On the deck of the Fearless, Kuina and the others watched the battlefield tensely.
"The captain's body has gotten even tougher! He's actually using Whitebeard's tremors to temper his flesh!" Ryan shouted, his eyes filled with disbelief.
"Yes, the cells in his body are constantly being destroyed and reborn. Every time he heals, his muscles become more compact. Only his monstrous constitution could withstand this kind of training," Kuina said softly, resting her hand on Wado Ichimonji's hilt.
"But it's far too dangerous. One slight mistake, and his internal organs could shatter, killing him. The captain is gambling with his life." Bakel watched the center of the battlefield gravely.
"Lorne will definitely win! He's the strongest!" Carrot clenched her little fists and shouted, but she could not hide the worry in her eyes.
"All we can do now is trust the captain and protect this ship." Kuina took a deep breath, her gaze fixed on the center of the battlefield.
At the center of the battlefield, the exchange between Lorne and Whitebeard had reached a fever pitch.
The muscles in Whitebeard's arms bulged as he unleashed his strength without reserve. The white sphere on his blade blazed, and the power of his tremors surged toward Lorne with overwhelming force.
"Air Quake!" Whitebeard slashed, and the space before him shattered like a mirror with a crack. Countless black spatial rifts spread toward Lorne.
Lorne took a deep breath. Battlefield Valor churned furiously within him, golden life energy rushing through his meridians like a great river, rapidly repairing his damaged organs and muscles.
In the brief instant after Whitebeard's previous burst of strength faded, before he could summon another, his old ailments flared up, causing an extremely slight pause in his movements.
Ordinary people could never have noticed that pause, but to