Forcing an Even Fight!

Respiration is the process of inhaling large amounts of oxygen through the pores of the skin and the mouth and nose, which is then rapidly converted into carbon dioxide in the body. When this oxygen is exhaled again, it further stimulates Photosynthesis.

"This face looks familiar."

Rayleigh squinted as he scrutinized Vidal's appearance.

With his long, sharp hair cascading over his shoulders, an aura of surging energy, and bulging muscles radiating explosive power, aside from the difference in color, he really looked like that guy from eight years ago.

[Bang!]

Vidal didn't utter any powerful words, only his eyes flashed with intense light.

The gleaming black leather boots stomped down, the powerful force forcing the massive Oxhead to lower.

[Boom--]

Vidal charged forward, his entire body enveloped in Inazuma- green flames, unleashing his energy and pushing against the raging wind as he struck out with his palm.

"Another Haki Emission."

Rayleigh couldn't understand why he was using so much Haki right from the start, but that didn't stop the steel sword in his hand from turning into a silver streak.

[Splash!]

The green palm print, four or five meters high and six or seven meters wide, crisscrossed with powerful energy, colliding with the sharp, silvery blade light that swept across the face.

The green palms and the sword light became entangled, and the wooden passage between them was instantly shattered. A large amount of seawater, unable to withstand such stimulation, surged and splashed wildly.

Until the two energies of different natures exploded violently with a deafening roar.

[Whoosh!]

Just then, a golden-green light circled behind Rayleigh, its hands moving as if pushing a mountain or holding a heavy millstone, carrying an incredibly strong and dense wave of air as it fiercely struck out.

"The Giant Horn!"

Just as Rayleigh was surprised by the speed Vidal displayed, the latter burst forth with an intensely hot and dazzling golden light.

Fortunately, agility and speed are his strengths. He turned his head, spun his steel knife, and swept it horizontally, unleashing a dazzling flash of light in front of him.

In an instant, the two collided once more, the wooden path beneath their feet cracked, the seawater surged back, and a fierce wind swirled around them.

The next moment, the silver streak flew backward, followed closely by the golden-green light.

Rayleigh's spinning blade attack was too hasty. Faced with a well-prepared, charged strike, he was immediately defeated. Although the terrifying beam of light did not break through his Haki defense, it certainly pushed him sideways.

"Sure enough, he became much stronger in that form."

Rayleigh marveled at Vidal's imposing presence, and noticed that the latter's fighting style had changed; he now dared to actively pursue and engage in close combat.

"Alright, let me give it a try!"

The silver streak suddenly stopped flying backward and turned to meet the green light head-on.

A loud bang!

The dazzling silver light of the blade reappeared, transforming into beams of light that shot through the air like raging, roaring waves.

Vidal, relying on the amplification provided by his Respiration and the blazing sun still pouring endless light and heat from above, continuously unleashed powerful green palm prints or fist prints.

Green and silver light collided and shattered, steel blades and gauntlets engaged in a fierce battle, and the two figures intertwined time and again.

The intensity of the battle here, while not as dramatic as the epic clash between Garp and Roger in the central area, was still far greater than that between Lieutenant Vice Admiral Edwin, the base commander of G-1 Branch, and Spark Gaban, the third-ranking figure in Roger Pirates.

However, the situation there was not much to be optimistic. Vice Admiral Edwin was clearly being overwhelmed by Gaban's double axes and needed the support and assistance of the officers around him from time to time.

Rayleigh and Vidal fought their way from the end near the Oro Jackson all the way to the naval fleet.

Indeed, even when facing the fully serious Great Swordsman, Rayleigh, the Roger Pirates, known as "Pluton," Vidal, in his Breathing State, was still at a disadvantage in the fierce battle.

But!

It's just a disadvantage.

[Bang bang.]

The two men clashed repeatedly with their fists and knives above a fleet of ten warships, unleashing a series of terrifying explosions. Green light and blade flashes scattered in circles like fireworks.

Vidal's armor, made of Adam Wood and covering his entire body, was cracked and damaged in the clash, and his body was covered with cuts of all sizes. Although Photosynthetic Energy was constantly restoring him, it was still not enough to keep up with the rate of destruction.

His superb swordsmanship, powerful Armament Haki, and Observation Haki that surpassed his own allowed him to remain completely enveloped by the dense array of sword lights.

After a fierce battle, Vidal realized the difference between this 'Pluton' and 'Red the Aloof'.

Although both are Great Swordsmen, the latter is faster in movement and attack, and coupled with his Innate Observation Haki that can read minds, he displays an absolute speed advantage.

The swordsmanship of the man before him was even more exquisite. The layers upon layers of sword light, stretching endlessly like a tsunami, were actually quite pleasing to the eye for Vidal.

Furthermore, Rayleigh's Armament Haki level was significantly higher than Redfield's, and every strike he made forced Redfield to retreat.

"His strength and speed have improved considerably, but they are insignificant compared to his terrifying regenerative abilities."

Rayleigh, watching Vidal charge forward again after being slashed by Rayleigh's sword, already regarded the latter as a little monster.

At this moment, Vidal was completely immersed in the battle, and his mind was now free of any other thoughts besides those related to the fight.

Without fear, without pain, without tension, without restraint, I present all that I know to the best of my ability.

He now understood why the strongest individuals in this world ultimately decided their victories through close-quarters combat.

This is a display of complete confidence in one's most fundamental strength: speed!

Whether it's an evenly matched opponent or a formidable foe who has the upper hand, you must have the courage to charge forward and confront them!

Only battles won in this way can lead to significant improvements in Haki and strength.

Vidal, in his Breathing State, has indeed become much stronger.

He now has the potential to defeat any opponent below the top tier!

Unfortunately, he was facing Rayleigh, who, even in his old age, would still be able to clash swords with Borsalino, Marine Admiral, and even inflict the first wound.

Even so, Vidal continued to charge forward time and time again, using his fists and palms to feel the sharpness of the steel blade.

Even if we can't win, it's uncertain when we'll finally be defeated.

This was also what left Rayleigh speechless and surprised the most. Judging from Vidal's displayed strength, namely speed, power, and the power of his moves, it should have been difficult for him to withstand three of Rayleigh's attacks.

After all, when top-level players face non-top-level players, the result is almost always a crushing defeat.

The problem is that while it's true that Vidal has a hard time taking his strikes head-on, he's basically crumbling at the first touch. His gauntlets will crack, his armor will be damaged, and he'll bleed and fly backward.

The key is that the Photosynthetic Energy in the Breathing State is several times more effective than before. In this state, as long as it is not a fatal attack, any injury or physical strength will be restored within a few seconds.

That's why Rayleigh went to such great lengths, unleashing countless dense, overlapping sword beams, in an attempt to overwhelm the recovery speed with sheer attack frequency.

He could be said to have succeeded; the dense flashes of blades kept Vidal's armor and body constantly damaged and injured, as evidenced by the horrifying gashes and wounds.

But he was also defeated, because Vidal was still moving, still fighting, still relentlessly attacking. The wind from his punches and the impact of his palms created a magnificent shockwave, as if he were venting his boundless fighting spirit.

"So what if you're a top-tier expert! I'm going to fight you to a draw!"

What does it mean to force a 50/50 split?

It means that while I can't kill you, you can't kill me either.

"Come! Under the witness of the eternal sun, let's fight to the death! If you're so capable, then kill me!"

Vidal, engulfed in blazing green flames, roared at Rayleigh, his voice so powerful that the air rippled like water.

Thank you so much, DianTongYa, for the 100-yuan reward! Thank you so much!