Chapter 1236: Combat Comes With Bgm?
Chapter 1236: Combat Comes With Bgm?
"Kuro, why won't you let me fight? This old man is so annoying!" Lida whined.
Kuro glanced at her sideways. Aside from that red-haired woman who had previously affected Lida, none of these people were any match for her.
Constance might have some skill, but against Lida's newly learned technique, he wouldn't stand a chance. He'd inevitably end up defeated.
Kuro reached out and ruffled Lida's hair. "I don't want to keep staying on the Warship. It just got repaired, so let's not go through the hassle again."
That 'Heaven-Shaking Earth-Shattering' move's power alone could destroy not only nearby Castle Towers but probably the surrounding civilian homes too.
Its destructive power was unquestionably immense.
"Hmph", Lida huffed but stopped pressing the issue.
After all, as Kuro said, his presence was enough.
Gripping his Black Blade, Kuro smirked at the group. "Alright then, let's play."
Constance's expression tightened.
Black Blade.
Just those two words made most people think of the legendary World's Greatest Swordsman, Hawk-Eye, who had left an indelible mark for years. Everyone's first impression was of him.
But if you added the "Navy" element, the natural association became the rising star of recent years who had single-handedly ended an era.
Some believed it, some didn't, and some thought like Constance - that Golden Lion was merely seizing an opportunity.
Regardless...
The man before them was genuinely strong!
"Officer Red", Kuro called out, "we have a great wish. Won't you hear me out?"
Red tried to reason once more, but as she opened her mouth, a blur of afterimages flashed. Suddenly, an icy chill struck her face. Though she couldn't see, she still felt a sharp pain on her cheeks and neck.
Clang!
Constance instantly appeared before Red, crossing his Haki-infused arms upward to block the sudden Black Blade strike.
The immense force sent cracks radiating across the ground beneath his feet.
Gritting his teeth, Constance's arms strained downward under the blade's pressure. Using an odd force, he redirected the descending Black Blade sideways, letting it slash into the ground. Seizing the moment, his arms lashed out like whips, striking left and right at Kuro who had appeared before him.
"Oh?"
Kuro's eyes widened in surprise as he lightly stepped back, dodging Constance's arm strikes.
"Tiger Rush!"
Constance roared, his outstretched hands suddenly unleashing a powerful impact toward Kuro.
Hiss!
Kuro simply raised his blade upward, cleaving straight through the incoming impact.
Breaking through the attack, Kuro exhaled a puff of smoke. "You've got some skill, old man. That force dispersion technique is impressive."
From their first exchange, Kuro knew this old man's unarmed combat techniques were no joke. He had some strange force-dissipating skill that could neutralize most attacks.
No wonder Lida had struggled for so long.
But...
"Lida?"
"I've got it", Lida called from behind. "I figured out his technique. He's developed 'Ryuo' to an extremely advanced level, like needles that can penetrate my Haki and strike my acupuncture points. But my Haki isn't bad either, or I'd be injured."
Kuro nodded. "Makes sense. But I'm a swordsman, not someone who fights unarmed. I wouldn't fall for that."
"Huh?" Lida looked confused. "Kuro, are you scared of that?"
"Just messing with you."
Kuro swung his blade, lowered his stance, and gripped Autumn Water in his right hand beneath his left ribs. Crossing his arms in an 'X' shape, he said, "Alright, let's continue."
"Officer Red!"
Constance called out, "Please bless me with your power. This man isn't someone ordinary people can handle!"
Red's face showed sorrow. "Must we fight like this?"
"Yes. This is a necessary obstacle to remove. Once we succeed, the Ideal Village will have no more hindrances!"
Red closed her eyes and sighed softly. "Very well."
"Thank you, Officer Red. Let us now play the Victory-Turning Song!"
Constance took his stance, subtly protecting Red. The Moon Tribe woman behind them began singing. Though there was no instrumental accompaniment, her voice was strong and passionate. This wasn't the gentle, lullaby-like singing from before. Clenching her fists, she sang with fiery intensity.
Instantly, Constance's aura changed. Though his stance remained the same, Kuro could clearly see his life force surging, carrying an indescribable energy.
Kuro raised an eyebrow, bewildered. "B...Bgm?"
What the hell? Combat with its own Bgm?
And it was actually pretty good and exciting.
"Immovable? Then this old man will go first!"
Constance exhaled a nose-released aura resembling an arrow, stepping forward with a heavy stomp.
Bang!
His foot struck the ground with a wisp-like sound, sending dust swirling outward in a circle. Constance vanished, reappearing before Kuro. His palm, swirling with cyan clouds, struck like a howling wind.
Unified Haki, Muramasa.
Kuro's eyes narrowed, quickly reacting as golden electric sparks danced along his Black Blade. He didn't retreat, slicing forward to intercept the incoming palm strike aimed at his head.
His blade had much greater reach than the old man's arm.
Crack!
At that moment, Constance twisted his body, his elbow colliding with the incoming blade. The clash of Haki caused the blade to stall, then his free arm extended, palm pressing against Autumn Water's flat side, twisting it downward. Simultaneously, his body closed in on Kuro, delivering a palm strike to his head.
Kuro instinctively recoiled, Autumn Water vibrating as it broke free from Constance's grip, flying backward into the air. He stared at the old man in shock.
"Hmph."
Constance resumed his stance, exhaling turbid energy as he grinned at the airborne Kuro. "Seems I might actually have the strength to fight an Admiral!"
"Interesting", Kuro stared at him. "You're enhancing your overall combat effectiveness? That strength is quite impressive. That woman is a Devil Fruit user, right? This Bgm can be used strategically?"
Constance chuckled. "Unlike others, I prefer not to reveal my abilities."
"Fair enough", Kuro extended his five fingers toward Red behind them, then curled them inward.
A massive rush of air flowed from Red's direction, concentrating into Kuro's hand.
Red's singing halted, her breathing clearly becoming labored.
The air had become significantly thinner...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
