The Power of Awakening!

Under dark clouds, strong winds and heavy rain, the roar of cannons, and widespread slaughter.

Those soldiers and bandits below, who had not yet joined the front-line fighting and were positioned at the rear of the battle formation, saw three figures flash in the air, turning into streaks of purple, gold, and white afterimages that filled the rain.

They bumped into each other and missed each other from time to time, splashing up large amounts of rainwater wherever they went.

Hundred Plans of sword strikes clashed with the surging, electrically charged water, creating shockwaves that swept across the rain, forming clearly visible water-colored ripples.

In the air.

The penguin-shaped Zangjing, its entire body Coating with electric currents, unleashed a barrage of punches in the blink of an eye.

Each jet-black fist shadow was coated with a layer of visible fist wind, water flow, and electric current.

Opposite.

Vice Admiral Locke and Vice Admiral Light showed no weakness.

In an instant, countless flashes of swords and blades, accompanied by piercing sounds and sharp edges, clashed with the incoming electric water fists.

A series of deafening, rapid-fire explosions erupted between the three.

The violent energy that burst forth, like a mudslide or tsunami, swept away the wind and rain in the arena.

"So strong!"

"This guy is amazing!"

Lieutenant Vice Admiral Light, with his blond hair, was using Geppo when he felt his sword-wielding arm tremble and go numb, his hand almost splitting open.

"A powerful Haki, a robust physique, formidable Fish-Man Karate, the constant need to be wary of electric currents, and that bizarre Devil Fruit ability—is this the Governor of the Flying Pirates?"

Just then, Vice Admiral Kuro, who was slightly stronger than him, transformed into an arrow with astonishing force the instant he was knocked away, wielding his sword and colliding fiercely with the small but ferocious Zangjing.

[Bang!!]

The Haki Hardening, Black Blade clashed head-on with a similarly Haki jet-black fist. An even more intense collision reverberated in their ears.

The dazzling blade light on the edge frantically cut through the incoming high-pressure water jet, and layers of energy tore through the air, causing the purple robes and Justice Coats of both sides to straighten and flutter loudly.

"The former commander of G-3, huh? Interesting."

The black and white penguin face of the Zangjing revealed an extremely human-like cold smile. Just as he uttered his words, a bright purple light suddenly burst forth from his left hand in the air.

As soon as the purple light appeared, the water flow, rain, and even the gale that were illuminated slowed down dramatically, and its target, Vice Admiral Kuro, had a drastic change in expression.

Armament Haki - Full Coverage!

Vice Admiral Kuro decisively used his Haki to protect his entire body, which instantly made his skin even darker than the Zangjing.

Meanwhile, in the secret passage, although this greatly increased the consumption of his Haki, it temporarily resolved the troublesome electric current and the annoying slowing effect.

But as he prepared to take the next step, a horrifying situation occurred.

"Uh... what?"

[Bang!!]

Before Vice Admiral Kuro could finish speaking, his wet white suit was struck by a powerful, dark fist.

A sound like thunderclap erupted, and a powerful shockwave burst between the two.

The former's body slowly bent like a shrimp in the purple light, and the blood gushing from its mouth seemed to be moving at half speed, floating inch by inch in the air.

Until the purple light dissipated.

[Puff--]

Everything seemed to return to normal in an instant, and Vice Admiral Kuro, his face contorted in pain, was sent flying backward like a white ray of light.

"Vice Admiral Kuro!!" Lieutenant Vice Admiral Light roared.

"Idiot!"

The Zangjing fell heavily to the ground, letting the rain cover their entire bodies, and looked disdainfully at Kuro, who lay in the blood and couldn't stand up for a long time.

"Armament Haki can counter Devil Fruit abilities, but only if your Haki is stronger than mine!"

Most people in the world believe that the Second Governor's greatest strength lies in his Haki and Fish-Man Karate, but it is actually his Paramecia Slow-Slow Fruit ability.

Vice Admiral Kuro's Armament Haki was comparable to his, so naturally he couldn't defend against the stronger slowing ability.

This is similar to how Vergo's Armament Haki initially rendered Law's Op-Op Fruit ability ineffective, but later, when Law retrieved his heart, he unleashed a strike that pushed him to his limits and instantly severed Vergo's weapon.

Vergo's Haki was stronger in the beginning, while Law's Devil Fruit ability was stronger in the end.

Armament Haki and Devil Fruit abilities have always been in a state of conflict; which is stronger depends entirely on the user's skill level.

After making that sarcastic remark, Zangjing didn't hesitate to take off with his short legs, running at an extremely high speed toward the large iron gate of the G-3 Fortress.

But as he ran, he got angry at his abysmal speed. His legs were too short; at this rate, it would take him at least three or four chapters to cross the harbor and reach the main gate.

"Time is money, I'm jumping!"

[Bang!]

Enraged, the Zangjing roared and suddenly stopped, stomping his foot on the ground. With his purple robes billowing, he burst forth, tearing through the rain and soaring into the sky.

This is Shark Skin Palm Bottom from Fish-Man Karate!

"Stop right there!"

At that moment, Lieutenant Vice Admiral Light's roar rang out from behind. Immediately afterward, although the Zangjing was facing away from the other party, its dazzling golden light shone from behind, which made the latter, who had leaped into the air, very impatient, and he casually slapped it away.

"Get lost! I'll deal with you when I get back!"

[Buzz--]

A purple light, as fine as mist or gauze, shot out from his palm. The dazzling golden blade light attempted to sweep across it, but stopped the instant it touched the purple light, ultimately hovering almost in mid-air.

Seeing this, and considering the fate of Vice Admiral Kuro, Vice Admiral Light dared not approach the purple light area easily, and could only grit his teeth and continue the pursuit by circling around.

Behind them, Vice Admiral Kuro had already stood up, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and rushed over with his sword in a very disheveled state.

Although the previous full-coverage Armament Haki couldn't stop the slowing effect, its inherent defensive properties prevented him from suffering significant damage.

The two Vice Admiral, one in front and one behind, one to the left and one to the right, dodged the golden slashes that were slowed down by the purple light, while Zangjing, having unleashed three consecutive Shark Skin Palm Bottom strikes, had already leaped to the front of the steel gate.

As for the sailors with knives and guns along the way, they couldn't stop him in the slightest; a wave of water with a casual flick of his wrist was enough to clear a whole area.

Faced with such a large disparity in strength, even the Three-Three System Tactics and battle formation are utterly ineffective.

"The Helandou are in there! Haha, let's take him back and give him a good laugh. I bet his expression will be priceless!"

Seemingly oblivious to the two Vice Admiral chasing after him, Zangjing stood in front of the massive iron gate and laughed loudly, talking to himself.

"But we need to block this place first."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a familiar purple light surged forth from the body of Zangjing, whose eyes had narrowed without his noticing, when Vice Admiral Kuro and Light Vice Admiral were less than a hundred meters away.

[Buzz--]

This time, however, the light waves were no longer limited to the palms, but poured out from his entire body in all directions, like a perfect 360-degree giant purple bowl, completely enveloping the space of the fortress gate.

"This! This is Awakening! He has Awakening the Slow-Slow Fruit!"

Lieutenant Vice Admiral Kuro abruptly stopped, ignoring his already soaked clothes and rain-soaked face, staring with an extremely grim expression at the purple light before him and the Zangjing moving freely inside.

"What should I do? I can't get in at all!"

Vice Admiral Light was also filled with resentment. He glanced back and saw that the purple light that had slowed his Flying Slash was still there.

"They were already Awakening back then?!"