Advanced Conqueror's Haki—even among those possessing "the qualities of a king"—is a realm rarely attained.
Even after decades as a naval admiral, he could count on one hand the number of people he had witnessed who had cultivated their Conqueror's Haki to such a level!
Unlike Observation and Armament Haki, which can be improved through training, Conqueror's Haki requires the accumulation of physique, spirit, and the will of a strong individual over many years.
Yet this young man before him had already reached a state countless powerful figures could only dream of.
This could no longer be described as "genius"—it was as if it had been bestowed by the heavens!
Bestowed by the heavens ≡ System rewards
Kleist felt the oppressive force, and even his burly frame sank slightly under the pressure.
But he would not retreat.
He was one of the navy's ultimate combat forces—Admiral "Qiongqi"!
In the next moment, the Haki around Kleist surged layer by layer.
It was his own "ferocious beast Qiongqi will."
Haki indeed reigns supreme above all else!
But the fruit one has eaten is what truly matters, and he had consumed a divine-class fruit as well.
As if the slumbering ferocious beast Qiongqi had fully awakened, the pressure intensified several times over compared to before.
At this moment, he sensed a strong threat of death emanating from Raiver Sky.
If he did not go all out, the outcome of this battle would likely end in his defeat!
His Great Grade Sword gathered a dense crimson Ryuo, and his figure vanished from the spot in an instant.
He charged straight toward Raiver Sky!
Facing Kleist's desperate onslaught, Raiver Sky remained expressionless, holding his blade horizontally in front of his chest.
Simultaneously, the terrifying power of Conqueror's Haki began to coat the blade already enveloped in Ryuo.
This was a difficult process.
Ryuo is an advanced application of Armament Haki, characterized by "flow," "penetration," and "destruction."
Conqueror's Haki Coating is an advanced application of Conqueror's Haki, characterized by "intimidation," "suppression," and "annihilation."
Their natures were different, even somewhat conflicting.
Raiver Sky focused his mind intensely, using Space Perception and Observation Haki Perception to monitor every thread of energy flowing on the blade.
The crimson flames of Ryuo and the dark red flames of Conqueror's Haki repelled each other, forming two opposing energy currents on the blade.
The blade began to vibrate violently, emitting a strained hum.
But Raiver Sky did not give up.
Then, he quickly found that balance point.
It wasn't about forcibly merging them, but allowing the two energies to "coexist."
Ryuo still flowed, but within its flowing path, it incorporated the domineering will of Conqueror's Haki.
Conqueror's Haki still intimidated, but within its intimidating force, it permeated the destructive traits of Ryuo.
The fused "Black Dragon" emitted a pressure that made souls tremble.
Just as Kleist closed in before him, Raiver Sky moved!
"Demon Evasion!"
A single slash, earth-shattering and heaven-startling!
You have Divine Departure, I have Demon Evasion! Neither will evade!
"BOOM——!!!!"
The two blades collided fiercely once again!
But this collision was entirely different from before.
Around the two, a rapidly expanding ring of destructive energy abruptly appeared!
The ring displayed a bizarre mix of dark red and crimson, its edges flickering with dense electric arcs.
Starting from the point of impact, it expanded outward at supersonic speed.
Wherever it passed, the air was completely ionized, the seawater evaporated, and space distorted.
The diameter of the energy ring exceeded a hundred meters in the blink of an eye and continued to spread wildly.
Toward the sky, toward the sea, in all directions.
Zzzap! Zzzap! Zzzap—!!!
Dark red lightning bolts danced wildly like dragons and serpents, erupting from the energy ring and exploding violently in all directions!
At the collision's epicenter, the figures of Raiver Sky and Kleist were completely swallowed by the energy ring.
Only two blurred silhouettes of light could be seen fiercely clashing at the ring's center, each impact causing the ring to expand further.
Suddenly, a figure was sent flying backward from the ring—
It was Kleist.
He retreated violently, his feet plowing two deep trenches across the sea surface as he barely stabilized his bulky human-beast form.
He appeared slightly disheveled, his Marine Admiral uniform torn open at the chest, revealing the solid muscles beneath coated in Armament Haki.
The moment he was blasted away, he immediately covered his entire body with his strongest Armament Haki.
Thus, he avoided serious injury, only his breathing was slightly disordered and his internal organs suffered some tremors.
But this was shocking enough.
He, the Marine Admiral "Qiongqi," had actually been sent flying in a head-on collision with a twenty-year-old youth.
Though only slightly at a disadvantage, this already overturned his understanding of "genius."
"Dammit..."
Kleist cursed under his breath, but before the curse faded, his pupils abruptly contracted.
Because Raiver Sky gave him no chance to catch his breath.
In a flash, Raiver Sky vanished from his original position.
Kleist had just been repelled, his breathing unstable, his defense momentarily vulnerable.
This was a perfect opportunity.
Though this opening was small and brief, for a powerhouse of Raiver Sky's caliber, it was enough.
Raiver Sky charged forth like a dark red meteor, Conqueror's Haki running rampant in his wake, dark red air currents sweeping in all directions.
The "Black Dragon" in his hand was enveloped in boiling Conqueror's Haki and Ryuo, its momentum peaking.
This strike would be spectacular!
"Myriad Calamities·Black Dragon Slash—!!"
With Observation Haki locking onto Kleist's form, Raiver Sky gathered strength and unleashed a massive Sword Qi that transformed into a ferocious black dragon!
Sword Energy Manifestation!
"Roar—!!!"
The Sword Qi took draconic form, a hundred-meter black dragon roaring with sky-shattering fury as it charged toward Kleist to tear and bite!
The black dragon was vividly lifelike, its eyes burning with dark red flames, its claws tearing through space, its tail whipping up destructive storms with every swing.
Kleist, who had just stabilized his stance, paled drastically.
If hit by this attack, even with his entire body covered in Advanced Armament Haki for defense, he would surely suffer severe injuries!
No, possibly more than severe injuries.
He might die.
Fighting to this point, Kleist had deeply experienced Raiver Sky's bottomless strength. Feeling both stifled and frustrated, he nearly wanted to curse aloud.
This kid's power seemed like an unfathomable abyss; every time Kleist thought victory was assured, Raiver Sky always managed to counter his killing moves at critical moments.
Moreover, with each exchange, his opponent was growing stronger at an astonishing rate!
During their first encounter, Raiver Sky's application of Ryuo was still immature.
After dozens of clashes, he could already match Kleist blow for blow.
And now, he had actually fused Conqueror's Haki Coating to unleash an attack of this magnitude.
This rate of growth was simply unbelievable.
Rescuing the Celestial Dragon from that kid was no longer possible.
Kleist's mind raced at high speed in that instant.
If you can withstand this move, you must find a way to eliminate those two useless Celestial Dragons on the spot!
We cannot let Raiver Sky bring the Celestial Dragons back to the Rocks Pirates.
That would only boost the influence of the Rocks Pirates and put the World Government in an even more passive position.
If they cannot be rescued, then let the Celestial Dragons "die" here.
This is the order of the Five Elders!
This thought flashed through Kleist's mind but was immediately replaced by an even stronger fighting spirit.
Because the Black Dragon was already pouncing right in front of him.
"Come on—"
"I am... a Marine Admiral—!!"
A furious roar echoed through the skies, carrying a resolute will.
Kleist, fully transformed into his beast form!
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