Chapter 866: Chapter 528: Martial Arts Tournament, Not Bad So Far (Part 2)
Mihawk’s strength is certainly enough, especially as a Sword Master, his power is truly formidable.
"I’m not interested."
Mihawk tightened his grip on his sword hilt, "I don’t trust anyone, and I’m not interested in serving any Great Pirate. I can achieve a peaceful life on my own."
He indeed had that qualification. At his level of strength, even if he didn’t want to cause trouble, the World Government wouldn’t want to antagonize him if he decided to leave the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
But joining the Seven Warlords of the Sea would save a lot of trouble.
After all, wandering the seas alone would always attract attention, making it difficult to focus on dueling with others.
"Hahaha, joining me doesn’t mean you can’t have peace. In my territory, no one dares to cause trouble," Sage laughed.
"Is that so? It won’t be the same for long, calamity. The stronger your forces, the more eyes will be on you, and that’s not necessarily a good thing," Mihawk said.
Just reading the newspapers made it clear.
The news of him defeating Big Mom was everywhere. It seemed glorious, but the hidden dangers were also significant.
The more powerful Sage became, the more people would target him. This guy was never satisfied. At this rate, it wouldn’t take long before the day came when everyone would band together to go after him.
Living a peaceful life in his territory was unachievable.
Especially if he really joined, the danger level in the eyes of the world would only increase.
It would be better to venture solo.
"Oh? You see it that way... I’m not sure if I should underestimate you or hold you in high regard. Guys like you always have such peculiar personalities."
"We’re the same," Mihawk said. "After all, people are different. I have no interest in the title of the world’s strongest. My only interest is the sword, and right now... you’re dealing with a new threat, aren’t you."
After speaking, he glanced to the other side.
There, turbulent mosaics surged like a tide, beginning to engulf the surroundings, spreading to the island, swallowing up the remaining trees and shipwrecks, as well as the weapons scattered around from the fighting Navy and Pirates.
It’s the power of Awakening!
Barrett had completely disappeared, replaced by these mosaics, frantically merging everything that wasn’t an object. The ground itself was swallowed as the mosaics spread, gradually forming a larger and larger massive body to the side.
"Have you lost your mind? I’ve told you before, massive size is useless against me, and yet you insist on enlarging yourself... Giants only have some innate advantages," Sage shook his head and chuckled while glancing at Mihawk, noticing he had sheathed his Black Blade, turned around, and was leaving.
"Hey, aren’t you afraid I’ll stop you?" Sage asked.
"If I want to leave, no one can stop me, and I’m not your target. You’ve already used me once. I don’t want to accompany you for the rest of your plan either," Mihawk replied without looking back. "Your fighting spirit isn’t strong enough, anyway."
Having completed his plan, Sage’s fighting spirit had indeed dissipated quite a bit.
They’re all Pirates, with no conflicting interests, and it’s true that if anyone could easily be held back, they wouldn’t qualify as a Seven Warlords of the Sea.
They’re all renowned strong individuals, and even if there is a difference in combat power, without deadly combat, there’s not much one can do.
"Heh heh heh..."
Sage wasn’t genuinely interested in eliminating Mihawk and said to him, "I have a feeling you’ll work for me eventually... what you want, only I can achieve."
As he spoke, he didn’t mind Mihawk, who had completely lost interest, and instead looked at the towering figure that kept growing.
"You seem rather relentless, huh? I initially intended to spare you... Seems like you’re not willing, are you? In that case, let’s add something to your fusion."
He gestured with a hand, and a fierce wind roared outward and then inward, sweeping in a massive amount of weapons from who knows where.
Swords, cannons, bullets, shells, spears, as they swept in, were swiftly launched by him. During their flight, these objects expanded a hundredfold, all merging into the towering figure.
Though a hundredfold size was due to his ability, the material conditions were real too. From a fusion perspective, one was definitely stronger than a hundred, enhancing Barrett’s merged body even more.
The massive body grew ever larger, eventually forming into a colossal human-like figure, over one hundred meters high, without feet, just a giant pillar, with a head on top, and two huge hands grasping upward, roaring like a bull to the heavens.
The body emitted a metallic sheen, with the amount of steel absorbed surpassing even the land it had fused into.
Such a body could not be harmed by ordinary weapons.
Its immense size, in the eyes of ordinary people, was on a completely different scale.
Like a person-high sword versus a thumbnail-sized sharp object, the inflicted damage was entirely different.
Being big inherently carried a unique kind of defense.
Not to mention, with all these weapons absorbed, his body had greater hardness than Big Mom’s ’Steel Balloon.’
Moreover...
Like patterns blossoming, dark blue patterns surged along the arm of the massive figure, forming Haki coverage. The giant fist, like a meteor descending from the sky, swung fiercely toward the space above Sage.
The massive area made it difficult for Sage to dodge.
This was Barrett’s full force.
He wanted to settle the outcome with this move!
"Come on! Calamity!!"
The towering figure roared out Barrett’s voice.
Merged into this body, Barrett was suddenly reminded of scenes in his mind.
Being betrayed in his youth, bearing the title of war criminal.
Later joining Roger, recognizing Roger’s strength, yet feeling lost due to his illness.
After failing to challenge Roger, he left the Pirates and wandered alone.
And then was captured.
He couldn’t understand; he didn’t comprehend...
Clearly, Roger possessed everything, so why would he still die?
And then he realized.
Only individual might is the strongest!
"The title of the strongest in the world can only belong to me!!"
With an unstoppable momentum, Barrett’s fist crashed down.
His arm, filled with patterns, glowed again, entirely focusing on a single point, directly covering Sage’s area rather than being used evenly.
"Good move, knowing that dispersing your Haki is useless against me. This form is stronger than your physique, but dodging is easy as long as I want to..."
Sage raised both hands, with black and red lightning crackling around. He gazed at the mountain-like descending fist, baring his teeth: "But there’s no need for that. I’m not a coward! Fist against fist, power against power, I’ll personally crush you!!"
Clasping his hands together, he shifted his stance, sending his body surging upward, directly striking upward.
"Great Red Flame!!!"
A technique of the same power as before clashed with that concentrated Haki, and in an instant, the black and red flash pierced through the mountain-like fist, exploding the entire arm.
"Another strike!"
Sage followed the shattered arm upward, clasping his hands again, delivering another blow to the massive figure’s chest, creating a huge hole, completely penetrating it.
Steel?
Such a thing was nothing before the Secret Hole!
As he had said, it was just a target!
Taking two hits, the huge figure visibly swayed, as though the ground was shaking.
The remaining body also showed signs of crumbling.
He couldn’t sustain it with just these two hits.
"I..."
Barrett gritted his teeth, wanting to continue using his power. But as Sage stepped on the air beneath him, rising higher, he pointed a finger skyward.
In the dim sky, a suddenly bright star appeared in Barrett’s eyes, exuding a sense of death...
"You? Your Death Star is shining! Great Red Flame!!!"
The black and red flash, maintaining the same power as before, pierced from the top through, completely shattering the massive form.
Like a collapsing mountain, countless fragments of debris and iron fell, revealing Barrett’s body, left standing like a statue.
Sage descended to the ground, not looking at him, and turned to leave.
"This martial arts tournament wasn’t bad..." he laughed. "Thanks for participating, Barrett."
"Not killing me?" Barrett said hoarsely.
"No... you’re already dead."
Whoosh...
A gentle breeze blew, stirring Barrett’s scattered golden hair, like dust on the ground, causing his body to crumble into ashes, dispersing into the air.
