Chapter 120: I Hope I Don't Kill You!

Chapter 120: I Hope I Don't Kill You!

The man before him was quite powerful. Even with his full aura focused into an attack, he doubted he could severely injure this man with a single punch, especially not in his current state, where his aura was evenly dispersed around his body.

After all, he hadn't been stagnant in his training. He had progressed from coating the Treasure Vault's walls with his aura to protecting the ship cabin behind the Historical Text with it, all while constantly pounding the resilient Historical Text with his physical body.

There had been growth, without a doubt.

The previous punch had been too abrupt, and that man had blocked it with his physical body. Whether it was due to an ability or the resilience of his body, he was quite impressive.

But that was all he was—impressive.

With this man's physical condition, each strike that landed on his body would inflict significant damage. That was the effect of the Big Dipper Fist.

"Then, let's begin the second round."

Sarge moved his body slightly and opened his mouth to reveal a set of cold, sharp teeth. "How many of my punches can you take?"

"Heh heh heh heh."

Donquixote stared at Sarge for a moment before covering his face and bursting into laughter. His entire body shook with mirth. "You really make me laugh! I've been underestimated by a newcomer. Are you that proud of breaking through my Birdcage Strings?

He pointed his index finger at Sarge and laughed sinisterly, "I am the consumer of the Line Line Fruit, the 'Line Man'. I can create countless lines—sharp lines, resilient lines, controlling lines, and shielding lines. But the strongest among them is my Birdcage Line."

"Earlier, I merely bound you. Now, let me show you the Birdcage—Bullet Line!"

Bang!

From his finger, a minuscule thread, shimmering silver in the moonlight, shot out like a bullet and penetrated the aura flame.

Sarge was slightly taken aback. He glanced at the thin line embedded in the aura flame and noticed that, unlike the Birdcage Line that had only penetrated half of his aura during his high-speed movement earlier, this line had penetrated two-thirds of his aura.

It was incredibly strong.

"Heh heh heh heh, isn't this just a little bit more broken?" Donquixote licked his lips, and his fingers moved rapidly, producing a series of gun-like sounds. Among the moonlit silver threads, a few turned black.

…With aura!

Sarge's pupils contracted, and he stomped his foot on the ground, turning into an afterimage as he changed his position.

"It's useless! As long as you're bound by my lines, I can see your movements!" Donquixote laughed loudly, spreading his five fingers and flinging his hand outward. "Birdcage—Super Whip!"

From his palm, a bundle of lines thinner than the previous 'Super Whip' but more flexible lashed out like a whip toward the black fireball that was resisting the Birdcage binding lines.

The whip-like lines, imbued with immense force, quickly embedded themselves into the aura flame, stopping just a hair's breadth away from Sarge's body. And then, they broke through!

These lines were also wrapped in aura!

Sss!

Just a slight graze, and Sarge's chest now bore a deep gash, as if something had torn through his flesh, exposing the flesh and blood beneath.

It had broken through!

Sarge narrowed his eyes and took a step back. Just as he was about to retreat further, Donquixote let out a cruel laugh and moved his arm.

The whip in his hand coiled like a snake. As soon as it grazed Sarge, it wrapped around him, breaking through the remaining aura flame and entrapping him. It scraped his chest and back, peeling away a layer of flesh, and the fresh blood stained the whip, which was also wrapped in aura.

"Heh heh heh heh, this aura…"

Donquixote snarled, "It's not something only you can use! Birdcage—Rogue Line!"

His other hand swiftly rose and slashed downward.

In the sky, several lines appeared like black spears, falling from the heavens like black lightning. They penetrated Sarge's aura, piercing his back.

Sss!

Several black spear-like lines, wrapped in aura, pierced through Sarge's back, penetrated his chest, and then embedded themselves deep into the unique wooden floorboards of Mokuton Town.

Drop.

Blood flowed down from his chest along the lines, forming droplets that fell to the ground.

"Hmph, heh heh heh heh, hahahaha! This is the difference between you and me, newcomer!" Donquixote laughed wildly.

Aura was power, offensive strength, and defensive strength.

But it had its limits, and if those limits were exceeded, it could be broken.

Donquixote's own aura was not weak, and combined with his abilities, it could break through this kind of aura.

To break through his Birdcage binding lines?

But those were just the Birdcage binding lines.

His other techniques were even more powerful than the binding lines. As long as he didn't release his full Birdcage, these lines he created would not only possess indestructible hardness but also become stronger when wrapped in aura.

Just like now, after breaking through the aura, it was nothing special.

"I'll give those words back to you."

Suddenly, Sarge's voice rang out, causing Donquixote to freeze.

The bound Sarge, with his chest pierced through, slowly extended his hand and gripped the line that had impaled him like a spear. He slowly pulled it out, and with his other hand, he grabbed the whip binding his chest, yanked it off, and threw it to the ground.

"It's just pierced my body. Are you that proud now?" Sarge straightened his body, ignoring the blood gushing from his chest, and stared coldly at Donquixote.

"You can still move."

Donquixote curled his lips. "But for how long? Failure is inevitable; it's just a matter of time. But it doesn't matter. I like you, so how about joining my family? If you do, you'll be my family, the family of a Celestial Dragon!"

Donquixote was the surname of a Celestial Dragon!

Sarge wasn't strong enough yet, but he was still new. Once he grew, he would become an existence that could stir up the sea.

"His instincts were spot on. This guy gave him a similar vibe to Kaido!

With his help, it would be easier to take down that group later on!"

"Then, let's change the proposal."

Sarge extended his thumb, wiping away the blood from the corner of his mouth, and grinned menacingly at Donquixote, "Why don't you join my pirate crew? I'll treat you as one of my top officers. From then on, we'll share wealth and glory and rule the world together!"

Upon hearing this, Donquixote's expression turned gloomy, but then he laughed, "Heh heh heh, you're an ambitious one, aren't you? Lacking reverence for the heavens. I like working with ambitious people, but do you have the qualifications?"

There were precedents; after all, he was currently cooperating with Thazollo, who had stolen his fruit.

As long as there were benefits, there was nothing he wouldn't consider.

Enemies?

In the world of pirates, there were none!

But what could Sarge bring to the table?

Strength?

Not quite enough.

Territory?

He had none.

Wealth?

Donquixote had no shortage of money; he was at a level where he was no longer motivated solely by financial gain.

This remark caught Sarge's interest.

Indeed!

This guy seemed to have quite the business acumen and underground connections.

In the underground world, he was a leading figure.

While losing Crocodile was a setback, gaining Donquixote as an ally might not be a bad alternative.

He could put his money to good use!

"I was thinking of killing you outright,"

Sarge paused, deep in thought, "But since there's a chance for cooperation, I'll spare your life. However, I need to test your 'qualifications.'"

After all, he didn't want to end up partnering with someone who would slack off like Crocodile.

Although he didn't think Donquixote had lost his will, it was best to be cautious. The ideal test would be...

Sarge grinned ferociously, "Just endure my attack!"

A vein popped out on Donquixote's forehead, and he laughed in anger, "As expected of a pirate, always dreaming big!"

Sarge shook his head. The black fire-like aura flame suddenly vanished, revealing his physical body. He allowed the Birdcage Restraint Lines that had been wrapped around the aura flame to embed themselves in his flesh, their sharp edges cutting tiny wounds all over his body.

"Heh heh heh, giving up so soon after your big talk?" Donquixote sneered.

Sarge raised a finger and said, "As you know, the strength of Haki varies depending on the amount used and the area it covers. Covering the entire body and concentrating it in one spot are two very different things."

White vapors began to rise from his body, and beneath this white mist, the gouges on his chest and back started to heal, the flesh knitting back together, and the wounds closing.

This sight caused Donquixote's eyes, hidden behind his sunglasses, to contract in surprise.

He could see that the gaping hole in Sarge's chest was sprouting new flesh, slowly regenerating, closing the wound, and then being covered by skin, restoring it to its original state.

"A Devil Fruit ability?!" Donquixote exclaimed.

"It's not just a simple regeneration."

Sarge bared his teeth, his grin widening, "You have the qualifications to witness my full power."

He paused for a moment, then suddenly raised his head and roared, "Lily!!!"

In the Tropical Resort, Lily, who had been watching the battle from atop a building, jumped down and said to Agin and Palu, "Let's go."

"Are we going to support Captain Sarge?" Agin asked.

They had been drinking at a bar outside but had rushed over when they sensed the commotion.

"No,"

Lily shook her head. "We're taking the unconscious people and leaving. Sarge is getting serious, and this town will be destroyed."

It wasn't that she couldn't provide support, but Lily knew it wasn't necessary yet.

After all, Sarge had only been using his Haki so far.

Sensing Lily's actions, Sarge took a deep breath, and as he did, his white hair seemed to be swept up by an invisible current, rising and floating above him.

Hss!

A puff of white vapor shot out from his nostrils like an arrow, spreading across the ground like a wave.

"Dragon's Breath Turn!"

Rumble!

The wooden floorboards vibrated, and the air itself seemed to tremble with his breath.

The black-bottomed, red-tipped fur cape fell from his back and dropped to the ground.

In the moonlight, his shadow grew larger, extending forward and engulfing Donquixote.

The cold sweat that had disappeared from his forehead reappeared, even more profuse than before. As his head unconsciously raised, he stared in horror at the figure before him, who was continuing to expand.

"Heh heh heh,"

The expanding figure let out a low laugh, "I don't like this form. It's not very attractive, and it stretches my accessories. These are rare collectibles, hard to come by."

Bang!

The precious jewels and gold ornaments on his fingers, wrists, and neck cracked and shattered under the strain, falling to the ground in pieces.

At the same time, the Birdcage Restraint Lines embedded in his body seemed to be repelled, shooting out from his skin and no longer able to penetrate any further.

His muscles bulged and twisted as they expanded, with new muscles forming on his body's surface. His initially trim shoulders rapidly grew larger, twisting and knotting, and from left to right, they connected with the back of his neck, forming what looked like steel cables. On his shoulders, two shoulder guards, one large and one small, also took shape.

The muscles on his chest and around his neck blossomed outward, twisting and intertwining with his shoulders to form a unified whole. The twisted muscles, like steel cables, wrapped around his entire neck, eventually solidifying into a muscular mass.

The figure that Donquixote presented was that of a monster over ten meters tall, as if wearing heavy armor!

"100%!"

Sarge extended his arms, completely ignoring the Birdcage Restraint Lines around his body that could only be withstood using Haki, and forcefully pulled on these lines, spreading his hands outward.

Relying solely on his physical body, he had reached the level of having Haki envelop his entire body!

Bear! The black fire-like Haki flowed and coiled around his hands, and the intensity within caused Donquixote to involuntarily take a step back.

His total Haki amount was limited, and in order to defend against the Birdcage Lines that covered his entire body, he could only evenly distribute it. As a result, the intensity was naturally weakened.

But now, there was no need for that.

By concentrating his Haki into one point, the destructive power exhibited was naturally not something that could be compared to having it envelop his entire body.

It wasn't even in the same league!

"Let me show you what true Haki is. I just hope I don't kill you."

Sarge bent his knees, his ferocious figure slightly lowering, like a beast about to hunt. Those eyes, gleaming with coldness and ferocity, stared directly at Donquixote.

Boom!

Like crashing thunder, Sarge took a step forward, causing a violent tremor right in front of Donquixote. A deep gully was split open in the direct line of his movement, as if it had been plowed through by a cannon.

The wooden floorboards burst apart, and amidst the flying wood shavings, that ferocious figure almost seemed to flash as it appeared right in front of Donquixote.

"I'll beat you to death!"

The huge fist, coiled with black fire, brought with it a tremendous sound of breaking through the air as it struck directly towards his forehead.

The restraint lines surrounding him were completely ineffective, and they were simply helplessly stretched out.

"Birdcage—Spider's Nest!"

Cold sweat flowed down Donquixote's body as he subconsciously extended his hand. The strongest bird cage lines opened up on his hand, forming a spider web that was covered in Haki to catch the incoming fist.

Bang!!

At the moment of contact, the fist and the spider web exploded with a loud sound. Although Donquixote was about the same height as Sarge at the moment, in the face of this fist, he was like a little bird swaying in the stormy rain. His entire body was diagonally blown away.

The floorboards were plowed open with an even larger gully, and the buildings behind him were blasted open with one large hole after another, causing them to be unable to bear the weight and collapse.

Donquixote's body flew across a third of the distance of the town before finally heavily slamming into the ground. The impact force blasted open a pit with a larger area.

Boom!

His body was tightly pressed against the center of the pit, and he opened his mouth to spit out a mouthful of blood. He wanted to get up, but in just a moment, he felt that something was amiss. Turning his head to look, the restraint net covered in Haki was fine, but that arm had already been completely twisted out of shape.

The strength was terrifyingly strong!

Moreover, the bones and muscle tissue of his arm had all been shattered!

That punch, even if he had managed to block it, the Haki had still been unable to withstand it and had thus been struck by Sarge's Haki!

Swish!

Without giving Donquixote any time to think, a residual image pounced above him, and Sarge's ferocious figure emerged. His fist was raised high, and he fiercely slammed it down towards his head.

"Birdcage—Wild Wave White Line!"

Donquixote roared, and the restraint lines binding Sarge's body collectively contracted, condensing into wave-like lines in front of him. Covered in Haki, they directly struck Sarge's body.

Bang!

Sarge was pushed back by this wave, falling onto the ground outside the pit. But that was all there was to it.

No matter how the wild wave white lines impacted forward, they were unable to make the figure in front of them move even half a step.

"Birdcage—Thousand Feathered Arrows!"

Donquixote straightened his upper body and shouted again. The impacting wild wave white lines split into more than ten sharp lines, with the tips coiled in Haki as they fiercely attacked Sarge's body.

Bang bang bang!

The strongest bird cage lines, combined with Haki, continuously stabbed forward, but no matter where they stabbed, they would be blocked by the Haki that was gathered and condensed. It was as if they were striking against a hard shield.

It wasn't that his entire body was enveloped, but rather that the Haki was concentrated into one point for defense!

However, the speed was too fast—so fast that it could withstand his dense attacks!

This guy's Observational Haki was also terrifying!

"Is that all?"

Sarge looked at the continuously attacking lines and moved his eyes away, looking towards Donquixote, who was still not fully standing up, his mouth curled into a sinister smile. "Dense attacks? I can do that too—Moonwalk—Comet!"

Thud!

He stomped his foot on the ground, and his entire body was almost like a ray of light as he forcefully endured the piercing impact of the wild wave white lines and directly shot up into the sky.

Beneath the round moon, Sarge's head of drifting white hair was like white flames, and his hands were posed, coiled with the flowing black fire.

His hands became countless residual images, sending out the black fire one after another, and that ferocious figure was reflected in the center of the moon. Together with the dense black meteor fire rain that he blasted out, it was like a devil bringing about destruction.

"Sky Destroyer—Meteor Swarm!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end