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Oni's kick tore through the air after him, slicing open the armor on the knight's back.
Blood scattered, but the pegasus folded its wings and became a straight-flying arrow.
The knight lowered his body, his lance, torso, and mount forming a single sharp line-all his concentration locked onto the figure before the throne.
The instant his speed broke the sound barrier, all his kinetic energy abruptly dissipated.
Two fingers rested against the spearhead.
Gan Fall froze in midair, cold sweat sliding down his temple.
The sound of the pegasus's wings, his own heavy breathing, and the faint vibration of metal transmitted through his fingertips were all extraordinarily clear at that moment.
Rossi looked up at him without moving his fingers.
"Passable."
The instant fingertips touched his ankle, a cold weakness crept up through his skin.
Rossi lowered his gaze.
A half-grown child lay in a pool of blood, his ribs caved in, yet the corners of his mouth curved upward.
The boy's five fingers gripped his ankle tightly, the grayish-white stone ring in his palm giving off an aura that Devil Fruit users loathed.
"I bet right."
The boy forced the words out between gasps, each one flecked with bloody foam.
He had seen too many Devil Fruit users from the Blue Sea. Seastone always made them lose their strength instantly.
Although he did not know what Devil Fruit power the man before him possessed, for now-this was enough.
He suddenly sprang up, his broken arms hanging limply, and drove his shoulder against the man's abdomen.
The Dial hidden in his palm pressed against him, the fine patterns on its shell beginning to glow.
"Reject."
There was no roar, only two calmly spoken syllables.
Then the world exploded.
Centered on the throne built of gold, the air compressed into