Chapter 1163: What, it's Incense Burner!
Chapter 1163: What, it's Incense Burner!
After blocking that 'Diamond Darts' attack, Luffy grimaced again, tightening his fists. "Peach asked me for help, and any obstacle blocking my path will fall to my fists!"
Kaido's malevolent grin widened. "Little brat, I'll admit you've got some strength. Escaping for so long before finally confronting this Old Man and actually exchanging blows on equal footing? You've earned your status in the Grand Line. But defeating this Old Man? You're nowhere close!"
"Gomu Gomu."
Without another word, Luffy sprang into the air with both feet, his body soaring upward. Suddenly, he pulled his legs into his thighs and launched himself downward with tremendous force toward Kaido.
"Rhino Battering Ram!"
His feet, infused with Conqueror's Haki, shot forward at incredible speed and power.
Kaido barely managed to raise his Wolf's Spirit Thundercloud to block the attack.
Boom!
The collision between his Conqueror's Haki Infusion and Armament Haki sent shockwaves rippling through the already gloomy sky above them. Where they stood, the sky itself seemed to fracture, the heavens splitting apart along an invisible line.
"Heat Breath!"
The moment Kaido blocked the attack, he unleashed a blazing torrent of flame straight at the airborne Luffy, triggering a massive explosion that shook the entire chamber.
Yet strangely, this attack capable of vaporizing entire mountains only caused structural damage to the room's walls.
"Gomu Gomu!"
From the explosion's heart rang Luffy's voice as his massive, rubbery body burst forth. His arm recoiled like a spring, then launched forward like a cannonball. "Jet Giant Serpent Cannon!"
His punch struck with even greater ferocity than before, slamming into Kaido's face and sending his massive form crashing backward, creating a shockwave that rattled the floor.
"Kuh!"
Kaido coughed violently, spitting blood as he lay on the ground panting.
Physical strength... starting to wane
Shaking his head, he pushed himself up, glaring at Luffy emerging from the smoke. "Blocking lightning I could understand, but flames too?! Why?!"
Luffy grinned, his teeth flashing. "Hehe, I won't tell you!"
"Then die!"
Kaido unleashed another Heat Breath toward the sky. This time Luffy twisted mid-air, avoiding the attack. His forearm swelled like a giant's limb, then compressed as black lightning crackled around his fist.
"Gomu Gomu!"
Boom!
The compressed lightning erupted with deafening thunder. Kaido's pupils constricted as his Wolf's Spirit Thundercloud spun, releasing a wisp of black thunder and crackling lightning and wind that met Luffy's punch head-on.
"Xun Thunder Wind Strike!!"
Boom!!!
The shockwave from their collision rippled through the room, waves of force radiating outward and shaking the walls as their attacks met once more.
"Roar!!"
After a brief stalemate, Kaido's arm bulged as he forced his Thundercloud forward, deflecting Luffy's punch and striking him with a current of lightning fire that smashed into his abdomen.
Luffy's midsection caved inward with a grunt, his movements slowing. In that instant, Kaido's dragon tail lashed out, propelling his body forward. With a thunderous strike from his Thundercloud, he smashed Luffy square in the face.
"Thunderous Trigrams!!"
"Gomu Gomu·Second Giant Serpent Cannon!"
At the same time, Luffy's other fist launched forward, slamming into Kaido's face and distorting his features.
Kaboom!
Both fighters crashed downward, slamming onto the floor with earth-shaking force.
As they landed, Luffy bounced upright, clenching his fists with determined expression. "Kaido!!"
"Damned brat!"
Kaido rose, gripping his Wolf's Spirit Thundercloud 'Yama no Kami', steadying himself with a grit of his teeth. "You've really got this Old Man worked up!"
"What a heartwarming sentiment."
As Kaido prepared to strike again, both he and Luffy froze, turning toward the new voice.
At the chamber's entrance stood a figure with a cigar between his lips, smoke swirling around his face. He raised an arm, fingers tapping against the wall, producing a distinctive rubbery snap.
"So you've Awakened? No wonder this room's been so stable despite your prolonged battle. Otherwise, this castle should've been destroyed by now."
As the smoke cleared, his familiar face became visible. Looking at Kaido, he said, "Long time no see. I never imagined I'd find you locked in such an intense battle with Luffy."
"Kuro?!"
Kaido's expression darkened. "When did you arrive?!"
Kuro offered a faint smile. "Been here a while. Watching your intense fight. Seems you've both exhausted considerable physical strength without noticing my presence."
After the castle was lifted skyward, the ambient battle aura had weakened significantly. This confirmed for Kuro that Big Mom wasn't inside - the only presence detectable was Kaido's. Following that aura led him here.
As for Momonosuke and Blackbeard's Giant Serpent, he had little interest in watching that spectacle.
But something felt off about this location.
He'd been here long enough to witness their mutual beating, observing how both fighters had exhausted significant physical strength, their wounds testament to the battle's ferocity.
From Kuro's experienced perspective, Kaido had already expended his maximum combat power. Now reduced to his hybrid form after failing to defeat Luffy despite prolonged fighting.
But what truly amazed him was Luffy.
"I never imagined", Kuro exhaled smoke, "that in such a short time you'd reach this level of cultivation. That last attack was 'Unified Haki', wasn't it? Combined with Conqueror's Haki Infusion? And this room's elasticity - you've Awakened your ability, haven't you?"
He'd seen Kaido's Thunderous Trigrams infused with Conqueror's Haki smash into Luffy's face, yet not even that attack had brought him down. His durability rivaled a Zoan-type's.
You damn Paramecia-type, since when did rubber become this durable?!
"Yep! I've mastered Muramasa and Conqueror's Haki Infusion!"
Luffy chuckled, tilting his head as he studied Kuro. After a moment, his eyes widened as realization struck. Smack! His left fist struck his right palm. "Wait a minute... You're the Incense Burner!!"
Kuro's calm facade cracked instantly, a throbbing vein appearing on his forehead. "My name's Kuro, you brat! You're only recognizing me now, you stinking little brat!"
(End of Chapter)
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