Roy did not make another move easily.
Akainu is indeed stronger in close combat than in ranged combat. It's not just because he's faster, but more importantly, he has almost no time to charge up his attacks in close combat.
The magma condensed directly from the elementalized parts, and the movements were fluid and seamless. Finding an opening under such circumstances would be extremely difficult for Roy.
But Roy also noticed another detail.
Akainu's attacks were fierce, but he was also continuously expending his Armament Haki and magma energy.
Maintaining high-temperature magma requires stamina, and applying Armament Haki also requires stamina.
Akainu's current strategy is to use his stamina and Haki to buy time, hoping to defeat Roy before his own energy runs out.
Roy's lips curled into a smile.
Want to outlast your opponent?
You've miscalculated.
Roy stopped dodging and went straight at him.
Shusui Water swung his sword with wide, sweeping strokes, each strike imbued with a heavy dose of Armament Haki, leaving trails of black ink in the air.
With Roy's terrifying power amplified, every strike from Black Blade Shusui carried an impact force capable of splitting mountains and shattering rocks.
clang--!!!
The first strike landed on Akainu's forearm, sending lava flying.
clang--!!!
The second slash struck Akainu's shoulder, the Armament Haki Armament Haki clashing against each other, creating a white shockwave.
Ding ding ding--!!!
Three consecutive strikes, each faster and heavier than the last.
Akainu's defenses were forced back step by step, and ripples spread across the lava pool beneath his feet.
He tried to retaliate, but every time the Hell Hound was about to strike, Roy's blade would preemptively block his point of attack.
His Observation Haki, which allows him to foresee the Future Sight, combined with his Telekinesis Domain to control space, nipped Akainu's every counterattack in the bud.
Roy's fighting style is simple: use overwhelming power to confront opponents head-on, use Future Sight to suppress counterattacks, and use absolute speed to control the rhythm.
He wasn't in a hurry to determine a winner; he wanted to see just how long this magma man, known as the "Navy's Supreme Combat Power," could hold out.
As the sixth slash landed, a trickle of blood escaped from the corner of Akainu's mouth.
The Magma-Magma Fruit can indeed transform the body into an element to avoid physical damage, but Roy's sword is wrapped in a thick layer of Armament Haki, a power capable of capturing Logia entities.
Moreover, Roy didn't use swordsmanship; he simply treated Shusui like an iron rod, relying solely on pure strength. However, with the enhancement of Armament Haki, it was enough to penetrate the magma and injure Akainu's body.
Akainu gritted his teeth and forced back the blood that was rising in his throat.
But Roy saw it.
The fleeting glimpse of blood at the corner of Akainu's mouth, the slight movement of his Akainu's apple, and the fleeting shock and anger in Akainu eyes.
"Oh, you're bleeding."
Roy's voice held a hint of amusement.
"Looks like you, a Marine Admiral, aren't all that great after all!"
"Asshole!"
Akainu cursed inwardly. The magma churned more violently around him, distorting his face in its reflection.
While Roy was suppressing Akainu, on another battlefield, Tesoro was leading his allies in an attack on Zephyr.
Zephyr's Black Arm gleamed with a dark luster in the setting sun, a color that could only be revealed when Armament Haki was honed to its extreme.
Zephyr forced back Yamato's spiked club sweep with a punch, blocked Savi's Yamato Giant Ape Impact with his right arm, and kicked away Jesus Burgess's frontal charge with his left foot.
He neutralized all three attacks simultaneously, his movements swift and decisive, without a single wasted effort.
"Too young."
Zephyr's voice was deep as he slammed a backhand punch into Yamato's spiked club.
Yamato staggered back three steps, his hands trembling from the impact, and his feet dug two deep furrows in the ground.
But the next second, she shook her numb arm and rushed forward again.
Savi was struck in the abdomen by Zephyr's elbow, and the ten-meter-tall Giant Ape's body staggered backward.
He only caught his breath; although the spot on his abdomen where he had been hit was throbbing slightly, it didn't affect his movement.
The Giant Ape's strong defense, coupled with Tesoro's occasional attacks that disrupted Zephyr's rhythm, prevented him from unleashing his full power in his heavy blows.
Jesus Burgess went even further, taking a direct hit from Zephyr's Black Arm, sending him flying and crashing through a wall.
But he crawled out of the rubble in less than three breaths, dusted himself off, and grinned. "Hahaha! The old man's fists are still as heavy as ever!"
Zephyr frowned.
These brats' defense and regenerative abilities far exceeded his expectations.
Yamato has the blood of the Oni. Despite being hit by his Black Arm so many times, his arm was swollen all over, yet he was still full of energy.
Savi has the blood of Giant Ape, making him thick-skinned and tough. Although his attacks can cause damage, they cannot kill him in one blow.
Although Jesus Burgess's Strong-Strong Fruit attack method is crude, its ability to withstand blows is equally amazing.
As for the weaker ones like Pea, Kazami, and Bar —they simply don't engage in direct combat.
Pea vines kept sprouting from the ground, wrapping around Zephyr's ankles, knees, and wrists. Although he managed to break free each time, each break free required a moment of his attention.
Kazami's sword strikes are timed to strike when Zephyr takes a breath, and if the attack misses, he immediately flees.
Bar, carrying a large iron ingot, roamed the flanks, ready to shield his wounded comrade from a fatal blow at any moment. What truly troubled Zephyr was Tesoro.
The Devil Fruit User of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit floated on the outer edge of the battle, lightning crackling around him, his eyes fixed intently on Zephyr's every move.
Every time Zephyr was charging up for a fatal blow, Tesoro's lightning would strike precisely, interrupting his rhythm.
Whenever he was about to pursue his seriously injured companion, Tesoro would flash in front of him, his Inazuma speed causing Zephyr's pursuit to repeatedly fail.
Tesoro's attacks had limited effect on Zephyr, but his distraction prevented Zephyr from unleashing his full potential.
Just as Roy had planned, Tesoro was the primary support; this battle wasn't about dealing damage, but about kiting.
"A bunch of brats..." Zephyr gritted his teeth, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
These young people are working together more and more seamlessly, and they are beginning to subtly threaten his safety.
However, due to Tesoro's restraint and the abnormal regenerative abilities of these young people, he was unable to deliver a fatal blow.
What frustrated him even more was that he was unwilling to kill them. Although he needed to silence Akainu for killing Celestial Dragons, Zephyr's belief in "not killing" prevented him from bringing himself to kill these brats.
This is very troublesome.
Without taking decisive action, the situation cannot be broken.
If we can't break this deadlock, we'll just be stuck here being worn down by these little devils.
Meanwhile, Shanks and Garp were locked in a fierce battle.
The sound of Gryphon clashing with Iron Fist echoed throughout the battlefield. Garp's fighting style was expansive and powerful, with every punch and kick carrying the force to split mountains and shatter rocks.
No Devil Fruit powers, no fancy techniques, just the purest iron fist.
But with that terrifying power and speed, every punch was a devastating blow.
Shanks ' Gryphon is also known for his wide-ranging and aggressive style.
His swordsmanship was inherited from Roger, and every strike was upright and honorable.
The sword was wreathed in jet-black Armament Haki, tracing dark lines in the air.
A head-on collision with Garp's iron fist.