In that instant, Kozuki Oden's aura surged sky-high. Crimson Haki wrapped tightly around both his blades, radiating pressure so strong it made the air tremble.
Crossing his swords into an "X," he crouched low, muscles coiled like a spring.
"Oden Two-Sword Style… Paradise Totsuka!"
With a thunderous shout, Oden leapt, body blurring into the sky before slamming down at Shiro with terrifying force.
"Perfect! Bring it on!"
Shiro's eyes gleamed with excitement. He knew this was the very technique that could scar Kaido's dragon body—a strike of true legend.
He poured Armament Haki into the Tetanus Fang, bracing to meet Oden's attack head-on—
But just as the blades were about to clash, a familiar voice rang inside his head:
"Master! Let Little Fang handle this!"
Shiro's eyes lit up. Without hesitation, he loosened his grip on the hilt.
"One-Sword Style… Lion's Thousand-Cut Valley!"
The sword spirit's cry unleashed a dazzling golden slash that ripped through the air, colliding with Oden's monstrous strike.
Oden grunted, his body instantly cloaked in Ryuo. With sheer force of will, he blocked the radiant blade, though the shockwave sent him skidding back, his feet carving trenches into the deck.
"Impressive!" Shiro praised, seizing the opening. He grabbed the hilt again, closing the distance for another fierce clash.
CLANG!
Three blades collided in a shower of sparks. The impact blasted air outward, forcing the surrounding crewmates to stagger back.
Though Shiro's technique held, a sinister surge of crimson Haki slid down Oden's swords and into his body.
"Guh!"
Shiro spat blood, his face paling. His chest burned with pain, but his mind reeled in awe.
"So this… is the internal destruction of Ryuo?"
Only now, having taken it directly, did he truly grasp how terrifying it was.
Gritting his teeth, he slapped his chest, trying to expel the damage with the Paw-Paw Fruit.
But his sword spirit had already drained its strength unleashing that golden slash—it was now in deep slumber, unable to share the burden.
"Damn it! You picked the worst time to conk out!"
Panic shot through him. If he didn't pass off this damage quickly, it would rebound into his body twice as hard.
His eyes darted frantically—until they landed on a certain short, pudgy figure.
It was Marshall D. Teach, the Whitebeard Pirates' chubby trainee, munching happily with that shady grin of his… completely unaware of what was about to happen.
A ruthless spark flashed in Shiro's eyes. In a blink, he vanished and reappeared behind Teach. Before the boy could react, Shiro shoved the condensed bundle of damage straight into him.
"GYAAAAH!"
Teach shrieked, collapsing to the floor, rolling and convulsing in agony. His face twisted in terror and pain.
Shiro exhaled in relief and even winked.
"Sorry 'bout that, brother."
Sweat poured down Teach's face as his body spasmed uncontrollably, unable to reply.
For a brief moment, Shiro's killing intent flickered. This boy would one day betray Whitebeard and claw his way to the top. Maybe it was best to end him here…
But reason prevailed. For now, Teach was still just a loyal crewmate. If Shiro killed him, Whitebeard himself would never forgive it.
So, he let it go.
In a flash, he returned to face Oden, his fighting spirit reigniting.
Oden blinked, astonished. Just moments ago, Shiro had been bleeding out, yet here he was, standing strong, grinning like nothing had happened.
But Oden didn't hesitate—he unleashed strike after strike, Ryuo flowing in waves as his twin blades hammered down.
Shiro bit down hard, enduring each blow. Against Ryuo, he sometimes even let the attacks hit directly, desperate to feel and understand its power. Every time he was wounded, he expelled the damage with his Paw-Paw powers—then promptly dumped it all back into poor, suffering Teach.
"Dreams never die, right?"
"Neither does tanking damage!"
The duel raged on.
For three days and three nights, they clashed endlessly.
By the time it was over, Teach lay collapsed like a half-dead dog, unconscious and covered in scars from the torment Shiro had dumped into him.
But Shiro's gamble had paid off. Through endless battle, he finally grasped the essence of Ryuo.
At that very moment, his sword spirit stirred awake, glowing faintly with pride for its master's growth.
Shiro scanned the battlefield, eyes sharp. Despite the chaos, neither crew had suffered serious casualties. He frowned.
"This won't do. If nobody's getting injured, how am I supposed to feed my sword spirit?"
He tapped his chin, scheming—then his eyes lit up.
"Sniping! If I pick off Whitebeard's men one by one… I'll have endless fuel!"
Oden charged again, blades whistling like a storm.
"Don't think this fight's over yet!"
Shiro's face darkened, his eyes blazing.
"You think I can't beat you? Then watch this—Kamui!"
A devastating slash erupted from his blade, ripping forward with unstoppable might, racing straight for Oden—
And the battle thundered on.
T/N: If you would like to read up to 20 chapters ahead for all my works, check out my P@treon: patreon.com/GhidorahWriter
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