The battle continued to rage across the sea. Licky had transformed into a lion fifty meters tall, sprinting through the air using Moonwalk. Because of his immense, bulky size, every step he took on the air required incredible strength, resulting in thunderous explosions and powerful shockwaves. While Licky maneuvered, the shockwaves from his movements struck many combatants below, but Licky ignored them, focused entirely on his target: the gargantuan battleship, Sanjuan Wolf, out at sea.
Sanjuan Wolf was a giant, possessing a body even larger than Oars, making people look like ants in comparison. Licky struggled to find a way to defeat such a behemoth, so he could only rely on his most powerful attacks.
"Roar!" Licky bellowed like a lion king. He lunged, using a Finger Pistol from the Marine Six Styles with his massive claws, aiming straight for Sanjuan Wolf's chest. Wolf did not even bother to dodge, allowing the attack to strike him head-on. There was a loud bang, and while Wolf slid back slightly, Licky was left in tears because his paws throbbed with agonizing pain. Licky had always believed in his own strength, knowing his Finger Pistol could knock even a giant Vice Admiral into the air, but he realized he was fundamentally unable to shake an island-sized opponent.
"Hey, since you are done playing, it is my turn!" Sanjuan Wolf smiled. He swung a slap as massive as a warship, instantly blowing Licky away. The strike generated a violent gust of wind, triggering a small tsunami. The giant's sheer physical power was immense, rivaling even the effects of Whitebeard's Tremor-Tremor Fruit.
Licky flew a great distance before stopping himself with Moonwalk. His four paws began to sweep forward rapidly, launching a barrage of massive Tempest Kicks toward Wolf's head. Below, the fighters watching the two monsters clash felt an urge to flee. Each of Licky's Tempest Kicks was so enormous that one strike could likely cleave half an island in two. However, even more shocking was that Sanjuan Wolf casually caught the Tempest Kicks in his hand and crushed them with ease, even yawning as he did so.
Licky noticed that Wolf's palm had been cut and was bleeding, which brought him a sense of relief; at least his attacks were not entirely useless. Still, he could not formulate a plan to defeat the giant. Being a lion, his limited intellect prevented him from finding a tactical solution, so he could only continue to rush forward with brute force. He was beaten repeatedly by Wolf, and despite becoming covered in scars, his eyes retained the fierce, firm gaze of a true lion king.
"Licky..." Carl felt a pang of concern. Licky had once been the pet of the Buggy Pirates, and Carl had originally intended for him to be a simple mount to ride when he was too lazy to walk. However, Licky had always been competitive, training relentlessly and eventually seizing his own Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit by hand. Licky had proven his strength by confronting a substitute Admiral, working harder than most humans despite being a lion. Carl could not remain indifferent while watching his companion being bullied.
When Licky attempted a headbutt, Sanjuan Wolf pinched him with both hands. Carl grew angry, but Big Mom blocked his path, preventing him from rushing to rescue his pet. Fortunately, Licky was clever; he suddenly shrank his body and slipped out of Wolf's grasp just before he could be crushed into pulp.
"Get out of the way, old woman!" Carl roared. He slashed with his blade, Obsidian, to evade Big Mom, and then swung his Third Generation Kitetsu at Sanjuan Wolf, sending a massive, lightning-infused Hakoku Slash directly toward the giant.
"It is not good to meddle in other people's battles, Lightning Great Swordsman!" Shiryu of the Rain jumped up with a cigar in his mouth, spinning in the air and using his own crimson slashes to scatter the thunder, preventing Sanjuan Wolf from being cleaved in two.
"You truly underestimate me, Shiryu!" Zoro's voice chilled the air as he appeared behind the swordsman. "Three Sword Style Secret Technique: Ichi Dai San Zen Daisen Sekai!".
Zoro struck, but Shiryu blocked two of the three blades with his own sword, taking only a slight injury from the final strike. Zoro felt frustrated that he hadn't defeated Shiryu, but he was also excited, knowing that such a powerful enemy would help him grow.
Meanwhile, Licky's interaction with Carl left him momentarily stunned. Suddenly, Licky shifted back to his full size, sprinted toward Carl, and roared.
"Mr. Carl! Devil Fruit!" Chopper, acting as the emergency translator, shouted.
Carl understood immediately. He pulled a Devil Fruit from his pocket, tossed it to Licky, and a slight smile appeared on his face. The pirates on the opposing side grew visibly anxious. Licky clutched the Monkey-Monkey Fruit, used Moonwalk to launch himself forward, and—relying on his small, agile frame—easily dodged Sanjuan Wolf's massive hands to reach the giant's open mouth.
"Wolf! Shut your mouth!" Blackbeard screamed.
Sanjuan Wolf was startled and snapped his mouth shut, but because he was used to grinning, he could not close his lips tightly. The gap between his teeth was massive, and Licky threw the fruit straight through. The fruit slid down Wolf's throat, was digested almost instantly by his giant physiology, and within seconds, Sanjuan Wolf was drained of his power, his gargantuan body beginning to sink into the sea.
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