Satoru readied himself, his body brimming with energy as he locked eyes with Zefa, his determination as sharp as a blade. The air crackled with tension, their shared resolve creating an electrifying atmosphere.
"Nice expression," Zefa commented, clearly impressed. "A fighter who doesn't falter before overwhelming strength—just the kind I like."
"Instructor Zefa, the next scene will leave you stunned," Satoru replied confidently, his tone almost daring.
"Then show me what you've got," Zefa retorted, his voice a mixture of curiosity and challenge.
No sooner had Zefa finished speaking than Satoru vanished. His figure reappeared in an instant, mere inches from Zefa's towering frame.
Zefa's eyes widened beneath his sunglasses. "No sound... no movement. Teleportation?"
His thoughts raced. For someone of his caliber—a naval admiral with decades of combat experience—not being able to perceive an opponent's movement was unprecedented.
"So this is the special ability Sengoku mentioned," Zefa muttered, his curiosity piqued. "But if it's just teleportation, it doesn't surpass the Lunaria clan."
Before Zefa could dwell on the thought, Satoru's voice rang out. "Black Flash."
A surge of energy enveloped Satoru's fist, dark and crackling with power. Zefa instinctively crossed his arms, coating them in an impenetrable layer of Armament Haki.
**BOOM.**
The impact of Satoru's punch sent a shockwave rippling through the air. Black lightning crackled around them as Zefa skidded backward, the sheer force of the blow dragging him over ten meters across the ground.
Zefa glanced at his slightly numb arms and let out a hearty laugh. "Good! That strength of yours is something else, kid!"
From a distance, Sengoku observed the exchange, his usually calm demeanor shaken. Even he hadn't anticipated this level of power from Satoru.
"So it wasn't just talk," Sengoku murmured. "This boy… he's exceptional."
Zefa, still rubbing his arms, smirked. "No wonder Sengoku said you'd surpass my students. That punch alone proves you're leagues above them."
He chuckled, though his voice carried a hint of envy. "Kids these days… so much talent in such a small frame."
"But how many punches like that can you throw, brat?" Zefa asked, his tone turning serious. "These kinds of moves usually have limits."
Satoru grinned, raising both hands as they radiated with energy. "Limits? You'll be disappointed to know this move is too easy for me to overuse."
"Ha! Big words," Zefa barked, his enthusiasm rekindled. "Then let's see if your actions match that attitude!"
The two charged at each other, their fists clashing repeatedly. The battlefield turned chaotic as shockwaves tore through the ground, scattering debris in every direction.
From afar, Sengoku watched in stunned silence. "This power… it's beyond my expectations. He's fighting Zefa on equal footing."
Zefa, meanwhile, was growing increasingly intrigued. "This brat's punches—there's no drop in his energy or technique. How is that possible?"
"Instructor Zefa," Satoru said, suddenly stepping back and preparing his next move. "Let's see if you can handle this!"
With a wave of his hand, Satoru manipulated the debris around them. Rocks and rubble began hurtling toward Zefa, swirling chaotically as they adhered to his body like magnets.
"What is this?" Zefa muttered, feeling an unfamiliar pull on his chest. Even his skin seemed to tug toward a central point. Realizing the danger, he immediately coated his body in Armament Haki.
"So it's a suction force," Zefa concluded, observing the gravitational pull. "An impressive trick, but it's not enough to stop me!"
Before Satoru could react, Zefa utilized *Soru*, vanishing from sight and reappearing behind him in an instant.
"Fast!" Satoru thought, alarmed. His six eyes caught Zefa's movement just as the admiral threw a controlled punch, careful not to use his full strength.
However, Zefa's fist never reached its target. His punch slowed to an agonizing crawl, as if moving through molasses.
"What… is happening?" Zefa muttered, confusion evident in his voice.
Satoru turned to face him, his expression calm. "This is my power of stopping. Welcome to my world, Instructor Zefa."
From his distant vantage point, Sengoku gasped. "So that's the power of stopping. Incredible… It's far more potent than I imagined."
Zefa, still frozen in his slowed motion, smirked despite himself. "Stopping time… If there's only one way to overcome this, then this kid might truly be invincible."
The battle reached a tense pause, the air heavy with anticipation as both combatants prepared for what came next.