Chapter 170"Because I have perseverance!"Perseverance?Golden Lion Shiki was taken aback for a moment, then cursed loudly, "What kind of joke is that? Can you eat that stuff?""Why not?"Luffy straightened his back, looking at the many new wounds on Golden Lion Shiki's body and the blood seeping through his kimono. He laughed heartily, "Besides, how can I fall before I've completely defeated you!""Defeat me? Hmph! You're still far from it, you ignorant brat!"Golden Lion Shiki's words held no mercy, but deep in his eyes, a trace of imperceptible gravity flickered.Luffy didn't retort, because he knew Golden LionShiki was mostly just being stubborn.Luffy was absolutely confident in himself. Ever since Foosha Village, his daily training volume had far exceeded that of ordinary people!Competing with Ace and Sabo on Mt. Colubo, battling fierce beasts in the deep mountains, undergoing hellish training whenever Garpreturned—all of this laid an incredibly solid foundation.After setting sail, fighting his way from East Blueto the Grand Line, defeating countless pirates with high bounties, including the arrogant Seven Warlords of the Sea, even facing the Marine Admiral Aokiji and clashing with his grandfather, Garp!The high-level combat experience he lacked was being filled at an astonishing rate in these short few months, then absorbed and digested.Especially in Haki, thanks to the hellish training of the pirate king training plan and the experiences of battling strong opponents like Hawkeye and Aokijiin his dreams, his progress was by leaps and bounds, reaching heights many could never achieve in a lifetime.However, the fight with Golden Lion Shiki was indeed one of the most intense battles he had experienced so far.The main reason was that Golden Lion Shiki was a top-tier master swordsman with the greatest lethality.Compared to Aokiji's large-scale attacks focused on control and freezing, Golden Lion Shiki's swords carried an extreme sharpness that cut directly into skin and flesh.Especially when infused with Conquerors Haki Infusion, the pain from being cut felt just like being pummeled by his grandfather Garp's fists, filled with love and killing intent, back when he was a kid!But now, whether Golden Lion Shiki admitted it or not, the one with the advantage was indeed him.No matter how glorious his past, Golden Lion Shiki was ultimately old.On this sea full of miracles and vitality, the erosion of time, physical injuries, and mental wear and tear were hurdles even a powerhouse like Golden LionShiki found difficult to completely overcome.Severing his own legs, the ship's rudder embedded in his head affecting his mind—these things constantly weakened the strength that once stood at the pinnacle of the sea.And Luffy's greatest advantage was his youth!Possessing seemingly endless stamina, he wasn't even afraid of exhausting his energy when entering various states.At their level of combat, what was being tested was no longer merely physical strength or the power of techniques, but the toughness of willpower and that seemingly bottomless reserve of stamina.Clearly, Luffy held the advantage in both aspects.Young and vigorous!Will of steel!Facing a stamina monster like Luffy, what did Golden Lion Shiki have to fight him with?So, what was there to hesitate about?Keep fighting!Just as Golden Lion Shiki said, he was a legendary pirate!Luffy really wanted to learn this power called Conquerors Haki Infusion that legendary pirates possessed.Then let's continue!Luffy stared intently at Golden Lion Shiki, his pupils suddenly erupting with a crimson light. A soaring black-red aura erupted from him as the center, transforming into a tangible wave of Hakithat surged towards Golden Lion Shiki."You brat, you really don't know what fatigue is!"Golden Lion Shiki was also incited by the Hakirushing towards him. He knew that if this continued, the likelihood of his defeat was extremely high.But retreat?Impossible!The pride of a legendary powerhouse absolutely forbade him from retreating without a fight!Moreover, he was completely fired up now. Ignoring the sharp pain in his head from forcibly using high-level techniques, he realized that the most threatening and effective method against Luffy right now was this Conquerors Haki Infusion!"Come on, brat!"Golden Lion Shiki charged forward, Kogarashi swinging out a terrifying sword slash with crimson arcs crackling inside!This slash was no longer a huge crescent shape but compressed like a crimson arrow, its speed reaching the extreme, almost instantly piercing the distance between them, shooting straight for Luffy's face!However, the moment Golden Lion Shiki swung his sword, Luffy had already entered Gear SecondPlus state!His figure shifted sideways like a ghost.Swoosh!The crimson sword slash arrow flew past Luffy's ear, the sharp air current it carried even cutting a few strands of his hair.And Luffy himself, relying on the boost from his extreme speed, instantly appeared at Golden LionShiki's side."Rubber Plus, Battle Axe!"Luffy raised his right leg high like a battle axe, Armament Haki instantly covering it, and chopped down fiercely towards Golden Lion Shiki's neck!Thud!A dull sound.A lion's head formed instantly from earth and rock rose from Golden Lion Shiki's side, precisely blocking Luffy's powerful strike.Golden Lion Shiki turned his head, revealing a ferocious grin to Luffy who was now right in front of him. The famed sword Shigure at his feet, carrying a cold gleam, shot out like a venomous snake, slashing horizontally towards Luffy's abdomen.Chapter 247 The Battle of Respective Devil Fruit Awakenings!"So fast."Using the recoil from kicking the lion's head, Luffy's body floated backward as if weightless, while simultaneously twisting his body in mid-air in an incredible manner, his legs kicking out in a rapid barrage!"Rubber Plus · Storm!"Countless leg shadows covered in Armament Hakidescended upon Golden Lion Shiki like a violent storm!Golden Lion Shiki's pupils flashed with red light, Observation Haki operating at full capacity. Most of the leg shadows were either dodged or blocked by small lion heads.A few occasional hits landed on his Armament Haki defense, causing only a slight tremor in his body. Paying no heed, the twin swords at his feet continued to slash wildly like a storm towards Luffy's potential movement trajectories.Swoosh!A sword slash almost grazed the tip of Luffy's nose, silently slicing a giant rock behind him in half.As soon as he turned back, a sword slash followed closely.Its position precisely predicted Luffy's landing point after his retreat!Luffy's expression showed a flicker of surprise. In mid-air with nothing to push off from, he could only throw a fierce punch forward!"Fivefold Release · Haki Shockwave!"The invisible Haki shockwave collided with the pursuing sword slash once again. The violent impact sent Luffy flying backward like a broken kite, eventually landing somewhat unsteadily on the ground."You can also see the future?" Luffy asked, steadying himself.That last attack was definitely not simple Observation Haki prediction, but truly seeing his actions in the brief future and making a precise strike.When Observation Haki is cultivated to a high level, one can indeed capture an opponent's intent and the flow of their aura, reacting in advance.Just like when he fought Aokiji, the other's superb Observation Haki combined with his Logiaelementalization made most of his attacks ineffective.Aokiji had also said that Luffy's use of Haki was too shallow back then, and the facts proved that was indeed the case.But, much can change in three days.The Luffy of today was not the Luffy of back then.He knew.To predict an opponent's specific next move and position so accurately, one must have seen a glimpse of the future."Oh? You actually know about seeing the future too? It seems your Observation Haki has also touched the threshold of this realm, brat."Golden Lion Shiki panted slightly, his tone carrying a hint of surprise, but more of an old-timer's condescension that 'you brat have some knowledge after all.'Pride was necessary.Style had to be maintained.Couldn't lose face in front of a junior challenger."Is that such a difficult thing?" Luffy grinned."Do you have the skill to show me!""Then let me show you!"Before the words finished, the red light in Luffy's eyes flickered violently. Observation Haki activated at full power, his figure vanished again, appearing in front of Golden Lion Shiki the next moment, his arms moving so fast they seemed to disappear as he swung them wildly."Rubber Plus · Gatling Barrage!"Countless fist shadows poured towards Golden Lion Shiki like a metallic storm.In the brief future Golden Lion Shiki saw, most of these fists would miss, but a few would strangely curve after missing, attacking from impossible angles, like from his back!"Petty tricks!"Golden Lion Shiki snorted coldly, the twin swords at his feet dancing like wheels, preparing to defend against attacks from both the front and back simultaneously.However.Thud thud thud!This time, all the fists actually came from the front!The storm-like barrage of blows landed squarely on Golden Lion Shiki's crossed swords and the hastily condensed Armament Haki defense."What?!"A trace of astonishment appeared on Golden LionShiki's face. What he saw in the future clearly wasn't like this!This brat interfered with my foresight?!"I said, it's not just you who can see the future!"The red dots in Luffy's pupils flashed with a light identical to Golden Lion Shiki's. Due to the excessive speed, they even trailed two eerie red light tails at the corners of his eyes!"And, I might see a bit more than you!"BOOM!!!Seizing the opening created by Golden Lion Shiki's momentary stiffness due to the misprediction, Luffy's heavy punch, condensed with all his strength, forcefully smashed through his defense and landed squarely on his chest.Pfft!Golden Lion Shiki violently spat out a mouthful of blood, his body flying backward like a ragged sack, tumbling over a dozen times on the ground before barely stopping."Cough, cough... damn brat."Golden Lion Shiki propped himself up with his sword, struggling to rise. Sharp pain came from his ribs; he had clearly suffered significant internal injuries.The madness and fury in his eyes were almost overflowing, but there was also a trace of disbelief.This kid's Observation Haki had actually reached this level too?And it seemed even more flexible than his.He looked like an honest kid, yet he was good at deception and misdirection!"This fight is endless. Although I don't want to admit it, ending this quickly is my best option now,"Golden Lion Shiki raised his hand, grinning fiercely, "I acknowledge you, kid.""You're not bad either, old man.""Keep talking while you still can. If you manage to survive this next attack, you can say whatever you want. You hadn't heard of Conquerors Haki Infusion before, so I bet you haven't heard of Devil Fruit Awakening either, have you?!"The air seemed to freeze.Then, everything around them moved. All the islands, the countless flying Rocks, amidst the howling wind, islands hundreds of meters tall fused and overlapped in the sky, forming a gigantic lion's head.Hum!Awakening Technique!"It's been a long time since I last used this move. Ever since those bastards Roger and Rocks died, no one has been qualified to push me to this extent
