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Chapter 596: I'm a Stubborn Old Man
Chapter 596: I'm a Stubborn Old Man
After forcing Kuro back, Zeff's mechanical arm shot forward, unleashing a barrage of bullets.
"This won't work on me, Wind Coffin."
Kuro didn't flinch. Without even glancing at the incoming bullets, he halted them midair like frozen projectiles.
"Don't waste them."
With a flick of his five fingers, the bullets soared into the night sky, vanishing into the darkness.
Bang!
A sudden gunshot cracked the air.
Kuro's body stiffened as he glared at Zeff, his face darkening. "Hey, old man, are you treating me like some rookie? You think these toys can hurt me?"
In his left hand, a compact pistol appeared, firing Seastone bullets. Even from afar, Kuro could smell the same repulsive aura radiating from the weapon as from Zeff's mechanical arm.
"In combat, anything goes. Victory's all that matters."
Zeff tossed the pistol aside. "You'll face enemies like me someday. If it's not one, it'll be many. Remember—power isn't everything."
Kuro exhaled sharply through his nose, tightening his grip on Autumn Water. "You're lecturing me at a time like this? What a chatty old man."
Whoosh!
Kuro vanished into the air above Zeff, slashing downward.
Clang!
Sparks exploded against Zeff's mechanical arm. Missing his strike, Kuro's form rippled like water, then a wisp of Black Radiance slashed from behind Zeff.
"Afterimage Slash."
"Those cheap tricks won't work!"
Zeff grinned, lowering his torso and twisting his waist. His mechanical arm swung backward with crushing force.
Kuro leapt skyward, but Zeff immediately pivoted, firing a cannon blast of firelight.
"I already told you—"
Kuro dodged sideways, mid-retort, when suddenly he froze. Golden lightning surged along his blade as he cleaved toward a specific spot.
Zeff had leapt to his flank, left arm coiled like a whirlwind, delivering a thunderous punch.
Crash!
Blade met fist. Kuro felt a monstrous force hurl him earthward like a cannonball.
Thud!
He landed hard, knees bending slightly, gloomily watching Zeff bounce in the sky.
"Have you been too focused on power lately, Kuro? Your unarmed combat's slipping." Zeff grinned maliciously.
"Shut up. I was never a hand-to-hand fighter."
Kuro shook his numb arm, baring his teeth. "But you, old man—your strength hasn't faded. You stubborn geezers are the most annoying."
Though taunting Zeff, Kuro knew his opponent's strength well.
This old devil wasn't weak. While not matching Kaido or Big Mom, Zeff surpassed Kuro, especially with his Seastone mechanical arm. A direct clash would be troublesome.
But—
"You should test me more before judging!"
Zeff bared his teeth, rocketing from the sky toward Kuro.
Boom!
Sand erupted from the beach.
Autumn Water's black blade clashed repeatedly with Zeff's gray mechanical arm under moonlight.
The metallic clangs of weapons and fists echoed endlessly.
On a high slope, Lida watched the battle, turning to the Vice Admirals. "They're fighting. Aren't you helping?"
Doflamingo and Aokiji ignored her.
Togeko finally spoke, "This is just warming up. It's not time to part yet."
Sighing, he gazed at Zeff with complex emotions. "Teacher Zeff..."
"Let the Navy rest", he urged. "This fight will last. It won't end quickly."
Battles between strong men rarely concluded swiftly.
Though Kuro didn't consider himself strong, he'd never backed down. If Big Mom could've stolen his soul with her power, she'd have done it long ago.
Yet this fight differed from his ambush on Roger. This time, Kuro faced Zeff openly, without schemes. The duel dragged on.
Zeff might be old, but his physical strength remained formidable.
The long night passed, the great sun rising and setting thrice.
The battle raged on—three days straight.
Clang!
Autumn Water struck the mechanical arm, its black blade encased in unbroken golden lightning since yesterday.
"Hmph!"
Zeff grunted, stepping forward to shove Kuro back.
Kuro retreated, dragging his feet through the sand for dozens of meters, his chest heaving.
"You're done, old man", he taunted.
"Haha..."
Zeff planted his mechanical arm into the ground like a crutch, half-squatting to catch his breath. "Of course an old man tires. Unlike you, youth."
The arm bore a dense network of slashes—Kuro's work. Whatever material it was, it had resisted Gramps' lasers before. Not easily severed.
"True... but you're stubborn."
Kuro tightened his grip on Autumn Water. "Last chance, Zeff. Hand over the Explosive Rock, and I'll leave you be."
"Not happening."
Zeff straightened, smiling. "I'm a stubborn old man."
No regret in his eyes.
Click.
Kuro sheathed Autumn Water, voice chilling. "Don't blame me then."
Hand on hilt, he stared down Zeff. Golden electric sparks crackled along the scabbard.
Whoosh!
A blade encased in golden lightning flashed straight toward Zeff's face.
Zeff startled, raising his mechanical arm.
"Crescent Moon Slash—this is what I waited for!"
Clang!
The blade struck the arm, sending Zeff staggering. His strength waned.
Zeff's expression darkened. As he stepped back, his left fist swung forward.
But Kuro's eyes glinted coldly. Dodging, he shifted angle, slashing straight at Zeff's chest.
Three days of battle had drained Zeff.
Now was the time to claim the combat Devil Fruit!
Hiss!
Blood erupted from Zeff's chest.
The blade carved a deep gash down his torso.
Zeff stiffened, then gritted his teeth, thrusting his fist forward into Kuro's chest.
Boom!
Kuro staggered backward, straightening his body. The Haki within his clothes faded.
Crash!
Zeff's mechanical arm collapsed into rubble, revealing his prosthetic right hand.
Clutching his chest, Zeff stared at the shattered arm. "Broke, huh?"
"Teacher Zeff!"
Ai En screamed from the beach, teeth clenched. "Use the Explosive Rock now! Don't think about anything else!"
"Not happening~"
A voice cut through the air behind her. Ai En froze.
A hooded cloak rustled in the wind as a tall figure emerged.
Lucius Kro stood behind her, hands in pockets, smiling. "Such a terrifying thing as the Explosive Rock shouldn't be used here, especially on this island."
Behind Lucius Kro, the sea swarmed with Navy warships racing toward them.
(End of Chapter)
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