"Hiss, hiss, hiss!"
Magma slammed down, instantly melting a stretch of steps. Flames sprang up, and thick smoke billowed into the air.
Sakazuki's gaze sharpened. Facing the man who had already been his opponent twenty years ago, he grew even more wary.
Whether it was speed, strength, Haki, or Taijutsu, River had honed them all to their limits.
For a Logia user like him, River was practically a natural nemesis.
Logia users could attack vast areas and unleash tremendous destructive power, each rivaling a natural disaster. Yet facing a Taijutsu specialist put them under immense pressure.
Once such an opponent got close, things became even more troublesome.
Especially a powerhouse like River, who had pushed his body to its limits.
This opening exchange was only a warm-up, yet Sakazuki already felt the pressure.
When his attack missed, he also lost sight of River.
"Behind me!"
A fierce gust suddenly swept toward him. Sakazuki spun around and swung a magma-clad fist.
"Bam!"
Scalding magma splattered, and a shock wave swept outward as River's fist was blocked.
"No one stands still forever, River!"
"I'm afraid you won't be seeing a repeat of what happened twenty years ago!"
Speaking with a sneer, Sakazuki pulled back and unleashed another flurry of punches.
Magma fists rained toward River, engulfing him in an instant.
"I don't know where your blind confidence comes from!"
"But reality is bound to slap you hard across the face!"
Speaking calmly, River flickered through the tiny gaps between the magma fists.
In the blink of an eye, he reached Akainu, then vanished again.
So fast!
Sakazuki's pupils contracted, and he abruptly looked up.
A fist rapidly filled his vision, crashing down with terrifying force.
"Bam!"
Another dull crash rang out. The steps shattered, leaving a large crater as Sakazuki's head was