The massive floating island shattered into chunks no larger than a clenched fist.
The debris rained down over Freedom City, smashing through rooftops and scattering across the streets.
Wayne's expression darkened as he observed the aftermath. His Observation Haki told him everything lives were still being lost within the city.
Some unfortunate citizens had been struck by falling debris. It was a bitter truth: Wayne's swordsmanship hadn't yet reached its peak. If it had, the entire island would have been reduced to dust, and not a single life would have been lost. At most, Freedom City would have faced a dust storm lingering in the sky for a few days.
His sharp gaze pierced the skies, as if seeing straight through the remnants of the island to the golden-haired man floating far above.
"Golden Lion Shiki... you've really pissed me off now."
In a flash of violet lightning, Wayne vanished.
He reappeared on the island in the blink of an eye.
Shiki burst into his trademark laugh. "Ka ha ha ha ha! So you actually came, brat? I thought you'd gone into hiding!"
He still carried that same dismissive arrogance, treating the younger generation of pirates with disdain. But in his eyes, a rare flicker of seriousness appeared because he had felt it. Felt his floating island sliced into rubble by the man now standing before him.
This Wayne wasn't just some upstart he had the strength of a true master swordsman. And unlike Solomon, he hadn't forced that power into existence.
A hoarse voice called out from nearby.
"You finally showed up... if you'd been any later, I'd be needing a coffin."
Wayne turned toward the sound and saw Solomon and the others tightly sealed inside a towering pillar of earth. Only Solomon remained conscious. Robin, Gloria, and Claw were all still unconscious.
Wayne's chest filled with fury.
Shiki, unbothered, glanced over and said casually, "Wayne, right? I've seen your strength, and I like capable people. Join my crew. If you do, I might even spare this island. Think about it."
Wayne stared at him for a moment, then let out a cold chuckle.
He tilted his head slightly and pointed at his own nose with a smirk that didn't reach his eyes.
"You're getting senile, Golden Lion. You come to my turf, kill my people... and you think I'll work for you?"
Electricity crackled between Wayne's fingers. Purple lightning danced and coiled, forming the shape of a vivid thunderbird.
Fifty Million Volts: Thunderbird!
The electric bird shot forward at incredible speed, racing toward Shiki. But Shiki's eyes sharpened. His Observation Haki flared as he drifted upward, narrowly dodging the attack.
Wayne's lightning attacks were fast very fast but not enough to surprise a master of Observation Haki like Shiki. He had sensed the trajectory well in advance.
"Oh? Lightning, huh? That's gotta be a Logia Rumble-Rumble, perhaps...?"
Shiki dodged and prepared to sneer, but Wayne wasn't interested in listening to his taunts. He had already drawn Rakshasa.
His body burst into lightning and vanished.
He reappeared directly above Shiki so fast that even the Golden Lion's Observation Haki could barely keep up.
One-Sword Style: Raikiri!
Wayne's fastest sword technique.
He channeled all his lightning into Rakshasa and slashed with a strike too fast for the naked eye to follow.
There was only a flash of electric light.
Shiki's figure reappeared several dozen meters away.
And then... a severed, bloody hand hit the ground with a thud.
His left hand was gone. Cleanly sliced at the wrist.
Shiki's forehead glistened with sweat. The pain was unbearable far beyond what most could tolerate but he didn't make a sound. He merely stood there, face pale, silently enduring.
This was, after all, the same man who had once severed his own legs to escape Impel Down. Pain was nothing new to him.
He floated in the air, gazing warily at Wayne. That one strike had been far too fast. Even though his Observation Haki had picked it up, his body hadn't been fast enough to dodge. He'd twisted just enough to avoid a fatal hit but still lost a hand.
He looked at the bleeding stump.
Frowning, Shiki wrapped his wrist in an invisible force. The bleeding stopped instantly.
He had used his Float-Float Fruit to halt the flow of his own blood.
Wayne narrowed his eyes. That strike had been aimed at Shiki's neck he had hoped to end it there and then. With his speed and precision, it should have at least left Shiki gravely injured.
But no.
Shiki had escaped death. And while he'd lost a hand, the impact on his overall combat ability was limited.
After all, Shiki fought primarily with his feet. His Float-Float Fruit didn't require hand gestures either. The only area affected would be his close-quarters technique.
"What a pain in the ass," Wayne muttered.
From the beginning, he had treated Shiki as an opponent on his own level. And now, with the Golden Lion finally dropping the mockery and getting serious, Wayne knew any further gains would have to be earned through brutal combat.
He glanced behind him.
In a blur of purple lightning, he swung Rakshasa, slicing through the earth pillars and freeing Solomon and the others. None of them were injured.
Wayne didn't look back. He kept his eyes on Shiki and spoke calmly.
"Solomon. Wake them up. Get everyone to safety."
Solomon locked eyes with Wayne for a moment. Then, nodding, he turned to revive the others and retreat into the forest under Wayne's cover.
Once they were gone, Wayne finally let out a small breath of relief.
He faced Shiki and said, "Now there's no one left to interrupt. Let's finish this."
Shiki had briefly considered attacking the retreating group. But with Wayne's lightning-fast movements, the risk was too high. He chose to wait.
"Ka ha ha ha ha..."
Shiki's laughter rang out, wild and untamed. He turned his full attention toward Wayne.
"Brat, I admit it now. I underestimated you. You're strong enough to face me head-on."
He grinned, sharp and proud.
"But don't forget... I'm the Golden Lion."
—————————————————————————————————————————————————
Love the story? Show your support and unlock early access to new chapters by joining me on Patreon!
P@treon.com/yanxx
Change @ to a.