Fusion!

Tiger Shark Island, North District.

Bang--

Under Onigumo's heavy blow, Rod's body was sent flying like a cannonball. He swept across several shops, wood and stone shards whistling through the air, before finally crashing into a pile of rubble, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Whoosh--

In an instant, Rod burst out again, gripping his weapon tightly, and charged at Onigumo with an unstoppable momentum.

This brat!

Onigumo crossed his swords, blocking Rod's attack, and felt a terrifying power surge through his weapons into his body.

His strength is even greater than before!

Although his combat techniques were somewhat crude and his experience insufficient, with many weak responses in the heat of battle.

However, this monstrous physique was no deception!

Using the Life Return ability, Onigumo controlled his hair, making it act like six extra arms, each wielding a sword, forming his unique Eight Sword Style.

Ordinary enemies couldn't even withstand the two swords in his hands, let alone the other six.

But this brat before him...

Onigumo split two swords, adding them to his hands, to block the terrifying power coming from Rod's weapon.

He can no longer block the attack with just his hands.

"Ha!"

Seeing Onigumo's movements, a wild grin spread across Rod's face.

Indeed, combat is the best way to improve strength!

Especially fighting against a strong opponent like this!

After only a brief exchange, Rod clearly felt that his control over his strength had improved.

His physique hadn't gotten stronger, but the power he could unleash in combat had increased!

This was evident from Onigumo's reaction.

Without waiting for Onigumo to control his other four arms to attack, Rod retreated half a step. With the advantage in a battle of strength, he could retreat more freely.

Then, he pushed off the ground again, charging towards Onigumo, Armament Haki coiling around his weapon.

The flow of Haki is still a bit rough.

Feeling the Haki flow through his body and weapon, Rod had this thought, then slashed down fiercely.

Although he had successfully awakened Armament Haki and practiced for a few days, it would still take some time to apply it freely in actual combat.

Especially coiling Haki around his weapon, which was a completely different level of difficulty compared to coiling it around his body.

"Brat, your Haki is too weak!"

Onigumo's swords were also wrapped in Haki, but unlike Rod, who had immersed himself in Haki for years, he used it with ease. In an instant, all eight swords were coated with a layer of Haki.

And unlike Rod, who simply wrapped Haki around his weapon, Onigumo's seemed to be integrated into the weapons, even dyeing several of the swords black.

"There are Asuras in the world, with three faces and six arms! And those with eight arms are the Eight-Armed Asura!"

Onigumo spread his hands, black Haki surging continuously. The six arms made of hair each held a sword, like a demon from hell.

No way? You can recite poetry too?

Although the timing was wrong, Rod couldn't help but have this thought.

"Eight Sword Style Secret Technique—Asura Demon Slash!"

Following Onigumo's low roar, his hands, along with the other arms controlled by Life Return, swung all eight swords, like an eight-armed Asura from hell, attacking Rod.

This is different!

Seeing Onigumo's attacking figure, Rod's alarm bells went off.

Although Onigumo had always displayed the Eight Sword Style form, this attack was clearly different from before.

Not only the Haki wrapped around the weapons, but even the hair controlled by Life Return was different.

It was not only wrapped with a considerable amount of Haki, but it was also controlled more freely than before.

But, perfect!

A fierce glint flashed in Rod's eyes. He gripped his weapon, and more Haki surged from his body.

"One Sword Style—Slash!"

He couldn't recite poetry, nor did he have flashy moves. Rod simply poured all his strength into this strike.

Boom!

Their attacks collided with a roar, and a terrifying shockwave instantly erupted.

Crack--

As if unable to withstand the aftermath of the battle, the hair controlled by Onigumo's Life Return suddenly snapped, along with the swords held by the hair, falling to the ground.

Something's wrong!

Seeing this scene, Rod didn't feel the slightest bit of joy. Instead, a bad feeling welled up within him.

As expected, the moment Onigumo's hair broke, more hair surged forth and suddenly entangled Rod's weapon.

"You lose!"

Onigumo looked up, a sinister grin on his face. Coupled with his fierce expression, he looked like a demon crawled straight from hell.

I can't pull it, and I can't cut it!

Rod's expression changed slightly as he felt the force applied to his weapon.

The hair, fully activated by Onigumo's Life Return, possessed terrifying power. Furthermore, he had wrapped a large amount of Haki around the hair, tightly restraining Rod's weapon. Even Rod's Haki-infused weapon couldn't cut through his hair.

"Even with the same Haki, there's a world of difference depending on the user!"

Onigumo suddenly exerted force with both hands, pressing the sword's edge against the top of Rod's weapon and forcefully pushing down. At the same time, he controlled his hair to instantly erupt and pull Rod's weapon upward with great force.

Whoosh--

Under the combined force of multiple strands, Kashu flew out of his hand, spinning in the air.

"It's over!"

Onigumo gripped his weapon with both hands and swung down fiercely as Rod lost his weapon.

A swordsman without his weapon is like a toothless tiger!

Bang!

A pair of dark fists swung out with terrifying momentum, smashing down on Onigumo's weapon with a roar.

Rod grinned at Onigumo.

"Did that previous Marine not report our information truthfully?"

"I'm not just a pure swordsman!"

As Rod's fist struck Onigumo's weapon, even stronger Haki surged from within him. The dark Haki, like a surging tide, crashed against Onigumo wave after wave.

Boom!

Terrifying power erupted, sending Onigumo's body flying. Rod twisted his neck, and the Haki on his arm instantly dissipated.

"The battle has only just begun!"

Looking down at his arm, Rod frowned slightly.

Although he had sent Onigumo flying just now, he wasn't unharmed.

The moment his fist hit the opponent's weapon, Rod could feel an invisible force pierce his fist.

Moreover, that force wasn't acting on the surface but was a more internal form of attack.

Externalized Haki? Or internal destruction?

As expected of a veteran Marine, his strength is truly formidable!

Looking at Onigumo, who had stood up and was almost completely unharmed, a surging fighting spirit rose in Rod's heart.

Round two, begin!