That split-second exchange put World under immense pressure, and fine beads of sweat even broke out on his forehead.
With his speed multiplied several times over, he could cross that distance before even the strongest fighters could react.
Yet his opponent had not only reacted, but had even struck back with tremendous force.
"Hah!"
Taking a deep breath, World shifted his right foot back, pressing a deep footprint into the ground.
The next second, he shot forward, whipping up a fierce wind as he charged at River again.
He pushed the More-More Fruit's power to its limit, his speed surging until his figure almost vanished.
At the same time, Armament Haki covered his entire body, forming a layer of defensive armor and further boosting his strength.
Whoosh!
In the blink of an eye, he appeared behind River. With a low roar, World threw a punch.
At that moment, River stood motionless, as though he had noticed nothing.
Just as the fist was about to hit him, River took a step forward, evading it once again with exquisite precision.
World's punch struck empty air, its impact blasting a massive crater into the ground ahead. Disbelief spread across his face.
"How is that possible?!"
He was certain that ordinary people could never react to his speed. Even someone who had awakened Observation Haki should have fallen short of dodging that blow.
Yet his opponent had evaded it, and the movement he had made in that instant was almost impossible to follow.
"If that's all you can do, you won't be able to touch me, World."
River turned around with a faint smile.
"Damn it!"
"Of course that's not all I can do."
World gritted his teeth.
After taking a deep breath, World lunged forward, changing position to attack with a punch from