Golden Lion now bore far more wounds than the one Fujitora had inflicted when he had let his guard down earlier. Yet above his blood-soaked body, his face brimmed with fighting spirit.
Fujitora, standing opposite him, was hardly any better off. The justice coat on his back had long since been discarded somewhere, and his purple kimono was in tatters. Through its many slashes, wounds could be seen bleeding steadily.
At Golden Lion's words, an excited smile appeared on Fujitora's scarred face, and he replied in a low voice.
"You are very strong as well, Golden Lion."
Golden Lion raised his hand slightly. On the battlefield between them, already mangled beyond recognition by their earlier fighting, another ferocious lion appeared. It faced Fujitora, openly baring its fangs.
"Come to think of it, your ability seems to be an advanced version of mine."
Golden Lion spoke in a low voice, a teasing expression appearing on his face.
Fujitora paused at his words, but still answered stiffly.
"In theory, yes, Golden Lion. My Press-Press Fruit is indeed an advanced form of your Float-Float Fruit."
"Yet I can only barely hold my own against you. My training is still inadequate."
Fujitora was quite humble, but Golden Lion scoffed at his words.
"Hold your own? You've got some nerve saying that."
Golden Lion swept his large hand sharply toward Fujitora, and the ferocious lion that had been waiting behind him immediately charged with a roar.
Sensing Golden Lion's sudden attack, Fujitora's expression grew solemn. His hand tightened around the Cane Sword at his waist, and the pressure throughout the area abruptly surged. In an instant, Golden Lion felt an enormous weight bearing down on his shoulders, as though it would force him back to the ground!
As Golden Lion's ferocious lion charged toward Fujitora,