Bang!! Bang!!
Vergo, his entire body enveloped in a powerful Busoshoku Haki (Armament Haki), slammed his ghost bamboo staff onto the ground. Though the bamboo itself didn't touch the earth directly, the solid ground dented deeply with each strike, showing the terrifying force behind his attack.
"Amazing dominance," even Jinbei couldn't hide his admiration for Vergo's overwhelming presence.
"His Haki is definitely stronger than a year ago," Ace said seriously. He felt Vergo's mastery of Armament Haki matched his own, sensing that Vergo was on the verge of entering the realm of Advanced Armament Haki, where the user can 'release' their Haki to greatly amplify power.
In the original timeline, Vergo's Busoshoku Haki was still in its early stages and had never reached this advanced release state. But now, despite losing a leg a year ago, his Haki had surpassed even the peak strength he showed two years after the war in the original story.
If given two more years, Vergo might truly master Advanced Armament Haki.
As Vergo's oppressive aura radiated, Gambi's crazed smile faded. The dents and scars on his body began to heal, while a white mist slowly rose from him.
Haaa—!
A long, snowy breath escaped Gambi's lips. His madness vanished, scars disappeared, and his body shrank slightly. His once tall and bulky frame now appeared leaner and more refined, his aura sharper and more commanding.
The mist swirling around him resembled Luffy's Gear Second transformation, and his body changes echoed the "Six Powers" secret technique of rapid regeneration.
"The madness is back!" Gambi clenched his fists and faced Vergo. "Though my body has reached its limit, this power-up is enough to defeat you, Vice Admiral Vergo!"
"Madness? Interesting. You convert damage into strength? What a fascinating fighting style!" Vergo said with respect.
"Crazy Qi? Where have I heard that before?" Kerla muttered thoughtfully, then said, "It was a unique royal combat technique from the Kingdom of Aboli, over 300 years ago. Their royal family perished, but apparently some bloodline remains."
"It's said the Aboli royals suffered from a genetic 'madness' disease. When afflicted, they'd lose their sanity and become insane, but their bodies generated a unique 'madness energy'—greatly enhancing their strength and numbing pain."
"Originally a curse, but a genius in the royal family harnessed this 'madness' to create a fighting style. It lets sufferers stay conscious during episodes and channel their pain and fury as power."
"Wow, so Gambi is of royal blood," Ace laughed.
"Hey! What are you staring at?" Kerla glared at Ace. "Isn't that your friend's fighting style?"
"Haha, same thing," Ace laughed. "I just know Gambi is really strong."
Kerla rolled her eyes, unsure whether Ace was confident or cocky.
Despite Gambi's power, Vergo was still a formidable opponent. His intense Armament Haki radiated like an iron vice.
"That's trust, Kerla-chan," Ace said, sensing her doubt. "Even without madness, I believe Gambi will beat Vergo. Damn it!"
"Gambi is a partner I respect!" Ace said firmly.
Kerla was speechless — surprised Ace could read her mind and stunned by his confidence.
"Defeat me?" Vergo growled darkly. "You'll lose your life if you get arrogant, kid!"
He gripped his ghost bamboo with both hands, shifting back and forth, channeling potent Armament Haki through it.
Opposite him, Gambi held his broad sword, blade pointing downward, gathering his madness energy into it.
Both gathered momentum; the air trembled as their auras clashed fiercely.
Boom! Boom!!
At the same moment, Vergo and Gambi unleashed their attacks.
"Armament Sixth Form: Secret Ghost Wheel Gun!"
As a master of the Navy's Sixth Form combat style, Vergo had developed his own deadly technique. Unlike Rob Lucci's Six King Spear, Vergo's six-form combo, enhanced with Armament Haki, struck with the force of a meteor.
"If the captain is the sun, then as a crew member, I'll become his shadow—the moon!"
"Madness Qi – Moon Wheel!"
Gambi's sword emitted a cold crescent of light, slicing through Vergo's attack and splitting it in two.
Puff!
The crescent moon blade cut straight through Vergo's torso, from shoulder to abdomen, spraying crimson blood.
Vergo's upper body slid down, his remaining hand pulling out a broken Den Den Mushi, also cracked in two. Using his last strength, he whispered, "Sorry, Dover... I lost again."
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