Silver Axe slowly rose. Half his helmet had been smashed away, exposing his mouth. He twisted his jaw back toward its proper position.
With a crack, the dislocated bone slipped into place.
He licked the sweet blood from the corner of his mouth.
"Now this is exciting! It's been a long time since I felt like this!"
Silver Axe threw back his head and laughed. Veins bulged along his arms as he gripped his enormous axe and leaped, blasting through successive sound barriers like a cannonball toward the formidable foe before him.
Powerful Armament Haki covered his entire body. His silver armor gleamed more vividly, yet looked more terrifying than ever.
Axe in one hand, shield in the other—this balance of offense and defense was Silver Axe at his strongest.
Though Garp had defeated him by a narrow margin, Silver Axe did not believe he was weaker than Garp.
When his life was not in danger, Silver Axe immersed himself in battle. He enjoyed it.
He knew Garp's background and understood his strength.
Now, however, he was completely serious.
Facing an unknown powerhouse filled him with excitement. That punch, packed with raw power, had set his heart and blood ablaze with fighting spirit.
"Comet Punch!"
As Silver Axe charged, Aiolia used the same move again.
With his sheer speed and strength, Aiolia's attack should have been unstoppable.
Yet, to his shock, Silver Axe raised his shield and blocked the punch with ease.
"Don't get cocky, brat. How far ahead can you see?"
Silver Axe swung the battle-axe in his left hand. Wreathed in Armament Haki and Conqueror's Haki, it slashed hard toward Aiolia's head.
Against the blow Silver Axe had prepared, the defensive barrier Aiolia formed shattered under its terrifying force.
Large pieces of purple crystal broke away in an