[Roar----]
Diamond's dazzling brilliance collided head-on with Rengoku's searing flames at the center of the arena.
The impact erupted in a violent flash and thunderous roar that briefly blinded and deafened everyone.
However.
This magnificent deadlock lasted only an instant.
The gap in strength could not be bridged by sheer willpower, no matter how fiercely one's heart burned.
Against Jozu's diamond charge, infused with terrifying mass and speed.
Kyojuro Rengoku's all-out ultimate sword strike.
Was like a candle flame striking a reef-bound wave, shattering in an instant.
The Nichirin Blade in his hand, which had turned crimson from heat and willpower.
Let out a sorrowful cry under the unbearable strain and snapped cleanly in two.
"Pfft!"
Kyojuro was hurled into the air by the terrifying impact like a kite with its string cut.
The copious blood he spat out carved a glaring arc through the air.
The flames in his eyes rapidly dimmed, and under the agony and exhaustion of his strength, his consciousness had long since fallen into darkness,
Until he crashed heavily onto the ground in the distance and ceased moving.
The victor had been decided.
Giyu Tomioka's pupils contracted from outside the arena.
To his surprise, he found that Jozu did not possess the slightest trace of Haki.
There was only a pure aura resembling fighting spirit.
In other words, that earthshaking collision had been a purely physical crushing of power.
Admiral George had held back.
Otherwise, Kyojuro Rengoku would not merely have had no chance of survival—his body would already have exploded into a mist of blood.
At that moment, the spherical referee device floating in the air flew over and issued a cold electronic announcement.
"Winner: Admiral Jozu!"
"Vice Admiral Kyojuro Rengoku, challenge failed!"
[Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh]
Almost the instant the result was announced, four