Fierce Battle

"Not bad for someone who dared to wreak havoc on my turf. Your strength is quite impressive. But if that's all you've got, you'll have a hard time surviving today!" Golden Lion said arrogantly, exhaling a thick cloud of smoke. Oto and Kogarashi crossed before him, and from Golden Lion's position, the intersection of the two famed blades pointed directly at Nangong Yan.

Cross Slash Wave!

Two terrifying sword energies stretching hundreds of meters tore through the sky, slashing toward Nangong Yan with piercing shrieks. Before their sharp aura even arrived, it already made one's skin sting!

Nangong Yan's expression turned solemn. He had no choice but to admire Golden Lion's attainments in swordsmanship. Even a casual sword technique from Golden Lion required Nangong Yan to use one of his ultimate moves to withstand it.

One Sword Severs the Mountain!

This was one of the two great sword techniques Nangong Yan had comprehended while staying on Divine Punishment Island. Compared to Between Life and Death, this move was better suited for a direct clash!

Nangong Yan's golden wings flapped rapidly, lifting him higher. Then, borrowing the force of his descent, he suddenly slashed out. A broad silver-white sword energy fell like a giant blade from the heavens, carrying an overbearing and razor-sharp aura as it struck the intersection of the Cross Slash Wave.

Boom... A blinding light burst from the point where the attacks collided, forcing everyone to close their eyes. An even more immense shockwave spread outward like a tidal surge, scattering countless white clouds. The sound was like thunder, shaking heaven and earth.

The enormous commotion had already alarmed the residents, pirates, Marines, and World Government intelligence agents in the nearby seas. They all raised their heads to look at the sky, their faces filled with confusion.

Nangong Yan put Evilbane away. If he continued fighting Golden Lion with swordsmanship, he would be utterly crushed. Compared to swordsmanship, Nangong Yan was stronger in hand-to-hand combat combined with his Devil Fruit abilities!

Nangong Yan had not even used his Sharingan. It was not that he did not want to, but that he did not dare. Unless Golden Lion changed his mind midway, this would definitely be a prolonged battle. Activating the Mangekyo Sharingan too early would drain his stamina far too quickly.

Against a super powerhouse on Golden Lion's level, every shred of stamina was invaluable and could not be wasted.

Nangong Yan's long black hair danced in the wind, his coat snapping loudly. Intense fighting spirit appeared on his face, while a wisp of golden flame emerged and flickered at the center of his brow. He looked heroic, mysterious, and powerful.

"Then let me see what kind of strength a legendary great pirate possesses—Pirate Admiral Golden Lion!"

As soon as he spoke, Nangong Yan's hands transformed into Golden Crow claws. A dark-golden Golden Crow claw extended from his abdomen, emitting an aura far more terrifying than the claws on his hands. Its scorching, destructive presence made one's heart tremble!

Nangong Yan threw back his head and let out a long roar. The soundwaves spread as though tangible. His wings beat, and he transformed into streaks of golden afterimages as he rapidly charged toward Golden Lion!

"Hmph, I'll show you!" A serious look appeared on Golden Lion's face. His Observation Haki told him that although the opponent before him was no match for him, he was already capable of posing a threat. Carelessness would lead to disastrous consequences!

Oto and Kogarashi swung, while Golden Lion's arms left behind trails of afterimages. Transparent sword energies formed a sword net that descended upon Nangong Yan.

The darling of the skies displayed terrifying flying talent at that moment. Combined with his small humanoid target, Nangong Yan's figure nimbly slipped through the gaps in the vast sword-energy net and arrived before Golden Lion.

All three claws became coated in Armament Haki and fiercely clawed at Golden Lion. The immense force and terrifying speed instantly tore the air apart, creating a sonic boom that shook the soul.

As the world's greatest swordsman, Golden Lion naturally did not fear close combat. Close-quarters fighting was originally a swordsman's specialty!

Boom boom boom... Explosive roars like thunder erupted in the sky. The two figures flickered like ghosts, overlapping one another!

Twin swords flew, sword energies crisscrossed, their edges sharp enough to cut through anything!

Three claws struck together, tearing through the air. Layers of claw shadows flashed, fierce and ruthless. Flame-covered legs lashed out, leaving countless afterimages with tremendous force behind every blow!

Both sides displayed incredibly powerful close-combat killing techniques. The sounds of clashing weapons rang out without end, countless bursts of force scattering in every direction as shockwaves piled atop one another.

Nangong Yan could not help but admire Golden Lion's close-combat ability. The title of world's greatest swordsman was well deserved! His dual-sword technique had reached a miraculous level, blocking Nangong Yan's attacks one by one while still leaving him room to counterattack!

That was even with Nangong Yan holding an enormous advantage in aerial combat. Although the Float-Float Fruit allowed Golden Lion to fly, its speed and agility were far inferior to the Golden Crow wings.

If they were fighting on land, Nangong Yan might have been suppressed. At best, it would have been an evenly matched battle. Golden Lion would not have been at a disadvantage as he was now.

The two figures swept through the air, setting off sonic booms and whipping up violent winds. Whether intentionally or not, Golden Lion gradually led them closer to the sea and the islands.

At first, Nangong Yan did not notice. But even after he realized it, he had no intention of retreating.

Since he had even activated the Nirvana Flame at the center of his brow, Nangong Yan had no intention of holding back. He would certainly go all out until Golden Lion acknowledged his strength and withdrew!

The two landed above the azure sea, facing one another. They hovered only a few centimeters above the surface, both brimming with fighting spirit.

Nangong Yan's strength had also stirred Golden Lion's fighting spirit, making him treat Nangong Yan with the attitude reserved for an equal opponent.

The two had fought for nearly half an hour, yet their expressions remained unchanged. Their faces were not flushed, and they were not even breathing hard, as though they had merely gone for a stroll.

Suddenly, Golden Lion crouched down and lightly touched the seawater with his hand. Countless water pillars shot into the sky, rapidly gathering into a gigantic lion hundreds of meters long. The azure lion threw back its head and roared, showing off its might with incomparable dominance!

Nangong Yan's expression grew solemn. A pale golden pillar of flame erupted from his body and shot into the sky. Countless Solar True Flames rapidly condensed into a Golden Crow of equal size. A Golden Crow's cry capable of piercing gold and shattering stone rang out, noble and mysterious, carrying an unrivaled arrogance!

The hundreds-meter-long Golden Crow dyed the sea gold. The terrifying temperature made the seawater boil, and some creatures that had failed to escape floated to the surface.

The two giant beasts flaunted their might behind their respective masters, wildly provoking one another. Neither could stand the sight of the other!

Golden Lion and Nangong Yan waved their hands in perfect unison. The lion roared and the Golden Crow cried out, both pouncing at the other without hesitation—the collision of water and fire!

Sizzle... The two giant beasts battled in midair, each strike shaking heaven and earth as enormous clouds of steam rose. They tore with claws, lashed with tails, bit with fangs, and pecked with beaks. Their battle was exceptionally brutal, and both of their bodies continuously shrank.

While the lion and Golden Crow fought, Nangong Yan and Golden Lion did not remain idle either. The two once more launched into a passionate and dangerous close-quarters battle. Water pillars exploded along their paths, while their scorching attacks vaporized vast quantities of seawater.

As the battle continued, the lion and Golden Crow steadily shrank until they finally almost destroyed each other.

A massive amount of water vapor rose high into the sky. Combined with the two men's incomparably fierce battle, it caused the weather to change abruptly. Dark clouds covered an area over a hundred miles wide, while violent winds and torrential rain poured down.

How strong were the winds? Strong enough to raise waves over twenty meters high. How heavy was the rain? It was even heavier than when Yiping went to ask her father for money!