As Luo Ze's cold voice fell, the steel sword in his hand changed instantly. The Fire Core's 1,000°C power emerged, a crimson spark appearing first before transforming into raging flames that completely enveloped Luo Ze's steel sword.
The instant the flames appeared, everything around them grew scorching hot. Wisps of transparent white smoke began drifting through the air, as though even the air itself had warped.
Luo Ze's pierced palm was covered in blood, yet he tightly gripped Momonga's hand, leaving him utterly unable to escape. Then, he aimed at Momonga's chest and swung his sword.
"That's impossible! You were still hiding your strength earlier!"
Vice Admiral Momonga finally calmed down. He understood now that he had unknowingly fallen into Luo Ze's trap. He had not used this flame ability before because he had been waiting for an opportunity to kill him in a single blow.
"Damn it, let go of me!"
Vice Admiral Momonga could also feel the intense heat from Luo Ze's steel sword. He did not want to take it head-on, so the hand holding the sword that had pierced Luo Ze's palm kept twisting, trying to force Luo Ze to let go.
"Too late. Die."
Luo Ze had gone to great lengths to create this opportunity. Now that he had truly seized it, how could he possibly let go? No matter how Momonga destroyed his palm, Luo Ze's hand remained like a pair of iron pincers, gripping him tightly and preventing him from breaking free.
Then, his sword strike arrived.
"Armament Haki, Hardening!"
At the critical moment, Momonga knew he could not dodge this attack. He hurriedly gathered all the Haki in his body and hardened the area Luo Ze was about to strike. His chest quickly turned black.
Clang!
Luo Ze's longsword collided with Momonga's