https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-4-A-Fist-Technique-That-Has-Reached-the-Pinnacle-of-Understanding-the-Human-Body/12608048/
Chapter 5: Your Death Omen is Shining
Chapter 5: Your Death Omen is Shining
"My turn!"
Sag's arm twitched, and Ennio immediately retreated, transforming into a fading afterimage.
But at that moment, Sag took a step, becoming an afterimage himself, and pursued relentlessly.
Swish!
One of the Six Styles, this technique involved rapidly stomping several times in an instant to generate explosive power and propel oneself at high speed. Sag had not only witnessed it but had also mastered it!
"Ranjakyaku!"
As Sag closed in, Ennio suppressed his astonishment and delivered a series of swift kicks, creating chaotic slashes from his legs that flew towards Sag.
This time, Sag didn't dodge. He steadied his body and shouted, "Tekkai!"
Clang, clang, clang!!
The slashes tore open several gashes in his clothing and left white marks on his skin before dissipating.
"It's only polite to return a gift!"
Sag retaliated with a kick of his own. "Try mine—Ranjakyaku: Cross!"
Buzz!
A pale blue slash in the shape of a cross shot out from Sag's leg, carving a deep furrow in the ground as it rushed towards Ennio.
This technique of kicking with extreme speed to create air slashes required not only swiftness but also skill.
Fortunately, Sag could not only understand it but also execute it flawlessly!
"Geppo!"
It was difficult to evade the cross-shaped slashes, so Ennio stepped forward and leaped into the air.
"That's what I was waiting for!"
Sag stepped into the air, ascending and pursuing Ennio, getting uncomfortably close to his chest.
Geppo!
By forcefully stomping the air with powerful leg strength, one could generate substantial hovering force, akin to climbing stairs or jumping on a spring, enabling temporary flight.
Naturally, maneuvering in the air was less agile than on the ground, and Sag had been waiting for the opportunity to use this technique.
"North Star…"
Reaching Ennio, Sag pursed his lips and exhaled, shooting forth a breath as sharp as an arrow. His hands danced like a peacock displaying its feathers, eventually transforming into countless fists that rained down on Ennio.
"Hundred Crack Fist!"
Boom, boom, boom, boom!!
Ennio's body trembled uncontrollably in the air, his bulky frame dented by the relentless fists. The force of the blows even caused him to hang suspended in the air for a while before crashing down heavily.
Bang!
The massive figure slammed into the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust. Sag, too, landed gracefully after a series of bounces in the air.
The Hundred Crack Fist, a signature move of the North Star God's Fist, involved delivering a rapid succession of a hundred punches with incredible speed, striking the opponent's pressure points. If all the punches landed, the opponent would explode and perish.
However, this was Ken's Hundred Crack Fist, which targeted pressure points but delivered minimal force.
But Sag hadn't acquired Ken's external powers; he had obtained the entire North Star God's Fist.
And the North Star God's Fist had a variant—Raoh's style.
Raoh's North Star God's Fist didn't target pressure points; it relied purely on crushing power to pulverize opponents.
During his training, Sag had intentionally enhanced his strength. By the end, he could not only execute the deadly Hundred Crack Fist but also combine his power to shatter his foes!
Unless something unexpected happened, the East Sea was considered a weak sea, and the people who lived there treated Devil Fruits as mere legends.
In this place, Sag's physical techniques were unparalleled—he could defeat mountain bandit kings with his fists and trample near-sea emperors underfoot. Commoners who dared to engage him in close combat would face only one outcome: death.
But the vast ocean was different.
This sea had a much higher ceiling for power. As formidable as the Assassination Fist was, it was still just an individual technique.
After all, Sag wasn't a true native; he knew about the powerful entities that dwelled in the great blue.
First, there were Devil Fruits.
These fruits bestowed bizarre abilities, including the power to decide life and death with a single touch.
The North Star God's Fist was an assassination technique that targeted pressure points. In this context, sheer strength meant nothing.
Pressure points had no effect on Devil Fruit abilities, and some users could even alter their body structure.
And second…
Huff!
The billowing dust contracted, and a foot stomped heavily out of the cloud, revealing a blood-soaked figure.
Ennio's corpulent body was riddled with dents and drenched in blood. His veins had ruptured visibly, and his blood flowed into his eyes and gaping mouth, creating a terrifying visage.
"Haki…" Sag murmured.
Haki could block his pressure point strikes! Sag couldn't use Haki, nor could he see it, but he could sense it. During his Hundred Crack Fist, he felt an invisible armor protecting Ennio's pressure points.
"Hahahaha!"
Ennio laughed maniacally. "You're incredible! If I hadn't blocked part of it, I would've been finished! Kid, is that move a special ability?"
"It's not just a precise martial art."
Sag replied in a deep voice, "On the other hand, your use of Haki doesn't match your style. Who are you, really?"
Sag had studied Haki before, as it was essential knowledge for anyone venturing into the vast ocean.
Haki was a latent power possessed by all living beings, a manifestation of their aura, killing intent, fighting spirit, and life force. However, it required diligent training to harness.
Of course, there weren't many established training methods for Haki; one had to rely on their own devices.
Sag had once wanted to learn Haki, but he couldn't punch through mountains like Garp, nor could he find a qualified mentor to train him.
However, he knew that Haki was something that only those with a strong will could possess. Even if one had it initially, their Haki would dissipate if their will weakened. This applied to the three types of Haki: Kenbunshoku, Busoshoku, and the rare Haoshoku, which required special qualifications.
A king who wanted to eliminate his stepdaughter to solidify his reign and continue his hedonistic lifestyle, allowing his kingdom to be overrun by bandits—even if his physical techniques hadn't deteriorated, he shouldn't have Haki.
"Who Am I?"
Ennio's massive frame swayed for a moment before he steadied himself and let out a sinister laugh. "I am, of course, the king of the Oikott Kingdom!"
"Go to hell!"
Suddenly, a female voice rang out from the side, and a flash of cold light flew towards Ennio with lightning speed.
Ennio quickly lashed out with a side kick, sending a pale blue slash slicing through the air from his leg.
Swoosh!
Blood splattered everywhere, soaking the ground.
Slap!
A hand grabbed Lily by the neck, lifting her effortlessly. Behind her, a group of marines were cut in half at the waist.
"Lily!"
Ennio pulled her closer to his face, his eyes cold and cruel. "Why do you insist on stopping me? Why didn't you run away? You're already a wanted criminal at sea, and your bounty will only increase! Look at those dead marines. You and your crew did this, didn't you, rats?!"
"Yes, yes!"
Colonel Rats had been trembling in fear at the bloody scene before him, and now, hearing his name, he looked at Ennio's terrifying, blood-soaked figure and instinctively stood at attention. "Maliciously attacking the Navy is a heinous crime! Your bounty will surely increase!"
"Despicable!"
Lily's eyes reddened with anger. "It was you who did all this! You, the usurper! It's because of you that all those mountain bandits appeared!"
"Usurper? Hahahaha! I am the rightful king! I paid the Celestial Dragons a substantial amount of Sky Gold, and they recognize me as such!"
Ennio's other hand reached out and caressed Lily's face. "As for you, you're nothing but a caged canary. No one knows who you truly are. Who would believe you if you claim to be a princess or the kingdom's heir? Who would even care? And as for those mountain bandits..."
Crack!
He tightened his grip on her neck, lifting her higher so that the nearby onlookers, drawn by the commotion of the battle, could see her, and so that Lily faced the direction of the city gate.
"Take a look. Are they the ones you're talking about?"
In the distance, a large group of figures could be seen approaching. They were a ragged bunch of mountain bandits, bound with ropes and prodded along by soldiers from behind. Their heads hung low in defeat.
There had to be several hundred of them.
Sag even spotted the group of mountain bandits he had incapacitated with his pressure point strikes earlier among them.
"What have you done to them?!" Lily exclaimed.
"Did you think I would let you run amok in my kingdom? As long as you're here, I will capture you. And now that I have you, I might as well make use of these wandering mountain bandits and sell them off. I'll sell you and them to make up for the unpaid taxes! It's a two-for-one deal!"
Boom!
Suddenly, the sky rumbled with a clap of thunder, and the lightning illuminated Ennio's blood-stained face, making him look even more sinister.
"Listen up, you scum!"
Ennio bellowed at the mountain bandits, "You have no value to me anymore. Those who can't pay their taxes are no better than useless trash! I've decided to sell you all off to repay your debts. That way, you won't have to pay a single coin! Be grateful!"
The mountain bandits paled, their bodies shrinking at Ennio's words.
"I will kill you!" Lily shouted, her face flushed with rage.
"You'll have to be able to first!"
Ennio sneered and flung her in Sag's direction. Sag merely sidestepped, letting Lily tumble to the ground, her face and clothes dirty from the fall.
Seeing this, Ennio paused for a moment, then asked, "Why didn't you catch her?"
"Why should I?" Sag countered.
Ennio twitched his lips, shooting a subtle glance at Lily before quickly composing himself and continuing his manic tirade.
"Next, I'll collect even more taxes and offer more Sky Gold! Look at those ships in the harbor!"
He pointed at the large and small vessels docked in the port. "Fill those ships with Sky Gold! Once we have enough, I will go to the Celestial Dragons myself!"
He reached out and grabbed at the air, his eyes gleaming. "You citizens will pay more taxes to support your king's grand ambitions!"
At these words, most of the onlookers turned pale, and a commotion began to stir among them.
"Your Majesty, please don't raise taxes anymore!"
A citizen pleaded, "We're already struggling to get by. If you increase the taxes, we won't be able to survive!"
"Then become slaves if you can't make a living!"
Ennio waved his hand dismissively. "Arrest those who can't pay their taxes! They're no better than slaves!"
At his command, the soldiers who had been holding the mountain bandits captive, as well as those behind Ennio, sprang into action and charged towards the group of citizens.
"And you!"
Ennio turned his attention to Sag. "For offending me, you will also become a slave!"
Whoosh!
With a rapid series of stomps, he closed the distance to Sag and threw a powerful punch.
Sag raised an eyebrow, choosing not to dodge and instead meeting the punch with one of his own.
Boom!
Fist collided with fist, creating a dull thud and a burst of air that blew away the falling rain.
Sag didn't flinch or retreat, and in terms of sheer strength, he was not inferior to this human tank.
Moreover, Sag's Haki made the difference negligible.
"Your death omen is shining!" Sag snarled.
(End of Chapter)
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