Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari
----------
Three days passed in a flash.
At Punk Hazard, the entire island's climate was completely transformed.
One half was bone-chillingly cold with snow falling everywhere, while the other half was ablaze with burning flames and rolling heatwaves, effectively turning into an island of ice and fire!
The various factions observing the battle had long been shaken by the intense fighting. Even the harsh climate alone was enough to make it unbearable.
The terrifying power of Logia-type Devil Fruits surpassed imagination.
A true natural disaster!
"How long are they going to keep fighting?"
After three days and three nights of fighting, there was no sign of the commotion on the island diminishing, and the occasional roars clearly indicated the intensity of the battle.
At the center of the island.
Two figures, one blue and one red, continuously collided. With each exchange, large amounts of magma and ice scattered around, and evaporating steam enveloped the battlefield.
"Hoo~~ Hoo~~"
Kuzan was panting heavily, blood trickling down his forehead, clearly injured, but his sharp eyes showed no wavering.
His only need was victory!
Across from him, Sakazuki was also panting, with frostbite marks on his shoulder.
Before three seconds of panting were up, the two roared and charged at each other. Before arriving at the battlefield, they had both resolved to sacrifice their lives.
"Sakazuki!"
"Kuzan!"
"Boom! Boom! Boom!!!"
Roars rose and fell.
Another three days passed.
"Hoo-hoo~ Hoo-hoo~~"
Both were shirtless, their bodies already covered in wounds, and their physical strength was even more severely depleted, making it incredibly difficult to even stand steadily.
After six days and six nights of fighting, neither had any strength left to create ice or magma, nor the energy to maintain their elemental forms.
The battle had devolved into a bare-knuckle brawl.
"Ahhh!!!"
Kuzan roared and threw a punch, embedding it viciously into Sakazuki's abdomen.
"Pfft!"
Sakazuki hunched over, spitting out a large mouthful of blood, but the next moment, he immediately delivered an uppercut toward Kuzan's head.
"Bang!!!"
Right on the chin!
Kuzan's eyes rolled back, and he flew back before falling heavily to the ground.
Sakazuki clutched his abdomen and staggered backward, grabbing a rock to steady himself, his entire body's muscles glowing red and steaming.
"Cough~ Cough!!!"
Kuzan coughed up blood continuously, slowly getting up from the ground.
"Sakazuki!!"
"Kuzan!!"
The two charged at each other again, wildly throwing punches, blood constantly splattering on the ground, fighting as if their lives didn't matter, even trading blows.
The moon rose.
The two entangled under the starlight.
The sun rose.
The two traded wild punches under the sun.
Several more days passed.
Kuzan's eyes were swollen, his vision blurry, as he stumbled toward Sakazuki, his weak, powerless punch landing on Sakazuki's face.
"Pfft!"
Two molar teeth flew out.
Sakazuki's head snapped back, his mouth full of blood, his fierce eyes fixed on Kuzan, before he suddenly slammed his forehead forward into Kuzan's face.
"Pfft!"
His nose bridge was broken and blood splattered.
Kuzan clutched his mouth and nose, stepping back. Not only was his nose bleeding profusely, but one of his front teeth had also been shattered, yet his consciousness cleared up considerably.
By this point in the battle, their bodies had long been pushed to their limits, sustained entirely by sheer willpower.
Their gazes met!
Kuzan, his face covered in blood, walked toward Sakazuki with a low growl: "Sakazuki, I will destroy the corrupt World Government, I will defeat your justice!"
"Justice comes with sacrifice. To uphold justice, one must adhere to order!"
Sakazuki's gaze was cold.
Even if the current order was stained with blood and oppression, it was the cornerstone for the world's normal functioning and must not be lost.
Without order, the world would completely plunge into darkness!
After a brief rest, the two recovered some of their strength, preparing for the final strike.
"This is the end!"
"Indeed!"
The two gazed at each other, their thoughts returning to the training grounds at Marine Headquarters, where they had once been equally confrontational, neither willing to yield to the other.
Their lips curved, a smile blooming.
"Sakazuki!!!" (Narutooooooooo)
"Kuzan!!!" (Sasukeeeeeeeeee)
The two charged at each other again, Kuzan's fist covered in ice, Sakazuki's palm transformed into magma.
"Ice Fist!!!"
"Hellhound!!!"
"Boom!!!"
The clouds exploded!
In the sea outside the island, on the Groudon.
"Hmm?"
Daichi suddenly looked up toward the island.
Kikara, who was standing nearby, asked.
"What's wrong, Daichi-sama?"
"The victor has been decided."
Daichi spoke softly.
The two's auras, after rapidly increasing, suddenly vanished.
Either they were dead, or their auras were too weak to be sensed. Either way, it meant the duel had ended.
"Speed!"
"Understood."
Daichi teleported to the island.
The other factions who had come to watch the excitement also noticed the anomaly.
The battle had lasted ten days and ten nights, already making them anxious, and now that it had finally concluded, they couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
"How terrifying!"
It was hard to imagine what kind of terrifying duel could last to such an extent, completely beyond comprehension.
"This is Admiral-level combat power."
The Supernovas' gazes were incredibly solemn.
This duel before them was even more direct in its impact than the Summit War, making them clearly realize the power of top-tier experts.
They were still far from enough!
"Clang!"
A golden light flashed across the sky!
"The Marines have made their move!"
The various factions felt anxious, eager to know the outcome, but the island's harsh environment made it difficult for them to approach the battlefield.
They could only wait patiently.
At the center of the battlefield.
Kuzan and Sakazuki remained standing, facing each other.
Sakazuki's right arm was gone.
In the final clash just now, their fists and claws collided, and ultimately, Ice Fist shattered Hellhound.
However, the battle was not over.
"Cough!"
Kuzan coughed up a large mouthful of blood, looking at Sakazuki's regenerating right arm, and roared: "Sakazuki, is this your choice?"
"..."
Sakazuki looked up at the sky, his eyes hollow.
His lost right arm was regenerating.
This was the condition offered by the Five Elders, and it was also the key to ensuring his victory. With immortality, he would surely defeat Kuzan.
But he didn't want to win this way.
This was not victory, but humiliation.
Nor did he want to become an immortal demon.
If he had defeated Kuzan without using his regeneration power, that would have been his victory.
However, he failed to do so.
His Hellhound was defeated by Ice Fist.
He had actually anticipated such an outcome, because he knew very well that his heart had already wavered.
"How enviable."
Sakazuki raised his regenerating palm and transformed it into magma.
"Kuzan, the Marines are yours!"
"..."
Kuzan's pupils contracted, and he reached out his hand.
"Sakazuki!!!"
"Pfft!"
Blood splattered on Kuzan's face.
Kuzan's pupils trembled.
Sakazuki had used his palm to pierce his own heart. Even with regeneration power, it could not be stopped in the face of a will determined to die.
"Hmm? Is it over?"
Daichi arrived at the battlefield and saw Sakazuki, who was frozen in ice, but from Sakazuki's unusual posture, it was clear that something unexpected had happened.
"Clang!"
A golden glow flashed, and Kizaru appeared.
Looking at the deceased Sakazuki and Kuzan standing beside him, Kizaru was silent for a long time, quietly covering his face.
It was over.
Victor — Kuzan.