"Unstoppable Spike!"
Though it was still part of the Hasshoken's secret arts, Don Chinjao's unique physical condition allowed him to wield a move unlike any other.
His once–flattened head, sheathed in Armament Haki and infused with the strange shockwaves of the Hasshoken, carried an overwhelming destructive force.
Watching Chinjao's round, boulder-like body soar high into the air, Don tilted his head back. Haki surged toward his right fist.
All of his Armament Haki flowed into that hand, coating his fist in a deep violet glow, as though a flexible gauntlet had wrapped around it. The aura pulsed faintly with power.
A dim, ominous purple light began to radiate outward.
[Armament Haki (Complete Mastery): You can now skillfully manipulate the energy within your body for attack and defense; you have mastered Hardening and Coating; you command the flow of Haki, concentrating it into a single point for terrifying destructive power.]
The panel's description shifted quietly before his eyes—what had once been "Basic Control" had leapt straight into "Complete Mastery."
His right fist glowed darker, the concentration of Haki so intense that just looking at it gave the impression of something utterly indestructible.
Boom!
High above, Chinjao reached the peak of his arc. With all his weight and momentum, he plummeted down toward Don.
The force gathered at his head, Armament Haki flashing with dangerous light as he unleashed the pinnacle of the Hasshoken.
Don could have easily dodged.
But Chinjao was no longer his equal. Age had weakened him.
And besides—Hasshoken? Very well.
Don's eyes sharpened. He pulled his arm back, whipping it forward like a striking whip, his fist focused on the descending head.
Fist and skull met—no, almost.
An invisible force pressed between them.
The clash of Conqueror's Haki exploded in an instant.
Visible arcs of lightning crackled from Don's fist, mirrored by the gleam from Chinjao's head.
You have your Hasshoken. I have my Bajiquan.
Don's gaze burned, his fist still driving forward.
"Raaagh!"
Chinjao roared as their wills collided, the clash of kings raging on.
But in the end, it wasn't Conqueror's-infused strikes. Their power met, and fist and head finally slammed together.
"Rise!"
Don's eyes narrowed, his feet stamping down with force.
Chinjao's flattened skull rippled like water under the pressure of Don's punch—then, impossibly, a sharp spike burst forth from its surface.
The impact shifted his trajectory. Instead of crashing straight down, Chinjao's body veered sideways, hurled across the battlefield.
What had been a falling drill shell turned into a horizontal cruise missile.
Everything in his path—trees, boulders—was obliterated by the spearpoint of his head.
Boom!
He finally crashed into a distant cliff, bringing the entire rock face down in an avalanche. Only then did the chaos settle.
[HP: 94%]
Don let the Haki fade from his fist, his eyes lingering on the direction Chinjao had flown, deep in thought.
The fight had served its purpose.
His mastery of Armament had evolved beyond his expectations, and he had picked up insights on applying Conqueror's Haki from observing Chinjao.
But Chinjao's own use of it seemed crude.
Overall, losing six percent of his health bar wasn't a bad trade.
…Ah, now only five percent.
And Chinjao? He hadn't exactly lost, either.
That final change to his skull—Don had seen it clearly.
Did I just help the old man?
Sheathing Flame, he retrieved his blade and slid it back into its scabbard.
The commotion drew Robin first. She arrived swiftly, her gaze taking in the devastation, then softened in comprehension.
Given the racket, this level of destruction was almost expected.
"Grandfather!"
Lao G and Bu Wu rushed onto the scene soon after.
When they saw only Don and Robin standing there—no trace of Chinjao—their faces darkened, rage flaring.
"You bastard, what did you do to him"
Lao G's eyes were bloodshot, Bu Wu's fury barely restrained. Like grandfather, like grandson.
"Hahaha! It's back, it's back!"
A joyous shout split the air, followed by the sound of stone crumbling.
Both men froze, whipping their heads toward the voice.
A massive, round body burst free from rubble, flipping midair before diving head-first back to the ground.
"Drill Dragon Nail!"
Chinjao roared with glee as he struck, the earth exploding beneath him. Cracks spiderwebbed outward, reaching all the way to the distant town.
"Grandfather!" Lao G shouted in shock.
"Hahaha! It's returned!"
Chinjao's delighted cry echoed as the ground trembled again and again. He barreled through the forest, trees shattering in his path, his skull's sharp point gleaming coldly.
Don's eyes narrowed, his hand lifting slightly on the hilt of his blade.
Robin tensed beside him.
But just as Chinjao's massive form leapt high again
Thud!
He landed on his knees before Don, tears streaming down his face.
"Thank you, benefactor! It's back at last!"
Chinjao sobbed with joy, bawling up at the sky.
Don grimaced, dragging Robin back a step to avoid the spray of tears.
Lao G and Bu Wu stared at the sharp horn atop his head, dumbfounded.
What the hell…?
That horn—they remembered it only from childhood stories. And yet here it was, returned before their eyes.
Don and Robin exchanged a look, both dark-faced as they watched Chinjao wail in ecstasy.
"Um… Grandfather?"
Lao G edged closer, speaking cautiously.
"Out of my way! Don't block me from thanking my benefactor!"
Chinjao swung an arm, sending Lao G flying, his tear-filled gaze still locked on Don.
Goosebumps prickled Don's skin.
Try having a six-meter-tall old man look at you with puppy-dog eyes. See how you like it.
"Stop."
Don raised a hand. At once, the sobbing ceased.
"What orders does my benefactor have?"
Chinjao asked with reverence, tears still clinging to his lashes.
"I have no orders."
Don waved him off, exasperated.
"And stop crying."
"Since you say so, I'll stop. These were tears of joy!"
Chinjao explained earnestly, then climbed to his feet.
With his horn restored, it seemed his spirit had returned with it.
So… the horn equals the spirit?
END OF CHAPTER
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