Collision of Steel

Boom!

Another fierce collision!

Bart's steel-like body charged wildly like an out-of-control chariot.

Lin Feng, meanwhile, moved like an agile cheetah through the confined space, narrowly evading Bart's attacks.

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

Lin Feng shouted low, suddenly accelerating and turning into an afterimage as he circled behind Bart.

Frost Gale in his hand sliced toward the back of Bart's neck with a sharp whistle through the air!

Clang!

Sparks flew everywhere!

Only a shallow white mark was left on the back of Bart's neck.

"It's useless, brat!"

Bart turned with a savage grin, his fan-sized hand slapping toward Lin Feng's head with a howling gust.

"Soru!"

Lin Feng pushed off hard, vanishing from where he stood and appearing at Bart's side in an instant.

"Geppo!"

Immediately afterward, Lin Feng stepped repeatedly through the air as though strolling through the sky, swiftly closing in on Bart.

"Rankyaku!"

Lin Feng kicked through the air, sending a blue cutting wave tearing through the air toward Bart's waist.

"Steel Body!"

Bart roared, and a layer of black sheen spread across his body as he forcibly withstood the attack.

Clang!

The cutting wave struck Bart's body with a dull impact, but failed to break through his defense.

"The Six Powers? You've got some skill after all!"

Bart grinned, a flash of excitement appearing in his eyes.

"But with just that, you still can't hurt me!"

"Is that so?"

The corners of Lin Feng's mouth rose slightly in an amused smile.

"Armament Haki: Hardening!"

Lin Feng called out softly, and his right arm was instantly covered in a layer of black Armament Haki.

"Sun Breathing Form Sun!"

Lin Feng vanished once more. The next moment, he appeared before Bart, his Armament Haki-clad fist smashing viciously into Bart's chest.

Boom!

A tremendous crash rang out!

Bart flew backward like a kite with its string cut, slamming heavily into the stone wall.

Pfft!

Bart spat out a mouthful of blood, and his face turned pale.

"You... you actually possess Armament Haki too?!"

Bart clutched his chest and stared at Lin Feng in disbelief.

"Is that strange?"

Lin Feng shook out his hand and spoke calmly.

"Aren't you the captain of the Whitebeard Pirates' 17th Division? I heard that old man Whitebeard hates the Marines most of all. How can you use Marine techniques?"

Bart struggled to his feet, his eyes full of confusion.

"Who told you pirates can't use Marine techniques?"

Lin Feng countered.

"The old man may be powerful, but all he taught was his own style. I figured these techniques out myself. After all, what suits you is best, wouldn't you say, big guy?"

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

Bart's voice trembled slightly. He found himself increasingly unable to see through the young man before him.

"Didn't I tell you? My name is Lin Feng, and I'm a pirate."

Lin Feng smiled.

"As for why I know these techniques, there's no need for you to know."

"Hmph! No matter who you are, don't even think about leaving here alive today!"

Bart roared and charged at Lin Feng again.

"Steel Body Fist!"

Bart's fist became covered in a thick layer of steel as it smashed toward Lin Feng with an aura that threatened to destroy everything.

"Good!"

Lin Feng neither dodged nor retreated, swinging Frost Gale to meet the blow.

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

Scarlet blade flashes streaked out one after another, continuously clashing with Bart's iron fist.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The ringing of metal against metal echoed without end as sparks scattered in every direction.

Their battle fell into a stalemate once again.

Bart's defense was astonishing. Though Lin Feng's attacks were fierce, they still could not inflict fatal damage on him.

Meanwhile, Lin Feng's speed and reactions far surpassed Bart's. Bart's attacks were ferocious, but he could never land a hit on Lin Feng.

This big guy really is troublesome!

Lin Feng fought while thinking to himself.

But his weakness is obvious too.

He's too slow, and his Armament Haki doesn't seem capable of lasting for long.

As long as I keep wearing him down, I'll definitely find an opportunity to defeat him!

Lin Feng silently formulated his strategy.

"Brat, are you only capable of dodging around like a rat?!"

Unable to gain the upper hand after so long, Bart grew increasingly irritated.

"If you've got the guts, face me head-on!"

"Face you head-on?"

Hearing that, the corners of Lin Feng's mouth lifted slightly.

"Fine. As you wish!"

"Sun Breathing: Full Concentration: Constant!"

Lin Feng called out softly, and the air around him began to distort.

An invisible wave of force spread outward from him in every direction.

"Now, I'm getting serious!"

Lin Feng looked at Bart, his gaze sharpening.

"Come on. Let me see where your limit lies!"

"Hmph, what arrogant boasting!"

Bart roared and charged toward Lin Feng once more.

"Steel Body Storm!"

Bart swung both fists, whipping up a violent hurricane that swept toward Lin Feng.

"Sun Breathing Form Wheel!"

Lin Feng swung Frost Gale, and sharp blade flashes formed an impenetrable net of blades that blocked all of Bart's attacks.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The blade flashes and hurricane collided repeatedly, erupting in deafening roars.

The entire underground space trembled.

That brat can actually block my Steel Storm?!

Bart was utterly shocked.

No, this can't go on. I have to end this quickly!

Bart thought to himself as his stamina rapidly drained away.

"Steel Body Form! This is my trump card. I didn't intend to use it, but since you're so eager to see it, I'll give you an eyeful!"

Bart roared. His body began to shake violently, muscles bulging one after another as his bones crackled. His body actually began to expand, and the metallic sheen on his skin grew brighter and brighter until he finally became a five-meter-tall steel giant!

"This is..."

Lin Feng's pupils contracted. He could sense that Bart's aura had become several times stronger than before!

"Brat, this is my strongest form. Being able to die beneath this move is an honor for you!"

Bart's voice rumbled through the underground space like muffled thunder.

"Steel Fist Strike! Be smashed to pieces!"

Bart raised his enormous fist. Black Armament Haki coiled around it as it came crashing down at Lin Feng with an aura of utter destruction.

"Sun Breathing Form Grace Light!"

Lin Feng did not dare let his guard down and hurriedly unleashed one of his most powerful moves.

He leaped high into the air, Frost Gale shining with a dazzling radiance like a tiny sun. Carrying endless light and heat, it slashed fiercely against Bart's fist.

Boom!

A heaven-shaking explosion erupted!

The entire underground space shook violently, as though it were about to collapse.

Pfft!

Lin Feng spat out blood and flew backward, slamming heavily into the stone wall.

"Cough, cough..."

Lin Feng clutched his chest and coughed twice, a trace of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.

"So... so powerful..."

Lin Feng struggled to his feet and stared at Bart, his eyes filled with shock.

"Hahahaha! Brat, you've lost!"

Bart laughed wildly.

"You really are strong, but you're still too young!"

"Cough, cough... Is that so?"

Lin Feng wiped the blood from his mouth and slowly rose to his feet.

"I haven't lost yet!"

"Oh? What other move do you have? Go on, use it!"

Bart looked at Lin Feng with a flash of disdain in his eyes.

"I'd like to see what else you can pull off!"

"Haa..."

Lin Feng took a deep breath and slowly closed his eyes.

"Bart, do you know something?"

Lin Feng suddenly spoke.

"Haa... You... are actually a very pitiful person."

Lin Feng spoke while catching his breath, a trace of pity in his eyes.

"What did you say?!"

Bart's expression changed, and he demanded angrily.

"The Marines treated you as a weapon. They stripped you of your freedom, your emotions, even your right to be a person. You're like a puppet on strings, manipulated by them however they please. Don't you want to resist?"

Lin Feng spoke slowly, his voice carrying a hint of temptation.

"You... what exactly are you trying to say?!"

Bart's body began to tremble faintly.

"What I'm saying is that your life shouldn't end like this. Do you really want to live forever in the shadow of the past? Don't you want to live for yourself?"

Lin Feng's voice grew more impassioned.

"Bart, join my pirate crew!"

Lin Feng suddenly said, his eyes full of sincerity.

"I know you yearn for freedom and want to escape the shadows of your past. Come on, become my companion. Adventure with me and search for true freedom! I'll show you what real companions are, and what real freedom is!"

"What did you say?!"

Bart's body jolted as he stared at Lin Feng in disbelief.

"You... you actually want me to join your pirate crew?!"

"That's right!" Lin Feng nodded.