Blood was diluted by the seawater as Blue Steel Shadow energy surged into Garp's body. The excruciating pain made him frown.
At the same time as he blocked the slash, Garp kicked toward Su Xiao's lower abdomen.
Bang!
Su Xiao's body shot backward, but the Counter Shield blocking his front remained completely undamaged.
On land, blocking that kick from Garp would have required the Counter Shield to shatter completely to withstand his tremendous strength. In water, however, things were different. Su Xiao did not need to forcefully endure Garp's attack; at most, he would be knocked back.
Slashes and blunt strikes were entirely different in water. The former attacked a point or a line, while the latter affected a small area.
Garp did not care about this. Although his previous kick had only displayed at most thirty percent of his strength.
Garp stomped through the seawater and pounced toward Su Xiao like a tiger stalking its prey.
Su Xiao continued retreating. He could persist in the sea for dozens of hours, or even longer, but Garp could not hold out for so long. Fighting would accelerate his oxygen consumption.
Garp shot through the water, leaving behind an afterimage, and almost instantly reached Su Xiao.
When Su Xiao realized there was nowhere left to retreat, he slashed at Garp's face.
Blade Glow flashed through the sea. Garp's entire body was wrapped in Armament Haki, yet he actually ignored Su Xiao's slash and punched toward his face.
Boom!
Ripples spread through the sea. The moment Garp's punch was thrown, Su Xiao felt a raging current surge toward him and slam into the Counter Shield.
Dozens of Counter Shields unfolded, blocking Su Xiao's front.
With a bang, Su Xiao shot backward, and the Counter Shields in front of him were covered in cracks.