In an instant, dense blue magic lines appeared on Loya's body, but unlike the ones he had used before, these lines were so thick and numerous that they wrapped around him like a silkworm cocoon.
Bang!
The sound of real flesh hitting flesh rang out as the silver-backed great ape's punch landed on the icy armor covering Loya. At that moment, Loya felt as if he had been hit by a high-speed train. He was sent flying, and shards of ice scattered in the air, driven into a cylindrical shape by the force.
Boom!
As Loya was hurled through the air, a thunderous explosion erupted, sending waves of air violently outward and blowing ice fragments across the battlefield.
The silver-backed great ape landed with a stagger, bracing itself on one knee with its large, blood-stained hands, gasping for breath. Despite its victory, it did not dare to beat its chest as it usually would. The ape's chest was gravely injured and had been frozen to stop the bleeding. It didn't want to accidentally kill itself by striking its wounded chest.
From the impact of the punch, the silver-backed great ape was sure that the little one's bones had been crushed. Based on past experience, such a blow would be fatal.
...
"Loya!"
Zefa's eyes turned red as he clenched his teeth and directed a dangerous, terrifying aura at Kuzan. "Is this what you meant by 'don't be nervous'?"
"Ah la la, not aging well, are you, Teacher," Kuzan replied calmly. Despite Zefa's threatening glare, Kuzan didn't feel his life was truly in danger. He knew Zefa wouldn't attack him.
Kuzan reassured Zefa before he could completely lose his temper: "Relax. I've tested it, and that level of attack won't kill that kid."
...
Was Loya dead? Of course not.
The silver-backed great ape had only shattered the second layer of ice armor surrounding Loya. As the battle continued and his boiling blood cooled, Loya's body temperature began to drop again. The silver-backed great ape felt dizzy. It knew that once the ice melted, the wounds would start bleeding, and it wouldn't survive.
However, just as the ape was prepared to accept its fate, a loud shout rang out from above: "Ice Dragon's... Iron Fist!"
Boom!
The silver-backed great ape, unable to react in time, was struck on the head by a sudden, powerful attack. The blow sent it crashing through the forest, crushing ice and rocks in its wake and carving a long, clear path through the trees, like an eraser sweeping across a drawing.
Shaking off its dizziness, the ape stood up, excited. It could still sense the presence of the small but dangerous opponent who had injured it. Loya was alive!
The great ape roared at Loya, who was flying toward it, and launched itself forward.
By now, Loya had undergone a dramatic transformation. His body was no longer covered in smooth human skin but in an orderly arrangement of blue dragon scales. Pale bone spurs jutted from his elbows and knees, radiating a menacing aura. His fingernails had elongated into sharp dragon claws, and wide, bat-like membranes extended from his back, allowing him to fly through the air. His golden, slit-pupil eyes glared at the ape.
Loya knew his current form granted him formidable resilience and defense. As long as his vital organs were intact, a few broken bones wouldn't stop him.
"Come on! Who's afraid of who?" Loya shouted, charging at the silver-backed great ape.
Boom!
Their fists collided, one enormous and the other small, creating a deafening thunderclap that echoed through the forest. The great ape was pushed back a step, astonished at Loya's newfound strength. Just moments ago, this human had been weaker. How could he have become stronger so quickly?
Loya vanished from sight, reappearing almost instantly.
The silver-backed great ape roared in frustration, swinging a backhand punch. "You can still sense my movements?" Loya remarked, surprised. His expression turned to one of fierce excitement. "Then let's see who falls first!"
Loya's claws left streaks in the air as he attacked. The wind from the ape's counterpunch hummed around them. Loya managed to tear off a piece of the ape's flesh but was struck in turn, spitting blood as he tumbled backward. He dug his feet into the ground to halt his momentum and charged forward again, unfazed.
The clash of blows and the sound of tearing flesh echoed continuously. Blood sprayed onto the ice, steaming from the heat of battle—some of it from Loya, some from the great ape. Broken arms, shattered bones, and bites to the head—both combatants fought savagely, like two primal beasts, each determined not to stop until the other fell.
...
In the surveillance room, Zefa stared at the blue figure on the screen, locked in combat with the blood-drenched silver giant ape.
After a long pause, he turned to Kuzan, uncertain. "Is that... Loya?"
"Yes, Teacher. Have you forgotten? Loya is an Ice Dragon Fruit user. Once he develops his power, his close-combat abilities will rival anyone's."
"I'm not worried about that," Zefa said. "I'm asking why he isn't using his freezing abilities to fight but instead... battling like a wild animal." He hesitated, trying to find the right word.
Kuzan shrugged. "I told you before. He doesn't have perfect control over his Devil Fruit yet. Once he enters this form, Loya can't use ranged attacks."