"This is quite the headache…"
At this moment, Issho had already sensed the intense, pure fighting spirit radiating from his opponent. A wry smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
The instant he heard the sound of movement ahead, he had already raised the cane gripped tightly in his hand, holding it horizontally across his chest.
At that moment, Will charged forward swiftly, closing the distance and throwing a fierce punch that slammed directly into the cane Issho had raised.
Boom!
A dull impact echoed through the air.
A powerful shockwave erupted from between the two, rapidly spreading outward!
"Hm?!"
Feeling the immense force transmitted through his cane, a flicker of surprise crossed Issho's face.
He immediately stepped back, using the retreat to dissipate the force.
But Will didn't let up. Seeing his chance, he planted his feet firmly and lunged forward, continuing his pursuit.
The moment he caught up, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes. His fists surged forward, unleashing a relentless barrage.
"Ora ora ora ora ora—!!!"
Knowing his opponent's formidable strength, Will didn't hold back, letting his fists fly with unrestrained power.
This, however, put Issho, who was tightly gripping his cane to block, in a tough spot.
Will's relentless, consecutive punches sent overwhelming force through the cane, numbing Issho's hands with each impact.
Boom!
Will's final punch, charged with power, sent Issho staggering back once more.
Yet, instead of pressing the attack, Will paused, his brows furrowing slightly.
"Issho, why aren't you fighting back?"
At those words, a helpless expression spread across Issho's face.
"Your strength is simply too great, sir. I was already struggling to defend myself—where would I find the strength to counterattack?"
Will froze for a moment before letting out a skeptical chuckle.
"Issho, don't give me that nonsense."
"You might fool others, but you can't fool me."
"I've already sensed your true strength from your aura."
"So, Issho, stop hiding. This fight—you can't avoid it!"
"This…" Issho's face betrayed a hint of embarrassment as Will called him out so directly.
He hadn't expected that, despite his careful efforts to conceal his aura, Will had still seen through him.
It was clear the man before him had Observation Haki just as sharp as his own.
With no point in arguing further, Issho's expression grew serious.
"Since Mr. Will is so eager to spar with this old man, I suppose I have no choice but to give it my all!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Issho's right hand swiftly grasped the cane in his left, his thumb gently pushing to reveal a sharp blade hidden within.
What he had been holding wasn't a simple cane for navigation—it was a rare shikomizue, a cane sword!
Then, Issho's previously closed eyes cracked open slightly, revealing a glimpse of white. In an instant, he surged forward, his sword slashing with force.
Clang!!
A sharp metallic screech rang out.
Facing the swift and powerful slash, Will immediately raised his blackened arm to block, sparks flying as the blade met his Haki-coated limb.
"That's more like it, Issho!"
A grin spread across Will's face. He pushed back against the sword with force, then swung a heavy punch forward!
Issho said nothing more. He quickly coated his blade with Armament Haki and countered with a swift slash!
Clang!!
The blackened fist met the blackened blade, accompanied by a piercing metallic screech.
The clash sent another shockwave rippling outward.
As if reaching a silent agreement, neither retreated. Instead, they pressed forward, trading relentless punches and slashes!
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
The continuous, fierce collisions sent sparks scattering through the air.
Even the sand beneath them was whipped up by the shockwaves, swirling into the air.
Noticing he was losing ground in terms of raw power, Issho employed a special technique, redirecting the force from his sword into the sand below.
Boom!
With a muffled thud, the ground beneath him caved in, but Issho avoided being pushed back by the overwhelming force.
Will's eyes gleamed at the sight.
Still, he wasn't satisfied. He stepped back deliberately, halting his attack, and said bluntly, "Issho, if you've got stronger moves, don't hold back. Bring them out."
He patted his chiseled chest confidently. "Don't worry—I can take it!"
"This…" Issho's heart sank, a trace of hesitation surfacing.
Will wasn't his enemy, after all. The man only wanted a friendly spar, his aura devoid of any killing intent.
Moreover, Will had done good deeds in the past—things even Issho hadn't dared to attempt.
This made it difficult for Issho to go all out with his abilities.
But seeing Will's insistence, Issho realized that unless he gave Will a taste of his power, this fight wouldn't end.
After weighing his options, he made up his mind and spoke solemnly. "Please be careful, sir. Stand firm, or you might find yourself in quite an embarrassing situation."
With that, Issho hesitated no longer. He raised his shikomizue horizontally, his brows tightening.
"Hell's Voyage—!!"
With his low, resonant voice, Will suddenly felt an immense weight press down on him, as if several mountains had settled onto his shoulders!
"Is this… gravity?!"
Noticing his knees beginning to buckle, a sharp glint flashed in Will's eyes.
"Demon Back—!!"
Without hesitation, Will activated his ability. The muscles on his back contorted into the shape of a demonic face.
Feeling a surge of strength within, he slowly straightened his knees, standing tall with noticeably more ease.
If not for the trembling sand beneath him and the ground sinking under his feet, no one would have realized the terrifying gravitational force Will was enduring.
"Hm?!"
Issho, still channeling his ability, sensed the change and couldn't help but marvel inwardly.
"Such incredible physical strength and that terrifying willpower… Truly unbelievable."
This was the first time since eating the Gravity-Gravity Fruit that he'd encountered someone who could withstand his gravitational pressure head-on.
After sustaining the gravity for a few more seconds, Issho suddenly stopped, sheathing his sword. He clearly had no intention of continuing the fight.
"Hm?!"
Will felt the weight lift from his body, his breathing suddenly free and unburdened.
But he had no time to savor the relief. Frowning, he said, "Why'd you stop, Issho? Keep going!"
"This…" Issho's face took on a helpless expression as he spoke sincerely.
"Mr. Will, using my Devil Fruit ability consumes a great deal of stamina."
"This fight is unnecessary to begin with. There's no grudge or conflict between us."
"Why don't we call it quits here?"
"Besides, you've just fought one of the Seven Warlords, Crocodile. You must need some rest."
Then, with a slight lift of his brows and a smile, he suggested, "How about this? Let me treat you to a steaming bowl of soba noodles in Rainbase."
"I'm sure you'll love the flavor."
Seeing Issho's earnest offer, Will couldn't bring himself to press for more fighting.
Though he did want to experience that gravitational pressure again—it gave him a rare feeling of his body being truly challenged.
Still, there was no need to rush. A better idea had already formed in his mind.
Relaxing his muscles, Will grinned and nodded. "Alright, lead the way."
"But if the noodles you recommend aren't good, don't blame me for losing it!"
Though Issho wasn't familiar with the expression, he easily grasped Will's meaning and smiled confidently. "Rest assured, Mr. Will. You can trust my taste in soba noodles."
With that, he turned, using his cane to navigate, and headed toward Rainbase at a brisk pace.
Will said nothing more. Hands in his pockets, he walked beside Issho, keeping pace.
The two quickly crossed the desert, returning to the gambling city of Rainbase.
On the city streets, Issho led the way ahead of Will.
After passing through a few streets, he navigated with surprising familiarity, guiding Will to a small alley in the desert city where a modest shop sold soba noodles.
After ordering two oversized bowls of their signature soba, the two found chairs sturdy enough to support their builds.
They sat down together, digging into the steaming, massive bowls of soba delivered promptly by the shop.
Compared to the portions served to regular customers, their bowls looked like washbasins.
Slurp… slurp… slurp…
"Mmm!"
Will, a true foodie at heart, took a few hearty slurps and his eyes lit up. He couldn't help but praise sincerely, "This soba's pretty darn good, Issho."
"To find a gem like this tucked away in an alley—you're something else."
"Heh." Issho quickly swallowed his mouthful of noodles and looked up with a smile.
"Hearing such praise from you puts this old man at ease."
"Otherwise, if the noodles weren't good and you found a reason to 'lose it,' I'd be in quite a bind."
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