An experienced pirate like Green Pepper would never allow himself to remain at a disadvantage.
Watching Pini fire arrows endlessly, as if stamina meant nothing to him, Green Pepper quickly understood the situation. For an ability user like Pini, this kind of attack was likely nothing more than a standard technique, perhaps with recovery even exceeding the energy spent.
If the fight dragged into a battle of endurance, he would lose.
Once his stamina declined and his Armament Haki weakened, he would inevitably be overwhelmed and turned into a sieve by relentless arrows.
The diversity of Devil Fruits had given rise to countless combat styles across the sea. While many fighters relied on brute strength supported by their abilities, there were also those who used their powers as their primary weapon.
Green Pepper had faced opponents like this before, and he knew how to respond.
After enduring another barrage of arrows, the pitch-black Armament Haki coating his right fist began to shift and flow. In the next instant, he slammed his fist violently into the ground.
A thunderous impact erupted.
Dust and debris surged upward, spreading across the battlefield.
From a distance, Ash's eyes lit up. Now this was something worth watching.
"Is that the Eight-Impact Fist?"
"An advanced use of Armament Haki, emission. There is even a trace of internal destruction. In Wano terms, that would be Ryuo."
Ash had awakened both Observation and Armament Haki naturally as his body and spirit improved. However, due to his laid-back nature, he had never seriously pursued their deeper mastery.
Still, he was far from ignorant.
With his knowledge, the advanced applications and peak forms of the three types of Haki were no mystery to him.
Knowing about them, however, did not mean he knew how to train them. It was like understanding the effects of the Rokushiki techniques without knowing how to practice them.
Although he had explained the various Haki concepts to Sali and the others, actual mastery depended entirely on their own efforts.
That was precisely why Pini and Youki constantly sought out strong opponents.
They wanted to experience advanced Haki through real combat.
Observation Haki had progressed well enough through their individual methods, but Armament Haki was different. It required breakthroughs in the heat of battle.
Emission, hardening, internal destruction, these were all things they had long desired to grasp.
After all, once someone steps onto the path of strength, who would not want to go further?
"Was that emission just now?" Youki asked thoughtfully. "It looked like a normal punch, but the force was released outward. Is it similar to a flying slash?"
"The principle is close," Ash replied casually.
He did not know the exact mechanics, so there was no point pretending otherwise.
As for researching Haki in depth, that was something he had no interest in. Having enough Armament Haki for defense and basic offense was already sufficient for him.
Seeing Ash's lack of enthusiasm, Youki turned to discuss the topic with Kirk and Tsuki instead.
Meanwhile, the battle continued.
Pini was not surprised by Green Pepper's tactic. Over the past year of fighting, he had encountered countless opponents who tried to obscure vision with dust before launching a sudden attack.
Calmly retreating, Pini held an arrow ready without releasing it.
His Devil Fruit ability activated. A powerful gust of wind swept across the field, instantly clearing the smoke and dust.
The moment visibility returned, Green Pepper had already closed the distance to less than ten meters.
Armament Haki surged around his raised fist as he prepared a devastating strike.
"So fast… is that similar to Soru from the Rokushiki?"
Pini narrowed his eyes, a flash of excitement crossing his face.
He released the arrow he had been holding.
In the next instant, he discarded his golden bow, crossed his arms before his chest, and chose to face the attack head-on.
"It looks like he wants to experience it for himself," Youki said with clear envy.
Kirk nodded. "It is hard to tell if that punch is emission, hardening, or both. Green Pepper is a veteran. He has likely mastered most techniques."
As they spoke, Green Pepper ignored the incoming energy arrow and drove his fist straight into Pini's crossed arms.
A deafening impact rang out.
The sound did not resemble a normal collision between bodies. Instead, it echoed like an explosion.
Pini was sent flying like a meteor, crashing deep into the small island nearby.
"That had to hurt," Youki said with a grin.
"But it also shows how strong he is," Kirk replied seriously.
Without his Devil Fruit, Kirk knew he would not be able to block that attack.
It seemed that after achieving his revenge, he had relied too heavily on his ability and neglected his Haki training.
Watching the battle, he could not help but reflect on himself.
"He is strong, but that is his limit," Ash said with mild disappointment. "His potential is fixed. Even if he masters every technique, his ceiling will not change."
"Pity?" Youki and Kirk both looked confused.
"It is rare to meet someone proficient in all three types of Haki. Are you satisfied with only seeing advanced Armament techniques?" Ash replied.
Youki hesitated before asking, "Are you talking about Conqueror's Haki coating?"
"That is not some rare legend," Ash said with a small laugh. "In the New World, most top-tier pirates can use it."
Youki glanced toward the island, where Pini was already rising back into the air.
He swallowed unconsciously. "If Green Pepper really uses that, do you think Pini can handle it?"
"We are right here. One punch will not kill him," Ash replied indifferently.
"If that is all Green Pepper has, Pini can take a few more hits and understand the principle of Ryuo. In the end, the old man will be the one who runs out of stamina."
Ash remained perfectly composed. After all, he was not the one taking the hits.
Youki thought it over and found it reasonable.
If it would not kill him, then experiencing the peak of Haki firsthand was worth it.
Still, he could not help but feel slightly disappointed.
Looking at Green Pepper, he muttered inwardly, "If you really mastered all three types of Haki, why do you not use Conqueror's coating?"
"If you had it, you could end this in one strike… and I could experience it too."
On the island, Green Pepper watched as Pini, now in his half-beast form, rose back into the sky.
Aside from slight swelling and minor bleeding on his arms, and a faint trace of blood at the corner of his mouth, he appeared largely unharmed.
Green Pepper's expression darkened.
What kind of background did these Dawn Pirate Hunters have?
Where did they find such a monster?
How could just one of them possess this level of strength?
His gaze drifted toward Ash and the others watching from the ship.
A sense of unease crept into his heart.
Am I really going to fall here today?
===
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