Battle of Shadow and Flame

Water 7's bar district had become a sea of fire.

The circular wall of flames formed by the Flame-Flame Fruit stood ten meters high, with thick smoke billowing and the air warping from the heat.

Moria was trapped in the center of the blaze, drenched in sweat.

Yet there was no fear on his face.

"Shadow Wall!"

He clapped his hands together, and the shadow beneath his feet rose up, forming a black wall that temporarily blocked the flames rushing at him from the front.

At the same time, he split off three Doppelman clones and sent them charging toward Babel at the edge of the fire wall from different directions.

Babel grinned broadly as his right arm transformed into fire and swelled again.

Four fiery heavy punches in succession blasted all three clones apart.

But the fourth punch missed.

The real Moria had already slipped into the most inconspicuous shadow on the ground.

He emerged from the shadow behind Babel and thrust his long blade straight at his heart.

However—

Without even turning around, Babel drove his left elbow backward.

Moria's blade snapped at once, and the force of the blow sent him flying.

"Kid, your mastery still isn't pure enough." Babel turned around and slowly approached.

"The Shadow-Shadow Fruit is troublesome, sure, but against my flames, your little tricks are useless."

"Damn it..."

Moria struggled to his feet and looked at the Transponder Snail in his arms.

The signal had only just been sent out...

But wasn't that dead white-haired bastard in Water 7? Why hadn't he shown up immediately?!

His gaze swept across the burning scene before suddenly settling on several barrels of fresh water in the corner of the bar.

They were the bar's reserve water, used for mixing drinks and washing.

An idea flashed through