High in the sky, Marco clashed fiercely with Saint Nusjuro and Saint Mars. Under normal circumstances, Marco would willingly exchange injuries with his opponents, trusting in the regenerative power of his Phoenix Fruit. This time, however, the situation was different. Saint Nusjuro and Saint Mars possessed true Immortality. They were even more reckless in trading injuries than he was.
Although Marco still could not fully unravel the secret behind their Immortality, the prolonged battle had allowed him to identify several weaknesses. Now, he intended to carry out one final test to confirm his suspicions.
Without hesitation, Marco surged forward again.
Saint Nusjuro and Saint Mars showed no fear. They charged straight at him.
Marco struck first. His leg, infused with Conqueror's Haki Infusion, lashed out toward Saint Nusjuro. Through their previous exchanges, Marco had realized that although both Elders possessed Immortality, Saint Nusjuro's combat strength was slightly superior to Saint Mars.
Part of that might have been due to Nusjuro's blade techniques. The first generation Kitetsu in his hand carried an icy killing intent that subtly suppressed Marco. Worse still, whenever Marco was cut by that blade, he had to expend noticeably more stamina to heal. Because of that, he had been careful to avoid being struck again.
Boom.
Marco's kick collided with the first generation Kitetsu midair. Like the other Gorosei, Saint Nusjuro wielded all three types of Haki at an extraordinary level, including Conqueror's Haki Infusion. Yet in raw power, Marco still held the advantage.
He increased the force in his leg, and Saint Nusjuro was blasted backward like a cannonball. Though sent flying in a disheveled state, Nusjuro suffered no serious injury thanks to his Haki defense.
"Die!"
The instant Marco forced Nusjuro back, Saint Mars swooped in. His wings, hardened with Armament Haki, sliced downward like sharpened blades.
A brutal slash tore across Marco's chest, leaving a gruesome wound. In the next second, black flames erupted over his body, rapidly sealing the injury.
Marco did not flinch.
His fist ignited with Destruction Black Flame, infused with both Armament Haki and Conqueror's Haki Infusion. He drove it toward Saint Mars's head.
"Fire Fist."
Boom.
Saint Mars's head exploded into fragments of flesh and bone, scattering through the sky.
Before Marco could press forward, a frigid sword aura sliced toward him. He instantly shifted position, narrowly evading Saint Nusjuro's counterattack.
Marco's gaze hardened as he looked at Saint Mars's headless body.
Even with his skull completely obliterated and struck by Conqueror's Haki Infusion, Saint Mars was still regenerating.
If Marco's own head were destroyed, even the Phoenix Fruit would not save him. His regeneration had limits. If the damage surpassed that threshold, he would die. But the Gorosei's Immortality seemed absolute.
Saint Nusjuro stepped in front of him, expression grim.
"You insolent insect. You dare to wound the gods of this world again and again. No matter how much you struggle, the outcome will not change."
Marco ignored the insult. His eyes remained fixed on Saint Mars as the shattered head slowly reformed.
"So even full Conqueror's Haki Infusion cannot kill him," Marco muttered. "This cannot be simple accelerated healing. Is this truly Immortality?"
After prolonged combat, Marco had already reassessed their strength. Though some might categorize the Gorosei at an Emperor level due to their status, Marco understood the truth after fighting them. Their threat lay primarily in their Immortality.
In pure combat ability, they were not on the level of Sakazuki or Borsalino. Even compared to Aramaki, they were inferior in raw power. At best, their physical strength hovered around a lower Emperor tier. But this Immortality made them exceptionally troublesome. Even complete decapitation was meaningless.
There were no sealing techniques in this world.
However, Marco was from another life. After watching and reading different slops Anime and Novels, He knew that no ability was without flaws.
With that thought, Marco shot toward Saint Mars once more. If destruction of the head was not enough, then he would destroy everything.
"You will not pass."
Saint Nusjuro intercepted him immediately, the first generation Kitetsu slashing with relentless precision.
"Move!"
Marco roared and unleashed a distant Conqueror's Haki Infusion strike. The violent collision split the air between them.
Saint Nusjuro gritted his teeth as he defended, cold sweat forming on his brow. He glanced toward Saint Mars's headless form.
Although they were Immortal, Marco's speed and power clearly surpassed theirs. Without the gift granted by Imu, they would have fallen long ago. Moreover, after years confined to the Holy Land, their battle instincts were no longer as sharp as they once had been.
They had not expected their first serious battle in years to be against such a monster.
Marco accelerated, attempting to bypass Nusjuro entirely. Panic flickered across the Elder's face as he unleashed another sword aura.
"Your opponent is me!"
Saint Mars required time. Without his brain, his body hung motionless as it regenerated.
Marco's lips curled into a faint smile.
"So that is the weakness," he said calmly. "When the injury is fatal, the recovery slows dramatically. And without a brain, he cannot control his body. He is completely defenseless during regeneration."
As he spoke, the Destruction Black Flames around him flared violently. He shot toward Saint Mars.
Saint Nusjuro's face darkened, his thoughts exposed.
He slashed again, roaring, "Do not grow arrogant!"
"Arrogant?" Marco's eyes burned fiercely. "You are the ones who hide behind borrowed power."
This time, Marco did not dodge. He lifted his Haki infused leg and unleashed a Rankyaku. The vacuum slash collided with Nusjuro's blade aura in a thunderous explosion.
Using the shockwave as cover, Marco broke through.
"Destruction Black Flame, Dance of the Phoenix."
Small phoenixes, each formed of black flame, manifested around him. They streaked forward and latched onto Saint Mars's body, continuously burning, disrupting the regeneration.
Saint Nusjuro's expression turned ashen.
"Damn you..."
Marco clasped his hands together, spun his body with explosive force, and delivered a crushing blow to Saint Mars's battered torso.
The impact resounded through the sky.
Saint Mars's broken body plummeted from the heavens, crashing downward like a falling star.
Marco felt certain.
Even Immortality had limits.
===
If you want to read more, there are up to 100 chapters available on patreon.
Patreon.com/ _Zeph