Chapter 135: Astonishing Impact
As Toki's figure retreated.
Lotte shifted his gaze to Whitebeard. The Three Tomoe in his pupils began to spin, carefully observing the other's movements.
At the same time, he coated his blades with pitch-black Armament Haki.
The astonishing sharpness emanating from them clearly marked him as having stepped into the realm of a true swordsman!
"This is what you asked for, Whitebeard."
"Then you'd better catch it properly—don't disappoint me."
The moment Lotte finished speaking.
His figure shot forward like an arrow loosed from a bow, leaving afterimages in the air as his explosive speed carried howling winds.
Causing the surrounding branches to sway violently.
The many members of the Whitebeard Pirates present saw their expressions grow even more serious.
If they were facing such an opponent, they would undoubtedly be locked in a bitter struggle right now. True swordsmen were extremely rare on these seas.
Yet they were undeniably among the most lethal existences!
"Though we don't know who this guy is, just from that swordsmanship and Conqueror's Haki alone, he's definitely no ordinary person."
"And he seems to be an old acquaintance of Pops."
"The 'Rocks' he just mentioned is the captain of the Rocks Pirates who fell at God Valley ten years ago."
"The overlord of the previous pirate era."
They immediately began discussing among themselves.
After all, only ten years had passed since the God Valley War, so they still had some recollection of the event.
But as for the outcome of this battle.
They all believed it would naturally end with Newgate's victory.
Everyone knew Pops' strength needed no explanation. On these seas, very few could even force him into a difficult fight.
Let alone defeat him.
Though the incoming Conqueror's Haki had been powerful, in front of the current Pops it had collapsed instantly—there was nothing to worry about.
At this moment.
Lotte's figure had already arrived right in front of Whitebeard Newgate. With the enhancement of the Six Powers, his speed had clearly risen another level.
But in the eyes of the current Whitebeard, it still wasn't enough!
"Boom!"
Whitebeard Newgate swung Murakumogiri without hesitation. The semi-transparent energy wave condensed on the blade howled outward, surging straight toward the incoming attacker.
It destroyed everything in its path like dry weeds and rotten wood.
Lotte naturally refused to back down.
Even though his strength had weakened compared to before, he was still far from an opponent who could be dealt with easily.
"Water Breathing."
Lotte let out a low shout. The full-concentration boost allowed him to swing his blades next, unleashing sword energy that flowed gently like water.
Everyone knew that as the possessor of the original Breathing Technique,
Lotte could perform other Breathings without difficulty—especially since Water Breathing and Sun Breathing could transition between each other.
In just a moment.
The sword energy surged out and clashed against the astonishing energy wave. As the dual blades swung, the energy wave shattered and scattered.
But at the same time.
A powerful shockwave also exploded outward from the impact.
The shockwave swept across a hundred meters in an instant—this was already Whitebeard Newgate intentionally controlling the range. After all, his ship wasn't far away.
If their clash damaged the Moby Dick again, that wasn't something Whitebeard Newgate wanted to see.
As the dust from the shockwave spread.
It instantly enveloped Lotte's figure. The closer one was to the tremor wave, the greater the damage—this was one of Newgate's common tactics against swordsmen.
The spreading shockwave
Caused surrounding branches to sway and begin snapping. From any angle, taking this shockwave head-on was clearly not a good idea.
The surrounding Whitebeard Pirates members shook their heads.
"What a hot-headed fool—choosing to charge in and take it head-on. Wanting to die isn't done like this."
"To think he tried to tank Pops' shockwave…"
"But this way, we'll soon know who he is. A powerhouse like this can't possibly be unknown on the seas."
Amid their discussion.
They also felt a trace of curiosity toward the masked man from earlier.
Though he had foolishly chosen to take Pops' shockwave head-on, the Conqueror's Haki and swordsmanship he displayed earlier were astonishing.
Even their ship's second-in-command
Didn't have confidence in escaping unscathed against such swordsmanship.
Toki subconsciously clenched her fists nervously. She still had great confidence in Lotte's strength.
After all, that man held the highest bounty.
But seeing this scene made her heart tense. This was her first time witnessing such a terrifying battle.
The strong on these seas.
Possessed such overwhelming power—it was simply unbelievable.
But when she recalled that even with such terrifying strength, Lotte still had to avoid the World Government's gaze, curiosity grew in her heart.
Just who could make that young man take so seriously?
As the dust cleared.
Lotte's figure reappeared from within. He stood calmly in place seemingly unharmed, glancing toward Whitebeard in the distance.
"You didn't hold back at all, Whitebeard."
"But unfortunately, that level of Devil Fruit power can't hit me. You still underestimated me a bit."
"Now it's my turn."
His somewhat calm voice fell.
The Whitebeard Pirates members nearby all showed looks of utter disbelief.
This troublemaking masked man had actually tanked Pops' attack head-on—and looked completely unharmed?!
Just who the hell was this guy!
Whitebeard Newgate carefully sized up the masked man in front of him. Gripping Murakumogiri tightly, he let out a faint smile.
"Gurararara! Then come and find out for yourself!"
Though it had only been a brief exchange,
He had still sensed something familiar in the other's swordsmanship—like he had seen it somewhere before.
As long as the fight continued,
Unmasking this man's true identity was only a matter of time.
In truth, Lotte hadn't escaped unscathed. But the moment his body was injured, the powerful regenerative ability of Hashirama Cells had already taken effect.
Allowing him to keep fighting.
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