While Taro was being pulled over, the other members of the Blackbeard Pirates finally reacted.
Burgess leapt high into the air, throwing a punch at Taro.
Lafitte drew a long sword from his cane, and Doc Q brandished a double-edged scythe, both stabbing toward Taro together.
Taro frantically circulated his Internal Energy, covering himself in blue-black Armament Haki to protect his body while trying his best to adjust his posture, twisting in mid-air.
"Mutton Shot"
At the moment he was about to be caught by Blackbeard, Taro kicked out, striking Blackbeard's neck; the powerful force instantly sent him flying sideways.
Just as Blackbeard was kicked away, his punch also landed squarely on Taro's cheek.
"Boom"
Taro was slammed heavily into the ground, creating a large crater.
This ambitious fellow, Blackbeard, was able to lie low on Whitebeard's ship for over twenty years.
Furthermore, even without obtaining the Dark-Dark Fruit ability, he could leave a scar on "Red Hair" Shanks's face. The strength of his physical techniques could well be imagined.
"Clang clang clang clang"
The attacks from Burgess and the other two followed, hitting Taro and producing a series of metallic clashing sounds.
But for Taro, who had Armament Haki and divine skills protecting his body, their attacks were trivial and caused almost no damage.
On the other side, Silvers Rayleigh, no longer under the pressure of Taro's constant pursuit, also dodged the "Sand Blade" attack.
Taro sprang up from the ground, quickly leapt back, and used Moonwalk to put some distance between himself and the Blackbeard Pirates.
With Armament Haki protecting his Physical Body and the Minor Formless Skill protecting his internal organs, although Taro looked a bit disheveled, only Blackbeard's strike had actually caused him some damage.
Luffy can withstand blunt force but not blades.
Taro can withstand blades but not blunt force.
Even in the heat of battle, Taro was in the mood to think about this, but he soon shook his head and threw these nonsensical thoughts to the back of his mind.
Striking first to gain the advantage, he had launched a series of attacks, but ultimately failing to heavily injure Silvers Rayleigh left him with some regret.
Now he could only look for another opportunity; Taro sighed silently.
After being kicked away, Blackbeard smashed through several prison cells and finally crashed into a wall. The wall cracked and eventually collapsed with a roar, burying him in the rubble.
After rolling around and wailing in pain for a good while, he finally stood up again.
Due to the secrets hidden in his body, Blackbeard's ability to resist and absorb damage was astonishing.
However, correspondingly, his perception of pain was particularly intense.
Blackbeard rubbed his neck, staring fixedly at Taro, then suddenly grinned and laughed loudly, "Zehahahaha! Taro, aren't we allies? What are you doing?"
"Pah! Blackbeard, you showing up here and talking about being allies—don't you think it's too ridiculous?" Taro spat, saying disdainfully:
"Oh, I almost forgot. With your personality, you cave in when you can't win. Saying this now, are you planning to call me 'Daddy'?"
The Blackbeard Pirates were furious upon hearing this, and Burgess was even about to rush over.
Blackbeard, however, didn't show much anger. He reached out to stop Burgess. "Zehahahaha! Taro, do you really think I'm afraid of you?"
"Fate has led me here; this is not something you can stop!"
Taro glanced at Blackbeard with contempt and spat again. "Your lot is truly disgusting, always talking about fate. Is fate your real father?"
"Vulgar!" Blackbeard held his head high and said proudly:
"I thought as a powerhouse you would say something earth-shattering, but in the end, you're just like a common thug. Utterly superficial!"
"All of this is because fate chose me!"
"Fate my ass!" Taro roared. "The fact that I came to this world is something that fate can't even explain!"
"I don't believe in fate!"
"If there really were fate, mine should have been to be a Laborer, a Big Eater, working 996, being a Corporate Slave, not coming here to face you Natives!"
I was a perfectly fine ambitious youth who inexplicably transmigrated to this world, and you're talking to me about fate? Fuck!
Although Blackbeard didn't understand what those strange terms like "Laborer," "Big Eater," and "996" meant,
He knew that the conversation had broken down.
Glancing around at his companions, Blackbeard sneered, "Zehahahaha! In that case, let's leave it all to fate. Stake your life, Taro! Let's see who survives until the end!"
"You think I'm afraid of you? Come on! Let's bet our lives!"
Taro shouted, and his Internal Energy surged wildly, almost condensing into a physical form. A soul-shaking power erupted from his determined eyes!
A sharp aura swept across the entire Level 6, and a gale whistled through.
Blackbeard and Shiryu's eyes immediately narrowed, their pupils shrinking instantly.
Burgess and Lafitte were also shaken, and Doc Q fared even worse; the old horse beneath him went weak in the legs and collapsed on the ground, throwing him off as well.
[Conqueror's Haki successfully activated]
Taro was startled. Was the System giving out benefits? Didn't it say last time that he didn't have the "qualities of a king"?
But now was not the time to look into this. Taro, the salted fish, had turned over and awakened Conqueror's Haki, which gave him even more confidence.
"Conqueror's Haki?"
Blackbeard was uncertain, but he quickly calmed down and looked at his companions, saying in a low voice:
"Since we've decided to stake our lives to climb to the top of the world, then do not be afraid!"
"Moreover, this guy has been using Haki for a while now. He won't be able to keep it up for long!"
"He's just one person. Let's attack together and kill him! Zehahaha... hic!"
As Blackbeard finished, he began to laugh wantonly.
However, his laughter was interrupted once again. Another figure appeared at the entrance to Level 6.
"He is not alone!"
Magellan's tall figure walked out, his dark eyes brimming with murderous intent. Purple poison continuously seeped from his face, slowly dripping onto the ground,
"Shiryu, you murdered the prison guards and destroyed the Monitor Room. Your crime is unforgivable!"
"I, the Warden of Impel Down, now sentence you to death, to be executed immediately!"
Magellan's cold tone carried suppressed fury.
Although Shiryu had been struck on the shoulder by Taro's blade, such an injury was not a major issue for him.
With his combat strength still intact and the assistance of the Blackbeard Pirates, the advantage in numbers gave Silvers Rayleigh confidence.
He moved his wrist, exhaled a puff of smoke, and said contemptuously, "Magellan, you? You think you can kill me?"
"You were no match for me back then, and you still aren't now!" Magellan said in a deep voice.
Having defeated the Blackbeard Pirates with just one strike previously, Magellan was somewhat dismissive of them. Now, his eyes were only on Silvers Rayleigh.
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