Ivan's strike pierced straight through the deck, nearly splitting the Tyrannosaurus Pirate Ship in half.
At the critical moment, Hana-Fuda's instincts screamed danger, and he immediately activated his Devil Fruit ability, transforming into his Half-Dragon Form.
He swung his tail fiercely at Ivan, knocking him back and freeing himself from the restraint.
Once out of danger, Hana-Fuda felt a chill run down his spine. Just a moment ago, he had almost been thrown into the sea by White Dove.
As a Devil Fruit Ability User, if he were thrown into the sea, he would instantly lose all ability to resist, leaving him at the mercy of others.
At the same time, he had no doubt that White Dove intended to kill him. In White Dove's eyes, he saw a shadow reminiscent of his big brother Kaido.
It wasn't madness or ferocity, but an unwavering, absolute killing intent, as if nothing could sway his judgment.
Such a mindset was truly that of a conqueror, one in a hundred!
Hana-Fuda immediately abandoned any underestimation and grew serious. Facing this guy, if he didn't take it seriously, he really might be killed!
Hana-Fuda burst out from the cabin and stood on the deck. His five-meter-tall body loomed over Ivan, his expression twisted with ferocity:
"Brat, that last hit hurt like hell! Next, you'll learn the price of angering one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea!
Hana-Fuda: Jaw Slash!"
Buzzzz!
Amid the humming, Armament Haki enveloped Hana-Fuda's fists, which had now fully transformed into the sharp claws of a Tyrannosaurus.
The two claws crossed, tearing through the air as they slashed toward Ivan at incredible speed!
A terrifying Flying Slash ripped through the air and the sea, seemingly aiming to split Ivan in two. Yet, faced with such a fearsome attack, Ivan didn't evade. Instead, he prepared to meet it head-on.
Hana-Fuda was the strongest opponent Ivan had faced so far. In this battle, Ivan finally felt a long-lost pressure, stirring a hidden power deep within him.
Gripping Snowfall, he whispered into the wind: "One Sword Style: Crimson Asura!"
An even sharper, taller Flying Slash clashed with Hana-Fuda's. After a brief struggle, Hana-Fuda's Flying Slash was completely devoured by Ivan's.
Witnessing this, Hana-Fuda's pupils contracted sharply. In panic, he shouted, "Quick! Abandon ship if you don't want to die!"
No sooner had he spoken than the Flying Slash swept across the Tyrannosaurus Pirate Ship, cleanly splitting it in two!
This sight darkened Hana-Fuda's expression even further.
This White Dove… he was actually a Swordsman Master! And his swordsmanship was far superior to Hana-Fuda's own!
On the Orange Ship, everyone stared in stunned silence.
Patton, who had been worried about Ivan's defeat, widened his eyes in disbelief at the scene before him.
He muttered softly, "Nami, you were right. The boss is monstrously strong!"
Nami nodded subconsciously. "Of course, that's Ivan!"
In truth, she too was overwhelmed by shock.
She believed in Ivan and knew he was strong, but she never imagined he was this strong!
To suppress a Warlord with a single move… such terrifying power must have already surpassed that of a Navy Vice Admiral, right?
Beside Nami, Tashigi's eyes sparkled with pink hearts, her entire being captivated by Ivan.
She subtly rubbed her legs together and secretly picked up a notebook to write:
[Today, Captain Ivan officially clashed with the Warlord Hana-Fuda in the waters near the G-2 Branch. Captain Ivan easily suppressed Hana-Fuda, displaying strength far beyond his rank!
In my opinion, Fleet Admiral Sengoku should have promoted Captain Ivan to Vice Admiral long ago. How could the rank of Captain possibly suit him?
Note: Captain Ivan is so handsome! I like Captain Ivan the most!]
Hina, being closest to Tashigi, was in the best position to notice what she was writing, but her mind was completely elsewhere.
Right now, her entire being was consumed by a single thought: So Captain Ivan is this powerful?
Watching Ivan engaged in a fierce battle with Hana-Fuda, steadily holding the upper hand, Hina felt an inexplicable sense of security.
Honestly, having a boyfriend with such formidable strength would surely be wonderful!
In the distance, Ivan and Hana-Fuda's battlefield had shifted from the sea surface to the sky.
As a Warlord, Hana-Fuda naturally knew Moon Walk, one of the Basic Six Styles. Not daring to fight Ivan on the sea, he decisively used Moon Walk to ascend.
"Hanafuda: Thousand Thorn Tail Strike!"
The Tyrannosaurus's tail shot toward Ivan like a Black Spear. The thrust was so fast that the spear seemed to multiply into a thousand, enveloping Ivan.
"One Sword Style: Horizontal Cut!"
A slash imbued with a Distortion Field collided with the Tyrannosaurus tail. Sparks flew wildly from the impact.
A deep, bone-revealing gash was carved into the Tyrannosaurus tail, but Ivan's Flying Slash was also shattered. He himself was sent flying by the tail's force!
Relying on the formidable vitality of his Zoan Fruit, Hana-Fuda's tail healed rapidly. Standing in the air, he watched Ivan being knocked down and sneered ferociously:
"Keh keh keh, already running out of steam so soon into the fight?
Listen here, Navy brat. A true powerhouse must possess formidable vitality!"
Unfazed by Hana-Fuda's taunts, Ivan remained calm. He deliberately refrained from using his skills, engaging Hana-Fuda with pure swordsmanship alone.
Under these circumstances, the pressure on him grew increasingly intense. The power within him felt ready to erupt at any moment.
Finally, after forcibly enduring an attack from Hana-Fuda, who had briefly transformed into his Complete Form Tyrannosaurus, Ivan's body was sent flying. He crashed through a large expanse of seawater and landed on a rocky outcrop in the sea.
Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, Ivan climbed out of the rubble and stood once more in the air.
But what no one noticed was that the formidable power within him had finally been awakened!
Having gained the upper hand, Hana-Fuda looked down condescendingly. "You're not bad, kid. You could be called a rising star in the Navy. But you're still too weak!
How dare someone as weak as you provoke a Warlord? Next, die with your regrets and despair! My next punch will tear you apart!"
"Finished talking?" Ivan coldly interrupted him at that moment.
Faced with Ivan's provocation, Hana-Fuda shook his head disdainfully. "Pathetic weakling. Even in your final moments, you can't recognize the gap in our strength. Then die clinging to that ignorance!
Claw: Tyrant Slash!"
Hana-Fuda put his full power into this strike. Amplified by Armament Haki, it was more terrifying than any of his previous attacks.
The massive Flying Slash, like a small mountain, effortlessly parted the sea as it surged toward the seemingly insignificant Ivan.
Hana-Fuda watched confidently, expecting Ivan to be bathed in blood on the spot.
But suddenly, his face froze.
Just as the Flying Slash was about to hit Ivan, it abruptly stopped!
Then, Hana-Fuda saw it. Ivan's hand was coated in a familiar, pitch-black color, gripping the Flying Slash in his palm!
With a sudden exertion from Ivan, the full-powered Flying Slash Hana-Fuda had unleashed shattered completely, vanishing like a bubble!
At that moment, Ivan's voice rang in his ears: "That's right. What a pathetic weakling. Unable to recognize the gap between our strength. Vanish with your regrets and despair!"
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