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Chapter 519: Ah, Human Will
Chapter 519: Ah, Human Will
"Destroy me, this World Destroyer?"
Wald crouched slightly, facing Kuro. "If you can do it, come at me! Momo's Hundredfold!"
Whoosh!
Clang!
The battle resumed.
Blades and fists clashed violently in this space, creating a cacophony of sound.
Hundredfold speed wasn't just movement—it amplified the speed of Wald's punches too.
Though injured and slower than before, his blows still traded evenly with Kuro's strikes.
Neither moved anymore, standing still as fists became afterimages and blades turned into flowing light, colliding endlessly in the void.
Both used only basic Armament Haki.
After all, Supreme Haki—which unified all Haki stages—drained too much physical strength. Wald reserved it for decisive moments.
Even so, Wald was gradually faltering.
Before this fight, he'd already used Hundredfold-level cannon fire multiple times, compounding his injuries.
Injuries?
Bang!
A gash opened on Wald's shoulder as he took a direct slash from Kuro. Gritting his teeth, he retaliated with a punch to Kuro's chest—but aside from making the youth grimace, it barely fazed him.
The rapid expenditure of physical strength sharpened Wald's senses, letting him notice something odd.
Since the start, his attacks had landed squarely on this Navy brat's body, yet Kuro showed no serious wounds—no bruises, not even a scratch!
Worse, Wald's movements were growing sluggish. No, not sluggish—uneven, as if ambushed by the same Black Tortoise-like mythical beastswordsmanship Kuro had used earlier.
Clang!
Wald's fist struck again, slicing a shallow wound on Kuro's blade. Blood trickled from the back of his hand.
Stepping back, Wald narrowed his eyes. "You brat! Why aren't you injured?!"
"Injured?!"
Kuro grinned as Wald's Haki aura began unraveling. "How could I get hurt? After taking so many hits, I had to develop new techniques!"
He raised Autumn Water sideways, gripping its hilt with both hands in a cross shape.
A Black Tortoise phantom surged from his body to the surface before vanishing.
He exhaled sharply—a breath like an arrow blast—scattering dust across the ground.
Mystic Art, Primordial Unity—Overlord Body Black Tortoise Blade.
Since his battle with Kaido, Kuro understood his body was fundamentally different from those monsters. Even with Haki, he couldn't match their physicality.
Especially after fighting Charlotte Big Mom, he'd vowed never to endure such one-sided beatings again.
Otherwise, even if he landed damage, he'd end up crippled himself—utterly pointless.
Back then, he'd cultivated relentlessly, eventually developing this technique.
The Black Tortoise from Shinmeiryu's Mystic Arts had no offensive power but excelled defensively, paralyzing opponents with its blade. Kuro had fused it into his very being.
No longer a fragile tortoise shell to be shattered by strong attacks, its defensive power now fortified his entire body. While not as impenetrable as the Black Tortoise's single-use defense, it endured endlessly—no matter how hard Wald struck, Kuro's defense wouldn't break.
It was as if his physical constitution had been enhanced.
And when struck, opponents faced a Snake Eyes-like paralysis effect, numbing their limbs.
This was his confidence!
Wald's blows hurt, certainly—but previously, trading injuries like this would've left Kuro equally battered.
Though aged, Wald's Haki strikes still packed a punch. If he'd fought like before, he'd have been foolish to endure this long.
This prolonged clash was his first test of the new technique.
Results? Outstanding.
Now, he could finally engage in drawn-out, head-on battles!
But the technique required breath control. He'd endured countless hits on a single breath—once it ran out, he needed to exhale and inhale anew to maintain his manly pride.
As a Grand Mystic Art, it drained considerable physical strength.
Luckily, his opponent was already struggling to maintain Haki.
Hiss!
Kuro flicked Autumn Water, its blade glowing with golden lightning.
"Old bastard, it's time for you to die!" He grinned maliciously.
"You brat!"
Wald exclaimed in disbelief. "How can you still have so much Haki?!"
Has the world changed?
No, it hadn't. The world remained the same—something he'd verified after escaping.
His Haki reserves should've been sufficient for any foe.
Yet before this Navy brat, he felt the world shift for the first time.
This shouldn't be possible!
Why did this youth still have so much strength left?!
Kuro raised his blade, golden light enveloping it.
He wouldn't wait for Wald to recover. It had taken immense effort to exhaust Wald's physical strength through repeated Advanced Observation Haki use. If Wald regenerated now, with his current mindset, they'd be locked in this stalemate indefinitely.
Too much time would invite accidents.
"Mystic Art."
Kuro whispered, bending one knee while standing on the other. Like a ghost, he glided forward. Autumn Water slid across Wald's body.
In an instant, Wald froze, paralyzed mid-motion.
Kuro landed behind him, sheathing Autumn Water with a crisp metallic ring.
Click.
The blade settled into its scabbard.
He pulled out a cigar box, lit one, and exhaled a plume of smoke.
"Instant Thousand Strikes, Shunjaku Azure Dragon Slash!"
"Feel it now—the divine wind's cry."
Hiss! Hiss! Hiss!!!
Wald's body erupted as Kuro's words faded. Wounds tore across his body, as if flayed by a thousand blades, drenching him in blood.
Thud!
Wald collapsed to his knees, head bowed, eyes clouding over.
"Heh, didn't turn into meat paste. Old Era strongmen really are different", Kuro mused.
World Destroyer's strength lay in his abilities. During their fight, Kuro realized Wald's unarmed combat techniques were inferior to Lucius's swordplay.
Wald's will had already crumbled.
...
"You must take my place, travel far, see this world, and grow strong."
In his memories, his frail older brother had encouraged him, painting visions of the world.
"Big brother! I want to go with you! Let's explore the world together!"
He'd been so resolute as a child.
Growing up, he'd sailed with his older brother—stuck in a child's body—on a battered ship. No storm or wave had ever stopped the Wald brothers.
Later, they found like-minded companions, sharing dreams of global exploration.
Even when his big brother was captured, he'd charged forward without fear.
When an enemy shattered his brother's helmet, breaking one horn, he'd snapped off his own helmet's horn too. So long as the Wald brothers stood together, they were whole.
But thirty years ago, his dream shattered.
His companions betrayed him. His big brother abandoned him.
He was meant to be an Avenger. All he needed to do was fire one cannon at Mariejois, and his life would've ended in that glorious blast.
But why did Benn Beckman of the Navy block that strike? Why say those words?
...
"Even in death, you'll make me remember this painful memory? Benn Beckman, big brother!"
Wald suddenly roared, still kneeling.
The voice made Kuro halt mid-step, eyes wide with shock.
Kneeling, Wald twisted his body. His fist, charged with earth-shaking Haki, lunged toward Kuro.
I forgive you.
You betrayed me, but now you've taken a blow for me. I forgive you.
So in that world, let's continue chasing our dream together!
"Navy!!"
Wald's bloodshot eyes widened. "I am Buggy the Clown! One of the Wald brothers! Remember it well!!!"
His fist halted inches from Kuro.
The man stood frozen mid-swing, a faint smile on his lips, unmoving forever.
Kuro stared silently, then shook his head with a bitter smile. "In the end, you awakened? Now I understand why so many feared you thirty years ago."
"Ah, human will... Such a damn thing."
(End of Chapter)
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