The Magic Council Is Destroyed
"Bang!"
"Bang!"
The slashes rained down indiscriminately from above the Magic Council. Makarov swung his right hand, and surging magic power emanated from his five fingertips, transforming into five writhing snakes that lashed and crashed through the air, relentlessly shattering the terrifying slashes that were each ten meters long.
Unfortunately, prolonged defense inevitably leads to defeat.
Whenever Makarov raised his hand, Hughes would swing his legs, sending several slashes through Makarov's body in an instant, landing on the magnificent golden buildings.
"Bang!"
"Bang!"
In no time, the ground where the two were fighting shattered into strips; along with it, the buildings that held special significance also crumbled into pieces and collapsed to the ground with a crash.
Even the giant peak that supports the Magic Council is shaking, causing rocks to fall and trees to topple, as if the earth were collapsing.
Makarov gave Hughes a deep look. The speed at which this kid was getting stronger was truly terrifying. It had only been a few days since they last met, yet he had managed to hold his own against him for so long. If he added his fire abilities, he would be unstoppable.
You'd better beat him up sooner rather than later. If Hughes continues to evolve at this rate, it won't be easy for me to suppress him in a year or two.
Seeing that Hughes was still swinging his legs and creating slashing waves, Makarov simply let his magic surge across his body, allowing the slashing waves to fall on him.
He decided to give up. Since Crawford Him and the others had already escaped, he no longer needed to worry about anything.
After thinking it over, Makarov slammed his foot into the ground, leaping into the air. The entire Magic Council shook violently because of his kick, and a two-meter-wide crack appeared in the ground.
Hughes looked up and saw Makarov's enormous body, comparable to the entire Magic Council, rapidly falling.
As he fell halfway down, his body shimmered with golden light. Suddenly, he spread his arms wide, spinning like a topspinning...
In an instant, magical starlight blotted out the sky, both spreading and coalescing, finally colliding with the transparent slashing waves created by Hughes, and perishing together.
At that moment, the sky above the Magic Council was ablaze with fireworks, the explosions deafening.
"Bang!"
Makarov's massive body crashed to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust and sending stardust flying from his head.
Makarov glanced at Hughes with his enormous, lamp-like eyes, a chilling smile suddenly appearing on his lips, and then beckoned to Hughes.
Hughes clicked his tongue. This old man has quite a few tricks up his sleeve!
"Boy, you're so arrogant, aren't you? I'll see what tricks you have up your sleeve!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Makarov took a step forward and charged straight at Hughes at an extremely fast speed.
When he saw Makarov, who was as large as a mountain, appear in front of him in an instant, his enormous hand, like a fan that blots out the sky, came flying out.
Hughes didn't even dare to think about resisting, and quickly used Shave to teleport out of Makarov's attack range.
"Call!"
Makarov's giant hand swept past Hughes, compressing the air and creating a dull hum. The oncoming wind pressure made Hughes's cheeks twitch.
Seeing that Hughes had dodged his strike, Makarov seized the opportunity and swung his hand back, piercing the air with the back of his hand, sending the unprepared Hughes flying.
"Bang!"
As if struck by a boulder, Hughes crashed through five or six buildings before embedding himself in the steep mountain rocks.
"Cough cough, the old man is indeed someone who can contend with the Black Dragon, his strength is truly formidable!" Hughes, his limbs outstretched and branded onto the mountain rock Hughes, grimaced in pain.
This old man in his eighties is as strong as a monster.
He had just activated Armament Haki and Tekkai, yet Makarov's punch still caused him excruciating pain in his internal organs.
"Kid, don't underestimate this old man!" Makarov grumbled, then clenched his fist, took a long stride, and walked towards Hughes.
If Hughes dares to resist, he'll punch the brat away and then secretly take him back to the guild.
Hughes didn't have time to answer Makarov; he was busy urging Life Return to heal his injuries.
As Makarov's footsteps drew near, Hughes suddenly opened his eyes, transforming into a streak of black light as he broke free from the mountainside. His hard fist, raised high with immense force, slammed into Makarov's abdomen like splitting rocks.
"Bang!"
Completely caught off guard by Hughes's move, Makarov's eyes widened immediately. He bent over like a shrimp, his massive body, comparable to the Magic Council, floating backward in the air. After crashing through several dilapidated buildings behind him, he fell to the ground with a thud, kicking up thick smoke.
"Old man, my punches aren't weak either!" Hughes grinned menacingly at Makarov, who was slowly getting up.
Makarov stood up, clutching his stomach and coughing twice. He spit out the blood and foam from his mouth, his bright eyes fixed intently on Hughes, as if he wanted to devour him alive.
A chilling magical power erupted from Makarov once more, scattering the surrounding dust.
Suddenly, the colossal fist enveloped in deep golden magic reappeared before Hughes. Hughes, who was prepared, stomped his legs on the ground a dozen times in quick succession, and his figure vanished instantly, reappearing behind the gigantic Makarov.
With his powerful legs aimed at Makarov's waist, he kicked out suddenly.
Makarov reacted extremely quickly, using his left hand, which he always used for self-defense, to bend and extend, blocking Hughes's terrifying attack.
Taking advantage of Hughes's weakened state, he bent and extended his left hand, arching it to push Hughes away, and then quickly followed up with his right fist.
"Bang!" Hughes was sent flying again, soaring hundreds of meters through the air before crashing into the only remaining building of the Magic Council.
"Damn it!" Hughes, lying in the ruins, spat out two mouthfuls of blood and cursed angrily.
The difference in practical experience is too great; this old man knows exactly where to attack.
Moreover, the old man only used simple and straightforward moves like punches and palm strikes to fight him, without any fancy moves. It was useless to use Observation Haki to sense his attacks and dodge.
Suddenly, the system notification sound interrupted Hughes's frustration.
[The sixth sub-quest of "Pirate Journey," titled "Destroy the East Blue Marine Base," has been completed, officially activating the epic quest chain "Pirate Journey."]
[Note: Since the reward for this task is calculated based on the amount of work completed, there is no need to actively accept the task.]
Completing one sub-task will improve physical fitness once; completing two sub-tasks will greatly improve physical fitness once; completing three sub-tasks will unlock an additional Devil Fruit Slot...
[Friendly reminder: The first sub-mission objective, "Lord of the Coast," has appeared.]
Ignoring Makarov who was walking towards him, Hughes quickly opened the transparent panel, his gaze landing on the words "Can unlock additional Devil Fruit Slot".
He knew exactly what it was; with it, he could unlock his second Devil Fruit.
The reward can be obtained by completing three sub-tasks. Hughes licked his dry lips. He had already completed one, and the "Lord of the Coast" was almost certainly that person.
Just one more, just one more...
At this moment, the imposing Makarov stopped ten meters away from Hughes and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "This is your final move. If you lose, you are not allowed to have any more thoughts about killing Crawford Himm and the others."