"Kuzan, let's fight somewhere else. We don't want to cause too much of a commotion at Marine Headquarters."
Mu Chen made the suggestion.
Kuzan snorted coldly. "Pick wherever you like, as long as we can settle this."
The two arrived on an uninhabited island covered in dense jungle and surrounded by sheer cliffs-the perfect place for a fierce showdown. "Are you ready?"
"Kuzan!"
Mu Chen loosened up his muscles and joints as he spoke casually.
He decided to start by testing Kuzan with Armament Haki and the Eight Gates, to see just how strong his old friend had become.
Kuzan said nothing. With his hands in his pockets, he sent a wave of cold sweeping over the ground toward Mu Chen.
Mu Chen's gaze sharpened. In a flash, he opened the third of the Eight Gates, the Gate of Life.
His speed instantly increased, allowing him to evade the cold with ease. Black Armament Haki coiled around his body as he charged at Kuzan.
"Armament Haki!"
Mu Chen shouted, driving a fist packed with tremendous force straight at Kuzan's face.
Kuzan remained unhurried. With a wave of his right hand, an ice wall sprang up and blocked Mu Chen's attack.
"Mu Chen, is that all you've got?"
There was a hint of mockery in his voice.
The corners of Mu Chen's mouth lifted. Kuzan's words did not anger him. He knew his strength well; a taunt like that was merely an appetizer before the real fight.
"Then get ready for this."
As he spoke, he opened the Fourth Gate, the Gate of Pain. His speed and strength rose again, and he darted behind the ice wall like a streak of black lightning, kicking at Kuzan's back.
Kuzan reacted instantly, turning his body into ice to evade the blow.
Then he