Chapter 69: External Projection, Internal Destruction
Chapter 69: External Projection, Internal Destruction
A thunderous boom ripped through the air, causing the ground beneath Sag's feet to sink and form a depressed crater.
Zefa's eyes widened at the sudden inflation of Sag's body.
Qi Gong technique? Life Return?
No, that's not it!
Boom!!
Sag's other fist mercilessly swung towards Zefa, who instinctively raised his prosthetic limb, infusing it with Haki, and met the incoming fist. The collision created a wave of shockwaves.
Zefa's temples and arms bulged with popping veins as his fists locked with Sag's, their feet digging deep grooves into the ground.
It's not either of those techniques; it's something even more powerful!
Although the amount of Haki wrapped around his fists has been halved, reducing their power, his physique has somehow become stronger, allowing him to match the strength of his fists with his body?
"Oh? Are you shocked? Is it that terrifying? Hmm!"
Sag let out a sinister laugh, his eyes widening as he suddenly roared. In that instant, his fist overpowered Zefa's, forcefully pushing him back and knocking his fist away. Sag's leg flew up like a sword, aiming straight for Zefa's chest.
Boom!
Zefa was sent flying by Sag's kick. In the next moment, Sag leaped high into the air like a cannonball, rushing towards the retreating Zefa. His fists, burning with black energy, became a blur of afterimages as they pounded down like thunder.
"Striking Hundred Crack Fist!"
A combination of the North Star Drop Finger and the Hundred Crack Fist!
The influence of Haki allowed him to forgo the need to pierce his fingers into the body, as Haki could replicate the effect on the secret meridian points. All he needed now was the aura!
"Ora Ora Ora Ora!!!"
The rapid-fire black fists hammered down, but just as they were about to connect with Zefa's body, his eyes flashed with a red glint. Suddenly, his hands extended, becoming afterimages themselves. Protected by Haki, he somehow managed to perfectly counter Sag's chaotic barrage even as he continued to fly backward.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Amid the afterimages of their fists, only the shockwaves from the collisions were visible. Just as Zefa was about to touch down, he kicked upward, his leg slicing through the clashing fists and connecting with Sag's chest.
Boom!
This kick sent Sag flipping through the air.
Sag spun in the air and landed almost simultaneously with Zefa. As he touched down, his feet kicked up a cloud of dust, and he quickly moved with the speed and precision of the Big Dipper, leaving behind afterimages as he instantly closed in on Zefa. The afterimages instantly transformed into four, surrounding Zefa.
"Big Dipper Death Point!"
It's not the 'Seven Death Star Point', where one uses all their strength to strike the enemy's secret meridian points, creating afterimages in the process.
Nor is it the Seven-Star Point Heart, an ultimate technique that can create afterimages to catch opponents off guard, but only targets the heart in the end.
This is a combination of the two, creating afterimages to catch his opponent off guard while striking all the secret meridian points. Isn't this much more efficient than simply attacking the heart?
At his level of mastery, he can strike wherever he wants!
"Such afterimages are meaningless against the Sight-based Observation Haki!"
A smirk played at Zefa's lips as he saw the afterimages, and he casually spun, elbowing Sag in the head.
"What?!'
Zefa's elbow passed right through Sag's head, and he couldn't help but stare in surprise at what was in front of him.
"I can use the Sight-based Observation Haki too!"
The frontal afterimage of Sag gradually solidified, and a red glint appeared in his eyes as well. He swung his arms, creating a circular trace before swiftly bringing them together. With his fists, he unleashed a powerful impact that, along with the Haki-infused black flames, shot straight for Zefa's chest.
"Six King Gun: Sky-Breaking Lively Kill!!'
This was different from the one he used against Garp. This one was infused with Haki, and it was at his limit!
Even if Zefa tried to block with Haki, it would be useless. The power of will, though intangible like armor, was still just will. In a direct clash, there was no way to escape unscathed.
The gap between him and Zefa wasn't that large yet. Under such an offensive, there was no way he wouldn't get injured. As long as he made contact, he could strike the secret meridian points.
If he could break through Zefa's defense, he was confident he could injure this guy!
Boom!!
A deafening blast rang out, sending a massive shockwave outward. The wave roused the Marines and pirates who had been knocked out by the Conqueror's Haki, causing them to stir slightly. It also ruffled the clothes of the pirates who were busy loading cargo onto the ship.
That was the lingering wave of the Six King Gun. As it dissipated, Sag's fist, burning like flames, stopped just short of Zefa's outstretched left fist, unable to get any closer.
Zefa's fist seemed to extend forward, creating an invisible barrier that blocked Sag's fist.
This is...
"External Projection?!" Sag's pupils contracted.
"Kid, let me teach you a lesson!"
Zefa bared his teeth in a malevolent grin. "There are many ways to avoid touching your fist, and Haki is the most convenient!"
Zefa's black fist surged with a hurricane-like flow as his enhanced Haki blasted through Sag's fists, rushing towards his chest.
Boom!!
Even without making contact with his chest, a dull explosion sounded out, causing Sag's body to visibly shudder. Although his chest didn't seem to sustain any injury, Sag spat out a mouthful of blood.
"100%!"
Sag's body inflated again, and the muscular armor that formed became even more terrifying. His fists, which had been pushed aside, came together once more. Taking advantage of Zefa's incoming fist, he unleashed a powerful blow with both fists, slamming into Zefa's body and sending him tumbling backward for several meters, carving a deep furrow in the ground.
Zefa's body swayed unsteadily, and finally, a thread of blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
"So, this is that kind of power, somewhat similar to Internal Destruction."
He took a couple of deep breaths, finally steadying himself, and looked at Sag's body, which was even more exaggerated than before, like a steel armor covering his body. "He truly is a monstrous young man. The times are changing, and a great wave will inevitably rise in the sea of time."
Sag clutched his chest, his face gloomy. "Oh? Then you should just retire and not get washed away by the new generation!"
The internal organs in his chest were clearly shattered.
Not only did he use External Projection, he even utilized the 'Internal Destruction' technique!
Even with his weakened will, Sag's strength was a bit outrageous.
But it wasn't as exaggerated as Garp's, and—
Hss!
A white qi shot out from his nostrils as Sag clenched his fists, glaring at Zefa.
That punch had finally taken effect, causing his chest to heave irregularly and his breathing rhythm to change.
"Hahaha, this old man still wants to capture more pirates. It's too early for me to retire!"
Zefa raised his fist, his Haki once again surging along his arm. "Sag, I can tell you're a good kid. Why must you be a pirate?"
In a battle between strong opponents, not much needs to be said for one to clearly understand the other's character. That was a pointless question.
Of course, it was due to the power of the Kenbunshoku Haki.
Zefa's Kenbunshoku Haki was also quite accomplished. During the fight, he could sense that this kid wasn't the kind of truly chaotic and evil pirate.
"Why do old geezers always ask that question? If I don't become a pirate, am I supposed to starve to death?"
Sag let out a derisive laugh, but for some reason, an image flashed through his mind.
A destroyed refugee ship and an island sunk by bombardment...
"I don't have the option of becoming a Marine!" he snarled.
A sea breeze blew, rustling Zefa's somewhat blurry justice cloak and Sag's white hair.
Dong!
At the same time, both men took a step forward, rushing forward like arrows leaving their bows. Zefa's left fist once again twisted, and with Haki swirling around it, he threw a punch aimed at Sag's face.
Boom!!
Sag crossed his arms in a strange formation, and the Haki swirling around them like black flames blocked Zefa's fist in midair, preventing the External Projection Haki from getting any closer.
At the same time as he blocked, his body nimbly moved to the side, and he stomped heavily on Zefa's abdomen.
Boom!
There was another muffled sound, and although Zefa's abdomen manifested Haki, he was kicked backward by Sag's inherent power. As Zefa retreated, Sag lowered his body, crossed his arms under Zefa's fist, and the clashing Haki rubbed against each other like sparks, sliding along his arm toward his chest.
Zefa's eyes narrowed, and his outstretched fist fiercely chopped down, slamming into Sag's head. However, his fist passed right through it.
Afterimage?!
Several afterimages quickly appeared around Zefa, and a red glint flashed in his eyes. With his Kenbunshoku Haki, he subconsciously swung his arm to the side, and Haki swirled around his elbow as he was about to strike with it. However, his eyes suddenly paused, and his breathing became more rapid. There was a momentary pause in his attack.
But in that pause, Sag's true body flashed to the side, and his fists quickly swung.
It was too late!
Zefa's entire body was covered in a purple-black color, and he took the punches on his body.
"Ora Ora Ora!"
In just an instant, over ten punches landed, and the fierce Haki directly penetrated his entire body, causing Zefa's body to tremble.
"You brat!"
Zefa gritted his teeth and took the punches, then fiercely kicked out with his elbow toward Sag's face.
Boom!
Sag's eyes flashed with a red glint, and his body twisted, dodging Zefa's leg.
Zefa's leg missed, but at that moment, he revealed a smile. As they crossed, the External Projection Haki struck Sag's waist, forcing his hideous body to twist to the side, causing him to grimace in pain as blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
Boom!!
With that stumble, Zefa's elbow broke through Sag's fists and struck his face in midair, sending him flying.
Zefa's elbow struck, and he quickly stepped forward, his body flashing as he chased after Sag. His left fist opened wide and then fiercely clenched, and the swirling Haki around it was even more violent as he threw a punch.
"You're going to lose!"
Boom!!
The fist slammed down, creating a booming sound, and a large amount of rubble splashed to the sides, once again creating a huge depression in the port's ground. Within the depression, a figure flew out, skimming along the ground and creating a deep furrow before crashing into another building in the port, blasting a big hole in it and kicking up dust.
"Cough, cough, cough!"
Zefa's body fell to the ground, and he coughed involuntarily a few times, the Haki on his fist dissipating. However, he didn't relax at all but instead stared intently at the dust.
That previous strike...
He didn't feel like he had struck a solid object!
As the dust dispersed, it revealed Sag's figure, his arms crossed in front of him, his feet deeply embedded in the ground. He stood there, and under his crossed arms was a bloodstained face, a hideous expression on it.
The swirling Haki, like black flames, showed no signs of weakening. Instead, it...
Zefa frowned. "External Projection?"
That feeling from before was Haki clashing with his Haki in midair.
This guy had learned the External Projection technique?!
(End of Chapter)
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