In just half a minute, Hiroto and Moria had clashed head-on hundreds of times. [Fearless] had reached its peak, with all attributes at a multiplier of 2.
Hiroto's Strength attribute soared to the C++ level, each strike heavier than the last. His Agility, Constitution, and Perception also doubled, reaching the C+ rank.
So strong!
Moria's expression shifted from wild arrogance to solemnity, and finally to cold sweat. His arms were numbed by the force of the counter-shocks.
For a monster like him, whose battles could easily last a day or two, for this to happen in such a short time meant that the opponent was sacrificing stamina for a short-term burst of power. Even so, he was still being suppressed step by step.
This kid's strength was completely different from what he had expected.
Is this the level the East Blue should have?
Is this the strength a man worth 100 million berries should have?
"The appetizer is over. Are you ready?"
Amidst the sudden voice, a pitch-black color emerged on Hiroto's palm holding Shigure, then flowed onto the blade, turning the long sword jet-black.
Armament Haki!
The Armament Haki added to Shigure's blade instantly evolved into a terrifying attack buff.
Moria's hair stood on end and as his pupils dilated, he parried with the two scissor blades in front of him and then let out a roar.
"Shadow!!!"
Boom!
After a thunderous explosion, Moria was sent flying backward, crashing through seven or eight houses before finally collapsing a four-story building.
The building collapsed, and rubble tumbled down, half-burying Moria's 6.92-meter-tall body in the debris.
A shadow?
Hiroto did not pursue. Before him were dense clusters of pitch-black shadow spheres, constantly gathering to form Moria's likeness. However, it had no facial features.
The first thing that blocked that slash just now was this shadow. Just like in the original story, it was almost immune to physical damage.
Of course, if one's Haki was strong enough, it might be possible to slash it out of existence. But that would require at least top-tier Armament Haki to achieve.
Thus, Hiroto had no intention of getting bogged down. Activating [Shunpo], the wind and fire beneath his feet allowed him to bypass the shadow.
The shadow followed him, attempting to entangle him just as before, its speed incredibly fast.
However, its actions were met with a flash of the blade, and it was instantly cut into pieces.
Diagonally opposite, atop a distant tall building, a gaze took all of this in.
It was Koushirou, who had come along with Issho. He looked in surprise at the blown-away Moria and the pursuing Hiroto.
Unexpectedly, in the battle against a member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Hiroto had gained an advantage.
On one hand, despite being one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Gecko Moria was surprisingly weak. He hadn't even seen the man use Armament Haki.
Compared to Mihawk, also one of the Seven Warlords, the gap was simply inconceivable. Can anyone become a Warlord these days?
On the other hand...
Koushirou instinctively pushed up the glasses on the bridge of his nose, recalling the results of his Observation Haki probe and what he had just seen.
He almost thought he was hallucinating.
Hiroto's progress in strength...
It was faster than he could have imagined. He had only learned Armament Haki shortly before they had parted. At that time, in less than half a month, he had progressed from awakening Armament Haki to being able to use it.
That was already an amazing rate of progress and how long has it been since they had parted?
He has actually learned Hardening and Imbuement.
His Armament Haki has reached the Intermediate level as well.
Isn't this rate of progress a bit too exaggerated?
Had he not seen it with his own eyes, Koushirou would not have believed it.
When he was learning Haki in the past, his rate of progress was nowhere near as terrifying as Hiroto's.
Rather, as far as he knew, most powerhouses needed half a month to a month just to learn Haki. Those with exceptional talent might do it within half a month.
He had heard of it taking about ten days before, but that was only from entry-level to proficiency. What Hiroto was displaying now was intermediate Armament Haki.
Most powerhouses—one could even say world-class powerhouses—reach their true peak around their forties. A major reason for this is that there are no shortcuts to improving Haki.
Only opponents of sufficient quality can allow Haki to progress. Staying cooped up somewhere to train in seclusion will only lead to the decline of one's Haki.
Conviction and will are just like sharp swords. If they are not constantly honed, wielded, and used in combat, they will gather dust or even rust.
"Issho, how did your rate of progress back then compare to Hiroto's?" Koushirou suddenly asked.
"Ashamed to say, it took me half a year just to learn Haki."
To the side, Issho, who had appeared at some unknown point, remained hidden in the shadows.
"Is this the 'incredible' part you mentioned?" Koushirou's expression was complex.
Having spent some time together, he thought he had some understanding of Hiroto. As it turned out, his understanding was inadequate. Using his original perspective to make predictions about Hiroto was simply a case of misjudgment.
This level of talent indeed warranted the extremely high evaluation Issho had given.
Unexpectedly, Issho said, "Yes, and no."
"Hmm?"
"A genius, even one who surpasses your or my common sense, wouldn't make me believe he might change the course of events in the future."
Issho's gaze was complicated. "Some things... Koushirou, you should understand."