While Ronglin was lecturing Jazz, Duke Lodun suddenly flicked his cane, sending out a blinding flash. He thrust forward, and the cane exploded as a lightning-fast strike shot toward Ronglin's heart. A sharp glint flashed from within the shattered cane—Duke Lodun had hidden a rapier inside it.
"Hah!" Jazz, who had kept his Observation Haki active and sensed everything around him, reacted the moment Duke Lodun launched his ambush. He immediately activated Armament Haki Hardening, turning his entire palm pitch-black. The flash of steel stabbed toward him, and with no time to think, Jazz reached out and grabbed the blade.
"Crack! Crack!"
The instant Jazz seized the rapier's blade, he felt an immense force surge through it. Fine arcs of lightning burst from his palm, jolting his entire body numb and tingling. Even after he caught the sword, it dragged his hand along and continued thrusting toward Ronglin's heart.
A savage smile finally appeared on Duke Lodun's aged face. To make Ronglin lower his guard, he had even cast aside his dignity, knelt on the ground, and pretended to be fearful. Now, he had finally lulled Ronglin into carelessness and created the chance for a sudden killing blow.
With this entire treacherous ambush about to succeed, how could he not laugh?
What supernova? What equal to a Marine Admiral? No matter how capable this kid was, no one could withstand such a powerful blow from this close a distance!
The blade pushed closer and closer toward Ronglin's heart, and Duke Lodun's smile grew increasingly crazed. Just as his opponent was on the verge of victory, this battle would be reversed. What could be more ironic—or more satisfying—than that?
"Hahahaha!" Duke Lodun burst out laughing, then saw the blade reach Ronglin's body... and stop.
"?!" He was stunned. He felt none