Boom—
As the ice spread to his shoulders, Kari's body exploded into a puff of smoke and vanished.
Kuzan frowned slightly, his empty hand closing into a fist.
Did he use ultra-long-distance teleportation? No, it should be the Clone Technique.
...
As a member of the team pursuing Kari, Kuzan had studied him from every angle, including consulting Griffin who had previous combat experience with Kari.
Among his known abilities was a Clone Technique that even Observation Haki couldn't penetrate.
Clone techniques weren't particularly rare—many Devil Fruit Abilities could develop similar applications. Kuzan himself knew one, though he never found it necessary to use it.
Clones from other Devil Fruit Abilities were too easily exposed as fakes and their combat power was weak, making them rather useless.
...
There seemed to be an advanced version of this troublesome Clone Technique that would trigger a massive explosion when the clone dispersed.
If he didn't use it... was it because that ability consumed too much stamina?
No...
He hadn't shown any signs of conserving stamina during his fight with Griffin. That guy's stamina reserves seemed practically limitless.
Kuzan turned his gaze to the spectator stands.
The previously lively and celebratory stands had descended into chaos. Spectators screamed in terror, pushing and shoving as they surged toward the exits.
Children's cries, panicked shouts, and hurried footsteps intertwined into a cacophony.
Kuzan's eyes lowered slightly as he understood.
He was giving people time to escape.
...
This was also why Kuzan had been reluctant to take on this mission.
Aside from two Celestial Dragons and some CP members, Kari had never killed civilians since his debut. Stranger still, he hadn't even killed any Marines.
The only Marine he clearly wanted to kill was Griffin, and he hadn't succeeded in that either.
Kari operated with strong purpose, only targeting Celestial Dragons and their direct subordinates.
...
If not for repaying a favor, I really wouldn't want to deal with you...
If I send you to the Underwater Great Prison, young Griffin should be able to rest easy.
...
Several minutes later.
Adjusting his lowered eyepatch slightly upward, Kuzan looked toward the Ice Wall in the arena.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"I'm really being looked down upon... You immediately ran away both times you faced Borsalino. Is it because I'm not an Admiral?"
...
Amid the hazy white mist of the towering Ice Wall, Kari quietly materialized.
"No..."
"It's just that fighting with a flash-based ability user is unnecessary. I don't want to waste time."
"But freezing... I'm quite interested."
Kari slowly raised his hand, crimson flames igniting in his palm: "After all, our clan is born with flames that suppress ice and snow!"
Playing his role to the fullest, Kari hadn't forgotten the backstory Griffin had crafted for him.
...
"Is that so? Then let's test that theory."
Whoosh—
Kari transformed into a black streak, closing the distance at extreme speed. His flaming fists shot straight for Kuzan's face.
Kuzan only moved when the fiery fists were inches away, tilting his head to avoid the strike while simultaneously striking Kari's forearm.
The collision between palm and arm produced white mist as the flames were instantly compressed into wispy smoke by the low temperature.
Just as Kari tried to swing his arm away, a heavy knee strike slammed into his chest, sending him flying back against the Ice Wall and scattering countless ice shards.
Light flared.
Whoosh!!
A massive fireball tore through the white mist, roaring forward.
Great Fireball Technique!
"Such slow flames won't hit anyone..." Kuzan raised his hand, icy blue cold air surging out and instantly forming a thick ice wall.
BOOM!!!!
The fireball crashed against the ice surface, erupting into massive steam, yet couldn't penetrate even half an inch, only creating fine cracks on the surface.
Kuzan took a step forward, the ice wall becoming smooth as a mirror again, the spreading cold air even freezing the enormous fireball within it!!
Swish—
Without any warning, Kari's figure appeared beside Kuzan, hand on his sword hilt, assuming an iai stance.
Uchiha Style - Sword Leap Flame!
Spring Rain's blade flashed, aiming directly for Kuzan's ribs.
The flames dancing on the pure black blade tip instantly intertwined with killing intent.
...
Armament Haki...
Crack—
Kuzan's body split in two, appearing as if he had been cut in half by the sword.
In reality, Kuzan had foreseen Kari's attack with Observation Haki and preemptively transformed his body through elementalization.
Armament Haki can attack the physical body of Logia-type ability users, but Logia types can also evade attacks by transforming in advance.
This was the difference in their Observation Haki.
...
Having missed his strike, Kari gently twisted his wrist, drawing the blade back along his forearm, briefly gathering momentum before thrusting toward Kuzan's face.
"What a bad habit... Just like Garp, always aiming for the head."
This time Kuzan didn't dodge, meeting the blade tip with his fist covered in Armament Haki.
Clang—!!
Despite the point meeting the surface, not only did Spring Rain's tip fail to pierce the fist, but the blade itself trembled faintly from the impact as if overwhelmed.
The difference in their Armament Haki was even greater!!
Kari decisively withdrew his sword and retreated, abandoning close combat.
He opened his mouth and spat out a massive fire dragon that swept up the arena's rubble, forming a crimson wave.
Boom—Boom—Boom—
...
Completely different from the simple fight that had occurred here ten minutes earlier.
The collision of ice and fire tore apart this centuries-old arena.
Yet anyone could see the disparity in their strength - every struggle of the flames only deepened the frost, the colosseum enveloped in piercing cold.
...
...
On the highest viewing platform.
Saint Shangong trembled like a leaf in the wind, his teeth chattering with a 'click-clack' sound.
He had been shrouded in the direct killing intent earlier, too frightened to move, missing the best chance to escape.
Now...
It was too cold, the liquid between his legs frozen solid, preventing him from moving.
"Click-clack... click-clack... You... Riku... Why aren't you helping this Saint leave immediately!!"
King Riku looked at the arena and spoke in a deep voice:
"I won't leave until ensuring the citizens' safe evacuation, Saint Shangong. You should go first."
I...
If I could leave by myself, why would I need to call you?!
Damn Saint Miya! Actually dismissed my guards! Do you really want to kill me?!
Viola watched as Dressrosa's iconic structure was destroyed beyond recognition, her beautiful eyes tightly furrowed.
"This colosseum has centuries of history... What a terrible shame..."
Thud—
A figure leaped onto the high platform - it was Kyros.
"Your Majesty, Princess Viola, the citizens have been moved to safety! We should leave quickly too!"
"Good!"
The three had only taken a few steps when they simultaneously stopped and looked back at Saint Shangong, still in his original spot.
"What time is this! Do we need to roll out a velvet carpet for you before you'll move?!" Viola's face was full of disgust.
Given the current situation, they had roughly pieced together the sequence of events.
It was clear the Marines had chosen this location to use Saint Shangong as bait, setting a trap to capture Kari, just like the incident at Sabaody half a year ago.
The ruins left by the destruction at Sabaody still hadn't been fully rebuilt. Who knew how much damage would be inflicted on Dressrosa this time?
For Viola, who deeply loved this country, this fat-faced man was nothing short of a calamity. In her fury, she no longer cared about his status.
...
Saint Shangong was so frantic he began to cry.
"I… I'm… frozen, I can't move!!"
"Take me with you! I'm begging you lowly commoners!! I'll make an exception and allow your filthy hands to touch me!"
...
...
From the shadows, Saint Miya watched as Saint Shangong was dragged away by a rope and sneered.
These naturally foolish Celestial Dragons truly disgrace the name of the World Nobles!
Saint Miya turned her gaze to the two still fighting and slowly raised her hand. A wisp of black smoke drifted from her fingertips.
No matter how stupid they are, they are still precious fuel for Lord Imu. You can't just kill them as you please.
It's over. Embrace your misfortune.
...
The wisp of black smoke drifted slowly, like a slithering black snake, gradually making its way toward the arena.
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