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Chapter 35: Night Leopard's Killing Intent! Zephyr Trapped
Between Whitebeard and Night Leopard's standoff,
Night Leopard—the Admiral—ultimately decided to strike first!
If they dragged this out any longer, it would only lead to complications!
Whoosh!
Night Leopard's legs, arms, and entire body suddenly swelled. Black leopard fur covered him in an instant, transforming the middle-aged man into a majestic, ferocious beast!
Using advanced Rokushiki—Soru at razor-sharp speed—
His figure vanished from the fast ship, breaking the sound barrier as he charged straight at Whitebeard.
Black Armament Haki coated his razor-sharp claws, carrying earth-shaking force as they slashed down!
Even Zephyr was momentarily stunned.
The speed his master had just unleashed was so extreme that even he hadn't reacted in time.
Facing an Admiral erupting with such terrifying velocity, Whitebeard—who had long prepared himself—naturally wouldn't let him land so easily.
Whitebeard, cape billowing, gripped Murakumogiri tightly.
Terrifying Tremor-Tremor Fruit power surged along the blade. Veins bulged on his arm as he swung with full force, unleashing the shockwave outward!
Clang!
The air in front of him instantly cracked!
The violent shockwave forced even an Admiral like Night Leopard to halt mid-charge, clenching his iron fists to meet the blow head-on.
Splash—!
The clash between two top-tier powerhouses instantly whipped up massive waves across the sea!
Nearby,
Zephyr grinned at Lotte.
"Kid, I advise you to surrender now. That way I can still send you to Impel Down."
"Otherwise, once my master makes his move, you're finished!"
In his mind, no matter how monstrous Lotte was,
How much could he grow in just a few months?
If he surrendered obediently now, Zephyr might even plead for leniency—sending him to Impel Down instead.
Once Night Leopard was free,
Dealing with Tree Demon Lotte would be effortless.
Lotte gripped his dual swords tightly. As Sun Breathing activated, blazing flames instantly coiled around the blades.
"With the current you, Zephyr—you think you can send me to Impel Down?"
"You're nowhere near qualified!"
The synergy between Flame Dance Dual Sword Style and Rokushiki
Was enough to make anyone shudder just looking at it!
Zephyr's heart jolted when he saw Lotte using Rokushiki. Though he had already heard from Steel Bone Kong that Tree Demon Lotte had mastered it,
He still found it hard to believe deep down.
After all, Rokushiki was the Marines' secret art—even Zephyr couldn't have comprehended it mid-battle without guidance!
This Tree Demon Lotte's talent was truly terrifying!
But so what?
For the justice of Marine Headquarters, this kid had to be taken down today!
Zephyr snorted coldly, clenching his fist as Armament Haki erupted. He charged straight at Lotte!
Clang!
The flame-wreathed dual blades collided violently with the blackened iron fist.
After a brief stalemate of a few seconds,
Bang!
The shockwave exploded outward, forcing both to retreat several steps.
Zephyr's expression turned extremely ugly!
From that short exchange,
He realized the CP0 intelligence was outrageously wrong!
Tree Demon Lotte's current strength was only slightly below his own!
To progress his swordsmanship to this level in just a few months...
Was this guy even human?!
Night Leopard glanced at the scene.
His expression grew solemn.
Even his carefully trained disciple Zephyr
Couldn't take down Tree Demon Lotte in a short time.
Considering this was the astonishing growth of someone who had only joined the pirates a few months ago, Night Leopard's killing intent deepened even further.
Even if it meant abandoning the Heavenly Tribute!
Tree Demon Lotte must be killed here at all costs!
Night Leopard resolved himself and swung his fist fiercely.
The tremendous force knocked Whitebeard back several steps, and he immediately turned to deal with Lotte.
Crackle—!
The terrifying atmospheric tremor from behind made Night Leopard's pupils contract sharply.
He spun around instantly, channeling top-tier Armament Haki and erupting with power as he met the Tremor-Tremor Fruit force with both fists.
"Gurararara! I already told you—your opponent is me!"
"Still looking around like that—do you really think being an Admiral makes you untouchable?!"
Whitebeard sneered coldly at Night Leopard.
Clearly, he was quite displeased that the other wasn't taking him seriously!
Did he really think he was so much weaker than Lotte?!
Night Leopard glared at Whitebeard and roared.
"Newgate!"
It seemed unless he defeated Whitebeard first,
He wouldn't be able to kill Tree Demon Lotte!
Though the other was one of the top cadres in the Rocks Pirates,
He too was one of Marine Headquarters' strongest forces!
This mission
Could only succeed—no failure allowed!
On the other side, Zephyr and Lotte had already clashed dozens of times in this short period.
And the more they fought, the more shocked Zephyr became.
Lotte was like a sponge.
With every exchange, his mastery of Rokushiki improved further.
If this growth continued,
In just a year or two, his strength might rival even Admirals!
Thinking this,
Zephyr sucked in a cold breath.
Steeling himself, he no longer held back. Using Moon Step, he launched a powerful iron fist strike!
The overwhelming force shattered the flame-wreathed dual blades in front of him.
Then—
Just as Zephyr thought victory was decided,
Lotte suddenly turned into a wooden figure!
What kind of ability was this?!
Zephyr's heart jolted in shock!
Bang!
His iron fist pulverized the wooden clone into fragments.
Reacting instantly, Zephyr searched for Lotte's real position.
Whoosh—!
A towering giant tree suddenly erupted from the sea surface.
It instantly wrapped around Zephyr, countless tough branches binding him tightly.
Lotte stood in the sky.
Looking down at the trapped Zephyr, he narrowed his eyes
And shifted his attention to the ongoing clash between Whitebeard and Admiral Night Leopard.
He had no interest in continuing to fight the stubborn Zephyr.
Though his current strength was impressive,
A direct prolonged fight against Zephyr would still be somewhat disadvantageous.
Better to trap him with Wood Release for now.
Next,
It was about time to deal with the Admiral.
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