Flames raged like a crimson sea, consuming the battlefield. Warcury found himself overwhelmed as the fire surged toward him, radiating an unbearable heat.

He tried blasting the fire back with his abilities, but no matter how much he attacked, the flames only grew more relentless—almost sentient in their wrath.

"What's going on?!"

The other Elders were just as stunned. They hadn't anticipated that these flames would be so intense, let alone chase them like living things.

The more they fought it, the more aggressively the flames pushed forward. Bursting from all directions, the wall of fire was thick and oppressive, its heat alone enough to melt resolve.

"What kind of flame is this?!"

"[Godfall]…"

Under the blackened skies, the towers of fire climbing into the heavens painted a scene from hell.

The Five Elders were boiling alive inside the circle of fire.

Then, Vane stabbed Ryūjin Jakka into the earth—and the flame wall instantly vanished.

The battlefield cleared. Where fire once danced, only scorched earth remained. The Elders stood within the remains, their clothes reduced to burnt rags, hair singed, skin reddened. They looked nothing like the rulers of the world—only survivors of divine wrath.

Even Vane wasn't immune to the fire's devastation. Though he could control it, prolonged exposure was still dangerous. That's why the flames were gone now—useful, but not suited for prolonged combat.

He sheathed Ryūjin Jakka, floating midair to avoid the blistering ground. Beneath him, the earth was blackened, a five-meter radius scorched so thoroughly that nothing living remained. The roots of the great tree had been incinerated into ash, and the air shimmered from residual heat.

He advanced into the burned zone.

Elder Nasjuro raised his head in time to see Vane appear before him. Clutching the First Generation Kitetsu, the swordsman prepared to strike.

"[Ghost Slayer]!"

The flame injuries had clearly slowed him, and that weakness was all Vane needed.

"Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!"

Vane exhaled, and a massive wave of flame shot toward his opponent. The elder's slash met it—but was completely engulfed. The fire crushed it effortlessly.

"What… what kind of flame is this?!"

Elder Nasjuro staggered backward, eyes wide. Even though the technique wasn't as intense as the earlier fire wall, it was still incredibly destructive.

The other Elders were watching in growing alarm. Just how many abilities did this man possess?

"What sort of monster is Rhett Vane?!"

They prepared to assist—but they never got the chance.

"Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence!"

Huge, serpentine tree roots erupted again from the ground, massive as buildings. Just like those surrounding the Void Throne earlier, these roots shot skyward and encased the battlefield in an eerie forest. Darkness returned, wrapping the Elders in shadows once more.

"Damn it! The same ability again!"

"Together! We need to break out! We can't let him continue to humiliate us!"

Truthfully, the humiliation had long begun.

Back at the center, Vane launched toward Elder Nasjuro once again. The elder had barely steadied himself when Vane closed the distance in an instant. He struck, and his fist caved in the man's chest with crushing force.

Blood burst from the elder's lips as his face turned deathly pale.

The swordsman was aging—clearly. His strength had waned over the years. Compared to Vane's youthful speed and flying mobility, he was dragging dead weight.

Another punch. Boom!

Nasjuro was flung backward, slamming into a massive pillar. His body embedded into the structure with a crack of stone.

Vane gave no reprieve.

He flew after him, fists already coiled for another strike.

"I'll take that First Generation Kitetsu while I'm at it."

The famed Supreme Grade sword slipped from the elder's weakening grip. One of the twelve strongest blades in the world—now lying in the rubble.

Would Gion use it? Or perhaps Esdeath? No… Gion's sword suited her perfectly. She had wielded hers for years—it was a part of her.

Vane's eyes narrowed at the elder, who struggled to pry himself from the pillar.

"You're not walking away from this."

Suspended midair, Vane tightened his fists.

"Without your blade, your strength's just a shadow."

Without waiting for a reply, he struck.

Twin Bones.

Both fists smashed into Nasjuro's body at once.

The raw power shattered the pillar completely. The elder was launched like a cannonball. The speed was so great, his movement couldn't be tracked by the naked eye.

And then—

A new presence emerged.

From the far end of the battlefield, a figure in a regal cloak stepped forward—Im, the true sovereign of the Celestial Dragons. Her expression was unreadable, but her arrival was unmistakably imperial.

Behind her followed six powerful guards, each cloaked in mystery, their auras menacing and tightly controlled.

Just as she appeared, Nasjuro's body hurtled toward their position, trailing smoke and blood.

___

This Fanfiction was made long before The Elders abilities were shown in the One Piece Manga.