Sure enough, young people nowadays really couldn't handle a little provocation.
But considering that Bullet was only sixteen or seventeen at this time, Daren thought it was understandable.
Who could take such a hit at that age, especially someone like Bullet—proud, headstrong, and immensely powerful?
"Daren, although you're a really annoying guy, there's no denying it—you are a powerful opponent."
At that moment, Bullet slowly lifted his head, his eyes glowing red with an astonishing fighting spirit, as if raging flames were burning within them.
Twisted purple-black Haki swirled around his body like a spiraling hurricane, lifting his wild golden hair into the air.
Dirt and shattered rock clumped together, forming a rough new arm.
Bullet raised his hands and tied his golden hair into a neat, high ponytail.
"Ever since I escaped from Kaidou, not being able to have a proper battle with you has been my greatest regret."
"I remember saying it—the next time we meet, it would be a fight to the death."
"I admit it. Whether it's Conqueror's Haki, physique, strength, or speed, I'm inferior to you."
"But that doesn't mean I'll lose."
A mad, reckless smile suddenly curved at the corner of Bullet's mouth.
"Do you know why they call me the 'Demon Heir'?"
He clenched his fists tightly.
"Open your eyes and watch closely. This is the result of my relentless training, day and night!"
As his voice fell, Bullet gritted his teeth and his eyes flew wide open!
The swirling Haki around him suddenly contracted, collapsing into his body like a tidal wave.
And then, an eerie sight appeared.
A cold, sharp purple-black aura spread outward from his forehead.
The demonic purple-black color rippled out like a wave, and in the blink of an eye, enveloped his entire body, transforming Bullet into a terrifying beast, like a hellish demon descending upon the earth.
"Devil Form!"
Boom!!
An explosive shockwave burst outward from Bullet's body, becoming a purgatory-like gale that swept toward Daren, forcing him to squint instinctively.
Through his Magnetic Field Induction, Daren could feel it clearly—Bullet's life magnetic field was rapidly surging, its strength increasing visibly to the naked eye!
"What the hell is that!?"
"Douglas Bullet's aura suddenly exploded!"
"His pressure level has jumped by at least an entire tier!"
"This is insane!"
On the distant warships, the Marines stared at the scene in shock, exclaiming one after another.
Even separated by such a distance, they could still feel the terrifying suffocation emanating from Bullet.
Savage, violent, ruthless, bloodthirsty…
It radiated an overwhelming desire for destruction that made their scalps tingle.
"How scary... Using a massive flow of Haki to completely fuse with his own body. He really is like a devil from hell."
Borsalino put on a surprised expression and spoke lazily.
The three Vice Admirals turned their heads sharply to look at Borsalino, utterly stunned.
Just one glance—and he already figured out the secret behind Bullet's transformation?
…
"I see..."
On the island, Daren narrowed his eyes at Bullet, who was now radiating an overwhelming amount of Haki, and suddenly smiled.
"I didn't expect you to push your Armament Haki to this level, Bullet."
Bullet's devilish transformation reminded him of Luffy's Gear Fourth from the original story.
In his rubber state, Luffy also compressed and fused Haki within his body, forming a Haki coating that resembled flame patterns on his surface.
The principle was similar.
However, in Gear Fourth, the Straw Hat kid's development and mastery of Armament Haki were nowhere near Bullet's—he couldn't achieve full-body coverage to this extent.
Feeling the terrifying aura pouring off Bullet, a glint of battle spirit finally rose in Daren's eyes.
"Now this is getting interesting!"
He could see it clearly.
At this moment, Bullet, who had entered his devil form, had undoubtedly reached Admiral-level combat power!
But what exact degree within the Admiral level—That could only be determined by fighting him for real.
The moment that thought surfaced, the corners of Daren's mouth lifted into a sharp smile of anticipation.
Since breaking through to Admiral-level strength during his fight with Kaidou, he had never had the chance to clash with an opponent at the same level.
Shiki didn't count, because Shiki's strength had long surpassed the Admiral class.
That madman—standing at the peak of the sea in swordsmanship, Haki, and cunning—was crowned a true legend.
Even Daren, facing that monster, had to prepare countless strategies in advance, weakening him layer by layer just to have a shot at a death match.
That wasn't a battle—it was pure survival, a brutal fight without rules.
But now, the Bullet standing before him offered the perfect opportunity to test his strength head-on!
As if sensing the same burning intent rising from each other, Daren and Bullet locked eyes.
In that instant, purple-red lightning crackled between them.
Boom!!
A low growl, like distant thunder, echoed as Bullet stomped the ground, massive cracks radiating outward.
His figure vanished from sight.
Daren's eyes sharpened, the smile on his lips deepening.
Fueled by his explosive Haki, Bullet's speed had increased by at least thirty percent compared to earlier!
But the stronger Bullet showed himself to be, the more excited Daren became!
Almost the moment Bullet vanished, Daren moved as well.
Their speeds were so astonishing that even afterimages blurred behind them.
The three Vice Admirals watching from the warship gasped in horror—they couldn't track either of them, even with their Observation Haki!
Those two monsters had developed their bodies and martial skills to an untouchable, flawless level!
To the watching Marines, it was just a flicker of movement—
In less than a hundredth of a second, Daren and Bullet reappeared in midair, facing each other.
Both threw punches at the same time!
Bang!!
Their black fists, overflowing with a massive surge of Haki, collided violently in the air.
The impact released a rippling shockwave, tearing open a giant hundred-meter-long crack in the earth beneath them.
The shockwave rolled out in all directions, lifting countless shards of rock into the air.
In terms of pure strength... they were perfectly matched!
"Kahahahaha!! How about it, Daren!?"
Bullet burst into wild laughter.
He could feel it—after entering his devil form, he could now stand toe-to-toe with this bastard Daren without being overwhelmed!
You dared to look down on me!?
You talked about breaking my arm!?
Today, I'll tear your damn arm off, and let you see for yourself what it's like to live with just one!