Chapter 122: Escape

Smoke and dust slowly dispersed, Will's breathing instantly became rapid, his eyes widened, unable to believe the scene before him.

Sakazuki's figure gradually became clear, his arms crossed over his chest, crimson magma flowing along his arms like boiling magma.

The Wing Blade of God was firmly blocked in front of him, where the blade met his arm, emitting a piercing screeching sound, a scorching breath filling the air.

Will's gaze froze on Sakazuki's arm, where a small wound quietly appeared, a drop of bright red blood slowly seeping out, winding down his arm.

"How is this possible," Will muttered, his voice filled with disbelief. His all-out strike, fused with the terrifying power of two Teigu, actually left only such an insignificant wound on Sakazuki.

At this moment, a sudden sharp pain came from the wound on Will's abdomen, he gritted his teeth, cold sweat beading on his forehead, barely supporting himself not to reveal fatigue.

Relying on the power produced by fusing Teigu only suppressed the injury for a short time; at this moment, that unbearable pain returned, more violent than before.

Sakazuki slowly spoke, his voice low and cold: "Is that all you've got? Truly disappointing."

Will's pupils suddenly contracted, his heart as if ruthlessly clenched by an invisible hand. He had no time to respond, only to see Sakazuki's arm muscles suddenly bulge, veins wriggling like earthworms.

"Hah!"

With a low roar, Sakazuki's arms suddenly pushed upward; in an instant, Will felt an irresistible force coming from below, as if contending with an erupting volcano.

"Not good!" Alarm bells rang loudly in Will's heart.

The Wing Blade of God suddenly shattered under Will's astonished gaze, turning into countless snow-white feathers. These feathers danced in the air, like a sudden blizzard, instantly covering the entire battlefield.

Will had no time to react before that immense force flung him into the air. His body rolled backward like a kite with a broken string, smashing several giant rocks before barely stopping.

"Cough!" Will spat out a mouthful of blood, the wound on his abdomen bursting open again. The intense pain almost tore his consciousness apart.

Will painfully raised his head, through the dancing feathers vaguely seeing Sakazuki's tall figure slowly walking over, each step as if stepping on Will's heart.

His gaze anxiously swept toward Heitong's location, his heartbeat suddenly accelerating. When he saw Heitong's body almost devoid of signs of life, his heart sank, as if ruthlessly pinched.

"No. It can't end like this." Will muttered.

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. His brain raced; Will realized now was not the time for a head-on clash. The situation before him was no longer optimistic; continuing like this would only lead to total annihilation.

"Must take Heitong away." Will gritted his teeth, a glint of determination flashing in his eyes.

Just as Sakazuki was about to walk out of the feather storm, Will suddenly let out a low shout: "God's Feather Sword!"

Before his voice fell, the feathers dancing in the air suddenly paused. The next second, every feather began to emit a cold metallic luster, becoming sharp as blades.

"Hum—"

Sharp blades spun in the air, emitting a sharp whistling sound. Centered on Will, countless feather blades quickly converged, forming a huge sword ball that completely enveloped him.

The surface of the sword ball was densely covered with blades, constantly spinning, emitting a teeth-grating metallic friction sound.

Sakazuki's brow slightly furrowed, his footsteps paused slightly. He looked up at the constantly expanding sword ball, a glint of wariness flashing in his eyes. Will gripped his hands tightly, cold sweat beading on his forehead, he stared fixedly at Sakazuki, his heart pounding like thunder. Every breath tugged at the wound on his abdomen, the intense pain almost tearing his consciousness apart. But he knew this might be the last chance.

Just as Sakazuki took a step, Will's eyes suddenly became sharp.

"Right now!" Will let out a low roar, his arms suddenly spreading wide.

In an instant, the blades on the surface of the sword ball, as if controlled by an invisible hand, turned into streaks of silver light, pouring down toward Sakazuki; the air was torn by countless blades, emitting sharp whistling sounds. Sunlight shone on the flying blades, reflecting heart-piercing cold light. The entire battlefield seemed shrouded in a silver rain of death.

Sakazuki narrowed his eyes, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth. "Just a simple physical attack?"

Before his voice fell, Sakazuki's body suddenly began to twist and deform. His skin quickly turned crimson, emitting scorching heat. The next second, his entire body turned into a mass of boiling magma.

The sharp blades whistled through, but like a mud cow entering the sea, had no effect; every sharp sword blade melted from the high temperature the moment it touched Sakazuki, dissipating into a wisp of light smoke in the air.

Sakazuki's figure flickered, instantly rushing to the front of the sword ball. "Foolish!" he roared, his right fist covered in pitch-black Armament Haki, heavily smashing into the sword ball.

"Boom!"

With a deafening roar, a large hole was instantly melted on the surface of the sword ball, countless blades twisting and deforming under the high temperature.

"Break!" Sakazuki roared, his whole body muscles tensing, delivering another heavy punch.

In an instant, the sword ball was completely pierced through. A thick pillar of magma surged out from the center of the sword ball, like a sky-piercing long spear, rushing straight into the clouds.

With Sakazuki's final strike, the sword ball completely collapsed.

Countless feather blades scattered like shattered glass, drawing streaks of silver light in the air. Smoke and dust gradually dispersed, revealing the inside of the sword ball—empty.

Sakazuki furrowed his brow, his gaze sweeping across the battlefield like lightning. Suddenly, a dazzling white light tore across the horizon, heading straight for Heitong. That light was as fast as lightning, arriving in an instant.

The white light faded, and Will's figure appeared; he held Heitong's emaciated body in one arm, the wings behind him trembling, kicking up a gust of wind. Before Sakazuki could react, Will had turned into a streak of light, rushing toward the distance.

"Will..."

Heitong weakly opened her eyes, her dry lips trembling slightly. She wanted to say something, but could only emit a faint breathy sound.

Will looked down at Heitong in his arms, a glint of heartache flashing in his eyes. He said in a deep voice: "You have done enough..."

Heitong painfully moved her eyeballs, landing on the distant battlefield: "Sailu."

"We must... survive." Will's voice was barely audible, yet filled with determination, "Only by surviving can we avenge them."

"Escape? Just the two of you, and you think you can escape from me?"

Sakazuki slowly walked out of the wreckage of the sword ball; he raised his right hand, crimson magma gathering in his palm, emitting a scorching heat wave.

Suddenly, a strong sense of danger struck; Sakazuki's expression changed slightly, and he abruptly turned around.

(Chapter End)