Battle Against Diamond

"I'll do it!"

A voice rang out, and a burly, powerfully built man stepped forward.

"It's 'Diamond' Jozu!"

"Third Division Commander, 'Diamond' Jozu!"

"This is going to be good!"

Seeing who had come out, the pirates began discussing excitedly.

Lin Feng's gaze fell on Jozu.

The burly man before him was tall and heavily muscled, giving off an indestructible aura.

"You're Lin Feng?"

Jozu looked at Lin Feng, a trace of curiosity flashing in his eyes.

"That's right."

Lin Feng nodded and tightened his grip on Frost Gale.

"I accept your challenge."

Jozu grinned, revealing a row of white teeth.

"However, I won't hold back!"

"That's exactly what I want!"

The corners of Lin Feng's mouth lifted slightly, revealing a faint smile.

"Then let's begin!"

Jozu roared and charged toward Lin Feng.

His speed was completely at odds with his massive build, astonishingly fast.

"So fast!"

Lin Feng's eyes narrowed, and he hurriedly dodged.

"Soru!"

Lin Feng's figure vanished from the spot and appeared behind Jozu.

"Sun Breathing: First Form: Dance!"

Frost Gale in Lin Feng's hand transformed into a streak of cold light and slashed toward Jozu's back.

"Clang!"

The sound of metal striking rang out.

Lin Feng's blade struck Jozu's back, yet failed to cause any damage.

"So this is the power of diamond transformation?"

Lin Feng felt that Jozu's body was even harder than steel.

"Kid, your attacks are useless against me!"

Jozu turned around and looked at Lin Feng with a grin.

Jozu's body had completely transformed into diamond, shimmering with dazzling light.

"Is that so?"

Unwilling to believe it, Lin Feng swung his blade again.

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

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

Lin Feng unleashed one Sun Breathing technique after another, launching a fierce assault on Jozu.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

A series of metallic impacts rang out. Lin Feng's blade struck Jozu's body, yet still could not break through his defenses.

This guy's defense is ridiculously strong.

Lin Feng was secretly shocked. This is the first time I've encountered an opponent with such powerful defenses.

"Kid, give up. Your attacks are useless against me!"

A mocking glint flashed through Jozu's eyes as he looked at Lin Feng.

"That may not be true!"

Lin Feng gritted his teeth. I still have a trump card I haven't used.

"Armament Haki!"

Lin Feng gave a low shout, and a black substance covered Frost Gale's blade.

"Oh? Armament Haki?"

Jozu's eyes narrowed, and his previously relaxed expression turned serious.

This kid mastered Armament Haki so quickly?

Marco and the others were once again stunned by Lin Feng's talent, their faces filled with disbelief.

"Gurarararara! This kid really is a monster!"

Whitebeard could not help laughing loudly, becoming even more pleased with Lin Feng's performance.

"Although he's manifested Armament Haki, Jozu's strength goes far beyond this. If Lin Feng wants to defeat him, he still has a long way to go."

Lin Feng roared and launched another attack at Jozu.

"Sun Breathing: First Form: Dance!"

Wrapped in Armament Haki, Frost Gale slashed toward Jozu with a fierce chill.

"Clang!"

Another metallic impact rang out. Frost Gale, wrapped in Armament Haki, should have been unstoppable.

Yet at this moment, it was like a blunt blade striking Jozu's diamond body. Apart from producing a muffled sound, it had no effect whatsoever.

"How is that possible?"

Lin Feng's eyes widened, filled with disbelief.

He had never expected that even after using Armament Haki, he still would not be able to break through Jozu's defenses.

Is this the strength of a commander-level powerhouse?

Lin Feng thought to himself, I still have a huge gap to bridge before I can match a commander-level powerhouse.

"Kid, give up. Your attacks are useless against me!"

Jozu looked at Lin Feng and said it again.

"I surrender!"

Lin Feng took a deep breath and spoke.

Lin Feng knew he was no match for Jozu. Continuing to fight would only bring him further humiliation.

"Oh? You're surrendering already?"

Jozu looked at Lin Feng in surprise. He had not expected Lin Feng to admit defeat so decisively.

"You're very strong. I'm not your opponent."

Lin Feng spoke calmly.

"But I'll challenge you again!"

"Good! I'll be waiting!"

Jozu grinned.

[Ping! Commander Challenge Progress: 1/3.]

The system's notification rang out in Lin Feng's mind.

Lin Feng lay on the ground and looked up at the sky.

"Lin Feng, are you all right?"

Marco walked over to Lin Feng and asked with concern.

"I'm fine."

Lin Feng shook his head and climbed to his feet.

"You've already done very well."

Marco patted Lin Feng on the shoulder and comforted him.

"Jozu's 'Glint-Glint Fruit' ability gives him top-tier defensive power across the entire sea. Losing to him now isn't shameful. But remember this: true powerhouses all rise from countless failures!"

"I know."

Lin Feng nodded.

"But I'm still a little unwilling to accept it!"

"Your swordsmanship is already consummate, but you still need to put more effort into cultivating your physique. A powerful body is the foundation of everything."

Marco had hit the nail on the head regarding Lin Feng's weakness.

"Physique..." Lin Feng murmured, recalling his battle with Jozu. Every detail surfaced clearly in his mind.

Jozu's diamond-transformed body had been like an impassable wall of bronze and iron. No matter how he swung his blade, he had been unable to shake it in the slightest.

As for himself, merely enduring several of Jozu's attacks had already left him feeling powerless.

"Indeed, my swordsmanship is constantly improving, but my physical strength has become my greatest weakness."

Lin Feng clenched his fists, his nails digging deeply into his flesh and bringing a sharp sting.

"In this world, the physique is the root of everything! Look at those top powerhouses—how many of them don't possess formidable bodies?"

Whitebeard's mountain-like body could shatter the earth with a wave of his hand; Kaido's terrifying defense came from his undying body, while Big Mom possessed a physique like a steel balloon.

The figures of these top powerhouses flashed through Lin Feng's mind one after another, making him even more determined.

"My goal isn't merely to become the world's greatest swordsman. I want to become the strongest existence on this sea!"

"And to achieve that goal, I must possess an equally powerful physique!"

"I'm someone with cheats. How could I let a tiny obstacle like this defeat me?"

The corners of Lin Feng's mouth lifted slightly, revealing a confident smile.

"Marco, thank you for the reminder."

Lin Feng turned to Marco, his eyes filled with gratitude.

"You're welcome. It's enough that you understand." Marco smiled.

"However, improving your physical strength won't be easy. You'll have to put in an effort beyond what ordinary people can imagine."

"I know, but I'm ready." Lin Feng nodded firmly.

"Good! That's the spirit!" Marco looked at Lin Feng approvingly. "If you need any help, just ask."

"Mm, not for now." Lin Feng thought for a moment before saying, "I want to try on my own first."

Lin Feng suddenly grinned, a crafty glint flashing through his eyes.

"I'll challenge you again in a month. I'll give you all a huge surprise!"

"Oh? Is that so?"

Marco looked at Lin Feng, his eyes filled with curiosity.

"Then we'll wait and see!"

Lin Feng laughed loudly and turned to leave the deck.

"Haha, good. I'll be waiting for you in a month!"

Marco watched Lin Feng's departing back and shook his head with a smile.

This kid really was impossible to figure out!

"Gurarararara! This kid is interesting!"

Whitebeard watched Lin Feng's back, a hint of anticipation in his eyes.

"A month from now, what kind of surprise will he bring us?"