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Chapter 1034: Truly Deserving of the Seven Warlords of the Sea!
Chapter 1034 – Truly Deserving of the Seven Warlords of the Sea!
Hearing this, Luffy relaxed with a grin. "Huh? So you're not one of Kaido's lackeys? Planning to challenge him yourself? Not happening – Kaido's mine to take down first!"
William didn't reply. Instead, he suddenly thrust his arm forward, transforming it into a steam column that shot straight at Luffy.
Luffy tilted his head sideways, effortlessly dodging the pressurized steam blast that came like a cannonball.
William sneered. The steam column's tip suddenly twisted mid-air, curving around to strike Luffy's back of the head from behind.
Without even glancing, Luffy's entire forearm shimmered with Haki as he raised his fist backward, slamming into the steam stream.
Boom!
The steam exploded into mist, enveloping Luffy's body in a damp haze. The remnants retracted, solidifying back into William's hand.
Luffy adjusted his straw hat, smirking.
William clenched his palm, his brow furrowing as his gaze sharpened with rare intensity. "Haki's Internal Destruction?"
His hand felt numb. If he hadn't been alert to Luffy's punch and quickly retracted his physical form, the impact would've left his arm completely paralyzed, as though his palm had been twisted inside out. There was no doubt this was Haki's 'Internal Destruction'.
Luffy grinned wider. "Hehe! Advanced Ryuo technique!"
William yanked his rapier from his waist, slashing it sideways. A burst of steam erupted from the blade, darkening as black Haki bled into it.
"Whatever Ryuo nonsense you're spouting—"
With a cold snort, he swung his blade with tremendous force. "Fire Train Slash!"
Whizz!
The white steam slash, cloaked in Haki, turned jet-black as it arced forward like a crescent moon. The moment the attack manifested, scorching heat accelerated its speed, slicing straight toward Luffy's crew.
Luffy's pupils dilated. He blew into his thumb, inflating his arm like a balloon, covering it in crimson Haki. His forearm compressed into his bicep like a coiled spring. As the black slash neared, a wisp of white energy erupted from his fist.
"Rubber Rubber!!!"
Crack!
The compressed fist launched forward, friction igniting flames that engulfed it. The fiery fist smashed into the speeding slash. Instead of direct contact, an invisible armor repelled the attack, creating a pushing match.
Creak!
After a tense stalemate, the black slash suddenly cracked, the fissures spreading rapidly.
Boom!
Luffy's fist surged forward, shattering the slash into fragments. Explosive air pressure and heat blasted outward, sending a ring of pirates tumbling into the sea. Those aboard quickly threw ropes to pull them back up.
"Hehe!" Luffy retracted his arm, grinning at William. "Wasn't so impressive!"
William narrowed his eyes. "No wonder you're the fifth Emperor. Bragging aside, your strength's no joke."
Logia Devil Fruits couldn't be affected by Haki, but swordsmen had advantages. William wielded steam as a slashing weapon, amplifying impact and heat through sword techniques. His Haki-infused slashes carried Internal Destruction potency, like a high-speed train's devastating force.
Six months of relentless combat had honed his skills. He'd mastered Haki slashes with Internal Destruction – though he hadn't expected Luffy's Haki to match his own.
"I've grown stronger too!" Luffy chuckled. "I won't lose again!"
Half a year battling Kaido and Charlotte Big Mom's forces, guided by Wulang the Soldier, had accelerated his growth. Ryuo could now manifest both External Release and Destructive forms – and even beyond.
After the collision, William and Luffy locked eyes without moving, while others sprang into action.
"Death Cross!"
Elmira struck first, dual pistols crisscrossing, firing a storm of bullets.
"Fishman Karate!"
Jinbei charged, unleashing a shockwave that scattered the bullets. "An old man like me won't let anyone sneak attack Luffy!"
"Jinbei, huh?" Elmira said coolly. "No one's trying to sneak attack. Our captain's interested in your captain. As for you…"
"I'll handle him!"
Montblanc leaped skyward, legs raised high. "Diamond Crush!!"
His Haki-coated legs swung down like an axe. Jinbei crossed his arms in a crossguard. "Plum Blossom Hide!!"
Clang!
The axe blow sent shockwaves rippling, shattering the deck beneath their feet. Steel-reinforced planks splintered as Jinbei sank into the sea below.
Montblanc pushed off mid-air, rebounding several times before twisting his body downward. "Diamond Break!!"
His fist drilled into the sea, creating a massive depression in the water.
"Fishman Karate!"
A roar erupted from the waves. Jinbei emerged, palm strikes sending a water spear piercing upward toward Montblanc.
Boom!
Montblanc blocked, propelled skyward by the force. He landed lightly, pivoting as Jinbei climbed through the deck's crater.
"Unarmed combat techniques from strong men, huh?" Jinbei muttered.
"Hehe!" Montblanc grinned maliciously. "No wonder you're one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea!"
(End of Chapter)
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