Slash!
Is swung his blade toward Rocks.
The edge sliced through the air, producing a sharp, explosive sound.
A slash shaped like a shark's fin shot straight toward Rocks.
The black mist surrounding Rocks condensed into solid form.
A pitch-black sword appeared in his hands.
Whoosh!
Gripping it with both hands, Rocks swung heavily.
Another sword wave burst forth.
BOOM!
The two slashes collided.
A violent shockwave erupted and swept through the battlefield.
The next instant—
Both figures vanished.
Then collided once more.
One—
The overlord of the seas, Rocks D. Xebec.
The other—
The Celestial Dragon, Aurelius D. Virel Is.
The clash between them unleashed terrifying ripples of force in all directions.
At this moment—
Is remained near his peak condition.
Meanwhile, after prolonged battles and excessive Devil Fruit usage—
Rocks' stamina had already fallen below Is'.
Slash!
During their sword exchange—
Is spotted a brief opening.
His blade descended heavily across Rocks' face.
"AHHH—!"
Rocks cried out.
His body staggered backward as he covered one eye in pain.
Blood seeped between his fingers.
"Damn you…"
"IS!"
One of Rocks' eyes had been destroyed.
Even if he somehow survived—
He'd become half-blind.
But today—
God Valley was destined to become his grave.
There would be no survival.
"This is your final battle, Rocks."
"Struggle with everything you have left."
Is held his blade casually, his expression calm.
"DAMN IT!"
Rocks roared hideously.
Black mist surged around his body.
He resembled a demon born from darkness.
His heart burned with unwillingness.
Why—
Why had his era produced a monster like Aurelius D. Virel Is?
Without Aurelius D. Virel Is—
The Roger Pirates would've fallen.
His path toward world domination might've succeeded.
Everything—
Had been ruined by Aurelius D. Virel Is.
The more he thought about it—
The greater his fury became.
Now—
He'd even lost an eye.
The anger he'd suppressed erupted again.
More violently than before.
Though one eye remained—
It was bloodshot and filled with madness.
BOOM!
Ignoring the pain—
Rocks bent his legs and launched forward explosively, leaving a crater behind.
At this point—
Rocks had entered a berserk state.
In such a condition—
Observation Haki was practically unusable.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Their swords collided endlessly.
Rocks' swordsmanship was superior.
But Is could freely utilize Observation Haki.
After all—
The more proficient one became with Observation Haki, the greater its effects.
Again and again—
Is' blade carved wounds across Rocks' body.
Yet Rocks refused to dodge.
He intended to exchange injury for injury.
Unfortunately—
Is reacted too quickly.
Not only could he evade attacks—
Even when struck—
His terrifying regeneration healed him rapidly.
The sword battle continued for a long time…
By then—
Countless wounds covered Rocks' body.
Suddenly—
Is retreated several steps.
"What?"
"You're running out of strength, Is?"
Blood still dripped from Rocks' ruined eye.
His expression twisted into a vicious grin.
"No."
Is answered calmly.
"I just want to end this fight faster."
"I'd still like to go back and take a bath."
Rocks laughed.
"You think you can end this battle quickly?"
"My stamina is still plentiful."
At their level—
Battles often lasted days before a victor emerged.
Rocks had abandoned thoughts of survival.
His plan now was simple:
Trade injuries until the end.
Even if he couldn't kill Is—
He'd at least take something from him.
Perhaps another eye.
"Dragging out a fight through stamina depletion…"
"That's how equals battle."
Is smiled coldly.
"Do you really think we're equals?"
"You're strong, Is."
"I admit that."
"But…"
"This era belongs to me!"
Rocks roared.
Veins bulged across his forehead.
"I know you're Rocks."
"You don't need to repeat it."
"My ears are growing numb from hearing it."
"And besides…"
"Your era is already over."
"As long as I'm alive…"
"My era won't end!"
"Unfortunately."
"You're about to die."
As he spoke—
Is brought his hands together.
A terrifying aura erupted.
Red markings appeared around his eyes.
Once again—
He entered Sage Mode.
Then—
His voice echoed across the battlefield.
"Sage Art: Wood Release — True Several Thousand Hands!"
CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!
The earth trembled violently.
Massive clouds of dust engulfed the surroundings.
Then—
Within moments—
A gigantic Buddha statue possessing countless enormous arms rose before Rocks.
Its scale resembled a mountain.
Majestic.
Overwhelming.
An existence radiating unimaginable pressure.
The entire God Valley could see it.
—
Elsewhere on the battlefield—
Hashirama Senju, who was fighting Whitebeard, looked stunned.
"…Isn't that my technique?"
Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands—
His unique ability.
Unexpectedly—
Is had learned even this.
"Is…?"
Whitebeard stared toward the colossal Buddha statue.
Cold sweat formed on his forehead.
Behind the giant figure—
Thousands upon thousands of arms stretched outward.
The sight was incomparably shocking.
—
Elsewhere—
Uchiha Madara looked toward the towering Buddha.
His first instinct was immediate:
"Did someone actually force Hashirama to use True Several Thousand Hands?"
—
Nearby—
Charlotte Linlin gripped Napoleon while breathing heavily.
Her body was covered in wounds.
Blood dripped continuously.
In contrast—
Madara remained nearly unharmed.
Seeing Madara distracted by the giant Buddha—
Charlotte Linlin shouted immediately:
"Zeus!"
"I'm here, Mama!"
A white cloud appeared before her.
Without hesitation—
Charlotte Linlin leapt onto Zeus.
The cloud carried her into the sky and rapidly fled.
She no longer intended to continue fighting.
This war—
She knew—
Might very well become Rocks' final chapter.
And if she remained—
God Valley might become hers as well.
"How boring."
Madara glanced at her retreating figure.
He made no attempt to chase.
He sought opponents capable of entertaining him.
Clearly—
Charlotte Linlin wasn't one.
To him—
Charlotte Linlin could never pose even the slightest threat.
Not to him.
Nor to Is.
Yes—
In Madara's eyes—
She was simply too weak.
And weaklings…
Had never been worthy of his attention.
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