Generally speaking, prediction is an effect brought about by the use of Observation Haki.
"Has he awakened Observation Haki?"
After a moment of surprise, Lina looked astonished.
"No!" Lancelot and Zoro denied it almost simultaneously, then exchanged a glance and smiled.
"This comes from insights gained through rich combat experience," Zoro spoke with a hint of admiration.
"By observing the movements of the opponent's legs and shoulders, one can predict their next move. This isn't something that can be grasped through combat experience alone—it also requires innate talent. So, not just anyone can achieve this; at the very least, I myself couldn't do it."
He glanced at Lancelot and thought to himself, 'I suppose Lancelot can't do it either.'
Meanwhile, Gin had already closed in on Absalom.
Absalom was greatly shocked, clearly unable to accept that Gin had so easily dodged his invisible attack.
However, he was, after all, one of the Three Freaks under Moria's command.
He reacted quickly.
Seeing Gin charging at him, he raised his modified fist and threw a punch aimed straight at Gin's face.
Gin seemed to have anticipated it all along, effortlessly dodging the attack by lowering his head.
Then, his tonfa swung out violently, smashing hard into Absalom's abdomen.
Under the tremendous force, Absalom was forced back seven or eight steps before he could steady himself.
The two exchanged a glance, both greatly astonished.
Absalom was shocked by Gin's strength.
After all, his body was no ordinary human form—it had long been modified by Dr. Hogback, making it unusually heavy and possessing terrifying power.
Yet he never expected to be pushed back.
Gin, on the other hand, was stunned by Absalom's thick skin and resilience.
Although he hadn't used his full strength in that strike, it still carried sixty percent of his power... and yet, it hadn't seemed to harm his opponent in the slightest.
What kind of defense was this? If Absalom weren't a pirate, he would have suspected that he had also trained in Iron Body.
Absalom gave Gin a deep look, then activated his ability and vanished from everyone's sight.
Gin's face instantly changed.
He muttered under his breath, "Not good!"
Immediately, he focused entirely on defense, his eyes constantly scanning the surroundings to guard against a sneak attack while also searching for an opening.
"Thud..."
The next moment, Gin's back was struck hard by a powerful, invisible blow.
Under the immense force, he was sent flying and landed over ten meters away.
"Swish..."
Seeing this, Lina and Zoro instantly drew their swords, ready to step in and assist.
But they were stopped by Lancelot.
"This is his opponent. I believe he can handle it."
As his subordinate, Gin would eventually have to face the world's most elite fighters.
Therefore, he must grow quickly. And adversity is the best catalyst for breaking through one's limits.
Gin couldn't locate Absalom's figure at all and was forced to endure the invisible attacks passively.
Thud...
After another heavy blow, Gin was sent flying, crashing hard over ten meters away.
He struggled to stand, but before he could steady himself, he spat out a mouthful of blood—this time even a tooth came with it.
The repeated heavy strikes had indeed left him quite injured.
Yet the determination in his eyes never wavered, forming a stark contrast with his unsteady, battered body.
Lina and Zoro frowned at the sight.
They admired Gin's persistence and will, but they were equally worried for him.
This Devil Fruit user was truly difficult to deal with.
At this moment, Vivi and Igaram exchanged a glance, both seeing the reluctance in each other's eyes, and couldn't help speaking up.
"Lancelot-san..."
But before they could finish, Lancelot cut them off, his voice firm.
"He can do it."
As if to prove Lancelot's words, Gin suddenly roared, ignoring his own defense.
He swung his tonfa, smashing it with all his might against a large, dead tree beside him.
Under the tremendous force, the entire tree shook violently.
Leaves drifted down like snowflakes.
Simultaneously, Gin scanned his surroundings, his eyes wide.
Finally, he noticed a small cluster of leaves, a few meters away, being obstructed in their fall, swirling unnaturally around an empty spot.
"Soru!"
Gin vanished from his spot, reappearing directly above that location.
His tonfa spun wildly in his hand, even emitting a piercing whistle from the speed.
Boom!
This strike used every ounce of Gin's remaining strength, undoubtedly his most powerful attack yet.
'Seize the opportunity, take his life.'
That had always been his style, and he knew he only had this one chance—he absolutely couldn't miss it.
Under the terrifying force, the ground cratered, revealing Absalom's figure.
He now lay right in the center of the pit, his head covered in blood.
The ground also cracked radially from the crater, rapidly spreading outward, showing just how fearsome the power of that final strike had been.
"Ah, this..." Gin himself was stunned, panting heavily.
After collecting himself, he recalled that at the final moment, as he struck, a new, terrifying power had erupted from within his arms, amplifying the force of the strike tenfold.
"Hahahaha..." Lancelot burst into laughter, because at that last moment, Gin had, through sheer willpower and desperation, awakened Armament Haki.
It wasn't that the newly awakened Haki alone possessed such strength, but the moment Armament Haki awakens, it often triggers a massive, uncontrolled burst of power.
Too bad for Absalom, he was on the receiving end.
Meanwhile, Gin was completely drained.
His body swayed, and he collapsed to his knees.
Lancelot walked over, looked at Gin, who was now grinning despite a missing front tooth, and chuckled.
"Trading a tooth for awakening Armament Haki—you got a great deal." As he spoke, he glanced toward Igaram.
Igaram immediately understood, stepping forward to help the exhausted Gin up.
"Then the princess and I will take Gin back to the ship first!"
Lancelot waved his hand. "Moria has a skilled doctor. Carry Gin; we'll go find him."
Hearing this, Igaram immediately hoisted Gin onto his back and followed Lancelot.
As for the unconscious Absalom, Zoro grabbed him by one leg and began dragging him as they continued forward.
"Negative... negative... negative..."
As the group departed, three small, ghost-like phantoms drifted out from a nearby corner, fixating intently on Lancelot and his companions' retreating figures.
...
"Absalom..."
Inside the castle, a cute, gothic-lolita-styled girl with pink twin tails, wearing a crown and holding a wine-red umbrella, widened her eyes in astonishment as she watched through one of her "Negative Hollows."
This was Perona, one of the Three Freaks under Moria's command.
How could she not be shocked? Among the Three Freaks, Absalom was, in her opinion, undoubtedly the strongest in direct combat.
Moreover, his Devil Fruit ability was particularly unique and devious.
Countless pirates who had gotten lost in the Devil's Triangle had fallen by his invisible hands.
Never could she have imagined he would be defeated so thoroughly by a mere Marine Marine and his subordinate.
It was simply unbelievable.