"Wang Zhi, I told you, if my little brother Ares says he'll win, then he will win. You have to believe in him, he's born to create miracles!" Golden Lion Shiki grinned proudly as he spoke to Wang Zhi.
As Ares's master, he understood the boy's strength far better than Wang Zhi did.
Monsters were called monsters not just because of raw power, but because of something extra a trait others didn't have. That was what gave them overwhelming strength and an unshakable will.
Of course, Shiki knew how risky Ares's actions were. But those who cowered in the face of danger could never become true powerhouses.
His eyes glimmered with admiration. "He's been getting stronger by the day, hasn't he? Isn't that because he lives for the fight? He charges headfirst into danger, again and again."
Wang Zhi clicked his tongue. "That guy's a full-blown battle maniac!"
"He's drawing out his potential with every fight…"
"I can't even guess where his limits are."
Ares's growth wasn't just steady it was explosive. And there were no signs of it slowing down anytime soon.
That, more than anything, was terrifying.
"Human potential…" Shiki bared his teeth in a feral smile. "Is of course unlimited!!"
Beneath the shroud of night, Ares had become a devil in the flesh. With every footstep, the ground quaked and split apart. Shards of stone exploded like cannon fire in every direction.
Even the simplest movement radiated a terrifying, beastlike intensity.
And paired with his draconic transformation his snarling face and feral aura he looked nothing short of a demon.
Elizabello I stood over three meters tall, but right now, he felt like a helpless rabbit before a monstrous predator.
And Ares? A feral, man-eating beast.
His entire body trembled in fear.
This thing isn't human. He's a humanoid tyrannosaurus. A demon.
How can someone possess such terrifying physical power?
Ares loomed over him, towering and fearsome. His dragon fangs gleamed red with blood, it was clear he'd taken injuries too.
But instead of weakening him, the blood made him even fiercer. Even more savage.
"Tell me, how does King Punch work?"
Those blood-red eyes stared down like lanterns in the dark, their eerie glow stabbing into Elizabello's heart.
Under the pressure of Ares's beastly gaze, cold sweat streamed down his face, his complexion deathly pale.
Fear clouded his eyes but hesitation and internal struggle flickered underneath.
If a monster like Ares mastered the King Punch technique…
He'd become utterly unstoppable.
Elizabello's lips quivered. "The… the King's…"
But before he could finish, Ares's crimson eyes narrowed. His killing intent surged like blades.
"Speak!!"
His voice was a roar, driven by pure obsession with strength.
Ares couldn't wait to unlock the secrets of the King Punch.
This was the power that could elevate him to a new realm.
If his current strength placed him around a Four Emperor commander level in the world of pirates…
Then mastering this ability might push him to the realm of a vice-emperor. A true force of nature.
Ares didn't care about labels. He didn't even know where he stood in the eyes of others.
All he knew was if it could make him stronger, then he had to have it.
He didn't care about the how or why.
But just then.
A booming voice rang out:
"You can't tell him!!!"
The shout sliced through the chaos, grabbing everyone's attention.
Ares's eyes lit up the moment he heard it. He recognized that voice.
It was Zephyr the Marine admiral candidate.
The sound of rushing wind reached his ears.
Ares turned his head sharply. Zephyr was rocketing toward him at low altitude, like a human cannonball. His blackened Armament Haki-coated fist was already swinging down.
Ares didn't flinch. He knew backup had arrived.
His eyes gleamed with battle-lust.
"Let's fight!!"
His flaming red arm shot back and then crashed forward to meet Zephyr's punch.
Boom!!
The collision of fists didn't just unleash a shockwave it triggered euphoria in Ares.
His blood-colored eyes burned like wildfire.
"Dragon Breath!!!"
Even the flames he exhaled from his mouth surged in heat and fury.
Zephyr's eyes darkened.
"This bastard… he's even stronger than before!"
He couldn't understand it.
How could someone grow this fast?
It was like Ares gained strength after every fight.
"This flame… it's nearly as hot as magma now…"
If it kept going, it really would surpass magma.
Zephyr smashed through the flames with punch after punch, using projected Armament Haki to avoid direct contact.
Even so, the scattered embers scorched the earth, melting rock, carving deep, uneven pits into the ground.
Meanwhile.
A tide of Marines surged into the battlefield, clashing with the pirates in a chaotic melee.
Vice Admiral Garp was the first to charge, instantly locking onto Golden Lion Shiki.
Without hesitation, Wang Zhi unsheathed his sword and barked:
"Everyone, retreat!!"
"Get back to the ships, now!!"
Slash!
His blade unleashed a brilliant arc of sword light, cutting down several Marines in an instant. Blood sprayed. Bodies fell.
Pirates began scrambling toward their ships in droves.
The battlefield dissolved into total chaos.
"Damn that Silver Axe…" Wang Zhi cursed silently. "Who knows where he's off screwing around now? That damn pervert…"
Still no sign of him.
Even a fool could guess he was off somewhere indulging in his "urges."
Wang Zhi glanced toward Ares, who was locked in combat with Zephyr. Concern furrowed his brow.
"Ares has been fighting non-stop today. He's taken serious damage. He can't keep going."
"His stamina's insane but even that has limits."
With a leap, Wang Zhi soared into the sky.
Under the moonlight, his golden armor gleamed. He raised his sword high and brought it crashing down toward Zephyr.
As he attacked, he shouted:
"Ares! Now's not the time to fight get back to the ship!!"
The longer this dragged on, the more enemies would arrive.
His sudden assault forced Zephyr to dodge.
But Ares didn't go for a follow-up. Instead, he gave Wang Zhi a respectful nod.
"Understood, Captain Wang Zhi!"
"I'll head back once the others are safe!"
He knew he'd have plenty more chances to battle these powerful opponents in the future.
The only thing he regretted…
Was that the Marines' arrival had robbed him of his chance to learn the King Punch technique from Elizabello.
He looked back one last time at the wide-eyed king his expression filled with disappointment.
No matter what, I'll learn that move someday…
And if I can't?
Then I'll just return to this country again.
To be continued.
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