He paid no mind to the countless mermen swarming towards him.
While these mermen were powerful compared to humans, any other strong individual without Conqueror's Haki would have been overwhelmed if trapped here.
But to him, a multitude of ants, no matter how many, were still ants. Their shouts, their fury, their fearlessness, were all utterly useless.
Raising his head, Kong Tai’s gaze fell upon the numerous mermen surrounding him for the first time. His brow furrowed, and his eyes narrowed.
*Crack—!*
Thunderclap out of thin air.
An overwhelmingly dominant aura surged from him, piercing the sky and radiating outwards, instantly enveloping the entire Fish-Man District.
At this moment, everyone on the island seemed to sense something, lifting their heads to look in the direction of the Fish-Man District. Those far away could only feel a tremendous pressure, as if the sky were collapsing.
Those closer felt as if Mount Tai were pressing down, their hearts pounding violently, as if facing the wrath of heaven.
"Kong Tai, it must be Kong Tai."
Ah Hua and the others, who were carrying heavy bags and heading towards the dock, also felt this oppressive aura. They gazed in the direction of the Fish-Man District, surprise flashing across their faces.
"Who is foolish enough to provoke Kong Tai this time?"
With that thought, they quickly averted their gaze and quickened their pace towards the dock.
Ace, standing with Ah Hua and the others, also grew serious.
"Could it be Jinbe?"
"I hope not."
"I wonder which idiot is looking for trouble with the silver-haired one, even as we're about to leave."
He didn't consider the silver-haired one initiating trouble, because with his strength, if he wanted to cause problems, he wouldn't have waited until now.
Therefore, someone must have provoked the silver-haired one.
At the dock, Jinbe looked up at the distant white speck floating in the air, sensing the sudden silence that had replaced the previously deafening roar of the Fish-Man District. His face was filled with astonishment.
"Conqueror's Haki, and not beginner's Conqueror's Haki."
He wouldn't be surprised that the silver-haired one possessed Conqueror's Haki. After all, many ambitious individuals in the New World had it.
Ace had it too.
But Conqueror's Haki that could exert pressure on him from such a distance was not something ordinary pirates could possess.
He had experienced Ace's Conqueror's Haki. While it was strong for ordinary people, it had no effect on him.
However, the silver-haired one's Conqueror's Haki, he felt, was likely on par with Whitebeard's.
"This guy is only seventeen and a half, truly a monster."
He didn't worry about the suddenly silent Fish-Man District or the countless mermen who had fallen. Those who were stunned by the aura of Conqueror's Haki would feel dizzy for a while afterward, but suffer no physical harm.
And Kong Tai had said he wouldn't do anything to the ordinary mermen.
He believed Kong Tai.
Such a powerful being wouldn't need to lie to him.
As for Hody Jones and the others…
Forget it. It was their own fault for provoking someone they shouldn't have.
He could only wish them good luck.
Fish-Man District.
Above the headquarters of the New Fish-Man Pirates, just as Kong Tai unleashed his Conqueror's Haki, stunning the countless surging mermen, he suddenly felt as if someone were watching him.
When he abruptly turned his head to look, he saw nothing.
Neither his eyes, nor his Observation Haki, nor his spirit detected anything unusual.
"Strange, did I misjudge?"
Kong Tai stroked his chin, pondered for a moment, then shook his head and dismissed it.
After all, there were too many inexplicable things in this world. He could feel that the sensation of being watched was no illusion.
Ordinary people might not have noticed, but he was an expert in space manipulation, and he also possessed spiritual power.
However, that feeling of being watched was fleeting. He didn't sense any malice or danger.
After thinking about it, he let it go.
Retracting his gaze, he looked down at the houses below, killing intent flashing in his eyes.
"No matter how many ambitions you have, no matter how many ideals you hold, since you've come to provoke me, you shall die!"
He didn't use a sword; using a sword would be too easy for these fellows below. Instead, he extended his hand and brought it down from afar.
He hadn't covered the houses below with his Conqueror's Haki earlier, precisely to let these fellows see who they had provoked.
At the very least, he wanted these fellows to die in fear, especially the two leaders, to make his grand display worthwhile.
Inside the houses.
Hody Jones and the executives of his New Fish-Man Pirates were arrogantly seated on a sofa, with Vander Decken IX opposite them.
They had dragged their ship back and were waiting here.
When they heard the countless roars from outside, their faces were filled with glee.
They knew their plan had begun.
The Fish-Man District was home to countless fellow mermen. No matter how powerful the silver-haired group was, they couldn't reach here in a short time.
Therefore, they were very relaxed.
When the scope of the fighting widened, forcing the Ryugu Palace to intervene, that would be their chance to strike and conquer the Ryugu Palace.
The more they thought about it, the more ferocious their expressions became.
Just then, the countless roars from outside suddenly ceased as if they had been muted, and fell into an abrupt silence.
Everyone in the room felt their hearts clench as if something terrifying were about to happen.
"What is it?"
Before they could make any move.
*Bang—!*
The roof above suddenly collapsed. The tremendous sound made everyone in the room involuntarily look up. Through the shattered roof, they seemed to see…
They saw a giant transparent palm descending from above.
"What is this?"
Everyone was shocked by this sudden and drastic change.
"Quick, dodge."
Hody Jones was the first to react. Although he didn't know what this was, the overwhelming pressure told him that if this thing landed on him, even he would be severely injured, let alone his subordinates.
So, with his senses returning instantly, he crouched down sharply, then sprang up and quickly dodged to the side.
*Bang—!*
The ground shook as if it were an earthquake, instantly collapsing the entire house. Then, the debris and dust from the house were blown outwards by the hurricane-like impact.
From the air at this moment, one could clearly see that the previously intact house had now been reduced to ruins.
And in the center of the palm print, a giant handprint was clearly visible.
In the pit formed by the handprint, all of Hody Jones's subordinates lay scattered, reduced to mincemeat. Judging by their state, even a divine being couldn't save them.
On either side of the handprint, Hody Jones and Vander Decken IX, their bodies and minds chilled, stared at the handprint with horror on their faces.
"What the hell is this!"
With their knowledge, they truly couldn't comprehend that people in this world could be this powerful.