https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1042-Destruction-of-My-Beautiful-Dining-Space-/13540837/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1044-The-True-Cruelty-of-the-Grand-Line/13540839/
Chapter 1043: Kuro, I'm Going to Use That Move!
Chapter 1043: Kuro, I'm Going to Use That Move!
They've met!
They've met right here on this ordinary Warship!
Though William couldn't understand why his opponent hadn't chosen to ride that iconic golden warship and instead settled for a common vessel, the fact remained—they'd met!
The man who had haunted his dreams, the one he'd longed to challenge again, had finally appeared before him!
"Hmm? Who's calling me?"
Kuro lifted his gaze and saw a figure rapidly expanding on the Pirate Ship ahead. William's lower body suddenly erupted into steam, churning out thick white energy that propelled him skyward until he hovered above the warship, shouting at Kuro:
"I've finally found you again! Lucius Kro!"
William exclaimed, his voice trembling with excitement. "I'm finally going to realize my dream—to defeat you once and for all! Listen well, Lucius Kro! I've already reached the level of fighting evenly against the 'Fifth Emperor'! The Luffy who survived a double ambush by two Four Emperors in Wano Country! And you? You merely fled after barely escaping an attack from two Four Emperors! I've suffered under your deception for far too long, but now I'll defeat you and force the Navy to acknowledge my strength!"
Perfect!
He'd been wondering if a single warship would be enough.
But if this Admiral candidate fell to his hand, that would be the ultimate declaration of his power!
Kuro stared blankly at William's frenzied display in the sky, remaining silent for a long moment before finally replying.
"Ah?"
"You didn't hear me? I said I'm going to defeat you!"
As William roared, his upper body also erupted into steam. His entire form transformed into a colossal steam giant. A massive sword of condensed steam materialized in his grip, radiating searing heat.
"No."
Kuro glanced up at the steam giant, then turned his gaze to the nearby pirate flagship with a puzzled expression. "What exactly happened to him?"
The three officers on the flagship had already emerged. Montblanc was clenching his fists, still recalling that shockwave of pure force from earlier which had briefly stunned him into deep contemplation.
Elmira was watching the drowning pirates scrambling aboard from their sunken vessels.
Sverre stood silently, dagger in hand.
No one answered. They were all still reeling from Lida's previous display of power.
Could that white-haired young girl really be that strong?
"What happened to me?!"
William answered his own question. "Of course it's to prove my strength through battle! You, the fraudster who made me cautious all these years with that shadow of yours from our childhood! I should've already become a Great Pirate if it weren't for you holding me back! But no matter—there's still time! Let me use you as my first step toward becoming a Great Pirate! Don't worry, I'll be sure to collect your skull as a trophy, my old friend!"
With that, the steam giant swung its arm. The massive steam sword radiated intense heat as it cleaved downward.
"Overheat Slash!!"
Kuro narrowed his eyes and reached for Autumn Water, but before he could act, Lida suddenly surged upward, transforming into her maiden form. She leaned back, pressing her palm against Kuro's chest. Her five fingers curled inward, siphoning his physical strength.
"Lida?"
"I'm angry! Let me handle this!"
Biting her lip, she absorbed his power for a moment before launching herself upward, rocketing toward the descending steam sword.
"Destruction of my meal?! Unforgivable!"
She thrust her palm forward. A blinding white light erupted, slamming into the steam sword.
"Essence Shockwave!"
The brilliant white impact collided with the steam blade. After a brief stalemate, the steam sword shattered. The white light surged upward, smashing into the steam giant's head and dispersing it into explosive vapor.
"Lida Miss is handling this herself?" Klah pushed his glasses up, asking with visible concern.
"Let her vent her frustration. Don't worry, Lida's strong enough", Kuro replied casually.
"Are you sure?"
"Relax."
Klah fell silent. Lida was indeed powerful, but even more so now after refining his Devil Fruit abilities. With mastery over 'Night Rhythm' and the inherent advantages of fighting at night, his strength had grown significantly, especially under the Full Moon.
That said, he still wouldn't consider facing William an easy task. Though they hadn't met in years, William's strength back in East Blue had been undeniable. It wasn't that he doubted Lida's ability to win—it was the risk of her getting injured that concerned him.
After all, when it came to protecting his own, no one in the Navy could rival Kuro's ferocity.
Especially when it came to Lida Miss.
Why would he let her recklessly throw herself into danger?
"Taste my power!"
Lida laughed as she propelled herself through the air using Moonstep, landing deftly.
From the exploded skull-shaped steam cloud, new vapor began condensing, reforming the steam giant and its blade.
"I'm a Logia-type user, brat!" the steam giant mocked. "That kind of attack can't touch me! You can't even find my real body!"
Unarmed combat techniques from strong men? Some strange impact ability? So what!
His steam body was massive, and his real form wasn't directly engaged in combat. Even if attacked, it wouldn't matter—his real body remained unscathed.
"Essence Impact: Rift!"
Lida's expression darkened. She clapped her hands together, unleashing a thin beam of white light. The beam split and multiplied like guided warheads, piercing through the steam giant's body in a hail of perforations.
"I told you it's useless! You can't find my real body! I'll just dodge ahead of time!"
The steam giant cackled maniacally as it raised its massive sword. "Step aside, little girl! I don't fight women! My goal is Lucius Kro alone!"
The colossal blade resumed its downward arc toward the warship.
Lida descended in a spinning motion, landing at the bow of the ship. Clenching her teeth in frustration, she shouted, "Hey Kuro! I'm going to use that move!"
"Oh? Well sure, you've already siphoned enough strength from me. Go ahead and play. I'll cover you", Kuro said with a casual smile.
This made Klah's heart skip a beat as he turned to Lida.
What new technique could she possibly have?
He'd barely mastered 'Black Rope Heaven Flash' himself.
Had Lida Miss learned one of Kuro's secret techniques?!
As the massive blade descended, Lida took a deep breath. She suddenly clenched her right fist and yanked her arm across her neck, shielding herself with her forearm in a striking pose. A white ring of radiant energy coalesced around her fist, forming a shape...
A shape...
Klah's eyes widened in absolute disbelief.
The most perilous battle of his life had been the Top War.
The shockwave from Whitebeard Edward Newgate had been apocalyptic!
Even Blackbeard's sneak attack had delivered a similarly earth-shattering impact.
He remembered those stances with perfect clarity.
And now, Lida's stance matched those of Whitebeard and Blackbeard exactly!
(End of Chapter)
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