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Chapter 272: Cursed Energy and Breathing Styles! The Clash of New and Old Powers
The sea wind howled, curling up a thousand layers of waves that smashed ruthlessly against the desolate island's reefs. The air was thick with the salty tang of the ocean and the explosive scent of gunpowder, ready to ignite at the slightest spark.
Vice Admiral Doberman's saber pointed straight at Yasopp. The pitch-black, eerie aura on the blade writhed slowly like a living creature.
It was Cursed Energy.
Power condensed from negative emotions, originating from the world of Jujutsu Kaisen!
A cruel smile surfaced on Doberman's scar-ridden face.
"Yasopp."
"The world calls you the number one sniper."
"But in my eyes, you're nothing more than a coward who hides in the distance and fires potshots!"
"What's wrong?"
"Afraid to draw your gun?"
"Or are you afraid your bullets won't even scratch my skin?!"
Provocation!
Naked contempt!
Faced with Doberman's insult, practically pointing at his nose, Yasopp hadn't even spoken yet when the Red Hair Pirates behind him exploded.
"Pfft-hahahahaha!"
Lucky Roux laughed so hard the chicken leg in his hand nearly fell off, his fat trembling. He slapped Yasopp's shoulder heavily while laughing, nearly pounding the sniper into the ground.
"Hey, hey, hey! Yasopp!"
"Did you hear that? Did you hear that?!"
"He called you a coward!"
"Oh my, oh my, this is too embarrassing!"
"A dignified officer of the Red Hair Pirates, pointed at and called too scared to draw his gun by a Marine Vice Admiral!"
Benn Beckman stood beside them. Though he didn't laugh out loud, the corner of his mouth hooked into a teasing arc. He blew out a smoke ring and slowly twisted the knife.
"Seems you've been too low-key lately, Yasopp."
"Even an old dog thinks he can take a bite out of you."
"You're being looked down on, brother."
Even Captain Shanks wore a look that said he wouldn't mind if the chaos got bigger. Sitting cross-legged on a large rock, chin resting on one hand, he shouted with a grin:
"Yasopp!"
"If you lose, you're sitting at the kids' table at the next banquet!"
"Don't embarrass the Red Hair Pirates!"
Listening to the jeering of his "friends" behind him, black lines formed on Yasopp's forehead.
These bastards! Usually, they act like brothers, but the moment something happens, they're all just here for the laughs!
"Sigh..."
Yasopp sighed helplessly. He adjusted the goggles on his forehead and lazily took two steps forward.
He stood opposite Doberman. The distance between them was less than ten meters.
For a sniper, this was practically point-blank range!
"I say, Vice Admiral."
Yasopp lifted his eyelids. Those eyes, usually filled with laughter, were now filled with icy indifference. Like a hunter gazing at prey that didn't know it was already dead.
"Do you have some misunderstanding about the profession of a sniper?"
"Who told you..."
"That snipers can't fight in close quarters?"
Before his voice even faded!
Yasopp's wrist flicked violently!
Fast!
Inconceivably fast!
No one even saw how he drew his gun!
Only a deafening BANG was heard!
A pitch-black bullet, wrapped in terrifying Armament Haki, instantly tore through the air! It flew straight for the center of Doberman's forehead!
There was nothing fancy about this shot.
It was just fast! Accurate! Ruthless!
"Hmph!"
Doberman snorted coldly, a flash of disdain in his eyes. He didn't dodge! He didn't even make a move to block!
He simply swung the saber in his hand, wreathed in black-purple Cursed Energy, violently forward!
"Cursed Energy Reinforcement: Slash!"
Vwoom—!
The air seemed to be polluted by some ominous force, emitting a tooth-aching hum! That pitch-black Cursed Energy instantly solidified into a tangible barrier in front of him!
Clang!
The bullet slammed viciously into the Cursed Energy barrier! Sparks flew everywhere!
The Armament Haki bullet, which should have been indestructible, felt like it had slammed into a mass of thick tar! Its speed plummeted!
Finally, just three inches from Doberman's forehead, it lost all momentum and fell to the ground!
"What?!"
The surrounding pirates gasped in unison!
Blocked?!
A shot from that close range was actually blocked by that weird black aura?!
"Is that... the power from that dungeon?"
Marco narrowed his eyes, a heavy look flashing through his dead-fish gaze. He could tell. That black energy wasn't Haki. It was a darker, more negative, yet incredibly resilient energy system!
"Hahahaha!"
Doberman laughed wildly, the killing intent in his eyes surging!
"See that, Yasopp?!"
"This is power!"
"This is the power of the new era... that will crush you remnants of the old era!"
Boom!
The rock beneath Doberman's feet shattered instantly! He transformed into a black blur, rushing straight at Yasopp! The saber in his hand, accompanied by a shrieking wind, chopped down toward his head!
"Die!!!"
...
While Doberman and Yasopp clashed, on the other side, Vice Admiral Onigumo made his move.
He ignored the battle nearby. Instead, chewing on his cigar, he walked with an arrogant swagger straight toward the Whitebeard Pirates' formation.
His long hair, spread out like spider legs, trembled slightly with his breathing.
With every tremor, the surrounding air seemed to vibrate! A strange rhythm emanated from his body.
Inhale... Exhale...
Inhale... Exhale...
That was—a Breathing Style!
Total Concentration Breathing from the world of Demon Slayer!
Onigumo stopped. His sinister eyes looked past everyone, locking firmly onto one person.
"Flower Sword, Vista."
Onigumo's voice was raspy, like sandpaper rubbing together. The six arms behind him, plus his original two hands—a total of eight sabers—pointed simultaneously at the elegant swordsman with the mustache.
"I hear you're one of the world's top swordsmen?"
Onigumo grinned, revealing a mouth full of ghastly white teeth.
"Perfect."
"I learned a Breathing Style in that damn dungeon specifically for cutting people."
"I was just worrying I wouldn't find a good whetstone to test my blade on."
"You..."
"Should be hard enough, right?"
Provocation!
More provocation!
And specifically picking the strongest opponents to provoke! These Marine Vice Admirals had completely lost their minds today!
"Oh my, oh my..."
Vista reached up to stroke his meticulously groomed mustache, an elegant smile on his face. He wasn't angry. On the contrary... he was excited!
His hand slowly rested on his waist. Hanging there was a sword he had just scavenged from a stall, completely dark red in color.
The Infinite Blade—Mugenjin!
From the world of Rurouni Kenshin, the sword of Shishio Makoto! The blade was serrated and capable of absorbing oil to ignite an unquenchable flame!
"A whetstone?"
Vista shook his head with a smile.
"That's a very rude metaphor, Vice Admiral Onigumo."
"However..."
Shing!
A dark red glint flashed!
Mugenjin was unsheathed!
A scorching heat instantly permeated the air! With a slight flick of Vista's wrist, several beautiful rose petals materialized from the sword energy, drifting slowly through the air.
"Perfect timing."
"I also just acquired a fine sword."
"I was just thinking of testing exactly how sharp it is."
Vista's gaze instantly became incredibly sharp! The aura of a Great Swordsman soared into the sky!
"Since you want to play."
"Then I'll keep you company!"
"I hope your eight swords are a bit tougher than your mouth!"
Boom!
Onigumo wasted no words. He suddenly took a deep breath! His lungs expanded violently! Massive amounts of oxygen flooded his blood, strengthening every inch of muscle fiber!
"Total Concentration: Insect Breathing: Modified!"
"Eight Sword Style: Dance of the Poisonous Spider!"
Swish swish swish swish!
Eight sabers swung simultaneously! Like a violent storm, and like an airtight web of death, they instantly enveloped Vista!
...
On the desolate island, two battlefields erupted simultaneously!
Gunshots!
The clash of blades!
Roars of anger!
Explosions!
The sounds resonated through the clouds!
The onlookers stared dumbfounded, their blood boiling!
This was Four Emperors' Officers vs. Marine Headquarters Vice Admirals! A battle of this level was a rare spectacle even in the New World!
═════ To Be Continued ═════
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