https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1186-Taking-Out-the-Four-Emperors-in-One-Go-Isn-t-So-Bad/13541574/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1188-Big-Mom-You-ve-Lived-Too-Long/13541576/
Chapter 1187: Shinmeiryu Style
Chapter 1187: Shinmeiryu Style
The Great Vermilion Bird Funeral Cry not working was something Kuro had anticipated. This madwoman’s current Spirit King form had a completely different condition from Kaido’s.
At this level of existence, each individual’s Full Power form of combat power manifested in entirely distinct styles. Kaido specialized in absolute defense and flawless combat, while that Luffy seemed to rely on elasticity and tenacity. Defensively, Kuro had to admit Kaido was stronger, but Luffy’s unyielding willpower and stamina were simply superior. Luffy’s Fist power never waned—it had a clear upper limit. Even if Kaido could dominate physically, overwhelming the enemy in a storm of blows, once the fight dragged on past his endurance, Luffy could still strike with the same force. At that point, resistance became impossible. Kaido’s combat power in Full Power form would falter, but Luffy could maintain his stance. How infuriating?
There was no helping it—that was the cruelty of the Grand Line. The opponent was burning their life essence.
Charlotte·Big Mom’s current form was essentially burning her soul. However, for someone like her, souls weren’t a scarce resource. If she won, she could replenish every ounce of exerted soul energy. If she lost, there’d be no point discussing life essence anymore.
Her form didn’t directly strengthen her physical body. However, her ability to acceptably “devour” the strength of others’ souls was a versatile offensive and defensive technique in itself.
Among the Four Emperors, Kuro had witnessed Kaido’s and Big Mom’s forms. He hadn’t seen Shanks’ yet, but Shanks wasn’t even a Devil Fruit user. Plus, Shanks held an advantage, so his battle intent seemed weaker, as if he’d truly bet his hopes on that Luffy.
Eventually, Shanks did manifest battle intent—after Kuro had eliminated several of his officers. But by then, it was too late. Once Kuro found an opening and severed his last arm, Shanks’ defeat became absolute.
While Conqueror’s Haki wasn’t bad, it lacked the unique ability. His Full Power form of combat power was merely average, lacking that extra dimension of combat power.
Combat power had a ceiling. Once you reached the peak, you couldn’t ascend further. However, combat power could expand horizontally—acquiring new elements meant new techniques, new abilities for decisive victories.
Individuals like them, who had fully developed their Devil Fruits to their Full Power forms, were clearly stronger than those without Devil Fruits.
As for Conqueror’s Haki, the old Four Emperors possessed it too. Their Haki proficiency wasn’t low, their combat skills were formidable, and they had Devil Fruits. Horizontally speaking, they had that additional edge over Shanks. However, battles couldn’t be calculated so simplistically. According to Kuro’s estimate, in a one-on-one duel, if Shanks stood on land and could fully exert his combat power, he might match either Kaido or Big Mom. If Shanks fell, those two would probably have to step down from the Grand Line stage.
Moreover, Shanks had a team. The advantages his subordinates provided exceeded those of other Four Emperors. Considering that, the odds were genuinely 50-50, or perhaps a four-six split—but no one knew who occupied which side of the split.
The ceiling remained unchanged. No one could surpass that limit; doing so would defy Grand Line logic, akin to two Admirals defeating any existence on the Grand Line.
Kuro was the same. His offensive power was immense, but his defense was the weakest among those ceilings, perhaps not even surpassing that Red-Haired fool Shanks.
However, his school of swordsmanship wasn’t about brute-force resistance. A swordsman’s way was to strike first—rarely did others get opportunities to strike him. Fundamentally, if he could kill opponents instantly, that was still “absolute defense.”
“This Great Vermilion Bird Funeral Cry wasn’t meant to finish you off,” Kuro narrowed his eyes, addressing the colossal figure emerging from the crimson flames. “It was merely to hold you back. To be honest, I was somewhat displeased when Dracule Mihawk handed over the World’s Greatest Swordsman title. But that doesn’t mean I can’t accept it. You should feel honored, Big Mom. You’re the first to witness this technique of mine. Naturally, you have the qualifications to see it.”
The final strand of Five Elements Kong Sha encircling his body soared outward, wrapping around the Yokai Blade, gradually merging into it.
Kuro raised the Yokai Blade vertically in front of his chest, performing a ritual-like motion. He slid two fingers along the blade’s edge, and golden light enveloped the steel.
“This technique…”
Law and Eustass Kid, stunned, simultaneously shouted, “Beware! That slash is coming again!!”
That indiscriminate, devastating slash—its power terrified them. Now it was coming again?!
Facing an old Four Emperor, he still had the audacity to try annihilating them all at once?
How arrogant!
But regardless, they had to block this attack.
Eustass Kid’s eyes sharpened. He noticed Kuro no longer had those terrifying ribbons surrounding him. If they could endure this strike, they’d finally have a chance!
Weng!!
Just as they braced for defense, a sudden heaviness gripped their bodies. The chaotic air pressure vanished entirely. The Floating Force disappeared, and they plummeted earthward.
The domain was gone?!
“Opportunity!”
Law extended his hand, preparing to activate his ability and evacuate the remaining allies from this hellish place. However, before he could, his expression twisted in horror. He fixated on the blood-colored figure in the sky, eyes nearly popping from their sockets, teeth chattering uncontrollably.
“What… what is that?!”
It wasn’t Law who spoke. It was Eustass Kid beside him. He completely ignored his plummeting body, his gaze locked on the sky alongside Law. His voice cracked with disbelief: “What the hell is that?!”
Marco flapped his blue flame wings, catching two captains mid-fall. He looked upward, instinctively swallowing hard before offering a bitter smile. “Has he grown this far already?”
The domain disappeared?
No—the chaotic, previously diffused forces were now violently compressed into the blade glowing with golden light. The intense compression made the sword appear almost illusory, as the air itself couldn’t withstand the tremors, warping the visual field.
“Shinmeiryu Style.”
Kuro gripped the hilt with both hands, speaking softly.
Charlotte·Big Mom, wreathed in crimson flames, charged forward. The Killing Intent manifesting as fiery aura gradually dissipated, revealing her maddened form. However, countless crimson stars still clung to her, encasing her soul Homies around her.
Just slowing it down slightly, reducing the soul’s influence—this was sufficient for Kuro.
Kuro paused, frowning. “What should I name this? Forget it.”
“Mamamama! Soul!!!”
Seeing Charlotte·Big Mom lunging forward with Napoleon, Kuro shook his head, his eyes gruesome. “No time to think about names now!”
Napoleon descended in a slash, but Kuro didn’t dodge. Instead, he swung his blade downward, converting the motion into a horizontal slash aimed at Big Mom’s neck.
Big Mom felt the strike was certain. The soul aura encasing her surged into Napoleon, intent on cleaving Kuro in two.
Hu!
Napoleon struck first, reducing Kuro to a bloodied pulp. But in that instant, the scene before Big Mom shattered like a bubble, revealing the truth.
Kuro reappeared beside her, the blade’s speed unchanged. The slash smoothly glided across Big Mom’s neck.
“Agh!!!”
No blood followed—just a cut. Big Mom’s eyes widened in terror. She abandoned Napoleon, clenched her fist, and unleashed a punch combining malevolent wind-thunder and Soul Flame, hammering into Kuro’s body.
Peng!!!
(End of Chapter)
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