Shikaku's fists, coated in pitch-black Armament Haki, blasted out like cannonballs! Charlotte Linlin's eyes narrowed, and her nodachi "Nothingness," carrying immense force, swept out in a horizontal slash to meet them!
"BOOM—!"
Fists and blade collided, erupting in a deafening metallic clang! A visible shockwave violently rippled out from the two of them as the center, the street ground cracking inch by inch while stone fragments flew everywhere!
Charlotte Linlin's massive frame swayed slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes for the first time. She felt the counter-shock from the blade was exceptionally heavy, but what annoyed her more was the Armament Haki covering his fists; without using her special abilities, she couldn't cut through it right now! This further solidified her resolve to find Newgate and learn how to use Haki.
"Kehehehehehe! It's useless!" Shikaku laughed triumphantly, his long tongue flicking.
"My Armament Haki was praised even by Captain Rocks! With that thing still in its scabbard, you're not even worth a scratch!"
His figure blurred, instantly closing in on Charlotte Linlin's lower body—this was his usual strategy against tall opponents! His right leg, wrapped in Haki, swept toward the back of Charlotte Linlin's knee like a steel whip!
Linlin's advantage in strength and reach from her nine-meter height instead became a slight burden at this moment.
"Tsk! The Marine's Soru."
Facing the low-to-the-ground assault, she clicked her tongue and her massive body leaped back. Simultaneously, with a flick of her wrist, several majestic pink sword beams shot from the scabbard, whistling toward Shikaku!
Shikaku didn't dodge or evade; he crossed his arms in front of him, his Armament Haki acting as the sturdiest shield!
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
The sword beams struck his arms, making dull thuds before being forcibly deflected and shattered! Several of the deflected beams slashed into the buildings lining the street—
"Rumble!!"
Three or four stone houses were split open as if by an invisible giant blade, collapsing instantly and kicking up a cloud of dust! Scattered cries and sounds of pirates fleeing came from the distance.
Shikaku shook his slightly numbed arms. Looking at the ruins, the contempt in his eyes lessened, replaced by a touch of solemnity and deeper jealousy.
"To think she could actually make my arms go numb... Such powerful swordsmanship! And on top of that, this Haoshoku..."
The more he thought, the more horrified he became. "Just how old is this woman? I absolutely cannot let her grow!"
"Tsk."
On the other side, Charlotte Linlin was even more annoyed. Just as she suspected, her flying slashes were currently unable to cut through this guy's Armament Haki.
Their figures crossed again, fists and blade clashing violently. Every collision caused collateral damage to the surrounding ground and buildings, the roaring sounds never ceasing. However, because they were on Hachinosu Island, both held back to some extent, not using their true strength, but only competing with basic Haki and martial arts.
After another fierce clash of fist and blade, the two separated briefly. Shikaku took a breath and glared viciously at Linlin:
"Woman, is this all you've got? You have Haoshoku for nothing if you can't even break my defense!"
Linlin's icy purple eyes looked down on him as she retorted:
"Humph, a piece of trash who only dares to hide in a turtle shell and doesn't even have Haoshoku—you're fit to judge me? Your attacks can't even touch the hem of my clothes!"
"You!" Shikaku hated it most when people mentioned he lacked Haoshoku. He was instantly so enraged his long tongue trembled, and his face flushed red.
"Sharp-tongued brat! This Sect Leader will tear your mouth apart today!"
"Can you do it? You... ug... ly... mon... ster?" Linlin intentionally dragged out the words, her tone full of mockery.
"Aaaaah! Die!"
Shikaku flew into a complete rage, his aura suddenly surging. His black Armament Haki almost took on the luster of solid black steel. He clenched his fists, and the surrounding air began to warp slightly; he was clearly preparing to use his true strength—the power of a Devil Fruit, the treasure of the sea!
Charlotte Linlin's eyes also turned cold. Her right hand still held "Nothingness," while her left hand rose slightly. A strange luster faintly showed beneath her fair skin. On the sides of her cheeks and neck, fine and exquisite white dragon scales emerged. The air around her hummed, as if lightning and storms were brewing!
Just at this critical moment—
"Vwoom!!!"
An incredibly domineering and terrifying pressure suddenly descended! Deep red lightning crackled out of thin air, instantly suppressing Charlotte Linlin's Haoshoku and forcibly dispersing the aura Shikaku had gathered!
The domineering will, like a massive mountain pressing down, caused the two who were about to fight with all their might to freeze simultaneously, their gathered power stagnating!
"Enough!"
A low voice full of absolute authority rang out.
At the end of the street stood Rocks, who had been watching for a long time after sensing Charlotte Linlin's Haoshoku. With his arms crossed, he slowly walked toward the center of the battlefield. With every step, his Haoshoku grew stronger, as if it had no end.
In his deep eyes, pitch-black red lightning swirled as he scanned the messy street and the two who were nearly at full strength, his face filled with anger.
"You two, using Devil Fruit powers to fight on my, Rocks D. Xebec's, turf... are you looking down on this Captain too much?"
His gaze swept over the houses collapsed by the sword beams and the ground still trembling from the clash of their auras. He said coldly:
"If I let you keep fighting, are you going to sink my Hachinosu Island? Hmm?"
Anywhere else, he wouldn't care how they fought; they couldn't kill each other anyway. After all, Rocks was very confident in his judgment—both were top-tier powerhouses on this sea. But here, on his territory, he absolutely would not allow them to fight with their full strength!
Although their battle wouldn't truly pierce through Hachinosu Island, the two going all out would definitely cause unpredictable damage. The island's current environment would surely change drastically, and more than half the people would die in the aftershocks of their fight.
When Shikaku saw Rocks, his expression changed, and his gathered aura quickly dissipated, though his exposed long tongue still trembled slightly with resentment. He glared fiercely at Linlin but eventually lowered his head:
"...Captain Rocks."
Seeing Shikaku back down, Charlotte Linlin also withdrew her Devil Fruit power, and the dragon scales on her cheeks and neck slowly receded. Since she still needed Rocks to lead the way, she would give him some face for now.
It was more important now to find Newgate to learn. As for why she didn't ask the obviously stronger Rocks before her, she didn't trust this ambitious man, who in her memory was much like "Blackbeard."
Rocks walked between the two, his gaze sweeping over them:
"You've fought, and you've vented. Now both of you stop! If you want to fight, there will be plenty of chances outside. I don't care if you tear down Marineford! But on Hachinosu Island, no! Understand?"
Shikaku took a deep breath, suppressed the malice in his eyes, and bowed to Rocks: "Yes, Captain."
He turned to Linlin and hissed through gritted teeth: "Woman, consider yourself lucky today!"
Charlotte Linlin didn't even bother to look at him again. Her massive body turned toward Kurozumi Higurashi, who had been hiding in a far corner:
"Kurozumi Higurashi, lead the way."
With that, she ignored Shikaku's nearly incinerating gaze and Rocks, who was watching her with interest, and strode away.
Rocks glanced at the pale-faced Shikaku, then at Charlotte Linlin's retreating massive back, a subtle, inscrutable curve appearing at the corner of his mouth.
"Interesting, truly interesting. To have the strength of a world-class powerhouse at such a young age. Marines, you've really sent me a great treasure! Uhahahaha!"