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Chapter 43: The Might of the Tree Demon! Pseudo Tree World Descent?
Hearing this,
Both Whitebeard and Roger were momentarily stunned.
Hadn't he just stopped their fight? Why was he suddenly asking for one now?
Lotte naturally had his own considerations.
The current Rayleigh had not yet grown into the future "Dark King." Sparring with him would allow Lotte to accumulate proficiency at a much faster rate while simultaneously improving his swordsmanship.
How could he pass up such an opportunity?
If Whitebeard and Roger fought, they wouldn't hold back—how could that compare to a controlled spar with Rayleigh?
Rayleigh was also puzzled.
But since it was just a spar, he had no reason to refuse.
Perhaps the other side also wanted to test their strength. In that case, refusing would only make them look down on him.
Moreover, Rayleigh had sufficient confidence in himself.
Though Lotte was the hottest new star recently,
He was still the vice-captain of the Roger Pirates!
The other's bounty might look high, but most of it came from killing a Celestial Dragon and his talent. In a true head-on clash,
Rayleigh believed he still held the advantage!
"Since Tree Demon Lotte has said so, I'll accept with respect."
"I also want to see just how strong this newcomer—praised as having potential surpassing even Rocks—truly is right now!"
Rayleigh grinned broadly.
Roger saw this and didn't stop his vice-captain.
"Rayleigh, if that's what you want, go ahead."
"I trust your strength."
No one knew Rayleigh's capabilities better than Roger.
In both three-color Haki and swordsmanship, he was second only to Roger himself.
There was no way he would lose to some rookie fresh out of the gate, right?
No way, right?
Whitebeard squatted down on the deck to watch the show,
Taking another swig of sake and laughing.
"Gurararara! That kid is a complete monster!"
"I wonder how much stronger he's gotten now!"
He had personally witnessed Lotte's strength and talent. In just this past month, the other had grown stronger almost every single day.
His strength alone was already enough to qualify as a cadre.
Not to mention that heaven-defying talent—he was undoubtedly one of the most terrifying figures the seas would see in the future.
As the two ships moved apart,
Lotte and Rayleigh both stood on a small boat, facing each other.
Though they hadn't moved yet, their overwhelming Conqueror's Haki had already clashed violently. Black-purple lightning sparks flashed amid surging waves.
Rayleigh's Conqueror's was clearly superior.
After all, though Lotte had top-tier talent in three-color Haki, catching up to someone with over a decade of training in just a short time wasn't so simple.
Moreover, Rayleigh's own talent was exceptional.
Roger's lips curved into a smile.
In this initial clash, Rayleigh clearly held the advantage.
Whitebeard, sitting beside him clinking sake cups, only narrowed his eyes calmly.
Lotte's strength didn't rely on three-color Haki.
Compared to that bizarre Devil Fruit ability, three-color Haki was merely icing on the cake.
"Ha! Here I come!"
Rayleigh let out a low shout, drew the blade at his waist, and coated it in black Armament Haki!
The pitch-black sword gleamed with added sharpness—just looking at it sent chills down the spine.
Bang!
With a single step, Rayleigh's figure vanished from his spot and instantly appeared before Lotte, slashing down!
Though this was only a probing strike,
It was still not something an ordinary person could block!
Lotte abruptly drew his dual swords. With Sun Breathing activated, blazing crimson flames instantly coiled around the blades.
"Flame Dance Dual Sword Style! Blue Sky Dance!"
The circular upward slash wrapped in flames from both blades nearly boiled the seawater around the small boat. The scorching heat surged forward!
Clang!
The violent clash between Rayleigh and Lotte
Sent a shockwave of searing heat exploding outward!
Even Roger raised an eyebrow at the sight.
"That's... Flame King?"
"It seems it already has a new master."
To ordinary people, Flame King might be unknown, but any swordsman who had reached great swordsman level would certainly recognize it.
One of the legendary Supreme Grade Swords.
Even among them, it ranked near the top five.
Roger had only heard that Flame King was in Rocks' treasury. Now it seemed it had been given to Tree Demon Lotte—truly fitting for the captain's favored rookie.
Lotte and Rayleigh were locked in a brief stalemate. Meanwhile, Rayleigh's heart trembled inwardly.
Though it still looked like he held the advantage,
The flame-enhanced slashes Lotte unleashed with Flame King
Were far beyond what a young pirate fresh to swordsmanship should be capable of!
To reach such terrifying swordsmanship at this age—becoming a great swordsman was only a matter of time!
Clang!
The metallic clash rang out.
Both Lotte and Rayleigh retreated several steps.
Lotte had stepped back slightly farther, but there was no disappointment on his face.
Instead, a smile curled on his lips.
[Ding! Host is currently battling Rayleigh. Current Flame Dance Dual Sword Style experience has increased!]
As expected.
Sparring with a powerhouse like Rayleigh
Brought immediate and visible improvement to his swordsmanship!
In just dozens of exchanges, he had already identified flaws in his current technique and corrected them at an astonishing speed.
Rayleigh frowned as he looked at Lotte.
What was going on with this guy?
During their clash, his swordsmanship seemed to be growing continuously.
This rate of improvement was shocking—unlike any opponent he had ever faced.
"Lotte, probing is over."
"From what I know, swordsmanship isn't your true specialty, right?"
"It's about time you brought out your Devil Fruit ability. Otherwise, you won't be able to beat me!"
Rayleigh spoke gravely.
The name Tree Demon Lotte wasn't baseless.
According to intelligence gathered by the Roger Pirates, that title symbolized a certain ability.
Though he had never seen it,
Rayleigh believed that for someone to be given the moniker "Tree Demon" by the Marines,
It was definitely no ordinary power.
Lotte's lips curved upward slightly as he sheathed his dual swords.
"I happen to have a move I've been wanting to try recently."
"Rayleigh, be careful."
With Lotte's playful tone,
Rayleigh's expression tightened.
Beside them, both Whitebeard and Roger looked on curiously.
Under their gaze,
Lotte suddenly clapped his hands together. Standing on the water's surface, he shouted sharply.
"Wood Release—Pseudo Tree World Descent!"
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