Just as Vice Admiral Cuckoo, positioned on high ground, was about to pull the trigger, a dazzling light erupted ahead. Her Observation Haki sounded a warning, and she took immediate evasive action.
-Soru.
An immensely powerful torrent of molten gold pierced the spot Cuckoo had just occupied. A small portion of her Justice Coat's hem was caught in it and reduced to ash, while the platform she had stood on vanished entirely.
At the sight of that astonishing power, Cuckoo used Geppo repeatedly in midair, escaping the area of searing splashes.
Although Tesoro's own strength was still far from monstrous, here in Gran Tesoro, with its vast quantities of gold, he was unquestionably on the level of a Shichibukai.
"Where are you looking?!"
Gion kicked off the air repeatedly, catching up to Tesoro atop the giant golden python.
She swung Kompira, slicing the python into several pieces in an instant. But the gold immediately reshaped itself, and one piece pulled Tesoro away like a living tentacle.
The other enormous chunks of gold "burst," becoming a fiery rain of molten gold. A barrage of scorching meteors covered most of the area around Gion.
In terms of mobility, even Gion's Geppo could not match the torrents of gold controlled by the Gold-Gold Fruit.
In raw strength, Vice Admiral Momousagi surpassed Tesoro. The problem was that this was Gild Tesoro's home turf.
One careless moment, and Tesoro would disengage to reinforce another battlefield or attack Cuckoo as she fired from cover.
Facing the fiery rain, Gion's gaze sharpened. She held Kompira upright before her, coating it in powerful Haki. The blade trembled slightly, letting out a clear hum.
"Out of my way!"
In an instant, countless pink Flying Slashes flashed and darted through the golden downpour.
Sharp metallic clinks rang out in a