Chapter 214: God-Speed vs. God-Speed

The lazy tone reached Xiang Gaowen's ears just as the light sword in the yellow ape's hand had already sliced past his cheek.

Hiss!

Sparks flew off the battle armor-reinforced dragon scales, accompanied by specks of crimson blood.

Broke through your defense?

Xiang Gaowen's pupils contracted sharply.

He had personally tested the battle armor's defensive capability before — it was absolutely no weaker than Jin's racial innate ability, and even more well-rounded.

Earlier, when the slash augmented with Conqueror's Haki from the golden lion had broken through, Xiang Gaowen could still understand it.

But being broken through by the yellow ape's light sword now was completely beyond his expectations.

How did he do it?!

The only answer he got was the yellow ape's even faster slash — golden light streaking across the ground, and in the blink of an eye, it slashed toward Xiang Gaowen once more!

"Kid, when your opponent is an Admiral of the Navy, you don't have that much time left to think~"

"Clang!"

Xiang Gaowen raised his hand to block the yellow ape's slash, but the latter retreated on contact, and in an instant transformed once more into a laser beam shooting forth.

For a moment.

Golden light crisscrossed the entire desert, nearly more dazzling than the sun in the sky.

Even though Xiang Gaowen's Observation Haki had already reached the point where he could foresee several seconds into the future, he was still rather hard-pressed for a time, with quite a few wounds left on his body.

Though, with the augmentation of three physique traits, these minor wounds wouldn't affect his combat ability at all.

But the key was that the more Xiang Gaowen watched the yellow ape's fighting style, the more familiar it seemed.

Using speed advantage to constantly seize the initiative and attack, then retreating on contact, never giving the opponent any chance to lock in — isn't this the classic combo of God-Speed Instant Step plus Extreme Soldier Armor Break that I used to use?

At this moment, Xiang Gaowen couldn't even sympathize with his past self.

Disgusting, truly disgusting.

If relying on abilities excessively could achieve this level, then I want this ability too!

Xiang Gaowen couldn't help but complain in his heart, his arm instinctively rising to block the yellow ape's slash, yet the force on the light sword still sent him flying back dozens of meters, his blood and qi churning within his abdomen.

"You should see it clearly now, right?"

After one strike, the yellow ape stopped moving, standing to one side calm and composed, his tone still as indifferent as at the very beginning.

The light sword in his hand was still emitting restless buzzing sounds.

"Even for a monster-strong newcomer like you, there's still some way to go before you can fight me."

Xiang Gaowen stuck out his tongue and licked his lips, fighting spirit rising in his eyes.

He naturally knew.

Although he was already in the top tier of fighters below the Emperor level, and quite possibly the strongest among them.

There was still an enormous gap between him and the true Emperor level.

Earlier, facing a golden lion who was already on his last legs, he had nearly suffered a crushing defeat; the result of grinding against the yellow ape would only be worse.

But now that this battle had reached this point, Xiang Gaowen had also seen it clearly.

The yellow ape bore no ill intent — at least no ill intent to cut him down on the spot here.

And for Xiang Gaowen, whose sole aim was to farm Conqueror's Haki experience, this was enough!

"Instant Step — Fang Flash!"

Xiang Gaowen roared, Instant Step activated, blasting apart the yellow sand beneath his feet, his entire body shooting toward the yellow ape like a streak of crimson light.

"What a hassle~"

The yellow ape sighed, looking at Xiang Gaowen in the distance with an excited face — at this moment, he was already somewhat regretting why he had taken on this troublesome job in the first place.

Especially after seeing the wounds on Xiang Gaowen's body that were already gradually healing.

Tough!

Absurdly tough!

The yellow ape had crossed swords with every notable powerhouse on this sea, and among them naturally were those who could easily suppress, or even crush, Xiang Gaowen.

He himself could even do so.

But in terms of pure defense reaching Xiang Gaowen's level, the yellow ape could only think of a handful of names off the top of his head.

These people were either existences known as Emperors of the Sea in the New World, or legends who had once dominated an era, or Admirals and Fleet Admiral within the Navy.

Monster!

Unlike the seemingly complimentary yet actually mocking tone used for the monstrous new generation that had burst into the New World.

At this moment, that word genuinely surfaced in the yellow ape's mind.

At this age, even Sakaski, or even Red-Hair, couldn't reach this level!

If this guy were left unchecked, in the future he would absolutely have the potential to become an Emperor of the Sea!

For a brief moment, the yellow ape truly felt the urge to kill, but ultimately forcibly suppressed it.

After all, whether it was the title of Warlord on Xiang Gaowen, Zephyr's excessive regard for him, or that sliver of curiosity in his own heart, none of them allowed the yellow ape to cut Xiang Gaowen down here!

In that case…

As Xiang Gaowen's incoming blade-light drew near, the yellow ape moved in an instant — yet striking later and arriving first, his light sword delivered a horizontal slash that landed on Xiang Gaowen's chest.

Hiss!

Blood sprayed out, Xiang Gaowen's figure instantly flew backward, but the instant his feet touched the yellow sand, he borrowed the force and once again swung his blade to charge at the yellow ape.

Under the double defense of battle armor and Conqueror's Haki, though the yellow ape's slash broke through Xiang Gaowen's defense, it didn't impair his mobility, and instead made him even more bloodthirsty.

The yellow ape's face still bore a smile that looked relaxed and carefree, yet was utterly infuriating to his opponent.

The light sword in his hand danced, clashing with Xiang Gaowen midair.

Ding!

Ding!

Ding!

One red, one gold; two figures.

The same God-Speed Thrust technique crossed repeatedly in midair.

Golden lasers scattered, continuously triggering explosions.

Silvery blade light shattered, scattering flying blades that nearly sliced open the entire desert!

Waves of fierce combat erupted completely at this moment!

Hiss!

Hiss!

Hiss!

Streaks of blood continuously appeared around Xiang Gaowen's body, even emitting a nauseating scent of scorched flesh and blood.

Yet amidst such intense fighting—no, amidst a battle where he was nearly completely suppressed by Kizaru—Xiang Gaowen's eyes grew increasingly bright.

Haki born from conviction granted Xiang Gaowen feedback at this moment.

He gradually sensed the flow of Conqueror's Haki, though fully mastering it still remained some distance away.

But Xiang Gaowen's Conqueror's Haki, currently nearing level 3, was still too weak; in such a battle, it proved far less practical than Armament Haki.

Yet this sudden realization made Xiang Gaowen understand: perhaps he didn't need to rely on the System's abilities to master Conqueror's Haki Infusion!

Then, regarding the branch abilities provided by the System, he could choose more precious options.

Boom!

After another collision, Kizaru stabilized his form in midair, raised his palm, and condensed countless lasers in the air, raining them down upon Xiang Gaowen...

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

The explosions nearly covered the entire desert, and the shockwaves kicked up sand and dust that filled the sky.

Wild winds howled.

The clouds high above scattered at this very moment.

Xiang Gaowen, his body charred black, suddenly darted out from the flames, his long blade clashing against Kizaru's light sword!

The battle between the two continued until late night.

Near-endless bursts of Soru and releases of Haki left even Kizaru sweating, standing in place and panting heavily.

Xiang Gaowen, nearby, lay utterly limp upon the gravel, his body covered in wounds left by the light sword, the dragon scales covering his surface shattered, with hardly a single patch of intact skin to be found.

"Say~"

"Why go to such lengths?"

Kizaru couldn't help but ask.

He believed the clues he had deliberately left behind had long been noticed by Xiang Gaowen.

But what he couldn't understand was why, under such circumstances, Xiang Gaowen still fought to this extent.

After all, for Xiang Gaowen, whether seizing the chance to retreat or stopping to clarify his opponent's intentions would have been far more correct choices than grinding it out to this degree.

"Who knows?" "Maybe I just wanted to see the gap between me and monsters like you."

"Re—?"

Before he could finish speaking.

Xiang Gaowen paused slightly, a familiar System notification appearing before his eyes:

But Xiang Gaowen's eyes, at this moment, became incomparably bright, for a message from the System echoed within his mind:

"Conqueror's Haki EXP +4403!"

Conqueror's Haki - Lv. 2: 7196/8000 --> Conqueror's Haki - Lv. 3: 3596/15000

"Only a little over four thousand EXP?"

"Still, this battle was different from the previous duel against Shiki; Kizaru held back everywhere, so I faced no great crisis of life and death."

"That makes sense."

!

The next instant.

A wild surge of Conqueror's Haki radiated outward from Xiang Gaowen in all directions.

The raging sand and dust scattered at this moment, moving against the wind to collide with the original sandstorm, even causing turbulent currents.

When that pure impact of will brushed past Kizaru's body, sensing Xiang Gaowen's wild and unsettled Haki, a trace of seriousness appeared in his eyes for the first time tonight.

The question he had previously suppressed once again surfaced in Kizaru's mind.

Should I end this fellow right here?

Astonishing fighting spirit, a Mythical Zoan ability rarer than a Logia, and Conqueror's Haki found in only one out of a million people...

A person possessing all these conditions simultaneously.

In Kizaru's heart, there was only one.

One of the Four Emperors of the New World, the Provincial Military Commander of the Beasts, the World's Strongest Creature, Kaido!

At this very moment, Xiang Gaowen truly bore a certain resemblance to Kaido.

No!

Before looking back on his own actions, Kizaru had reviewed the intelligence regarding Xiang Gaowen, which detailed exactly how Xiang Gaowen had secured the position of Warlord of the Sea step by step within a single year.

The strategic ability subtly revealed therein far surpassed that of Kaido!

This fellow might be even more dangerous than Kaido!

"Ho..."

Sensing the killing intent gradually brewing on Kizaru, Xiang Gaowen curled the corner of his mouth in a cold sneer:

"Having murderous thoughts now?"

"Want to give it a try..."

Whoosh~

The wind and sand of the desert blew up at this moment, bringing a bone-chilling coolness through the deep night.

Kizaru stood in place, lost in thought for a long time.

His lenses reflected the moonlight, making his expression unreadable.

Only the killing intent in the air grew thicker and thicker, yet in an instant, it suddenly dissipated.

"Don't make me sound so dangerous."

"I'm just curious about what kind of man could cause such a massive change in Instructor Zephyr."

"To the point of even questioning the Navy's justice."

"So, was it that old guy who ordered you to act and keep me here?"

Xiang Gaowen snorted with laughter:

"Although I don't know exactly what kind of reform he wants the Navy to make, if that reform still relies on the foundation of the World Government, it will never succeed."

"Mm~"

Kizaru gave a light snort:

"Is it really appropriate to say such things in front of a Navy Admiral?"

"Hah?"

Xiang Gaowen looked up at Kizaru with a teasing gaze.

In reality.

In the original work, until before Egghead Island, although rumors circulated that Kizaru was an undercover agent for the Revolutionary Army, they were ultimately just memes.

But after Oda nearly played his hand openly on Whole Cake Island by having Kizaru deliver food to the Straw Hats, the theory of Kizaru being an undercover agent gained a truly reliable piece of evidence.

Although factors involving Vegapunk might be at play, the fact that he acted according to his own will rather than that of the World Government was evident.

Among the current three Great Generals of the Navy, strong as they are, not a single one is the kind of existence the World Government hopes for—someone who can completely carry out their own will.

Even Akainu cannot achieve this, let alone Kizaru, who has even less possibility.

"Who knows what's going on in your head?"

"That's too much~"

Kizaru raised his hand to push up his glasses and said:

"Instructor Zephyr wants to see you again; it seems he has some questions he wants to ask you, or perhaps something else."

"With the status of a Warlord of the Sea, even if the Navy wants to take action against you, it requires approval from the World Government."

"You need not worry about your safety."

Xiang Gaowen snorted with laughter:

"A soldier telling a thief not to worry about safety? Do you believe that yourself?"

"Oh my~"

Kizaru resumed his usual nonchalant tone, but his words made Xiang Gaowen frown:

"The matters in Alabasta are under my sole control, which means I can write this report however I wish."

"The one manipulating Baroque Works from behind the scenes could be Crocodile, or it could be you!"

"Threatening me?"

Xiang Gaowen stood up, invisible Haki surging around him, looking ready to fight at the slightest disagreement.

Even if he could not defeat Kizaru, he was confident he could escape with ease.

Moreover, the previous incident regarding the Warlords of the Sea had made him realize that the only way to gain recognition from the Navy and the World Government was through one's own powerful strength.

Among all past Warlords of the Sea, even Donquixote Doflamingo and Jinbe, who carried certain diplomatic and conciliatory implications, were no exception, let alone the others.

Blindly yielding in this world will only make people look down on you.

A blade without blood, no matter how sharp, lacks the deterrent power of that splash of crimson.

"Then you can give it a try!"

"If this is the Navy's justice, then I can only say you are rotten to the core."

"However."

Halfway through speaking.

Xiang Gaowen's gaze fell upon Kizaru, and recalling the over five thousand points of Conqueror's Haki experience he had just acquired, he felt a surge of greed.

If he could make Kizaru his experience pack, the speed of his Conqueror's Haki improvement would undergo a qualitative leap.

And although his companions on Xiang Gaowen's ship were within the Bastan Realm, it would still take them several days to reach here, leaving ample time for them to depart.

As long as Xiang Gaowen was not facing a combined assault by more than two Great Generals, even against Kizaru who wielded a divine artifact, he could escape with ease; the risk was not great.

Worth a gamble!

"I can meet that guy here, but there is a condition."

"Speak."

Just as the Huang Yuan breathed a sigh of relief, he heard Xiang Gaowen's next words:

"You will fight me once every day; we stop only when that old fellow arrives."

Recalling the sensation from just moments ago, the Huang Yuan couldn't help but feel his teeth ache.

(End of Chapter)