Chapter 421: Shabondy, Is It Really That Big?
Chapter 421: Shabondy, Is It Really That Big?
Kuro was genuinely surprised this time.
Storageobject was one thing - that still fell under space-type Devil Fruits. But for Roberts to store his slash itself? That was taking things too far.
Roberts' counterattack slash had perfectly replicated Kuro's strike, matching both force and speed without the slightest attenuation.
It was literally stored in full.
Bang!
Kuro reappeared behind Roberts, this time throwing a punch instead of using his blade. His fist pressed against Roberts' back, but the force he exerted vanished the moment contact was made.
"Here's back at you!" Without even looking, Roberts pushed back with equal force from his back.
Whoosh!
Kuro dodged sideways, retreating to higher altitude while clicking his tongue at Roberts. "Not bad. Is this some kind of absolute defense?"
"I already told you - stop looking down on this Admiral!"
Roberts waved his hand, launching a massive ink-black slash skyward that raced toward Kuro.
"Hawk-Eye?!"
Lida, who had just arrived at the battlefield, instinctively cried out at the sight. The slash's intensity and aura were identical to Hawk-Eye's. Having personally resisted Hawk-Eye's slashes before, she knew this all too well.
Kuro's eyes widened as he dodged mid-air, watching the slash soar toward the heavens. He turned to Roberts in confusion. "You fought Hawk-Eye before?"
"That guy couldn't touch this Admiral!" Roberts sneered.
Devil Fruit users' abilities were both miracles and absolutes. While some had weaknesses, most exhibited bug-level power.
While true game-breaking Devil Fruits existed, even 'Superman-type' users like Buggy could shrug off Haki-infused slashes. Any slash? No problem.
Roberts was the same. He couldn't absorb living matter, so Kuro's fist wouldn't enter. But when Black Blade had slashed through his body earlier, Autumn Water (non-living) passed through while his physical fist (living) was blocked. Force itself wasn't alive, so it got 'stored' and released.
"Tell me Kuro, that wasn't really Hawk-Eye, was it? Who is this guy?"
Lida arrived at the battlefield, glancing at Roberts on the rooftop before addressing Kuro in the sky.
"Just another pirate."
Kuro shrugged. "Did you meet any pirates on the way here?"
"No." Lida shook her head. "The roads were clear, we came straight here."
I see.
Kuro stroked his chin while spreading his Observation Haki. The tattered armor knight's aura was growing distant - heading toward the hidden ships' port.
Trying to escape, huh?
"Guess we don't need to worry about that then."
Kuro turned his gaze to Roberts. "Let's finish this."
Roberts' expression darkened. "Daring to talk while fighting an Admiral? Now you're arrogant enough to think you can defeat me? You've earned death!"
He raised his arms wide. "Since you know Hawk-Eye, experience his slashes firsthand!"
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Three ink-green slashes erupted from his body, splitting into three directions. Two vertical slashes targeted Kuro while a horizontal slash swept toward Lida.
Kuro narrowed his eyes, his form flickering mid-air to reappear elsewhere.
"Essence Shockwave!"
Lida's fist surged with Armament Haki as she punched the incoming slash. After a brief clash, she redirected the slash skyward with an upward motion.
"Things are different now - I've gotten stronger too!" Lida shook her numb arm, flashing her pearly whites.
A year ago, she'd barely resisted with her full strength. Now she could do it one-handed.
"Hmph."
Roberts snorted, sending four more ink-green slashes flying toward Lida. Kuro descended with Autumn Water, clicking his tongue as golden slashes intercepted the attack.
"Dracule Mihawk must've played with this guy for ages."
The slashes just wouldn't stop.
"Kuro, go finish him!" Lida urged as Kuro stood motionless.
"I can't reach him!" Kuro rolled his eyes. "This guy's bug-level ability stores and releases any attack. That's how he copied Hawk-Eye's techniques. But..."
He glanced at Lida, forming a plan. Roberts was a typical Devil Fruit user - strong ability, weak unarmed combat. Compared to Bellamy and Annie he'd fought before, this guy's hand-to-hand skills were pathetic. If they could touch him...
"Still has limits, right? Even the boring Dracule Mihawk wouldn't waste time with someone this weak. His slashes aren't that strong."
"You dare underestimate this Admiral?!" Roberts scoffed. "The Seven Warlords, Admirals, Four Emperors - they're all weaklings who failed to become world kings. That so-called Lucius is just obsolete trash. One Piece? Roger doesn't deserve it since the Navy captured him. Losers have no right to rule. Only I, only this Admiral, shall be the next era's king!"
His arms crossed, Roberts glared at Kuro. "My storage ability covers a country's worth of range! What's your puny blade compared to that?"
"A country's range?" Kuro blinked. "How big?"
"Big enough to cover the entire Shabondy Archipelago!"
"What if it's bigger than this island?"
"That's impossible!"
Roberts laughed. "What attack could possibly fill my storage range? This world has none. Your pitiful strength means nothing here. Surrender to this Admiral's mercy!"
"Oh?"
Kuro exhaled smoke. "I was going to use Lida against your bug ability, but looks like I have other options."
Suddenly the sky darkened.
Despite clear weather, the heavens turned pitch black. Citizens of Shabondy gazed upward in shock.
"What is that?!"
A civilian pointed skyward, trembling. Above them, the sky itself seemed to collapse as a vast sea area slowly descended.
At the auction house, Kuro raised his hand toward Roberts.
"Shabondy... Is it really that big?"
(End of Chapter)
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