Clang!
The Rice Straw Blade coming up was struck by the Western Sword, but it immediately turned into ordinary straw. As the straw scattered, it revealed the sharp Long Sword, thrusting straight through the center of the quivering shadow of the sword.
Clang!
A crisp sound echoed again as the vibrating sword shadow stopped, and Hawkins' Long Sword was parried by another Western Sword.
Hawkins instantly withdrew his Long Sword, stepped on several smoke rings, and quickly descended to the ground.
Thud!
Just as he landed, Jozu charged aggressively with half of his Diamond Body.
Hawkins instinctively stepped back but realized it was too late. He could only raise his Long Sword, while his other hand transformed into the Scarecrow's, raising a spike to forcibly block the attack.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, a gust of wind sounded behind him. Urouge, who had been blasted away, quickly descended from midair, his body swelling, muscles knotted, and veins bulging beneath the skin.
"Karma!"
Having taken a lot of damage, Urouge fortified his body and punched Jozu's Diamond Body with immense force.
Bang!!
An explosive wave surged from the punch, its heavy power forcing Jozu back a few steps. He swayed for a moment before steadying himself, saying in a deep voice:
"Such a formidable power, my charge is not something anyone can withstand."
If hit, even an Admiral would be injured.
As for himself, although pushed back, he wasn't hurt. The hardness of diamonds can rival any Haki.
"Indeed, it's hard to block."
Urouge grinned with a bloody corner of his mouth, "That's why I have such power."
This fruit is used just like this.
Shhh...shhh...
Suddenly, the sound of clothes tearing echoed from behind. Urouge turned to see Hawkins, who had returned to human form, with his clothes torn in several places and more wounds on his skin, oozing blood.
Hawkins glanced at his wrist holding the sword, noting the additional cuts, and said:
"No wonder you're one of the top Great Sword Masters on the ocean."
He dodged, but couldn't avoid it completely.
With just one sword, its complex technique left Hawkins unable to parry.
But it seems normal enough when you think about it.
He looked at the burly figure landing from the sky, holding dual swords; this figure's reputation wasn't bad either.
Although Hawkins is not a pure Swordsman, he is at least part of the Swordsman circle. He doesn't know ordinary Sword Masters, but he's heard of famous Great Sword Masters.
Vista is among them.
"An outstanding technique, but what's strange is why you all can't use Observation Haki?" Hawkins asked curiously.
That technique he could barely parry, but if Observation Haki were used, he wouldn't be able to dodge at all.
Now, relying on intuition and eyesight to barely parry, it means the opponent also can't use Observation Haki.
"The abilities of Jekai are very impartial."
Vista approached and said, "Sometimes abilities are greatly enhanced due to different environments. This Sea of Trees isn't the cause, but it has enhanced abilities and disrupted everyone's Observation Haki."
"Not only can't you use it, but we can't either; everyone is fighting purely on instinct."
Vista clenched his dual swords, "You might be a bit troublesome, but you're not our match. Better to leave now."
"Hmph, in a territory dispute, how could we just leave? You are High-Ranking Officers, and so are we."
Hawkins said calmly, "Retreating now is no different from being defeated. Don't underestimate us."
"Hehehe, since you say so, you Disaster Pirates have taken out quite a few of our people, so let's settle this revenge here. Let others understand that even though the Whitebeard Pirates have withdrawn from the sea, we are not ones to be easily bullied!"
Vista raised his dual swords, petals started to fall from them, and beside him, Jozu crouched slightly, ready to charge.
However, just as they were about to charge, their bodies suddenly stiffened as if something had stopped them. Though their bodies trembled with struggle, they couldn't move.
Behind their heels, their shadows stretched long.
"Hehehehehe..."
A sharp laughter echoed from the deep forest.
A figure like a cone slowly emerged from the depths of the forest.
His leek-like hairstyle swayed with his movement, and compared to his body, the short legs took step by step forward, revealing his face.
"We're not that easy to bully either!"
Moriah cackled sharply.