The two newcomers' reactions were much slower; they only reacted to counterattack after Taro's offensive had already formed.
Those two were desperate outlaws picked by Blackbeard from among the weaklings; their strength was not particularly powerful.
They had carved out a bit of a reputation in the New World, mostly by relying on cruelty and bloodlust.
That burly man was a Zoan-type Devil Fruit Ability user, seemingly a form of the Dog-Dog Fruit, Wolf Model.
The Fishman crouched down, assuming a Fishman Karate stance and throwing a Fishman Straight Punch.
Taro did not recognize them, nor did he care.
The strength of these two was no longer enough to catch his eye.
The Wave White Line offensive had formed; after the massive Internal Energy Pillars approached the Blackbeard Pirates, the frantic power erupted with a sharp Aura.
Taro, being pulled by Blackbeard, flicked his fingers in the air, controlling the Internal Energy Pillars to Slash and strangle.
"Crack!"
His ten fingers suddenly tightened.
"Rumble!"
"Snap!"
The air vibrated, blue and red lightning raged, and the Internal Energy Pillars rose up, intertwining.
The two weakest newcomers were instantly swept high into the sky by the twisted Internal Energy Pillars, where Internal Energy Threads sliced through them like sharp blades.
"Awooo!"
"Argh!"
Two screams rang out, and the sky suddenly exploded with two clouds of blood mist; the two small fries were torn to shreds!
Avalo Pizarro was also having a hard time; his ability lay in strengthening weapons, making guns and cannons more powerful.
However, the intense Vibration Energy made his footing unstable, making it impossible for him to effectively organize a defense against the Internal Energy Pillars' strangulation.
But he had a sudden idea and kicked off the ground, awkwardly dodging toward San Juan Wolf.
San Juan Wolf's massive body was the final barrier!
This one wasn't very bright, relying on his giant physique and immense brute force to withstand Taro's attacks.
Pizarro's approach drew in more Internal Energy Pillars, causing the pressure on San Juan Wolf to increase sharply.
"Rip!"
Three Internal Energy Pillars followed Pizarro and ground into San Juan Wolf's back.
Instantly, flesh and blood splattered!
"Roar!"
Wolf let out a painful roar and struggled to turn around, his arms covered in Armament Haki as he swept away the Internal Energy Pillars behind him, preventing the powerful force from sweeping him into the air.
Catarina Devon seemed to be having an easier time; her fluffy tails possessed quite good defensive power.
They looked soft but were very hard.
Under the strangulation of the Internal Energy Pillars, the fur was all cut off, flying through the air amidst the vibrations.
But in the end, she gradually neutralized the offensive of the Internal Energy Pillars.
Blackbeard glanced at his companions' situation out of the corner of his eye, his heart growing heavier.
In just over a month, Taro had grown to such a level; this was clearly a Devil Fruit Awakening ability!
Why?!
How can Taro control the Tremor-Tremor Fruit's power and awaken another Devil Fruit Ability at the same time?
Could Taro really be like him, with an abnormal body?
However, in a life-and-death situation, Blackbeard couldn't afford to think too much. His companions were in a desperate situation; he had to finish Taro in one blow!
Taro was already right in front of him. Blackbeard saw that Taro's hands were still controlling the Internal Energy Pillars to attack.
"Hya!"
Blackbeard shouted loudly, raising his right arm high. Armament Haki coated it, and a white Air Pressure Sphere surged around his fist.
Now, there were only two paths before Taro.
Either give up controlling the Internal Energy Pillars so his companions could get a breather.
Or be hit in a vital spot by his punch!
Blackbeard was confident that Taro wouldn't dare take his full-power strike.
However, in the next instant, he noticed a peculiar smile tugging at the corner of Taro's mouth, and his heart immediately skipped a beat!
"Clang!"
The thunderstorm at Taro's waist unsheathed itself and rushed toward Blackbeard even faster.
The blade suddenly erupted with a blue glow, and the edge expanded, instantly turning blue-black.
Blue and red lightning flickered.
Then, a blue-white Air Pressure Sphere attached itself to the blade!
How is this possible?
A sword that can use Armament Hardening, Conquerors Haki Infusion, and Vibration Energy on its own?
Astonishment flashed through Blackbeard's eyes; he instinctively sensed danger.
At this moment, how could he care about his companions' lives!
He withdrew the hand that was pulling Taro's body and hurriedly dodged to the side.
thunderstorm delivered a Slash.
"Hum!"
The last trace of light on the entire battlefield was swallowed up, and the lightning surging in the low, thick clouds almost completely dissipated.
A sharp blue Sword Qi, carrying an overbearing and unmatched Aura, slashed toward Blackbeard.
"Rumble!"
"Crack, snap!"
"Ah!"
Blackbeard screamed and clutched his right shoulder.
His right shoulder was almost completely severed, with only a final thread of skin and flesh still connecting it.
If not for his decent physical skills and fast reaction speed, this sudden Slash from thunderstorm would have struck him right in the middle of his forehead.
After striking Blackbeard, the Slash's momentum didn't diminish; it only veered slightly off course, heading straight for San Juan Wolf.
"Thud!"
The Slash hit Wolf, but instead of cutting through his body, it was like a heavy hammer striking a wall, producing a dull thud.
"Urgh!"
Wolf groaned and then spat out a large mouthful of blood.
The Slash actually tore a large hole in his waist, instantly dealing a heavy blow to Wolf's body, causing his legs to go soft as he fell to one knee.
"Aaaaaah!"
Blackbeard clutched his severed arm, rolling on the ground in pain.
Only when his body was injured and he felt pain did he lose every bit of his grand ambition's Aura, wailing like a common lackey.
The Whitebeard Pirates Remnants nearby were all stunned!
The Marineford War only ended two months ago!
Back then, although Taro's strength was amazing enough, it was still within their realm of understanding.
Now, the strength Taro displayed was completely beyond their comprehension.
Marco and Vista looked at each other, and Marco asked in a hesitant whisper,
"That sword of his?"
Vista took a solemn look at thunderstorm hovering in the air, still feeling a lingering fear.
"That sword technique is very similar to Hawkeye's Moves, but that sword is very strange, it seems to have eaten a Devil Fruit...!"
Marco nodded. "The ability of that sword is indeed the same as the one Taro displayed, but how is that possible?"
Taro first glanced at Blackbeard's accomplices.
Seeing that Catarina Devon had only turned into a Hairless Nine-Tailed Fox and wasn't injured, he frowned.
His arms spread wide, his ten fingers curved.
"Thousand Arrows Through the Heart: Feather Strike: Thread!"
Within the Internal Energy Domain, thousands of Internal Energy Threads wrapped in Armament Haki were pulled out, resembling a bird's wings, and enveloped Catarina Devon.
Then, he swung his arms with all his might, crossing them in front of him.
Those Internal Energy wings quickly closed, striking forward.
Catarina Devon's expression changed drastically. Her hairless nine tails swayed rapidly as white smoke filled the air, and within the smoke, countless cold Fox Fires suddenly appeared.
"Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!"
The Internal Energy Threads pierced into the smoke like sharp blades.
At the same time, thunderstorm adjusted its direction in mid-air and swung another Slash toward Blackbeard!
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