Among the Six Styles, Soru was already a formidable technique. But to use it in the air? That was an entirely different level.
On solid ground, the earth itself provided the necessary counterforce for explosive acceleration. In the sky, however, there was nothing to push against. To perform Soru midair required skill and mastery magnitudes greater than on land dozens, even hundreds of times harder.
The sight left both Ares and Kaido off guard. Neither had expected their opponent to achieve such speed in the sky.
Danger struck without warning.
Ares reacted instinctively, his body flaring into the hybrid form of his Mythical Zoan dragon. Crimson Armament Haki flooded across his scales, encasing his frame in blood-red steel.
Boom!
The next instant, he could see nothing only feel the crushing impact, like being hit by the fastest train in the world. His massive frame was hurled backward like a falling star, smashing through the ship's bow railing before plunging with a resounding splash into the sea.
It all happened so fast Kaido hadn't even moved before Ares disappeared beneath the waves.
Snarling, Kaido swung his kanabo down in a furious arc toward Cloud, the CP0 director cloaked in blackened Haki.
But his eyes widened in disbelief.
His mighty kanabo, heavy enough to pulverize mountains, was stopped cold.
Cloud had raised only one hand to block it. His lean frame looked laughably small compared to the weapon like a man holding up a truck with a single arm. Yet Kaido's immense strength was meaningless. The masked man's body didn't budge an inch, floating effortlessly in midair.
The shock sent a chill through Kaido's chest.
This CP0… how can he be this strong?!
This power… it's Admiral-level!
The very thought made his body tremble. Now he understood why Ares had attacked first.
Cloud tightened his grip. That darkened arm pulsed with overwhelming force, hurling Kaido down onto the deck like a rag doll.
His gaze then turned toward the sea.
"Saint Christine," he addressed the bald swordsman, his voice cold. "The target was a Devil Fruit user. He's already fallen into the ocean. Capturing him alive is no longer possible."
The swordsman, Christine Saint, finally spoke, his face grim and corpse-pale.
"Then forget it. Dead or alive makes no difference."
But before his words could settle, his eyes widened in shock.
The sea roared.
Even Cloud's composure cracked, his masked face twisting in disbelief as waves swelled unnaturally.
"Impossible! He's a Devil Fruit user how can he ignore the sea's curse?!"
Ares burst upward from the ocean, waves exploding around him. At the peak of his leap, a fiery orange cloud ignited beneath his feet, serving as his platform.
Both CP0 and Christine Saint stared, their hunger undisguised.
"Tell me!" Cloud demanded, his voice sharp as steel. "How are you doing this?!"
His tone betrayed desperation. For Devil Fruit users, the ocean was the ultimate weakness. To overcome it meant freedom on the seas beyond imagination. Even for the strongest, the sea remained a cage.
Christine Saint's sharp gaze fixed on Ares as well. This answer could mean glory perhaps even his elevation into the ranks of the Five Elders. From there, no more secret missions, no more bloodstained battles. With a mere gesture, nations would bow.
Power was intoxicating.
But Ares only shrugged.
"No comment."
He cracked his neck, joints popping like snapping twigs. His smile was wolfish.
"Just now, I was careless. But now? Now you've got my full interest."
It wasn't the kind of interest that carried innuendo it was the spark of battle lust ignited by a worthy opponent.
Those three words "No comment" lit a fire in Cloud's chest. Rage boiled over. All his life, pirates and nobles alike had cowered before him. Begging, whimpering, kneeling in the dirt for mercy. He was used to being obeyed like a god.
But this boy… this boy dared mock him.
And Cloud had failed to notice something crucial: Ares' chest bore no wound from the earlier strike. His earlier assumption that Ares had been gravely injured was wrong. Terribly wrong.
"You insolent brat… I'll rip your mouth apart and smash your teeth into dust. Then you'll beg to talk!"
His body blurred once more.
"Soru, Void Step!"
An attack that had never failed him.
But this time, his arrogance blinded him. He had underestimated Ares.
The moment Cloud materialized before him, expecting victory, a massive crimson fist was already waiting.
"Azure Dragon Fist, Rule One: When You Hit a Man, Start With the Face!"
The ridiculous name belied its monstrous power.
Ares' strength was already unmatched. Enhanced by his dragon form, layered with his unique blood-red Armament, this strike carried force enough to shatter a mountain in one blow.
BOOM!
The fist smashed into Cloud's face.
His mask shattered like glass, fragments scattering in the air alongside shards of teeth and sprays of blood.
The sheer force warped his skull, sending him flying backward faster than he had ever moved under his own will. The backlash of his own speed made the impact even more brutal.
And in that single, devastating instant Cloud, the Director of CP0, was knocked unconscious.
Christine Saint's eyes widened. His composure broke as he soared upward with Geppo, catching the limp body before it tumbled into the sea.
He held Cloud in one arm, gaze narrowing on Ares.
"Outdated… the Navy and Government's intelligence on you is already outdated, Bloodhand Ares."
His voice dropped low, filled with wary respect.
"You've already reached battle strength comparable to a Marine Admiral…"
"…a terrifying surprise indeed."
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