Arthur's dragon claws slashed downward, wreathed in roaring winds, carrying a terrifying force.
"Soru!"
All three CP0 agents retreated at once.
Arthur's speed in this state was overwhelming. Among the trio, Clown Mask's Observation Haki was the strongest, Devil Mask's Armament Haki the hardest, while Demon Mask was the most balanced—average in all aspects.
And average meant one thing: not excelling at anything.
Which also meant—his speed was the slowest. Arthur was already upon him.
"Tch!"
Arthur's mouth twisted into a vicious grin, his vertical pupils glinting with a feral light as his claws descended.
Shhhk!
Demon Mask reacted with lightning reflexes, twisting his body in the most efficient way possible to avoid a fatal blow. Even so, Arthur's claws carved bloody gashes across his chest.
Drip… drip…
Four deep claw marks marred Demon Mask's torso. At the sight, Clown Mask spoke coldly:
"No hesitation."
"…"
Neither of the others paused—they attacked in unison.
"Rokushiki Secret Art—Life Return!"
Boom! Boom!
Their bodies swelled suddenly, then shrank into wiry frames, their forms transforming in an instant.
Arthur's instincts screamed—something was wrong.
Then—
"Soru!"
Their speed skyrocketed—on a completely different level than before.
"Rankyaku!"
"Shigan!"
Crack! Crack!
Arthur barely blocked their strikes on instinct, forcing his way backward and shattering their offensive. But in that brief exchange, he felt it clearly—their strength had also increased dramatically.
"Life Return…?"
Arthur frowned. Wasn't Life Return supposed to be the technique that channels willpower to control every part of one's body?
Wait.
If you could perfectly control every part of your body, then you could switch your power and speed at will. Move with greater speed in motion, strike with greater power in attack.
"I see now!"
Arthur realized it—the Life Return used by CP9's Rob Lucci and the others was just a lower-grade version.
But what these three CP0 agents were using was a far more advanced Life Return. Whether it was the highest form—Arthur dared not say. Perhaps no one could.
The Rokushiki…
Simple in principle, yet endlessly deep. Passed down within the World Government for generations, deceptively basic moves that only grew more monstrous with mastery. Who could say what heights countless powerful practitioners had developed them to?
One thing was certain—they were anything but weak.
"But still…"
Arthur flexed his dragon claws, his voice low and dangerous.
"Taking these three down is troublesome. The best way… is to gamble everything."
Snap!
Arthur surged forward with even greater speed. If their assault was fierce, then he would fight in another way—life for life.
"Hmm?"
"…!?"
Clown Mask's eyes narrowed as Arthur closed in. He wanted to pull back, but no matter what he tried, he couldn't create distance. He was forced to keep clashing head-on.
Arthur's intent was clear—he was going to kill Clown Mask first.
"Kill."
Clown Mask understood instantly. Instead of retreating, he gave the order.
Demon Mask and Devil Mask flanked, both lunging in to finish Arthur off.
"Wind King's Claws!"
"Rokushiki Secret Art: Rokuogan!"
All four attacked at once.
The speed was blinding.
BOOM!!!
A cataclysmic impact erupted, shockwaves blasting outward and shattering the ground. Rubble and smoke billowed upward, forming a miniature mushroom cloud.
"Ugh!"
A spray of blood cut through the smoke. Arthur's voice followed, savage and cold:
"Caught you! Slippery as an eel, but not this time!"
Clown Mask's mask was torn apart, his body carved with wounds so deep bone showed. Worst of all—his heart had been crushed in an instant by Arthur's claws.
But—this kill came at a price. Arthur's body was ripped open on both sides, grievous wounds spilling blood.
He didn't care.
In fact, his wounds only fueled the berserk fury of the Red Dragon bloodline, pushing his ferocity to the surface.
"ROAR!!!"
A dragon's roar shook the battlefield. Arthur's blood-red eyes gleamed with madness as he turned on the remaining two.
"…"
Demon Mask and Devil Mask froze. They were CP0—trained to be emotionless, devoid of hesitation.
But what gripped them now wasn't human fear.
It was the primal dread of a beast, clawing at their very souls. Even they could not suppress it.
They could only endure it.
"Come on!"
"Fight me!"
Arthur's face twisted into a frenzied snarl. The calm, calculating fighter was gone—replaced by a dragon consumed with bloodlust, his only thought to tear apart the enemies before him.
-----------------------///
Advance Chapters on Patreon!
p(a)treon(.)com/HudaLin
-Remove the parenthesis to access patreon normally
Thanks for the Support!