Boom! Boom! Boom!
Blazing pillars of molten magma erupted from the ground one after another.
The searing heat waves surged in reverse, causing the surrounding temperature to spike instantly.
The spectators couldn't hold their ground anymore, retreating step by step.
Yet, watching the lone figure strolling calmly amidst the erupting magma, everyone couldn't help but break into a cold sweat.
They were genuinely afraid that Luoyu might slip up and be struck by the magma pillars, instantly turning to charred ashes.
As the seconds ticked by, from amidst the hundreds of erupting magma columns, a figure walked out unscathed.
Such a display—seemingly predicting every eruption in advance—if this wasn't the power of Observation Haki, then what was it?
"He actually awakened Observation Haki just by watching once?" Zephyr's face was full of shock.
"Garp, you didn't falsify his records, did you?"
The surrounding people were just as stunned.
If anyone still had doubts, they could just try walking through the magma the way Luoyu did.
Was this truly a result of deep accumulation bursting forth?
Or had Luoyu been hiding his strength from the start?
"Zephyr, you really think I'm like Sengoku—always so hesitant and reserved? If this brat had already mastered Haki, I'd have boasted about it ages ago. Why would I bother applying for nominations?" Garp finally came back to his senses and grumbled.
But just as he finished, Sengoku kicked him flying.
Even Sengoku, upon seeing Luoyu suddenly awaken Observation Haki and walk unharmed through Akainu's attack, was deeply shaken.
If what Garp said was true—then this was the talent of a true prodigy!
"Kid, I don't care whether you really learned it just by watching once, or whether you were holding back all along. But let me be clear—just Observation Haki alone isn't enough to make you arrogant. Today, I'll see just how far you can go."
"Come at me. Let me test your resolve!"
Akainu's face darkened to the extreme, and the magma building up inside him exploded forth.
Like a rocket, he launched toward Luoyu, surging with overwhelming force.
The mere dozens of meters between them vanished in a flash as Akainu erupted forward.
The sudden attack shocked everyone present.
By the time they regained their senses, Akainu's magma-wreathed fist was already crashing down.
"…That line sounds kind of familiar?" Garp blinked. "Didn't Zephyr say the same thing yesterday?"
"Garp, you damn fool!" Sengoku roared. "Why are you cracking jokes at a time like this? Get over here and help me save that kid! He may have mastered the Six Styles' secret technique and Observation Haki, but compared to Akainu's Devil Fruit ability, he's got no way to stand toe-to-toe!"
Sengoku rushed forward without hesitation.
It was rare for the Navy Headquarters to encounter such a promising recruit.
Whether or not Luoyu could become an admiral someday, as Fleet Admiral, Sengoku would never allow him to be disheartened here.
"Wait, Sengoku! I think we might have underestimated that kid again!" Zephyr suddenly shouted.
Sengoku had just taken a few steps when he abruptly stopped.
His eyes locked onto Luoyu, who stood motionless under the assault, as if stunned—
—but in the next instant, he moved.
With a single heavy step, power erupted from his body.
The solid arena floor cracked beneath his feet.
The Marines who had witnessed Zephyr being sent flying yesterday suddenly had their pupils shrink to the extreme.
Someone couldn't help but shout in shock:
"H-He's not planning to take on magma bare-handed, is he?! Admiral Sakazuki is a Logia-type Devil Fruit user! In his elemental form, the kid might not even be able to touch him!"
"You're too young, brat!" Akainu sneered. "I'm a Logia-type user!"
Streams of magma surged across his body as he prepared to pull back slightly.
He was annoyed by Luoyu's arrogance, but he understood—Zephyr, Garp, and even Sengoku had placed high hopes on this kid.
He could teach a lesson—but not deliver a fatal blow.
Just as this thought crossed his mind, a loud voice suddenly rang out:
"Sakazuki—watch out!"
Akainu's movements froze for a moment.
Watch out? For him?
He was a Logia-type user!
Buzz—
A sudden hum rippled through the air.
An indescribable sense of danger swept over him.
As Luoyu's figure appeared right in front of him, assuming a strange stance, Akainu's pupils shrank violently.
Dark, lightning-like arcs danced across Luoyu's arms, making Akainu's heart jolt.
He hadn't just awakened Observation Haki…
He had also mastered Armament Haki!
Luoyu's arms were coated in pitch-black Haki—dense and formidable.
So much for elemental intangibility!
"Flowing Rock Smash Fist!"
Boom!
Luoyu stomped hard with both feet, and his fists blasted forward like cannons.
Enhanced with Armament Haki, the magma's power suddenly seemed pale and feeble in comparison.
A storm of punches rained down, instantly engulfing Akainu.
Each strike thundered like a divine war drum, the sound echoing into the heavens.
Akainu staggered back under the barrage, forced into retreat with every blow.
"Full-body Armament Haki?!" Akainu roared in anger.
After retreating several steps, he finally managed to steady himself.
But just as the Haki began to spread across his body—
—he saw Luoyu's arms swell like solid rock, doubling in size.
Electric arcs of Haki coiled around them like spinning tornadoes.
"That's outward Armament Haki! The kid has already mastered Advanced Haki!?" Sengoku's eyes bulged as he shouted.
"Sakazuki, dodge it! Don't take that hit head-on!"
Dodge?
Akainu hesitated.
He wanted to dodge, but he'd already been caught off guard. There was no room to retreat now!
One mistake had led to another.
Against Luoyu's surprise attack—
There was no way to escape.
"Ryuo: Rock-Shattering Fist!"
BOOM!
Luoyu stepped forward once more. As his final punch landed, he channeled Haki through the Six Styles technique.
Everything came together as if it had always been natural—culminating in what others would recognize as the Advanced Armament Haki known as Ryuo.
RUMBLE!
A deep explosion thundered out like a massive cannon blast.
Centered on Akainu, the arena within a hundred meters shattered and collapsed, the shockwaves blasting out like a hurricane.
The overflowing Ryuo on Luoyu's right arm surged like a volcanic eruption.
The ground split open in his path, carving out a massive trench.
Akainu, despite covering his body in full Armament Haki, was blown away like a cannonball.
Is this what happens when you say the same lines and get hit even harder for it?