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In this world, one doesn't make the same mistake three times.
Although Rowen wasn't sure of the exact consequences of falling for this trick, the fact that Kizaru, who clearly knew about his healing ability, issued a warning was enough to deter Rowen from testing fate.
Buzz!
The sky suddenly trembled and rolled in unison, the silver serpent dancing amidst the torn clouds, revealing the bright sky behind.
Zi zi!
At this moment, electric serpents roamed around Rowen's body, and the dangerous aura continued to gather and rise, his focus unprecedentedly sharp.
With the Heart Network closed, functioning just like regular Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki), with an observation range of less than ten meters, only the crisis warning was barely preserved, and the Thunder God imprint, this cheating method, naturally couldn't be used.
However, because of this, Rowen, no longer multitasking, could channel all his strength into his body. Each move and style became incredibly condensed, increasing their lethality.
Naturally, against a speedster like Kizaru, this was equivalent to giving up the initiative, leading to a certain defeat.
But facing others, like Rayleigh, his threat increased rather than decreased!
"A smart move..."
Rayleigh calmly observed everything, making no attempt to ambush.
Not because he disdained it, but because he couldn't.
While Rowen was adjusting his state, Kizaru held Ama no Murakumo in his hand, his gaze locked on him.
Compare speed with the Glint-Glint Fruit.
That would be foolish.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, he tore off the tattered flower shirt on his body. He used a piece to bind his stomach to prevent excessive bleeding and another to bandage the vein wound on his wrist.
As for the burns all over his body, he couldn't do much about them.
Then...
Bang!
The ground suddenly collapsed, like an aerolite crashing down, leaving behind a vast crater with a diameter of over a hundred meters. The terrifying Haoshoku Haki turned into a substantial Tekkai, crashing down between the two.
As the right-hand man of the Pirate King, Rayleigh naturally possessed the aura to stand beside the Pirate King! Coupled with Rayleigh's extremely powerful personal cultivation, his Haoshoku was second only to the Monster among those Rowen had seen!
Roar!
At this moment, a deafening Dragon's roar resounded.
Rayleigh and Kizaru couldn't help but shift their gaze to look over.
Rowen calmly raised his head and locked eyes with Rayleigh. The Thunder Cloud Dragon pattern within him began to operate along a mysterious path. Surging electric currents appeared around his body, forming a cloud of explosive energy that enveloped him, making him appear as if he were a Super Saiyan, covered in flames of light.
"You're getting old, Rayleigh... Who are you scaring with this level of Haoshoku?"
"Get him!"
Kizaru was secretly surprised that Rowen's Haoshoku, combined with the Thunder Cloud Dragon pattern, could actually ignore Rayleigh's Haoshoku. But without any hesitation, he took the initiative to attack with his Laser.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Three crisp sounds, like iron striking, rang out in the air. Rayleigh's expression was solemn as he swung three majestic and awe-inspiring slashes.
These weren't just ordinary aerial slashes but slashes infused with the determination of these peak powerhouses, combined with their own momentum.
For example, Rayleigh's three slashes now, each one was wrapped in his firm will to turn the world upside down, making Haoshoku Haki submit to it, actively enveloping them.
When Haoshoku reached a certain level, it could not only interfere with reality but even interfere with the manifestation of Devil Fruit's abilities. Rowen had verified this on Gold Lion long ago.
Hiss!
Kizaru's Laser was like butter meeting a hot knife, directly cut in half, causing a huge explosion in mid-air.
As for the other two slashes, they all flew towards Rowen.
Rayleigh could feel that Rowen was currently the greatest threat to him!
However...
"Bring it on!"
Facing the incoming attacks, Rowen laughed wildly, neither dodging nor avoiding, much to Rayleigh's astonishment, actively meeting them head-on.
Bang! Bang!
What kind of brute is the most terrifying? High damage output, astonishing speed, undying, and immune to control skills!
This was Rowen's current state after releasing the Thunder God imprint's restrictions, transforming from a mage into a berserker.
After two explosions, the majestic and vast Sword Energy was shattered into two clumps of debris by the Thunder Halberd. Rowen was covered in blood, but his speed didn't slow down at all. He burst out from the Sword Energy that filled the sky like stardust, rushing straight toward Rayleigh.
"This kid, has he finally touched the level of Awakening?"
Rayleigh squinted his eyes, unable to help but feel shocked by Rowen's performance. However, seeing Rowen's expression, Rayleigh breathed a sigh of relief.
"So it was just a fluke? But... a kid this terrifying even without Awakening, who can stop him once he awakens?"
"Die!"
Without further ado, Rowen rushed forward, gripping the Thunder Dragon crescent-sided halberd in both hands. The surging electric flames enveloped the rocks and sand, disintegrating them into dust. He twisted his body and fiercely swung the halberd down!
With one swing, a trail of electric light cut through the air, forming a sweeping arc-shaped blue block. Its sharp edge was so glaring that it made people's eyes dry and sore, uncomfortable like being pricked by needles.
Clang!
Another sharp sound of metal clashing resounded, deafening, as if a muffled drum was beating in one's heart.
Rayleigh felt the earth split open with a loud "boom," creating a deep trench visible all the way to the sea surface, and his own feet sank into the hard rocks.
Not only sharp but also imbued with a monstrous power!
Rowen, who had trained his body to the extreme, combined with the power unleashed by the three-meter-long, two-hundred-kilogram halberd, had enough impact alone to devastate the heavens and the earth!
Creak...
A blood arrow burst out from Rayleigh's wrist, unable to withstand the heavy burden, and the crimson liquid quickly soaked through the cloth.
But even in this sorry state, Rayleigh still smiled effortlessly.
"You're disregarding your injuries to relentlessly attack me head-on, all to create an opportunity for Kizaru to strike, right?"
"Uh... Look up at the sky!"
Rowen hesitated for a second, then suddenly exclaimed, raising his head to look at the sky.
Rayleigh's train of thought was thrown off by Rowen's sudden antics, and he subconsciously looked up... Before his head even reached halfway up, Rayleigh snapped out of it.
"Oh no, I've fallen for it!"
Even though Kizaru, whose figure he had clearly detected, suddenly appeared beside him, it wasn't just a regular movement to get here, but...
He propelled himself here!
Heaven's Spear!
Bang rumble...
The spear of the gods from the Neone Mythology, at this moment, turned into a devastating natural disaster that swallowed everything in its path.
Rowen quickly moved away from the spot, hovering in the sky with half of his body Elementalized.
Watching the mushroom cloud rising beneath his feet, Rowen casually dispersed the explosion shockwave and curled his lips.
"With your intelligence, if I were born in the same era as you, I could sell you and you'd still help me count the money, believe it or not?"
Just as Kizaru, who had just turned from virtual to real, took a step, he nearly stumbled.
"..."
A glance confirmed it. He was still that troublemaker.
This familiar fighting style, just like when he defeated Shuzo in the headquarters testing ground, hadn't changed at all despite his growing strength.
"Stop babbling and increase the intensity!"
Kizaru was a bit annoyed by this unprecedented situation. He rarely felt this way in his life. After scolding him, he raised both hands.
Yasakani no Magatama!
Turning his entire body into light particles, beams of golden light bombs fell like raindrops. Even if it hit the Undying Rayleigh, it would still consume a considerable amount of stamina, maintaining his Busoshoku Haki (Armament Haki) defense.
"Oh..."
Seeing this, Rowen decided to stop. He slung the Thunder Dragon crescent-sided halberd on his back and extended his empty right hand outward, a pitch-black electric ball appearing in his palm.
At the same time, five small black crystals shot out from his fingertips, each the size of a small marble, spaced a few centimeters apart from the large electric ball, forming a fragile balance.
Raigo - Thunder Greeting Planet!
Boom...!!
Amidst the frenzied explosions, the ground trembled wildly, and the unnamed small island in front of them began to collapse at a visible speed, its complete destruction only a matter of time.
In order to prevent Rayleigh from slipping away from the bottom of the sea as he did before, the two of them only used half of their minds to focus on the battle, while the other half remained alert to the surrounding environment, preventing any accidents.
Their quest was to delay until Bald Zero arrived. They couldn't afford to recklessly rush in, nor could they afford to be careless and underestimate the enemy.
Otherwise, they would have to face the military tribunal of the Superior Island!
Far away, witnessing all this, Shanks gritted his teeth in anger, even biting his gums until they bled.
"Ma...rine!!!"
"Captain, please take action! At this rate, Rayleigh San will be killed!"
Beckman witnessed this scene and couldn't help but persuade him.
The current Rowen was no longer the insignificant troublemaker and lucky kid who challenged them on their ship. He was now a true Top Level expert who made Shanks take him seriously.
Although Rayleigh was strong, there was no possibility of escape in the face of Kizaru and the Azure Dragon. Defeat was only a matter of time.
After all, these two were the epitome of speed!
The reason the Marines sent them was obvious to all, and only external forces could break the deadlock.
Even if there was a turning point, he couldn't possibly endure the consumption battle against the incoming Marine reinforcements.
"I know!"
"But this is his choice!"
If Rayleigh didn't want to lose, he could cooperate with him and use the full strength of a Yonko pirate crew to stand against the mighty Marine force.
But Rayleigh didn't...
He chose to face it alone, just like Roger did in the past, boldly rushing towards the execution ground.
As the person Shanks respected the most after Roger, he would rather suffer himself than go against the other's will.
Beckman fell silent.
Shanks's respect for Rayleigh was no less than theirs, and many of them even revered Rayleigh because he was a legendary pirate. Their respect for Shanks's elders was not as pure as Shanks's.
Rayleigh's decision saddened them the most, not Shanks.
"We can't let Rayleigh sacrifice himself in vain!"
Shanks stared with bloodshot eyes, his voice hoarse: "Let's go, let's leave this place..."
Silence, then a nod.
"Yes!"
(End of this chapter)