Beneath the colossal Aerolite stretched an endless expanse of azure sky. This made the Aerolite stand out so conspicuously, like a moon rising in broad daylight, looking truly awe-inspiring.
And the Island Cloud lion it had transformed into possessed a truly world-shattering aura!
With a resounding roar, it swept through the layers of clouds. Its gaping maw seemed as if it could devour the entire world, carrying Gold Lion's ambition to swallow mountains and rivers, ruthlessly bearing down on Rowen.
"To think it surpasses the perception limits of Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki)!!"
Rowen's eyes widened as he watched the lion approach, like the collapse of a celestial canopy.
Though he hadn't precisely measured the range of his Kenbunshoku Haki, he knew it covered a radius of up to fifty kilometers. Yet, before this towering lion, he could only sense the area above its waist.
Marine had transported soil to the sky islands for so long, and it had its drawbacks. Otherwise, relying solely on the Island Cloud on Angelisland, such a monstrous creature could never have been formed!
Gold Lion, his jaw shattered, couldn't speak. But the unwavering look in his eyes conveyed the answer Rowen sought.
I, Gold Lion, do not yield!!!
In the "Edd War" naval battle, he was defeated, falling before the might of nature, a regret and unwillingness he carried throughout his life. In the Marineford Great War, he was defeated, succumbing to the belief that his adversary Roger, whom he acknowledged, would be captured by the Marines. This cost him his legs, leading to eighteen years of seclusion.
Now, he was to be defeated by a helm?
The majestic Gold Lion was actually going to lose over something like this?
I refuse to accept this!
Gold Lion was thoroughly incensed by fate!
Even though he knew he was running on fumes, he was determined to face destiny with all his might, wielding the butcher's blade in his hand!
GTMD: the Destiny!
"Fascinating!"
"Is this the power of your peak, Gold Lion?!"
Rowen instantly tossed aside his cigar, letting out a maniacal laugh as he advanced straight ahead.
He hadn't expected Gold Lion to survive. His Kenbunshoku Haki had been disrupted by the explosive electrical discharge, giving Gold Lion a chance to escape.
Yet, instead of seizing the opportunity to flee, he chose to continue the fight. Faced with such a worthy opponent, the greatest respect Rowen could offer was a swift death!
Thunder God Mark!!
In an instant, the Thunder God mark emitted a dazzling brilliance. It transformed from a deep blue pattern to a radiant white, exuding a brilliant light.
Bang!!
As the Cloud Lion pounced, it created a powerful air current that shattered a relatively small floating island. Its massive claws swiped through the air, only grazing a wisp of electrical current. Rowen raced forward on the Cloud Lion's back, capturing Gold Lion's location, and in the next instant, he vanished with a "whoosh."
Clang!!!
A fist that suddenly appeared was blocked by two crossed swords in front of Rowen's chest. The intense Busoshoku Haki (Armament Haki) vibrations caused Rowen's hand bones to ache.
Kogarashi Oto, installed on his legs, couldn't achieve this angle or movement. Yet, what did indeed block the attack were Kogarashi and Oto.
Looking at Gold Lion's pants, which were stuck together like a burst water bag, continuously oozing blood, Rowen's gaze darkened.
"Was this forcibly torn off?"
The amount of bleeding had already reached a major artery!
However, Gold Lion's face showed no signs of paleness. His eyes shone brilliantly, and even without words, Rowen understood what he wanted to convey.
It's been a long time... since I've wielded you with my hands.
The great sword hero, Gold Lion, was remarkably dual-wielding!
Buzz!!!
A golden sword light burst forth. Its imposing presence seemed as if it could pierce the heavens, illuminating the world.
Hiss... Hua La La!!
A gaping wound suddenly appeared on Rowen's abdomen, and a large amount of blood and intestines spilled out, causing Rowen to grunt, his back drenched in cold sweat.
Rowen had started evading the moment Gold Lion drew his sword. But it seemed as if Gold Lion had anticipated it, lightly placing his left-hand sword, Kogarashi, on the path Rowen was dodging. Rowen only realized something was amiss when he was cut.
From an outsider's perspective, it appeared that Rowen had charged forward to meet the strike.
"No one remains unslain, and nothing remains unsevered... great sword hero!"
"To think you can maintain this level of concentration. Is this truly your last brilliant display?!"
Rowen had already experienced this unique ability exclusive to great sword heroes from Momousagi. However, unlike her sword techniques that extended with a protective intent, using "sever and continue," Gold Lion's sword strikes were undoubtedly lethal!
The Golden Pheasant was a derivative of the Guardian God's will, while Kogarashi and Oto were crosses on a tombstone of the deceased.
Moreover, this move was by no means like his Thunder God Mark, which could be maintained for an extended period! The way of the swordsman revolved around a single sword. One strike could determine victory or defeat, life or death.
Rowen didn't know how long Mihawk could maintain this state, but Momousagi could last at most three seconds!
The human body relies on its five senses for survival, and there's not a single moment where one can completely detach from these senses. Yet, this state forcibly strips a person of their senses, immersing their entire consciousness in the sixth sense of a swordsman—the sword—to observe the world.
Even if there's no fear in the heart, the uncomfortable sensory experience still influences the swordsman, causing them to quickly snap out of it.
But Gold Lion, from his appearance until now, had already passed one minute!!
Slash!!
A seemingly light strike caused Rowen to experience a sensation similar to when Zephyr had demonstrated Military Wrist · Deep Gate to him a year ago in the abandoned training ground. It was an inevitability he couldn't evade, an overwhelming might!
Hiss!!
The Longblade pierced through, sending out a spray of blood pearls. Gold Lion's horizontal sword swing launched Rowen into the air.
Roar!!!
The cloud lion, having missed its initial strike, surprisingly did not dissipate. Instead, it glared fiercely like a true lion, splitting its massive mouth open. With a resounding stomp in mid-air, it swiftly turned around and lunged back.
Bang...!!
The cloud lion crashed into Rowen, scattering him into a storm of thunderous serpents. Fortunately, Gold Lion couldn't enhance the cloud lion with Busoshoku Haki (Armament Haki) using the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi (Float-Float Fruit). Otherwise, Rowen might have been knocked unconscious by this collision.
And to be unconscious in front of the great sword hero, who could decide life and death in the blink of an eye... It wasn't just about unconsciousness. Even the slightest distraction would be enough for Gold Lion to dispatch him multiple times over!
At least, it would be an overt demise...
Zi zi!
After the impact, thunder began to coalesce, gradually reforming Rowen's body. The cloud lion in mid-air turned once again, swinging its claws to strike Rowen down.
It intended to repeat the same technique, shattering Rowen once more.
"Hmph!"
You think you can act so recklessly with just a puppet when you can't defeat Gold Lion now?!
Electricity converged on Rowen like flowing water. Then, with a sharp whistle, meteoric bullets shot through the air.
Chi la!!
Even though Gold Lion had compressed the cloud lion to its utmost solidity, the sharpness of the meteoric bullets was no less formidable. The thunderlight tore through the lion's paw, leaving behind a several-meter-wide passage. Rowen emerged just in time from the opening.
Bang!!
A claw slammed down, causing the air to resound with a shockwave!
The collapse of a beast of this size alone was enough to make one feel utterly powerless, let alone when it was under Gold Lion's control. The air seemed to explode like glass in an instant, and an endless gale immediately swept Rowen into the high sky.
Shua!!
Gold Lion charged forward like lightning, his eyes eerily calm, hands crossing to make the incision.
Slash!
But at this very moment...
Bo!
Another Rowen materialized from the sky, lightly snapping his fingers. The nearby thunder clone exploded, smashing half of the Cloud Lion's face and enveloping Gold Lion!
Bang long long!!
After a refreshing shower, typing on the bed felt so comfortable. Just one word: cozy!
(End of this chapter)