"This fighting style... why does it remind me of Ledfield?" Li Yuan marveled at Roger's mastery of Observation Haki, while Roger found himself equally amazed by Li Yuan's combat approach and Observation Haki.
Roger was adept at using his "Voice of All Things" Haki to draw strength from the world around him, enhancing himself while pressuring his opponent. Yet, each of his attacks struck Li Yuan's strongest defenses, each attempt deftly parried or evaded. Fighting Li Yuan felt like striking against clouds—every blow seemed ineffectual, as if Li Yuan could see through his every move. This experience, akin to his past encounters with Ledfield, was disconcerting.
Battling Li Yuan was incredibly stifling; even his Observation Haki's natural amplification felt diminished. He had once discussed with Rayleigh and Jabba the possible nature of this advanced Observation Haki, which seemed beyond foresight alone. For fighters of their level, future possibilities were limitless, shifting with every instant. Eventually, they had concluded it was an enhanced form of foresight Haki, one they had yet to unlock themselves.
"I can't let Roger build his advantage any further," Li Yuan thought, realizing that Roger's cumulative advantage through Haki would only grow stronger the longer the battle continued.
"Life Return—Four Limb Reinforcement!"
Li Yuan activated Life Return, increasing the strength in his limbs, creating a balance between muscle strain and regeneration that prevented any adverse effects. With his four limbs strengthened, his speed and power surged, his attacks becoming even sharper and more rapid.
Combined with his mind-reading-like Observation Haki, Li Yuan steadily increased the pressure on Roger. Roger's Haki required a gradual build-up to yield significant results, but Li Yuan's enhanced Haki and reinforced limbs provided immediate benefits.
"Is Li Yuan actually using Life Return now? Isn't he worried about exhausting his stamina too soon?" Roger recognized Li Yuan's technique but couldn't fathom why he'd use it so early in the fight. Roger himself had sparred with Garp, who would only activate Life Return in the final moments to deliver a decisive blow.
Despite his puzzlement, Roger felt the mounting strain as Li Yuan's enhanced attacks broke the previous balance, tipping the fight in Li Yuan's favor. And with Li Yuan's special Observation Haki reading every minor advantage, Roger felt a growing sense of pressure.
Yet Roger's will was unwavering. He trusted that Li Yuan's stamina would give out first, allowing him to eventually regain the upper hand. This was a battle destined to be drawn out.
Their duel was electrifying, captivating both the spectators in the arena and the millions watching live worldwide. Even the Admirals at Marine Headquarters and the Five Elders watched closely, analyzing their strengths, hoping to learn techniques to counter them in future encounters.
After seven days and nights, Roger realized that Li Yuan's stamina was far from exhausted; he continued to fight with unrelenting vigor. Roger, however, had accumulated enough energy to summon a small whirlwind on the battlefield. Out of consideration for the spectators, he refrained from unleashing a larger storm, limiting its coverage to half of the arena.
Now enveloped in the whirlwind, Roger moved like a fish in water, while Li Yuan found his movements restricted. Roger's newfound advantage allowed him to shift from defense to offense, restoring a balance to the battle.
By the eighth day, Roger began to wonder if Li Yuan's stamina was truly boundless. His Life Return had been active since day one, yet he showed no signs of exhaustion.
By the tenth day, the whirlwind expanded, consuming the entire arena. Thanks to Barrett's gravitational barrier and the reinforced glass, the spectators were shielded from its force, but their view of the battle became obscured. Only those with heightened Observation Haki could see the fight through the raging winds.
"Roger created this whirlwind…" Many understood that it was Roger's unique skill, something outside the realm of Devil Fruits or traditional swordsmanship. For many watching, this was a revelation to remember for future encounters.
"I can't believe this guy has so much stamina!" Roger gritted his teeth, stubbornly refusing to admit defeat. Little did he know that Li Yuan's Seven-Star Sword had been subtly drawing a small amount of his blood, replenishing Li Yuan's stamina over time. Roger's "Voice of All Things" Haki hadn't picked up on this due to the minimal amount extracted.
Just as Roger steeled his resolve, Li Yuan launched his next big move. A massive crimson moon materialized behind him, shimmering with power as he raised his Seven-Star Sword. The fusion of sword intent and Haki made the crimson moon radiate with energy.
"Triple Sword Intent Secret Art: Conqueror's Aura—Sky-Breaking Blood Moon!"
With a sweeping slash, the blood moon spun forward, its razor-sharp edges slicing through the whirlwind, charging straight at Roger.
"This guy's stamina is unreal…" Roger muttered, although he quickly readied himself.
"Divine Avoidance!"
Roger, with Conqueror's Haki infusing Ace, struck the blood moon's weak point, deflecting the attack, yet the force of the impact hurled him backward, embedding him in the arena wall.
He emerged from the crater, undeterred but aware of his dwindling strength.
"Haha, Roger, you're faltering!" Li Yuan sensed Roger's declining power, while his own remained undiminished.
"That's it, I surrender!" Roger declared, acknowledging his disadvantage. He found it hard to believe that his stamina had faltered before Li Yuan's, especially given their age difference. At forty-seven, he was in his prime, yet he'd been outlasted by a twenty-seven-year-old.
"Haha, Roger! With that, it's my victory!" As the whirlwind faded, Li Yuan laughed heartily, his voice echoing across the stands and reaching audiences around the world.
In that instant, the entire arena fell silent.
"Congratulations to Li Yuan, the champion of the first Swordsmanship Tournament, and the newly crowned World's Greatest Swordsman!" The beautiful host's voice broke the silence, filling the arena and the airwaves.
"World's Greatest Swordsman, Li Yuan!"
"World's Greatest Swordsman, Li Yuan!"
"World's Greatest Swordsman, Li Yuan!"
The crowd erupted in thunderous cheers. Swordsmen across the world looked up to Li Yuan as a new legend. Standing at the pinnacle, he was an unscalable peak, an aspiration for all to challenge and surpass.
As newspapers around the world published the news, readers were drawn to Li Yuan's achievement, fueling even more excitement.
Li Yuan stood at the center of the arena, basking in the heartfelt cheers. Though not one to seek fame, he couldn't deny the thrill of hearing the genuine applause of countless admirers.
"Grandpa, is that the Li Yuan who defeated you back then?" In a noble palace of a Grand Line kingdom, a young Gion looked at the live broadcast of Li Yuan, blinking her wide eyes with curiosity as she asked her grandfather, former Admiral Zefa.
"Ahem… back then, it wasn't a defeat—it was a… a strategic withdrawal!" Zefa's face darkened as he recalled the embarrassing tale that had somehow reached his granddaughter, Gion, who always brought it up whenever Li Yuan appeared in the news. He could barely hold his head high in front of her.
"Oh, so Grandpa was beaten by Li Yuan, the World's Greatest Swordsman!" Gion said innocently. "Don't worry, Grandpa. When I grow up, I'll enter the Swordsmanship Tournament and defeat him for you!"
The little girl raised her small fist with determination, her chubby cheeks puffed in an adorably fierce expression.
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