This immense power centered around Kid, sweeping outward like a raging tsunami.
The air seemed torn apart by an invisible giant axe, emitting sharp whistles before twisting and trembling, on the verge of total collapse.
Under the assault of this formidable force, the ground cracked with deep fissures, as if the earth had opened countless fierce maws.
Rubble rose into the air as if enchanted, swirling chaotically in the sky.
The surrounding pirates fell one after another, their eyes rolling back as they collapsed powerlessly, foaming at the mouth as if struck by a heavy hammer.
The sturdy wooden structure of the nearby tavern groaned under the strain, its windows shattering into dust with a BANG, glass fragments raining down like diamonds.
The entire scene resembled doomsday, plunged into utter chaos.
"Conqueror's Haki?"
Bullet raised an eyebrow, his thick brows lifting slightly as a flicker of excitement and anticipation gleamed in his eyes.
Far from retreating, he grinned excitedly, as if encountering a long-awaited challenger.
"Interesting brat!"
A flash of fervent expectation crossed his gaze, eager to face Kid's all-out attack.
The next moment, an even more terrifying violet-black Haki erupted from Bullet's body like a volcanic explosion.
CRACK-BOOM!
The two waves of Conqueror's Haki clashed violently in the air, like two incompatible, powerful energies tearing and wrestling with each other.
Black and red lightning bolts danced wildly between them, flickering with an eerie glow like agile serpent tongues.
The entire floating island trembled violently under the impact of this immense power, threatening to collapse at any moment.
Above them, the clouds were forcibly torn open.
A massive rift appeared in the sky, a chasm like an abyssal maw devouring everything around it.
The surrounding air seemed to be mercilessly torn to shreds by these two immense forces, with buildings teetering precariously in the violent winds.
"Is that all you've got?"
"Hmph!"
Veins bulged on Kid's forehead like furious little snakes writhing beneath his skin. He pushed his Haki to its absolute limit, attempting to withstand Bullet's pressure.
Yet, Bullet's Conqueror's Haki was like a boundless, unfathomable abyss.
Kid's Haki gradually began to be suppressed, bit by bit, under this overwhelming force.
A series of cracking sounds came from beneath his feet as the ground fractured inch by inch, the earth trembling violently.
"It's not over yet!"
Kid roared, his arms instantly coated in pitch-black Armament Haki.
The Haki burned like black flames across his mechanical arms, radiating a suffocating aura.
His metallic fist, carrying berserk power, shot toward Bullet with explosive force.
"Prepare yourself, old man! Your Devil Fruit ability will be mine!"
A flicker of madness gleamed in his eyes as he poured all his strength, all his hope, into this single punch.
This strike contained his resentment, his rage, and his relentless pursuit of victory.
But in a blur before his eyes—
Bullet's figure vanished like a ghost, leaving only a faint afterimage shimmering momentarily in his original position.
Kid's fist smashed through the afterimage with tremendous force, yet it struck nothing but empty air.
"Too slow."
A deep, icy voice echoed beside his ear, cold and merciless like the whisper of death.
Kid's pupils contracted sharply as a sense of foreboding surged within him.
Before he could even turn around, a heavy fist wreathed in purple-black Haki struck his abdomen like lightning.
"Guh!!!"
Kid's eyes bulged violently as blood gushed from his mouth like a fountain.
His body was sent flying backward like a cannonball, moving so fast it was dizzying to watch.
Mid-flight, he smashed through three consecutive buildings, which crumbled like paper under the impact.
Finally, his body embedded itself violently into a stone wall, sending up a massive cloud of dust.
Rubble clattered down with a series of cracking sounds, and the swirling dust enveloped the entire scene in a hazy shroud.
"..."
Kid hung his head weakly, his face deathly pale. Beads of sweat the size of peas rolled continuously from his forehead, tracing paths down his cheeks and dampening his disheveled hair.
"Dammit... He's... too strong!"
His arms hung limply, wounds at his wrists still oozing blood. Each drop lost seemed to drain the last remnants of his strength.
His head buzzed as if struck by a heavy hammer, his thoughts growing muddled and chaotic.
His body trembled slightly within the stone wall—a chill and weakness emanating from the very marrow of his bones, making it nearly impossible to support himself.
He knew he had encountered a truly formidable opponent in this battle. His own power was still far from sufficient.
On the other side, Bullet shook his fist, the immense force seeming capable of tearing the very air apart.
He flexed his joints, producing a series of cracking sounds.
Then, he sneered coldly.
"Haki? You're still far from mastering it."
His voice cut into Kid's heart like an icy blade.
"You lost, Kid." Bullet sneered.
At some point, he had produced a specialized cryogenic flask, its opening emitting wisps of chilling cold that sent shivers down one's spine.
"As per the bet... one pound of your blood!"
Kid spat out a mouthful of bloody foam, the metallic-tasting spatter landing on the ground.
His eyes remained fierce, burning like flames.
Though his body was severely wounded and blood continuously flowed, his fighting spirit remained unextinguished.
"Hmph, you win this time... but next time, I'll crush you!"
Hearing Kid's defiant words, Bullet burst into loud laughter filled with contempt.
Without hesitation, he sliced open Kid's arm.
The sharp blade easily cut through the skin, and blood gushed like a spring into the flask.
The crimson blood gathered in the container, emitting a strong, metallic scent.
Kid stared intently at the bottle containing his own life force. Instead of diminishing, his battle intent grew even more intense.
In his heart, this pound of blood wasn't just a part of his body—it was a symbol of his dignity.
He silently swore that one day, he would personally reclaim everything and make this arrogant guy pay.
Time passed slowly in the tense atmosphere.
Soon, one pound of blood was collected.
Bullet watched Kid's staggering figure, casually weighing the flask filled with Kid's blood.
The scarlet liquid refracted an eerie glow under the sunlight.
"Another trophy!"