https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-44-Never-Seeking-Merit-Even-If-Killed-/13535769/
Chapter 43: Mystic Art
Chapter 43: Mystic Art
Fortunately, Kuro had seen his parents from this life and was grateful they’d both been attractive, granting him a decent face.
“Well, just kidding.”
Lucius Kro shrugged, glancing at the sword at Kuro’s waist. “You’re a swordsman?”
Kuro immediately shook his head. “Nope, this is family heirloom. I’m better at unarmed combat techniques. My swordsmanship? Just a tiny bit.”
“How convenient. I’ve dabbled in swordsmanship too. Want to spar?”
“Admiral, you’re joking. There’s no way I could match you.” Kuro waved his hands dramatically.
“If even the man Hawk-Eye praised as capable of challenging his throne isn’t my equal, then doesn’t that make me the World’s Greatest Swordsman?”
At those words, Kuro’s stiff posture dissolved. He fell silent for a moment, then exhaled a perfect Smoke Ring, his demeanor turning languid.
“Old man, who told you that?”
“Smoker.”
Lucius Kro chuckled. “Though Fleet Admiral Sengoku told me to let things be, I thought I should tell you. After all, someone as strong as you—keeping quiet now might cause problems later.”
“No wonder that bastard ran off so fast. Scared I’d chase him down and kill him, huh?”
From Lucius Kro’s words, Kuro easily deduced that besides Lucius Kro himself, Sengoku already knew. Smoker and Kuzan were close, so Kuzan probably knew too. And if they knew, Garp certainly did. Practically the entire Navy high command was in the loop.
Kuro’s face darkened like a stormcloud. He glared at Lucius Kro. “Old man, what do you want?”
Lucius Kro grinned. “Just to let things unfold naturally. But as your direct superior, shouldn’t I know my subordinate’s strength?”
“Can I say no?”
“Well…”
Lucius Kro shrugged casually.
The meaning was clear.
“Old man, no offense, but I have a curse. My swordsmanship’s decent, but it’s all cursed techniques. Every use damages my body—I really can’t overdo it.” Kuro made one last plea.
Lucius Kro simply smiled, his expression as gentle as a grandfather’s.
“No problem. Headquarters has the best medical care. And I know Vegapunk. If needed, he can modify your body.”
“So we’re fighting?”
“Just a friendly spar.” Lucius Kro chuckled. “Don’t make that scary face—it’ll scare me!”
“Stop lying, old man.”
Kuro rose, gripping the hilt. Already frustrated from being tricked twice—Smoker’s betrayal was the worst—now Lucius Kro was dragging him into this. His temper flared.
“Get ready to rebuild your office!”
As his words ended, Lucius Kro vanished from his chair, reappearing behind Kuro.
“Ever been hit by light?”
Bang!
Kuro lashed out sideways, his leg cloaked in Armament Haki to block Lucius Kro’s kick. Simultaneously, he unsheathed his blade, slashing horizontally at Lucius Kro.
The blade carved a glowing arc, and in the next moment, a foot reappeared, slamming back toward him.
Boom!
The rear of the Castle Tower collapsed, a wisp-like figure shooting out to slam into the Grand Courtyard behind, raising a dust cloud.
“This is my courtyard. Let’s spar here. If we keep going, you’ll destroy my office, and I’d hate that.”
Lucius Kro hovered midair, speaking casually.
Swish!
From the smoke, a golden Flying Slash erupted, soaring skyward.
“How terrifying—a Flying Slash from the Greatest Swordsman.”
Lucius Kro feigned surprise, clapping his hands together to draw a Light Sword.
“Totsuka Sword!”
Gripping the blade with both hands, he smashed it against the Flying Slash. On contact, a shockwave erupted, cracking nearby walls.
The slash shattered.
“Moonstep!”
From the dust, Kuro shot into the air, landing before Lucius Kro, his sword flashing in an Iaijutsu stance.
“Crescent Moon Slash!”
Swish!
A razor-thin line of light flashed, severing Lucius Kro’s head, sending golden light scattering.
Lucius Kro’s form vanished, reappearing farther off. “How frightening! Iaijutsu’s your specialty, huh?”
“You’ve got a sharp eye, old man!”
Kuro sheathed his blade again, the scabbard glowing with Armament Haki. Suddenly, he vanished.
“Ichiryu Style—Moonstep: One Line Sky!”
Abruptly, he reappeared behind Lucius Kro. His Haki-infused blade slid into the scabbard in a single motion.
Besides the Shinmeiryu Style, his true strength lay in Iaijutsu. Every sword technique he wielded centered around it.
With one slash, he bisected Lucius Kro.
Lucius Kro stared at his split body, pulling a comically shocked face. Unfazed, he swung his sword in retaliation.
Dang!
Kuro drew his blade instantly, clashing against the Light Sword.
Dang! Dang! Dang!
Midair, the black of Armament Haki and golden light of the Light Sword clashed repeatedly.
Lucius Kro’s Devil Fruit ability was peerless. His unarmed combat, especially his kicks, was second to none. And his swordsmanship? Equally top-tier.
Bang!
After several exchanges, Lucius Kro gripped his sword with both hands, pressing downward. Using his flight ability, he drove Kuro downward.
As Kuro’s feet touched the ground, he leapt again, his two fingers flicking across the blade. The golden light mixed with Haki turned black-golden.
“Shinmeiryu Style—Murderous Sword Art: Azure Dragon (Jiaolong)!”
He cleaved downward at Lucius Kro.
This slash made Lucius Kro’s pupils contract.
The blade sliced through Lucius Kro’s light body, and he reassembled at a distance. “Didn’t hit me, kid.”
Hardly had he spoken than he stiffened, his form scattering into light fragments.
Reassembling near Kuro, Lucius Kro scratched his head. “Amazing! I dodged, but the moisture in the air became your blade? Even a touch disrupts my blood flow. Good thing I’m a Logia.”
“You dodged one. How about multiple?”
Kuro grinned ferociously, his fingers flicking his blade again.
“Shinmeiryu Style—Mystic Art: Azure Dragon!”
Moisture in the air was siphoned away. As Kuro swung his sword, waves formed in the air—then transformed into several thrashing Azure Dragons (Jiaolongs), encircling Lucius Kro.
The Mystic Art: Azure Dragon was simply the Aoe version of Azure Dragon (Jiaolong)—multiple dragons surrounding the enemy, biting and tearing before striking in unison.
“How terrifying! Just air moisture? If we were at sea, this would be far worse. Yata Mirror Beads!”
Lucius Kro crossed his arms. Lasers erupted from his body.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Though the lasers’ range was narrow, confined to a corner of the Grand Courtyard, the bombardment turned the once-artistic courtyard into a wasteland.
The Azure Dragons (Jiaolongs) dissolved under the laser barrage, splashing onto the ground like rain.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
