Iron Will

Bang!

A dull impact echoed through the vast underground space, like the heavy breathing of some ancient beast.

Bart's massive body shot forward like a cannonball, carrying a fierce gust of wind as he slammed toward Lin Feng.

If that hit landed squarely, an ordinary person would probably be crushed into a pulp.

Lin Feng's pupils contracted sharply. This big guy was actually pretty fast!

Soru!

At the critical moment, Lin Feng kicked off hard, vanishing from where he stood in an instant.

Bart's attack missed and crashed into the solid stone wall.

Rumble!

The entire underground space trembled as rubble scattered everywhere.

"Your reactions are pretty quick."

Bart slowly turned around. The scars covering his face made it look even more vicious in his rage.

"But do you think that means you can dodge my attacks?"

Bart grinned, baring a mouthful of pale teeth like a beast showing its fangs.

"Paramecia: Steel Fruit!"

"Steel Body!"

Before his words had even faded, a metallic sheen spread across Bart's body!

His skin, muscles, and bones all seemed to turn into steel at that moment!

"This is... a Devil Fruit ability?"

Lin Feng frowned, recognizing Bart's ability.

"Paramecia: Steel Fruit. It can turn the body into steel, granting astonishing defense."

"Interesting."

The corners of Lin Feng's lips rose slightly.

He had been worrying about finding a suitable opponent to hone his swordsmanship against. This big guy seemed like a decent choice.

"Brat, take this punch!"

Bart roared, taking huge strides as he charged at Lin Feng.

Every step made the ground quake as though an earthquake had struck.

That massive fist came down at Lin Feng's head like an iron hammer, accompanied by a howling wind.

"Good!"

Lin Feng neither dodged nor retreated, directly drawing Frost Gale from his waist.

"Sun Breathing: Full Concentration: Constant!"

Lin Feng gave a low shout. The air around him began to distort, and invisible waves of force spread outward from him.

"Sun Breathing: Second Form: Clear Blue Sky!"

Lin Feng swung Frost Gale. A sharp blade flash streaked forth, carrying endless keenness as it slashed toward Bart's fist.

Clang!

The blade collided with the fist in a deafening metallic crash.

Lin Feng frowned deeply as he felt an immense rebounding force travel up through the blade.

This big guy's defense was indeed incredible!

"Hahahaha! Brat, your sword is useless against me!"

Bart laughed wildly. His fist had not suffered the slightest damage!

"Is that so?" Lin Feng sneered. "Not necessarily!"

"Sun Breathing, Fourth Form: Fake Rainbow!"

Lin Feng's figure vanished instantly. The next moment, he appeared behind Bart.

"One Sword Style: Iai Slash!"

An even sharper blade flash streaked out, slashing toward Bart's back.

Clang!

Another deafening metallic clash rang out.

A shallow white mark appeared on Bart's back.

"Interesting. You can actually hurt me." Bart turned to look at Lin Feng. "But that's all you can do!"

"Steel Body: Hardening!"

Bart roared, and a layer of black luster appeared across his body!

Bart's defense had risen to another level!

"Armament Haki?" Lin Feng frowned.

"But your Armament Haki doesn't seem very strong." Lin Feng smiled.

Bart's Armament Haki was far inferior to Onigumo's.

"Hmph. It's more than enough to deal with you!"

Bart snorted and swung his fist at Lin Feng again.

"Sun Breathing: Eighth Form: Raging Sun Red Mirror!"

Lin Feng swung Frost Gale, and crimson blade flashes streaked out one after another, continuously colliding with Bart's fists.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The sound of metal striking metal rang out without end.

Their battle grew fiercer and fiercer, until the entire underground space was filled with blade flashes and fist shadows.

As Lin Feng fought, he observed Bart's movements. This big guy's defense may be incredible, but speed is his weakness.

And although his Armament Haki can improve his defense, it doesn't seem like he can maintain it for long.

As long as I concentrate my attacks on one spot, I can definitely break through his defense!

Lin Feng silently concluded, having already found Bart's weakness.

"Sun Breathing: Ninth Form: Glorious Radiance!"

Lin Feng suddenly shouted, and his figure vanished in an instant.

The next moment, Lin Feng appeared above Bart's head, Frost Gale in his hand shining with a dazzling light.

"What?!"

Bart was shocked. He had not expected Lin Feng to be so fast!

He wanted to evade, but it was already too late.

"Break!"

Lin Feng roared, bringing Frost Gale down viciously onto Bart's shoulder.

Splat!

Blood sprayed into the air!

A wound deep enough to expose bone appeared on Bart's shoulder!

"Argh!"

Bart cried out miserably, losing his balance and crashing heavily to the ground with a dull thud.

"You... you actually broke through my defense?!"

Bart clutched his shoulder and stared at Lin Feng.

"Huff... huff..."

Lin Feng stood where he was, breathing heavily.

Sun Breathing: Ninth Form: Glorious Radiance was immensely powerful, but its cost was just as immense.

"Your defense really is strong, but it's still not strong enough!"

Lin Feng looked at Bart.

"Who... who exactly are you?!"

Bart struggled to his feet and looked at Lin Feng.

"My name is Lin Feng. I'm a pirate."

The corners of Lin Feng's mouth lifted slightly, his eyes carrying an unrestrained, carefree air.

"You... why did you come here?!"

Bart's voice trembled slightly as he stared fixedly at Lin Feng, as if trying to read something from his face.

"What does why I came here have to do with you?"

Lin Feng raised a brow in reply, his tone carrying a hint of provocation.

"You... were you sent by the Marines?!"

Bart suddenly demanded loudly, his body tensing like a beast ready to pounce.

"The Marines?" Lin Feng frowned, keenly sensing Bart's emotional shift. "You think I'm with the Marines?"

"Hmph. Other than the Marines, who else would come looking for a discarded failure like me?"

Bart snorted, his eyes dimming. A self-mocking smile appeared on his lips, his voice filled with anger and desolation.

"A discarded failure?"

Lin Feng's heart stirred as he caught the key information in Bart's words. "What do you mean by that?"

"Hmph. You don't need to know!"

Bart abruptly turned his head away as if he did not want to say anything more, but his fists clenched tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force.

"My name is Bart Romanov."

After a long silence, Bart finally spoke again. His voice was low and hoarse, every word seeming to be squeezed out from the depths of his throat.

"I was once... the Marines' secret weapon."

"The Marines' secret weapon?"

Lin Feng's pupils narrowed slightly, and his heart churned. That information made him think of many things.