Activating Indomitable! A Terrifying Enhancement

Although he had anticipated it, the Shimotsuki Nine Dragon Flash he had just unleashed still failed to inflict even the slightest injury upon Dunn.

Dunn, meanwhile, looked at his own half-depleted health bar and marveled that Koushiro had been holding back.

That barrage of slashes, each blade wreathed in Haki and striking from every direction, must have been a unique technique.

However, Dunn had now realized something.

Koushiro was no match for him.

Because he had yet to truly unleash the power of the Mera Mera no Mi.

Observation Haki combined with a Logia-type ability was a terrifying combination for any opponent.

Hoo!

Dunn took a deep breath, and the flames coiling around his blade receded entirely.

While it might be foolish not to use the power at his disposal, he had come to Koushiro specifically to become a powerhouse without relying on the Mera Mera no Mi.

Even though the weaknesses of the Mera Mera no Mi had vanished due to the digitization of his body, the immense power of a Logia-type was something one couldn't help but rely on.

The renowned educator Kaido once said that Haki transcends all.

While that statement was somewhat extreme, it wasn't wrong.

To become a top-tier powerhouse in the near future, formidable Haki was indispensable.

It was for this reason that Dunn had completely suppressed the power of the Mera Mera no Mi.

Seeing Dunn's actions, Koushiro's expression turned guarded.

The previous strike had consumed a significant amount of stamina and Haki; had it not been for the past year of sparring with Dunn, which had allowed his body to recover much of its former state, he might not have been able to withstand such a drain.

Now, however, Dunn's expression and movements made Koushiro realize something.

Whoosh!

Dunn's figure flickered, and he and his weapon were already closing in.

He took the initiative, swinging his sword according to his body's instincts and launching a strike toward Koushiro.

From this single strike alone, Koushiro, a top-tier master swordsman, understood Dunn's intentions and swung his own blade to meet him.

Their figures crossed and blurred, with scattered slashes flying in every direction.

The two engaged in close-quarters combat, their Haki-imbued blades carrying a dangerous aura as they struck at one another.

In terms of pure swordsmanship, Dunn was certainly no match for Koushiro.

One could not expect someone who had only been learning the sword for a year, and who had only recently found his own path, to defeat someone who had been immersed in the art for decades.

But Dunn possessed greater strength and a larger reserve of Haki.

His powerful constitution—or rather, his physical prowess—far exceeded Koushiro's.

His offense-only, no-defense style of swordsmanship left Koushiro momentarily flustered.

This guy, relying on his trait of not taking damage, has abandoned defense entirely?

Koushiro was speechless.

He felt that Dunn hadn't learned a single thing from his swordsmanship; he had certainly never taught such a style.

But he had to admit, it suited Dunn perfectly.

Dunn, meanwhile, kept a close eye on his health bar.

In truth, the battle with Koushiro should have ended.

Koushiro did not possess a digitized body like his; if he were truly wounded too deeply or struck in a vital spot, he would be either severely injured or dead.

Having served as his sparring partner for nearly a year, Dunn couldn't bring himself to do such a thing.

Right now, Dunn simply wanted to try reducing his own health to trigger the conditions for Indomitable.

After all, he would be leaving soon, and he needed to fully understand what kind of power he possessed once Indomitable was activated.

That way, he would be prepared when he encountered powerful opponents in the future.

Koushiro, unaware of all this, assumed Dunn was unaffected by his strikes and cooperated by helping him whittle down his health.

10%!

5%!

1%!

[Your health has dropped to the minimum, Indomitable activated]

Abruptly, this prompt appeared before Dunn's eyes.

Instinctively, Dunn raised his left hand, and the incoming Wado Ichimonji was gently pinched between his thumb and forefinger.

Abundant Haki surged from Dunn's body as if beyond his control, dancing behind him like a cloud of flame.

A terrifying aura pressed down on everything in the vicinity.

Koushiro, holding the Wado Ichimonji, stared in shock at Dunn, whose aura had suddenly transformed.

Within the keen perception of his Observation Haki, Dunn, standing right before him, seemed to transform into a terrifying monster; that oppressive sense of dread instantly broke him out in a cold sweat.

Koushiro's emotional shift was clearly perceived by Dunn.

He could distinctly feel the fear radiating from Koushiro.

"It's over!"

Dunn said this after releasing his two fingers.

"You?"

Koushiro found it difficult to speak.

The terrifying pressure emanating from Dunn made it nearly impossible for him to utter a word.

"My trump card!"

Dunn spoke, and the Haki surging from him receded, causing the oppressive aura from moments ago to vanish.

Koushiro let out a long breath, his eyes filled with shock and confusion as he looked at Dunn.

He did not understand what exactly had happened to Dunn.

"Zanka no Tachi!"

Dunn spoke softly, leaving Koushiro stunned.

But the next moment, he was blown away as a scorching heat rushed toward him.

With Dunn at the center, terrifying flames surged outward and shot into the sky; amidst the fire, Dunn appeared to be wearing a trench coat manifested from flames.

The space around them became distorted due to the extreme heat.

"Torch!"

BOOM!

A massive fire tornado appeared, instantly engulfing half the island.

"Jokaku Enjo!"

Above the sea, a palm of fire larger than the island itself closed shut, the terrifying heat vaporizing the seawater; in an instant, mist completely shrouded the surrounding ocean.

However, the hot winds generated by those terrifying flames blew the mist away, repeating the cycle over and over.

"What on earth is this?"

Koushiro retreated again and again until he reached the ship by the shore, his eyes filled with shock as he gazed at the endless flames engulfing the island and the sea.

"Tenchi Kaijin!"

A voice seemed to ring in his ears, and then, he saw it.

A terrifying slash cleaved half the island in two; he could not see the true form of the strike, but he saw the ocean itself being split apart.

The parted sea could not close back up, and the surrounding water evaporated, unable to withstand the rate of vaporization.

The terrifying sword mark continued to expand.

Until the flames finally receded, and the seawater rushed back to fill the chasm, the churning waves causing the ship beneath Koushiro's feet to rock violently.

However, Koushiro could not care about that now; his eyes were fixed on the center of the island.

In the heart of the scorched island, Dunn stood quietly.

And the blade in his hand made Koushiro's Observation Haki sense a terror unlike anything he had ever felt before.

But Dunn did not swing that blade.

That terrifying sensation came as quickly as it went.

Afterward, Dunn leaped up and landed on the ship.

Koushiro looked at the returning Dunn, his lips moving, but he could not bring himself to say anything.

"It's a pity the Rising Sun Blade wasn't swung. I can feel that if I had unleashed that strike, Flame might not be able to withstand it. To swing that blade, it needs to truly become a Black Blade."

Dunn looked somewhat regretful.

"What would happen if you swung that blade?"

Koushiro remained silent for a moment before asking.

"That? The island might be destroyed."

Dunn turned his head to look at the island, now ravaged and unrecognizable from his flames, and spoke.