Moke Clearly Wasn't the Type to Just Take a Beating

Moke clearly wasn't the type to just passively take a beating. He swiftly drew another Meito—Sandai Kitetsu. In an instant, the blade flashed, cold light radiating in every direction as though the entire space had been enveloped by its chill.

Without hesitation, Moke swung a horizontal slash. Like lightning, it shot toward Gecko Moria at astonishing speed. Moke had clearly put everything into this strike, determined to land it.

Honestly, the Gecko Moria of the past might have easily evaded such an attack. After all, he had once been a nimble and powerful fighter.

But the current Gecko Moria was no longer the man he used to be. His bloated body made even moving extremely difficult, let alone swiftly dodging such a lethal slash.

At that critical moment, Gecko Moria suddenly spread his arms and actually used his body to block the attack head-on. Moke's blade struck him viciously, yet all that rang out was a sharp clang, as though it had hit steel.

It turned out that, at the crucial moment, Gecko Moria had activated his Devil Fruit ability and transformed his shadow into a hardened shield.

Moke froze slightly, not expecting Gecko Moria to have such a trick. Seizing the opportunity, Gecko Moria roared, "Brat, do you think this is enough to defeat me?"

As he spoke, his bloated body rapidly expanded. The surrounding shadows frantically gathered onto him, and his strength seemed to rise without end. Then he charged forward, crashing toward Moke like a small mountain.

Seeing this, Moke forcefully kicked off the ground and shot backward like an arrow loosed from a bow. Gecko Moria's charge smashed a huge crater into the ground.

Before Moria could adjust his posture, Moke closed in instantly. Sandai Kitetsu and Wado Ichimonji swept out together, becoming two fierce streaks