The wind roared, and the air currents howled.
Two pairs of eyes locked together as a long blade collided with flesh, lightning flashing between them.
Boom!
The ground collapsed again, already devastated beyond recognition.
A few breaths later, Rayleigh shuddered, blood spraying from his mouth. He flew backward and tumbled across the ground.
Pushing his spirit and will to their limits did not mean his body could keep holding out.
River's physique was too formidable. No matter how many times they clashed, his wounds and the internal injuries caused by the shocks vanished instantly.
But Rayleigh could not do the same. His aging body endured every wave of shock unleashed by their immense strength.
"Is it almost over?"
"Time to arrest Dark King Rayleigh!"
Watching from a distance, Akainu narrowed his eyes and strode toward them.
After tumbling nearly a thousand meters across the ground, Rayleigh was covered in bloody wounds. He braced his sword against the ground with his right hand, his whole body trembling.
"Urgh!"
Suddenly, he bent over and coughed up another mouthful of blood.
"I really am old!"
"My body can barely hold out anymore!"
Muttering to himself, Rayleigh slowly rose.
"What a shame."
"I thought I could last longer!"
With a soft sigh, Rayleigh looked down at his sword hand. His body had reached its limit; now, even keeping his grip on the blade took all his strength.
Even his hand was shaking.
The aftershocks from collisions of such tremendous strength naturally demanded an exceptionally tough physique. Even Armament Haki could not guard against those forces at every moment.
Especially since both men's Armament Haki had long since reached an advanced level. Their ryuo could penetrate the surface and attack the body directly.
"If I were still young!"
"I should be able to fight him