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Chapter 531: The Martial Arts Tournament, A Good Start
Chapter 531: The Martial Arts Tournament, A Good Start
Before anyone could react, Sage took the initiative and swung his curved blade, unleashing a massive fan-shaped flame that resembled a heavenly fire, leaving no room for evasion.
The power of nature, unlike Aura, doesn't require enhancement; it is inherently formidable upon acquisition.
Such a massive flame could not be resisted without the appropriate countermeasures.
"I am the fire, and flames cannot burn me!"
As the enormous flames engulfed him, Sabo's body ignited, and he dove directly into the heart of the fire, merging with it.
Being a Logia-type, Sabo was naturally immune to non-countering elements and higher-level abilities. Not only was he unafraid of the flames, but he could also use this fusion to counterattack Sage.
Sage merely grinned menacingly, "My flames are not ordinary; the wind not only fuels the fire but can also manipulate it within!"
The downward-pressing fan-shaped flames suddenly swirled erratically, not giving others a chance to break through. They formed strands of fire that scattered in all directions.
"My flames are under my control. Do you want to go for a swim?"
As the separated flames invaded the seawater, they created a cloud of smoke. Suddenly, a strand of fire surged out, forming a grim-faced half-body of Sabo.
A miscalculation!
Who could have known that within the flames lurked a raging gale? Once inside, his flame-transformed body couldn't move freely. Although he managed to manipulate Sage's fire, the wind carried him along, rendering him even less in control.
Just as he was about to reach the water's surface, he separated himself from the flames. As he prepared to use his flame-jet ability to fly back, the swirling wind, as if sentient, transformed into countless sharp wind blades that sliced through Sabo's body, reverting him to flames.
Logia-type elemental transformation is a proactive form of 'passivity.' If used unconsciously, it behaves like a normal person's physical body, susceptible to injury when attacked.
Sabo, still adapting to his Logia powers, had been relying on elemental strength. When attacked, his instinct was to transform, but this action caused his entire flame-transformed body to be crushed and swept into the scattered flame strands, which were then pushed into the sea, plunging into the ocean depths.
"Can your flame evaporate seawater at the bottom of the sea?"
Sage burst into laughter, "If not, then sink to the bottom of the sea!"
With that, he lunged downward, swooping towards Smog. With a single hand, he summoned a gust of wind that enveloped Smog.
Smog was smart enough not to transform but instead crossed his arms, covering himself with Aura in an attempt to defend.
"Smart move, but you didn't consider the disparity!"
Sage smirked, "Aura cannot resist nature; it can only be used offensively. And your Aura is not enough to withstand this!"
Smog must have exhausted his Aura defending against Sage's previous attacks, for it was now weakened.
With his Aura diminished, Smog couldn't even mount an offense. He was easily torn apart by the wind blades, and a loud tearing sound accompanied the gaping cuts that erupted across his body, spraying blood.
Logia powers were indeed precious, but relying solely on nature could be a disadvantage.
Even without Aura, there were numerous ways to counter natural powers.
The wind that swept through flames and dispersed smoke could effectively counter smoke and fire.
"Go!"
Sage kicked Smog's head, his heavy foot sinking into Smog's forehead as if trying to push it in. Smog's forehead deformed from the impact, and he was sent flying in a straight line, sinking into the ocean depths.
"Old Sand!"
After kicking Smog away, Sage's figure flickered, and he rushed towards Crocodile. In mid-air, he punched Luffy's chest with overwhelming Aura, sending him flying and knocking him unconscious, his eyes rolling back.
Crocodile was startled and transformed his hand into a sand blade to counterattack, but Sage kicked it away, then kicked him in the chest, sending him flying. Suddenly, Sage's knee pressed down on Crocodile's neck, slamming him to the ground and creating a crater.
Using this momentum, Sage's knee bounced off the ground, propelling him towards Hancock. A massive bolt of lightning surged through his body, and he headbutted Hancock's chest like a lightning bolt.
No one thought of Hancock as a shampoo; they only felt the ferocity of the lightning, which, with a single strike, caused a massive lightning flash that pierced through Hancock's chest and back, shooting towards the distant sea.
The attack caused Hancock to spew a mouthful of blood as she was sent flying.
These opponents had consumed much of their Aura and stamina in combat, while Sage, though somewhat fatigued, had an Aura that had risen to a whole new level, showing no signs of weakening.
Unfazed by the enemy's exhaustion, Sag demonstrated a different kind of transcendence. For him, prolonged battles were advantageous.
He didn't have a health bar to rely on, but his blue bar's instant recovery, as an infinite blue, was sometimes even more useful than a health bar.
Among the Seven Seas Fleet Admirals, those at the forefront were ultimately not on par with the Four Emperors. When Sag collided with them using his full aura, the current Hancock would be unable to withstand his might.
After landing a successful strike, Sag landed and clenched his fist, smiling at Mihawk before him, "You're different, you have the strength of the top in the Great Sea. Hey, why not consider joining me?"
Mihawk's strength was undoubtedly sufficient, especially as a great swordsman, making his power even more formidable.
"I'm not interested."
Mihawk tightened his grip on his sword hilt, "I trust no one, and I have no interest in serving any Pirate Emperor. I can live a peaceful life on my own."
Indeed, he had the qualifications to do so. If he didn't want trouble, even without being a Seven Seas Fleet Admiral, the World Government wouldn't seek to oppose him.
However, joining the Seven Seas Fleet Admirals would reduce a lot of hassle.
After all, wandering alone in the Great Sea, one would inevitably attract unwanted attention, making it challenging to focus solely on martial arts competitions.
"Hahahaha, joining me doesn't mean you can't have peace either. My territory is off-limits to anyone." Sag laughed.
"Really? Things will change soon enough. Catastrophe, the stronger your influence, the more attention you'll attract, and that's not necessarily a good thing." Mihawk replied.
The newspapers made it clear.
The news of his victory over Big Mom was everywhere, seemingly glorious, but the hidden dangers behind it were also significant.
As Sag's influence grew, so did the number of people targeting him. Yet, this guy wasn't satisfied, and at this rate, the day when everyone would raid him wouldn't be far off.
Living a peaceful life in his territory was impossible.
Especially if he were to join, the perceived danger in the eyes of the world would only increase.
It might be better to go solo.
"Oh? Is that how you see it? I'm not sure if I should look down on you or give you some credit. Guys like you have such peculiar personalities."
"Fair enough."
Mihawk said, "After all, people are different. I have no interest in the title of the World's Strongest either. My only interest is the sword. And now, you have a new threat to deal with."
As he finished speaking, he glanced to the side.
There, a chaotic mosaic surged like a tidal wave, spreading across the island, engulfing the remaining trees, ship debris, and scattered weapons from the battles between the Navy and the Pirates.
It was the power of awakening!
Barrett had completely disappeared, replaced by these mosaics that were frantically merging with everything in their path. As the mosaics swept across the land, even the ground was swallowed up, gradually forming a colossal and robust body on the side.
"Have you lost your mind? I told you, a large body is useless to me. You're forcing yourself to become a giant, and giants only have some innate advantages."
Sag shook his head and smiled, then glanced at Mihawk, noticing that he had sheathed his black sword and was about to leave.
"Hey, aren't you afraid I'll keep you here?" Sag asked.
"No one can stop me if I want to leave. I'm not your target, and you've already used me once. I don't want to be part of your remaining plans."
Without turning back, Mihawk said, "Your fighting spirit isn't that strong either."
After completing his plan, Sag's fighting spirit had indeed diminished.
As pirates, they had no conflicting interests, and it was true. If Mihawk wanted to leave, there were few people Sag could stop.
If it were that easy to be detained, they wouldn't be qualified to be Seven Seas Fleet Admirals.
As renowned powerhouses, their strength varied, but unless it was a life-or-death battle, there wasn't much they could do.
"Hmmmm."
Sag didn't have the intention to kill Mihawk either. He said to him, "I have a feeling that you'll eventually work for me. What you desire can only be fulfilled by me."
Ignoring Mihawk, who had completely lost interest, Sag turned his attention to the increasingly large humanoid figure.
"You seem a bit relentless. I was going to let you go, but it seems you're not willing. You're not content, are you? If you insist on this fusion, I'll add something to it."
He waved his hand, and a whirlwind howled outward, then sucked in an abundance of weapons from an unknown source.
Long and short guns, bullets, cannons, knives, swords, and spears were rapidly fired and enlarged a hundredfold as they flew, merging with the giant figure.
Although the Hundredfold ability is a power, it also has physical requirements, and from the perspective of fusion, a single object is undoubtedly stronger than a hundred. This makes Barrett's fused body more substantial.
The body grew larger and larger, eventually transforming into a colossal humanoid figure over a hundred meters tall. It had no legs, only a massive pillar with a head and a pair of enormous arms reaching up and clawing at the sky, emitting a bellow like a bull's roar.
The body glowed with a metallic light, having absorbed more steel than the land it had merged with.
Ordinary weapons couldn't harm this extraordinary body.
Its enormous size was on a completely different scale from a normal person's perspective.
It was like comparing the damage inflicted by a towering blade the height of a person to that of a sharp object the size of a fingernail.
The sheer size of the body provided a unique defensive advantage.
Moreover, after absorbing so many weapons, Barrett's body had become even harder than Big Mom's 'Steel Balloon'.
Additionally, like blossoming veins, one of the giant humanoid's arms was covered in deep blue veins, and a powerful aura enveloped it. The huge fist, like a falling meteor, slammed down towards the sky above Sag.
The vast area covered by the fist made it difficult for Sag to dodge.
This was Barrett's full power.
He intended to settle the outcome with this move!
"Come on, Catastrophe!" Barrett roared, his voice echoing from the towering humanoid.
As Barrett roared, memories flashed through his mind. He recalled his youth, when he was betrayed and branded as a war criminal.
Later, he joined Roger's crew, recognizing his strength, but became lost when Roger's illness manifested.
After challenging and losing to Roger, he left the pirate crew and wandered alone.
Eventually, he was captured.
He couldn't comprehend it. Despite having everything, why did Roger still die?
Then, he understood.
Only personal strength is the ultimate power!
"The title of the world's strongest belongs to me!" Barrett declared, his aura surging with determination.
His fist descended with unstoppable force.
The veins on his arms glowed, concentrating the aura into a single point that covered the area where Sag was, rather than spreading it evenly.
"Good, I know that spreading my aura is useless. This body is stronger than your physique, but it's also easy to dodge if I want to."
Sag raised his hands, and crimson-black lightning danced across them. He looked up at the mountain-like fist descending upon him and snarled, "But there's no need for that. I'm not a coward! Fist against fist, power against power, I'll take you down myself!"
Sag clenched his hands and, with a surge of energy, propelled the body upward, directly colliding with the fist.
"Great Crimson Flame!"
The attack, with the same power as before, clashed with the concentrated aura, but only for an instant. The crimson-black flash shattered the mountain-like fist, completely disintegrating the entire arm.
Steel?
It was nothing before the secret hole.
As mentioned earlier, this was just a target!
After two strikes, the towering figure wobbled, like a mountain shaking from an earthquake.
The remaining body also showed signs of disintegration.
These two blows were enough to bring him down.
"I..." Barrett clenched his teeth, wanting to continue using his abilities, but Sag stepped on the air beneath him, rising even higher, with one finger pointing upwards.
In the dark sky, a star appeared, bright in Barrett's eyes, emanating a sense of death.
"You? Your Doom Star is shining! Great Crimson Flame!"
The crimson-black flash maintained its power and pierced through Barrett's head, completely shattering his massive body.
Like a collapsing mountain, countless fragments of stone and metal rained down, revealing Barrett's body standing firm like a sculpture.
Sag descended to the ground, not even glancing at Barrett, and turned to leave.
"This martial arts tournament was quite something," he said with a smile. "Thank you for participating, Barrett."
"You're not going to kill me?" Barrett asked, his voice hoarse.
"No, you're already dead."
A gentle breeze stirred, ruffling Barrett's golden hair and the dust on the ground, causing his body to disintegrate into ashes that dissipated into the air.
(End of Chapter)
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