https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1272-The-Abyss-of-the-Grand-Line/13542140/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1274-Old-Man-Sure-Arrived-at-a-Good-Time-/13542154/
Chapter 1273: Why Don't You Try a Few More Times?
Chapter 1273: Why Don't You Try a Few More Times?
The darkness didn't affect Kuro at all. He merely glanced toward it, then ignored the spreading shadows completely.
That dual bladesswordsman wasn't bad either. He seemed to have his own unique swordsmanship, capable of shifting 'momentum,' though he still wouldn't stand a chance against Klah.
Klah's abilities had developed quite nicely.
"That subordinate of yours is a new recruit? Seems decent enough, but it's a shame—he'll die here."
Kuro smirked at Luo, then suddenly extended his arm to seize the descending Yokai Blade from the sky. His arm tensed as he swung it forward in one instant.
Whoosh!
Slash!
With that single slash, blood-red water surged from the blade like a horrifying wave, drowning Luo before he could even react. Countless bloodstained hands emerged from the crimson torrent, grasping to tear his body apart and drag him into the blood-soaked abyss.
Killing Intent!
Thick, suffocating Killing Intent!
Luo's body froze completely, his eyes widening in shock. But he quickly snapped back, his pupils trembling as he gripped his sword and hastily raised a transparent barrier just in time.
"Antibacterial Armament!"
Yet as the blood water vanished, all he saw was Kuro swinging his long blade and flicking it aside—standing completely still, never even attacking.
Kuro chuckled, "You're getting nervous, Luo."
Luo's expression darkened. He thrust his Ghost Cry forward, releasing a shockwave that blasted toward Kuro.
"Inject!"
Bang!
The impact slammed into Kuro's defense—a crimson air current swirling around him. The crimson energy condensed on his body, merging with Haki to form a crimson armor.
Steam seemed to rise from Kuro's face, distorting his features. Tear-shaped streaks like crescent moons ran from his eyes to his jawline. The crimson armor clung to his form, transforming him into a demon-like samurai.
"Come now, Luo—what will you do?" Kuro's grin never wavered.
Whoosh!
Luo vanished with a flash movement, reappearing beside Kuro. Emerald-green electric sparks danced along his blade as he slashed downward.
Clang!
Kuro's long blade blocked the strike, crimson air currents erupting to encase Ghost Cry's blade. The energy coiled around Luo's body like a serpent.
Luo instinctively tried to dodge, but the crimson currents slowed his movements.
"Haki?!" Luo exclaimed. "External Release this refined?!"
Haki's External Release was supposed to extend only from the attack point, but this flexible manipulation was something he'd never seen before!
Kuro hadn't possessed this technique a year ago!
"The times are changing, Luo. You're not the only one growing stronger—though I'll admit, my progress is... modest. Wu Sheng Kong Sha."
A crimson tasseled sash flew from Kuro's shoulder, speeding toward Luo.
"My Haki can't stop your ability? Then how about this?" Kuro grinned.
Haki wasn't omnipotent. It couldn't block Luo's Awakening ability, but it could still hinder his physical movements.
If his teleportation got caught in Haki's grasp, even his ability wouldn't let him escape easily.
Whether Haki or ability reigned supreme ultimately depended on individual strength.
Luo had once failed to cut Donquixote Doflamingo—not because his ability was weak, but because Doflamingo's Haki had been superior. With both factors stacked against him, he'd been helpless.
But now, this penetration power could easily slice through former Four Emperors. Of course, he wasn't the only one capable of that anymore.
As the sash closed in, Luo clicked his tongue, twisting his blade. Activating his ability, he sliced himself apart, escaping the crimson currents. His body segments flashed to a distance before reassembling.
"Cut!" He slashed downward, leaving residual energy from his blade—a wisp of cutting force.
"Stop using such fly-like attacks", Kuro sighed, shaking his head. Blood qi spiraled from his blade as he swung forward. "Mystic Art: White Tiger!"
A phantom white tiger erupted from his blade, claws slashing to trap Luo. Once locked within this technique's range, escape was impossible.
That was its original effect—at least, before Kuro had used it against Shanks, where it had proven far less effective.
Hmph!
As expected, Luo simply slashed upward, cleaving through the phantom tiger.
He placed a hand on Ghost Cry's blade, channeling a glowing energy down its edge. "Kroom! Anesthetic!"
His form vanished again, reappearing to stab at Kuro.
Kuro narrowed his eyes, countering with a slash of his own.
Blades clashed—Kuro's horizontal slash meeting Luo's thrust. Ghost Cry pierced the Yokai Blade's core, impaling Kuro's body.
"You're finished!" Luo's lips curled into a malevolent grin. Thick emerald light surged from his blade, channeling high-energy gamma rays into Kuro's body.
"Electro-Shock Wave!!"
The energy erupted, tearing through Kuro's internal organs with madness-inducing destruction. A year ago, this very technique had gravely wounded Charlotte Big Mom!
Even steel balloons couldn't withstand this power. Kuro's frail body should've been annihilated!
Hmph!
A burst of blood erupted, shaking Luo's form. His sword-wielding hand had been severed! Kuro grabbed the embedded Ghost Cry, yanking it free before hurling it to the ground. His remaining foot stomped on the blade while his other leg—still carrying tremendous force—kicked Luo square in the abdomen.
Boom!!
The crushing blow bent Luo double, sending him flying backward to carve a deep gash into the earth.
"Cough! Cough!"
Luo spat blood from the gash, staring at Kuro in disbelief. "Impossible! Absolutely impossible! How could you survive that?!"
He'd been certain—this strike wasn't a mere probe like before. It had been a full-powered attack. With Kuro's frail constitution, he should've been crippled. So why...
Ahead, Kuro casually touched the wound, realization dawning.
"I see. The penetration bypasses pain entirely, leaving no time for reaction or defense. It causes no external damage, yet wreaks havoc internally. Haki can't stop it—only raw physical resilience could resist."
"Why aren't you injured?!"
Kuro's grin widened, like a child who'd pulled off a prank. "You're wondering why I'm unharmed?"
"Exactly! I'm quite curious myself."
He kicked Ghost Cry and the severed hand toward Luo. "Why don't you try a few more times and figure it out yourself?"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
