"Is this... a higher realm of Conqueror's Haki Infusion?"
Lorne's gaze sharpened. He could feel the power on Shanks's blade compressing at a terrifying speed.
"Watch closely, Lorne! This is the mettle of one of the Four Emperors!"
Shanks shouted, and his figure vanished in an instant.
So fast!
Lorne's pupils abruptly contracted. In his Observation Haki perception, Shanks's speed had already exceeded the limits of what he could track.
Almost at the very instant Shanks vanished, a thread-thin streak of dark red sword light appeared beside his neck.
There was no raging sword energy, no earth-shattering roar-only absolute speed and absolute sharpness.
"Divine Departure: Instant Slash!"
Lorne had nowhere to dodge. He could clearly feel that the power within this strike was enough to sever his head with ease.
"Come on!"
Lorne roared. At that moment, all the dark golden Grit throughout his body surged wildly toward the side of his neck, forming a thick shield.
At the same time, he thrust both fists out, bringing a sky full of golden lightning straight toward Shanks's chest.
He was going to trade wound for wound!
Clang!
Gryphon's edge slashed hard against the Grit shield at Lorne's neck, producing a piercing screech like fingernails scraping metal.
The Grit shield shattered layer by layer beneath the strike. The blade sliced through Lorne's skin, and blood instantly stained the front of his clothes red.
But at the same time, Lorne's fists had already reached Shanks.
"Crushing Blow!"
Lorne curled his left hand into a claw and violently pulled inward, following through with the motion. A powerful pulling force sprang from thin air, making Shanks's figure falter slightly.
Shanks frowned and withdrew his sword to defend, holding it across his chest.
Boom!
Lorne's right fist slammed squarely into Gryphon's blade, and raging Divine Dragon