Boom!
Crack, crack, crack…
The floating island, having risen to its highest point, exploded from the shockwaves of the clash between Golden Lion and Rowan.
Countless rocks scattered, blasting a large hole in the dense fog that perpetually shrouded the Devil's Triangle.
At that moment, those on the sea finally saw each other and the battle unfolding in the sky.
But… how to describe it?
Both the Flying Pirates and the Four Seas Alliance members found the situation to be strangely "off."
Because at this very moment, the "fighting styles" of both Golden Lion and Rowan had changed drastically from their usual tactics.
In his usual battles, Golden Lion relied on the properties of his Float-Float Fruit, soaring high into the sky to overwhelm his opponents with endless tidal waves of earth and stone.
Occasionally, he would choose to unleash slashes with the two famous swords at his feet, cutting down his opponents with his sharp blades.
As for Ryan Rowan.
The battle style that the Great Golden Dawn had always displayed was undeniably unique and unforgettable.
His seemingly endless army of sand soldiers was indeed a shocking sight, something no one on this vast sea had ever witnessed before.
His black spear would swing, cutting through the air.
His golden armor would stand firm on the battlefield, strategizing like dawn was breaking, bringing victory to war –
This was the Golden Dawn of eight hundred years ago!
But at this moment, the stances of the two combatants in the sky seemed very wrong.
Ryan Rowan's change was the most obvious –
His signature golden light armor had vanished, replaced by a bare upper body covered in jet-black Armament Haki.
And Rowan's attacks, which previously involved commanding sand soldiers to cooperate with his black spear, had shifted to bare-handed close combat!
Unlike "Alazama" when he fought Hocka hand-to-hand, Rowan was now completely covered in Armament Haki, each move exuding an astonishing aura comparable to a top-tier martial artist.
Punching, kicking…
Every movement was so simple and unadorned to the extreme that one could hardly tell Rowan was a Logia-type Devil Fruit user.
Even the Four Seas Alliance had never seen such a fighting posture!
…
As for the pirates of the Flying Pirates?
They were equally stunned by Golden Lion's current state.
They had never seen Golden Lion like this before.
How to put it…
Frustrated?
Yes, that was it: frustrated!
Golden Lion's combat style was supposed to be agile, dynamic, and grand; that's what the name "Golden Lion" commanded.
Imagine the sky-darkening floating island crashing down into the sea – what a spectacular sight that would be!
But now, Golden Lion was simply exchanging punches with Ryan Rowan in a traditional "close combat" battle.
…
Rowan threw a punch, and Golden Lion raised his hand to block.
Golden Lion waved his hand, then clenched his fist tightly, and punched Rowan's Armament Haki.
…
This scene was naturally baffling – especially to the members of the Flying Pirates.
"Hey, hey, hey, is the captain playing around? That's not like him at all!"
"The island exploded, the captain should be serious by now, right?"
"Then why can't I see it?!"
"…"
The clamorous chatter reached Nico Robin's ears.
She had witnessed many battles between top-tier fighters, and her insight was even greater than that of the Flying Pirates, so she faintly sensed something.
Just moments before Golden Lion threw his punch, he made a distinct "waving" motion.
That was the signature move before activating his Float-Float Fruit ability.
What puzzled Robin was why Golden Lion, having clearly prepared to use his Devil Fruit power, suddenly stopped and instead chose a fist, which seemed harmless?
Even if he didn't have time to use his Devil Fruit, he should have had enough leeway to slash with his swords at his feet, right?
…
If there were time, Golden Lion could answer Robin's question –
No.
There wasn't!
Others might not see it, but Golden Lion himself was painfully aware of it.
Changed his fighting style? Not use the Float-Float Fruit?
What a joke!
From the very beginning, I intended to smash this guy to death with the floating island!
But… I can't!
Golden Lion gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead, his heart filled with immense displeasure.
Why?
Ah… here it comes again.
Golden Lion blocked Rowan's punch and turned, raising his arm, intending to use his Float-Float Fruit ability to create distance between himself and Rowan.
But at that very moment, Golden Lion felt a chill run down his spine.
Years of combat experience told him that if he did so, he would inevitably reveal a slight opening.
At that point, hundreds of sand spears would lock onto his entire body simultaneously and launch an attack!
So Golden Lion couldn't do that!
Then, what about retreating half a step and delivering a slash? Was that option viable?
No!
Golden Lion was also certain that if he retreated half a step, Rowan would advance, forcing him to expose a tiny blind spot.
And that blind spot, for Rowan, would be a fatal flaw for Golden Lion!
How could this be?
Why is it that no matter what I do, he finds an opening?
There was only one option left.
That was to punch!
Only by punching was there a way to avoid exposing any weakness.
Therefore, Golden Lion could only punch again, pulled by Rowan into a close-quarters brawl that he was very bad at.
If he had to describe it, Golden Lion might say that all his moves seemed to be "blocked" by Rowan's incredibly precise movements.
Everything he did seemed to be "shaped" by Rowan; he was forced to do whatever Rowan wanted him to do!
Golden Lion had never fought like this in his life; it was utterly frustrating!
If this continued, Golden Lion was certain that within ten moves, he would reveal a complete opening and be decisively defeated by Rowan!
What kind of joke is this…
The veins on Golden Lion's forehead became even more prominent.
After all, he was one of the peak figures on this sea, and he was naturally unwilling to be defeated so miserably.
I am Golden Lion!
The next second, Golden Lion, braving that bone-chilling premonition, forced his body to retreat, intending to forcibly use the Float-Float Fruit ability.
As expected.
Rowan waved his hand, and a black spear swiped horizontally, directly hitting Golden Lion's chest!
Puff!
Blood gushed from the wound on Golden Lion's chest, but his actions didn't stop.
The two swords at his feet spun in a semicircle in the air, slashing directly at Rowan from below!
Golden Lion's goal was to get severely injured but break free from Rowan's rhythm and escape Rowan's move-blocking lock!
As it turned out, Golden Lion's actions were indeed quite effective.
Rowan's black spear only managed to block one of the swords before being sent flying back by the sudden force.
The other sword precisely cut across Rowan's right arm.
Puff!
Rowan, struck by Golden Lion's slash, also spat out blood.
"Tsk hahaha, you look much better this way!"
Golden Lion laughed as he looked at Rowan.
He watched as Rowan reached out, turned falling earth and stone into sand, and pulled out a greatsword made of grit.
Rowan finally spoke, his voice calm and deep.
"Come on, let's continue."
"Alright, let's continue!"
Golden Lion bent his knees, his leg sword glinting with a cold light.
The close combat was over.
White-weapon combat had begun!
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