https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-844-Reveal-Your-Might-to-the-World-Yokai-Blade-/13539364/
Chapter 843: Fine, Then Continue
Chapter 843: Fine, Then Continue
If this island truly shattered, there would be no way for the handful of them to rescue the two thousand unconscious Navy personnel still trapped here.
At this point in the battle, Kuro had no capacity to worry about whether the island cracked or not. Frankly, the combat intensity had reached a level where everyone was deeply concerned for Kuro’s safety.
That punch’s sheer might—
Was unstoppable!
Boom!!
Hiss!!
A deafening explosion erupted, shaking the entire island. Sand erupted into the air like a sandstorm, swirling around Bartholomew as he stood at its epicenter.
Before Bartholomew’s Fist, a shadowy figure rocketed backward at extreme speed, breaking through the air itself and trailing a spiraling shockwave. At that velocity, it might have shot straight off the island and into the Grand Line.
Boom!!
Suddenly, a massive, arid sandstone mountain erupted from the island’s rear. The fleeing figure crashed into it, creating a gaping hole as torrents of sand cascaded down like an avalanche.
That figure…
“Kuro!!” Lida shouted, her eyes wide.
Had Kuro lost?
Pfah!!
Bartholomew’s form staggered, then collapsed to one knee. A crimson fountain of blood erupted from his chest, spraying the area before him in a fan-shaped arc.
From his right shoulder diagonally down to his left waist, a deep gash oozed blood without pause.
Boom!
The sandstone mountain’s peak exploded outward, and Kuro leapt through the debris. Landing atop the summit, he stood with a gloomy facial expression.
“Hmph…”
A wisp of aura exhaled from his nose, and his body swayed unsteadily. He spat out a mouthful of blood, staining the sandstone beneath him with a gruesome sight.
“Cough, cough, cough!!”
After spitting blood, Kuro coughed violently, his frame trembling until he finally steadied himself. Clutching his chest and abdomen, he sucked in huge gulps of air.
That punch had shattered his ‘Black Tortoise Body’ technique, forcing him to expel a torrent of turbid energy. His injuries were no less severe than Bartholomew’s.
If he hadn’t altered the topography at the last second to raise a mountain, he might’ve been flung straight into the sea.
Under that kind of might, he’d lost control of his body entirely, forcing him to rely on his ability to reshape the terrain.
“Truly impressive,” Kuro fixed his gaze on Bartholomew, his voice cold. “You’ve done well.”
“Ha! Ha! Ha!!”
Bartholomew rose to his feet, laughing wildly. He spread his arms wide, as if embracing an invisible force, his voice thundering with exhilaration. “Yes! This is it! Come on, Kuro—once I kill you, I’ll officially step through the world’s gates of the Strongest!!”
“Are you really the ‘World Strongest’s gatekeeper, old man?” Kuro shot back. “Careful the gates don’t crush you when they close!”
Bartholomew lifted his gaze to Kuro atop the summit, a malevolent grin spreading. “That’s for my Fist to decide!”
The two locked stares, the atmosphere thickening into oppressive silence.
Bang!
Suddenly, an unexpected gunshot shattered the tension.
A Navy Commander stirred awake, spotting the bleeding Bartholomew. Instinctively raising his firearm, he fired a bullet.
The Haki-infused bullet reached Bartholomew before anyone could react. Frowning, Bartholomew whirled and swung a fist.
Boom!!
His Fist struck the bullet midair, unleashing a shockwave that accelerated the projectile’s speed. It screamed back toward the Navy Commander even faster than before.
The others finally reacted.
“Idiot!” Crocodile snarled.
Dracule Mihawk closed his eyes, as if silently mourning the doomed Navy Commander.
“Arrogant fool,” Boa Hancock scoffed with disdain.
Togeko Instant Moved instinctively to save him, but it was too late. Everyone had been transfixed on the two combatants, and the bullet’s enhanced velocity now exceeded their reaction capabilities.
Too late!
The bullet neared the Navy Commander’s brow, his body frozen, helpless as death approached.
Hiss!
A streak of Black Radiance flashed from the side, shattering the bullet. The force sent the shattered fragments spiraling upward before embedding themselves in a sand dune near Bartholomew.
Black Blade, Autumn Water.
“Blade!”
Lida’s eyes widened in disbelief, shifting to Kuro atop the summit—his hands now empty. But quickly, she calmed.
Kuro wielded more than one blade. He likely had an even deadlier weapon in reserve.
“This one’s the bigger idiot,” Crocodile muttered, his face darkening. “Pointless Navy… Pointless protection.”
Dracule Mihawk opened his eyes, a flicker of surprise crossing his face as he chuckled. “Oh? I heard from the Summit War… You told Marco and Akainu, ‘If there’s something you wish to protect, then go and protect it!’”
This remark made Crocodile’s expression even darker. “You looking to die, Dracule Mihawk?”
“Hmph.”
Dracule Mihawk smirked and fell silent, turning his gaze back to Kuro on the summit. “Still… it was reckless. A Swordsman without his blade sees his combat power drop drastically.”
Bartholomew glanced at the stunned Navy Commander, then back to Kuro, his expression suddenly composed. “Pointless.”
“Just a reflex,” Kuro replied coolly.
Indeed, it had been instinct. When the shot fired, he hadn’t reacted. By the time Bartholomew redirected it, it was already too late. The bullet, now infused with Bartholomew’s immense force, required time to control via his ability—time he didn’t have. Instinctively, he’d hurled his blade.
Bartholomew strolled forward, gripping Autumn Water. His massive palm made the blade look like a toy. Fixing his gaze on the summit, he rasped,
“A Swordsman without a blade… How can you fight me? That pointless act of protection… What good is it? Without a blade, you’re no match for me. A strong man sacrificing himself for weaklings… That’s the world’s tragedy.”
Kuro shrugged, an enigmatic smile forming.
Since when did he claim to have only one blade?
If Bartholomew judged based on this, he’d made a fatal miscalculation.
Kuro glanced skyward, his heart swelling with triumph.
You dare charge in? Old man, I’ll show you what ‘blades are not so inconvenient’ truly means!
Whoosh!
A rotating wisp of Black Light shot down, landing precisely beside Kuro.
Autumn Water.
This left Kuro momentarily stunned, staring at Bartholomew.
The man had thrown the blade back?
Bartholomew retracted his hand, calm. “Continue.”
A flicker of fire sparked in Kuro’s eyes. A smirk curled his lips.
“Fine, then continue!” He nodded.
“Warm-up’s over, Kuro. Now…”
Hiss!
Bartholomew tore off his tattered combat-worn shirt, revealing a muscular upper body. He shifted into a stance, his voice rumbling,
“Don’t die too easily, now!”
(End of Chapter)
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