https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-394-The-Empty-Throne-Must-Be-Claimed/13537062/
Chapter 395: You're No Match for Old Man Shanks
Chapter 395: You’re No Match for Old Man Shanks
"Despicable?"
Kuro scoffed, tightening his grip on Autumn Water. "Don’t act so high and mighty. On the Grand Line, no one’s nobler than anyone else. Underestimating others carelessly might get you killed!"
"Is that so?"
Lucius smiled. "I’ve been to Impel Down before, but what of it? They’re just locking up petty criminals."
Whoosh!
His figure flickered, vanishing entirely within the space. This time, Lucius unleashed his true speed, reappearing at Kuro’s flank. Bat Umbrella, laced with Haki, stabbed forward.
"Vermilion Bird!"
Caught off guard, Kuro roared the technique’s name. As Bat Umbrella pierced toward him, flames erupted around his body, morphing into a blazing bird with wings spread wide.
"Flames born from Slash?"
The umbrella plunged into the phoenix’s body, and Lucius’ eyes widened slightly. He withdrew Bat Umbrella and retreated, his hooded cloak billowing like a spiral around the Vermilion Bird, slicing it into a swirling helix.
But the Vermilion Bird remained unfazed. Its severed body rapidly regenerated, filling the air with slashes. Letting out a piercing screech, it lunged at Lucius with both wings.
Drain him dry!
"Oh? A technique that constantly restores itself. Trying to exhaust my physical strength?"
Lucius gripped Bat Umbrella, his expression souring. "This body’s too frail. Otherwise, I’d test who’s truly stronger. But now, I’ll need a bit of finesse."
He vanished at high speed again. This time, instead of engaging Kuro, he transformed into a crimson streak, targeting Lida and the Navy squadron.
"Damn it!"
Kuro immediately dispelled the Vermilion Bird form. Two fingers brushed his blade, igniting a golden glow. "White Tiger!"
A White Tiger phantom surged from the sword, its claw lashing out to ensnare Lucius.
This was a dense cluster of slashes forming a White Tiger, its claws capable of grabbing enemies and dragging them into its slashing range. A move notoriously hard to evade.
"Another mythical beast? But this level won’t cut it!"
Lucius suddenly accelerated within the claw’s grasp, breaking free and rocketing toward the Navy.
"Lida Major, Klah Major, leave it to me to protect you!"
Kas suddenly roared. "Let us become shields against wickedness!"
He slammed his fist against his chest, enveloping all Clone Soldiers on Tomato Island in a white aura.
"Triple!"
The Clone Soldiers moved in unison, surrounding Lida and Klah. Counting roughly three thousand soldiers, they formed a human wall. As the white aura swirled, it coalesced into a massive shield.
Boom!
Lucius struck the shield, but his attack failed to breach its defense instantly.
"Strength of will…"
Lucius’ eyes flickered with complexity as he sighed. "Truly sincere people!"
Spinning around, he swung his weapon. With a sharp clang, Kuro arrived, his blade clashing against Bat Umbrella.
"So, you want to fight me directly?" Lucius sneered.
"You old pest, you’re quite the trickster!" Kuro growled, grinding his teeth.
With subordinates present, his plan to drain Lucius had failed. This guy knew his own frailty, using physical weakness as bait to force a decisive battle.
Kas’ shield was formidable, but not invincible against this level of power.
If he waited, Lucius would surely break through, using his subordinates’ safety to corner Kuro into direct combat.
"You’re no match for Old Man Shanks!"
Kuro swung his blade, knocking Bat Umbrella aside, then kicked Lucius in the chest. Lucius merely smirked, his body retreating as if by choice rather than force.
That kick barely missed.
"Shanks? I’m not his equal?"
Lucius stood firm, gazing at Kuro. "I’ll make you regret those words."
Kuro’s kick fell short. He planted himself before the massive shield, Autumn Water crackling with electric energy.
"Is that so?"
He raised Autumn Water toward the sky. A dark mass descended from above.
Pattering!
Pea-sized raindrops fell from the heavens, drenching the battlefield before the shield.
"Rain?"
Lucius caught a few droplets, pausing. "Not seawater… the Grand Line?"
Kuro slowly sheathed Autumn Water. As the blade’s last inch vanished into the scabbard, he muttered, "Mystic Art, Mystic Art!"
Hiss!
A raindrop struck Lucius’ shoulder, spurting blood.
"This is—"
Lucius’ pupils constricted. He swung Bat Umbrella, generating a circular slash barrier to deflect the rain. But the slashes rapidly eroded under the relentless downpour.
"My technique isn’t so easily blocked", Kuro coldly declared.
You micro-control? I’ll rain slashes across the entire area—see where you dodge now!
"You little brat, you’ve got tricks", Lucius muttered, glancing at the descending rain and the clear night sky beneath the shield. As he prepared to move, a golden-lit afterimage materialized. Autumn Water slashed down, shattering his slash barrier.
Boom!!!
Autumn Water clashed with Bat Umbrella, unleashing a shockwave.
The slash barrier shattered under the impact and rain. The droplets pelted Lucius, forcing him to activate Armament Haki. A protective layer spread from his shoulders, covering his body. The rain struck with explosive sounds—pock-pock-pock!
"You won’t pass so easily! You wanted to fight me, didn’t you?"
Kuro pressed his blade downward, grinning savagely at Lucius.
"Little brat!"
Lucius returned the grin, shoving Kuro’s blade aside. He vanished, reappearing at Kuro’s flank and stabbing forward.
Clang!
Kuro countered with a reverse slash, clashing with Bat Umbrella. The rain echoed with a crisp metallic ring, scattering droplets.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
In the rain-soaked night, golden lightning and violet slashes collided. Each strike shook the air, cracking the ground beneath them into a web of fissures. The sheer might forced the watching soldiers of the four nations to retreat—remaining would be suicide.
The Vinsmoke Family was forgotten.
Already battered by Kuro and drained by Lida, they had no strength left.
Gajeel glanced at the white shield in the distance and sighed. This battle had cost them dearly.
(End of Chapter)
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