Now, after Renji's finishing blows, there was nothing left of Linlin.
Boom!
Another fierce collision sounded. This time, Miguel's elbow strike and Katakuri's Spiky Mochi Heavy Punch landed on each other simultaneously.
Clang!
With a dull, metallic clang, both Miguel and Katakuri suffered immense damage, spitting blood as they were sent flying backward into a building.
"What?!"
"Katakuri-nii-san was sent flying again?"
"What kind of joke is this? Is this Marine Captain also a monster?"
"Hold on, Katakuri-nii-san! Persistence is victory!"
"Once Mama returns, all problems and enemies will be resolved."
The pirates, who had been watching the entire battle in shock, no longer held an absolute belief in Katakuri's victory. Katakuri's invincible image, which he had held for so long, was now gradually crumbling.
"And there's that Admiral watching from who-knows-where. Now we can only rely on Mama."
"Only Mama can deal with an Admiral."
"This is impossible! How could you learn so much during a battle?" Katakuri slowly stood up, panting heavily, his eyes filled with extreme solemnity.
He no longer underestimated the man before him and had regained his composure, bringing out his strongest state. Yet, even so, he still couldn't defeat this Miguel.
Not only had he failed to defeat him, but Katakuri could clearly sense that Miguel was now in no way weaker than him.
Besides Admiral Seiryu, had Marine produced another person like this?!
Looking at Miguel, who was also slowly standing up, Katakuri couldn't help but ask, "Who taught you your fighting style?!"
"That would be my boss, Renji."
Miguel wiped the blood from the corner of his lips, swaying as he resumed his fighting stance. His Haki, far from weakening after such high-intensity combat, had actually become even more solid and powerful.
Miguel's eyes showed confidence. "What, has your Observation Haki already shown you your defeat?!"
Crack!
Miguel rubbed his arm, then re-gathered Armament Haki.
"Or have you already decided how you're going to make your exit?"
"Heh heh. I will never lose!" Katakuri looked at his opponent, his blood surging.
He, too, had his pride. To protect his younger siblings, he had trained diligently, never dropping his facade for ten years, not even for a moment of slack. That was why he was known as the invincible Katakuri.
How could his undefeated legend end today?
For his family, Katakuri was determined to be perfect.
Boom!
A furious Haki was released.
Katakuri stomped his leg down fiercely, the terrifying force shattering and caving in the ground.
His eyes were resolute. He had decided not to drag this out any longer.
Before this Marine could become even stronger, he would use his most powerful attack to instantly kill him with one blow.
Under Katakuri's control, his Mochi arms rapidly expanded, transforming into the shape of a spiked club with the most flexible mochi form.
"It's here! It's Katakuri-nii-san's ultimate move! Slash, Cut, Mochi!"
"Go, Katakuri-nii-san! Take out this Marine Captain with one blow! You are invincible!"
"Katakuri-nii-san!"
Unlike the others, as the person who understood him best, Brulee clearly knew that Katakuri using this move meant he had been pushed to his absolute limit.
With worry in her eyes, Brulee clenched her frail fingers into a tight fist, silently praying, "You must win, nii-san."
Amidst the rubble and debris, Katakuri raised his arm high, a crimson flash in his eyes. Using Observation Haki, he predicted a brief future. After catching the winning opportunity, he covered his entire arm with maximum Armament Haki, and his arm began to spin at high speed, carrying a momentum like a falling meteor, smashing fiercely towards Miguel.
Betting his undefeated honor, infused with all of Katakuri's Haki, this was his strongest attack, and his ultimate move.
Slash, Cut, Mochi!
Facing Katakuri's powerful killing technique, feeling that immense aura, even before the move landed, Miguel already sensed the threat of death.
In that moment of life and death, Renji's past guidance flashed through his mind.
Recalling Renji's demonstrations of punching techniques and Haki-coating skills, Miguel finally let out a breath, his expression becoming as firm as a rock, and his entire aura suddenly changed.
He was like a towering mountain, unmoving and steadfast, yet when he moved, he was like thunder.
Crack!
Haki sparks burst forth, erupting into tangible lightning-like arcs. Centered around Miguel's elbow, circles of terrifying, monstrous power fluctuations radiated outwards.
Black Flash: Super Elbow Strike!
The next second, Miguel's and Katakuri's most powerful ultimate moves collided fiercely.
Boom!
Terrifyingly immense power surged forth. Visible waves of air, mixed with powerful Haki lightning, raged and danced across the land. The arcs of power that splashed from the collision struck a wall, and the contained force instantly shattered the wall.
Everyone watching the battle held their breath, eagerly anticipating who would be the victor of this final blow.
"Katakuri-nii-san!"
"Such terrifying power... Even if Mama came, her power would probably be similar, wouldn't it?"
"Can Katakuri-nii-san still win?"
Brulee's eyes flickered, but she still offered reassurance, "Don't worry, he'll win. Katakuri-nii-san is an undefeated man."
Buzz!
Black Flash: Super Elbow Strike and Katakuri's Slash, Cut, Mochi were locked in a stalemate. Both sides looked extremely strained, their muscles bulging.
Finally, after several seconds of confrontation, the force generated by their collision suddenly contracted, then exploded with a mighty roar, unleashing an incredibly intense flash of light. The terrifyingly strong wind swallowed everything.
Who would be the ultimate victor of this true men's one-on-one duel?
"Who won?!"
"How is Katakuri-nii-san?"
One pirate shrieked, seeing something, "That Marine Captain is down!"
"This Marine Captain can't get up, doesn't that mean…"
"That's great! Katakuri-nii-san won!"
However, the next second, as the dust cleared on the opposite side to Miguel, Katakuri's appearance came into view of everyone.
His tall body was covered in blood. The fluffy jacket that usually concealed his shark-like mouth was gone, revealing a set of ferocious teeth. He looked both disheveled and menacing.
"This?! Is this Katakuri-nii-san?"
"What's wrong with that mouth? It's so ugly?"
"This isn't Katakuri-nii-san, is it? He must be an imposter, right? How could Katakuri-nii-san be so ugly?"
Under the disbelieving gazes of the pirates, Miguel, who was nearby, struggled and finally stood up.
Looking at the fallen Katakuri, he smiled.
"Huff... It seems I won, Katakuri."
"What nonsense are you talking about?!"
"This guy isn't the invincible Katakuri-nii-san! Fake, it must be fake!"
"That's right, it must be some unknown bastard impersonating him!"
"Katakuri-nii-san is so perfect. He's an undefeated legend, how could he lose to you?"