward Weevil's head.
Regardless, although Edward Weevil was not a Devil Fruit user, he held the status of a member of the Seven Warlords.
This applied not only to Edward Weevil but also to Doflamingo, Zodov, and Crocodile.
Thus, Benedict had now personally killed four of the Seven Warlords.
Meanwhile, Tengu Kiyokaze disengaged from the battlefield and rapidly departed, his speed unstoppable.
Mihawk attempted to retreat, but Gintoki Sakata had him firmly engaged.
Bartholomew Kuma was still fighting, but those he struck were sent flying and disappeared, their whereabouts unknown.