Chapter 110: Attacks Colliding Through the Air?!
As it turned out, Sitch's worries were unnecessary.
Aokiji slammed the ground several times, then used condensed, extending ice spikes within the exaggerated cracks to separate a vast area of land from the wasteland.
Then, supported by layers of flame clouds,
the massive isolated island, its bottom hardened and encased in a thick layer of ice, drifted up into the sky.
White mist and cold air radiated from Aokiji; the high-altitude winds froze into fine ice crystals as they passed him.
This way, the battle wouldn't affect City A.
Aokiji marveled that he truly possessed world-shaking wisdom!
Meanwhile, the others stood at the edge of the floating island, staring in shock at the ground as it grew more distant.
The red dot on Metal Knight's head flashed frantically, transmitting data back to the Research Institute.
Bofoi stared intently at the screen, muttering to himself, "This size, this mass... if it fell from high altitude, it could completely destroy the core of a city at the very least..."
"Yet he shows no signs of exertion."
Bofoi raised Aokiji's assessment level once again.
"Martial arts are far from being able to do something like this," Bang sighed.
"Muscles can't do it either. It's not that my muscles are weak, but that the earth is fragile," Superalloy Darkshine said, stomping on the ground beneath his feet.
"Stop watching. We're not in a base jumping competition. Let's discuss the rules."
Aokiji waved, signaling everyone to follow him to the center of the floating island.
The island, forcibly excavated from the wasteland, was relatively flat, though many weathered stone pillars stood tall like the skeletal remains of dead behemoths.
Arriving at the center of the floating island, Aokiji stopped.
"Again, this is just a friendly match between colleagues. Don't go so far as to cause serious injury."
Naturally, no one objected.
They were all heroes and might fight side-by-side in the future, so they naturally wanted to maintain some harmony.
"So how do you want to fight? A free-for-all or taking turns in 1v1 duels?"
Aokiji offered two choices.
After some discussion, everyone decided on the 1v1 rule.
Superalloy Darkshine was still torn between testing his muscles against Aokiji or experiencing Bang's martial arts first.
Metal Bat already had a clear goal, swinging his bat excitedly to warm up.
"Aokiji, you use a club as a weapon now too, right? Come and spar with me!"
"Sure," Aokiji said, condensing an Hassaikai(Kanabo) that matched his normal Physique.
"I'll also get a feel for your Aura Infusion."
The combatants for the first match were decided.
The others backed away slightly to watch from the sidelines.
"Aren't you going to transform into your Dragon-man form?"
Metal Bat held the handle with both hands level with his right shoulder, taking a focused stance to build power before the fight.
Aokiji held the Hassaikai(Kanabo) with one hand, letting it hang loosely.
"That depends on whether you can force out my second form."
"Ho—looking down on me, are you?" Metal Bat showed no anger, only a more intense Battle Intent and Aura rising from him.
There was no referee, let alone a countdown.
After a flock of confused birds flew past this floating island that had mysteriously appeared in the sky...
Metal Bat suddenly stomped the ground!
It was a charge that could only be described as completely disorganized!
"Aura Infusion: Critical Strike!!!"
A new Move he had realized and successfully mastered after a casual tip from Aokiji!
Surging with an invisible Aura that distorted the air, the bat smashed down fiercely!
The Hassaikai(Kanabo) swung in a perfect arc, colliding directly with the attack from below!
A shockwave exploded instantly!
A cloud of dust was kicked up only to be forcibly blown away!
"Not bad," Aokiji commented.
Metal Bat had never actively controlled his Aura before.
Metal Bat was the type who grew stronger the longer he fought.
After beginning to actively control his Aura, his attack power in the early stages of battle was already stronger than it used to be even by the Middle Stage!
Metal Bat continuously unleashed attacks of pure instinct!
No technique could be seen, and there seemed to be no thought behind them.
Just constant swinging of the bat!
And time and again, they were intercepted and collided with the Hassaikai(Kanabo).
"Hmm, Metal Bat's style is the same as always," Bang had seen it during the recruitment test and was deeply impressed.
"Master Bang, have you seen Bat-chan before?" Puri-Puri Prisoner maintained proper respect in his address to the old man.
"Including the departed Metal Knight and Superalloy Darkshine, the five of us were the first batch to join the Association," Bang explained.
"Though Metal Bat is young, his Physique, or rather his ability, is very special. You'll see as it continues."
"Aokiji is likely also waiting for him to build up power."
Just as Bang guessed.
Blocking the attacks repeatedly instead of ending it quickly was to allow Metal Bat's Aura to stack!
This way, the progress bar's increase could be maximized!
Like a batting motion in baseball, the bat swung horizontally!
It was blocked by Aokiji once again.
And this time, the aftershocks caused cracks to appear in stone pillars dozens of meters away!
"It's truly rare; this is the first time I've reached this level without being injured." Metal Bat's excitement and Battle Intent were suppressed to their limit.
"That's enough, Aokiji! Stop just blocking; it's time for a real fight!!"
Aokiji felt it wasn't enough.
The Aura should still be able to rise further.
It seemed that simply stacking Aura through attacks had a limit that wasn't very high; actual combat or injury was still needed.
"Fine, then. I'll let you see the original version of Infusion."
A soul-shuddering Haki poured out violently!
It vanished in an instant, making Metal Bat almost think the heart palpitations he just felt were an illusion.
But the feeling transmitted from the Hassaikai(Kanabo) in Aokiji's hand became completely different!
Before, it was just a heavy and hard mace, no different from any other good weapon except for being made of ice.
Now, it radiated a fierce power that felt as if it could Blast the sky open!
"Is this... Aokiji's Aura Infusion?!" Metal Bat instinctively gripped the handle tight.
His Battle Intent and Aura finally achieved another Breakthrough!
The light in his eyes locked onto Aokiji, the Aura surging around his body and bat boiling over!
"Then bring it on! My Fighting Spirit, Willpower, and Aura will never be weaker than anyone else's!!"
"Are you ready?" Aokiji took his first active step forward in this fight.
It was also the first time he held the club with both hands.
His movement was less of a swing and more like hurling forth an incomparably compressed force!!
"Thunder Bagua!!!"
"Critical Strike!!!"
The black and red lightning that sputtered out during the brief contact shattered the ground into dust!
The air blasted and wailed!
Unable to even hold his ground, Metal Bat was instantly sent flying, smashing through a thick stone pillar!
The onlookers outside the field all clearly captured the momentary image of the collision.
"The attacks collided through the air?!"
A normal person would only have been startled to see a figure suddenly vanish and a stone pillar collapse.
But they had all noticed that strange phenomenon in that brief moment.
Their attacks were separated by an invisible barrier.
Only then was Metal Bat blasted away.
"An impact of this level shouldn't count as a serious injury for you."
Aokiji walked toward the collapsed stone pillar.
A shattered boulder was pushed up, and Metal Bat, blood trickling down his forehead, stood up with his Battle Intent undiminished:
"This is the state I'm familiar with when I fight