Leroy stood in front of the Mirror. In the underdeck of the Ship that he was currently riding in. Zeke, Freddie, and Arnie were all with him. A dim chain hanging lantern swayed against the waves. Leroys face was quite a bit different from the posters that showed him.
He had grown out facial hair to a short stubble. He currently wore a sleeveless tight turtle necked black shirt. Half length pants. His hands and wrists were bound in red tape. Feet and ankles the same as he adorned Tabi Shoes, forked toed boots that wrap around the calf. The boots of 'Ninjas'
Leroy, lastly, had his hair up into a simple bun. A few strands of his curtain bangs falling out in front of his face, a red bandana wrapped tight to pull up over his nose.
Perfect for covering the face.
And hiding his identity.
"Lee!" Zeke said. Heavy feet falling against the wooden and metal stairs, descending into the metal covered walls dotted with portholes. "We're almo-" He stopped mid sentence.
"Wow.." Zeke murmured. A small smirk coming across his lips. "I wouldn't have recognized ya if I hadn't know you were down here."
"So the disguise works? Falcon D. Leroy is still in hiding?" He cocked a brow.
"I can confidently say so. Not unless you go around shouting about the fact its you, and being King of The Pirates." The grin widened.
"Which is why we both agreed for training purposes I'm not allowed to use my Gum Gum fruit unless absolutely necessary. Or people won't see."
Zeke pulled a ring from his pocket. Flat, nondescript. But notably a dark blue hue with a texture like stone.
"And why you'll be wearing this sea stone ring to make sure. I had that specially made a year back, figured it'd be good training for you. It's just potent enough in concentration that it should only negate your abilities; None of your strength."
Leroy looked the ring over. Fingering it from Zekes palm. Immediately he felt that same sudden 'stiffening' of his body. Like becoming just noticeably dry. Or when ones mouth stops sticking when their lips parted.
But there was no drain. Not even a tinge. It'd be noticeable if so. "Keep that safe." Zeke began. "It's not just Sea Stone. But Terragem too. The mixture…"
He locked eyes with Leroy. His look serious. "Your Fruit Power is gone. Temporarily so long as you wear that ring. But it means that blunt force will hurt you easier. But– You won't have to worry about water. Unless the water pulls it off."
"Yes." Freddie said. In a nice knit breathable sweater. Massive beard flowing over it. "I'd estimate that's the only one on the planet. Terragem and Seastone are already rare as is. But then to go through the effort to chemically mix the two like an alloy. I have no clue how Zeke found someone to not only do it, but also in such short time." The teacher finished. Old wrinkled hands clasping in front of himself.
Leroy slowly slid the ring on his middle finger of his left hand. "Well…In that case. I'm truly going to act like a ghost to the world now."
Time passed. It wasn't more than an hour that they had arrived at the Island where the preliminaries were going to be held.
The Island of Tortuga.
Also known as the Name 'Tortuga Bay' it was one of the most important islands to pirates and merchants in the World. And the most important when it came to the Stretch of Sea known as Paradise.
This place was the answer for all who had the question 'Where do pirates get rid of all their stolen goods?' They fence the materials and goods through middlemen around the island who knowingly take the illicit and illegally gotten Merchandise and then resell it in legitimate markets.
Thus 'Washing their hands' of the stolen items and removing any form of evidence that may be used against them.
Zeke, Arnie, Freddie and Leroy all walked across the wooden docks. The streets were paved roads, some of them cobbled, and filled with bustling crowds of people. Often many of the faces among the crowds were unwashed or gruff in appearance. These were people at work actively rather than prim and proper dress in neatly cleaned areas.
Rugged clothes. Not fully put on properly. Buttons undone, cuffs unhooked, belts loosened. The buildings were mostly made of wood, bridges connecting street to street, side to side. It was as if the entire island were a port dock.
Large lush green hills and one large mound of a mountain loomed far off in the distance where the amber glow of torchlight and lanterns sat, marking the sparse buildings on the inner depths of the island.
The inner island was meant only as jungle and for pirates to hide among. Most residential buildings sat on the coasts amidst the docks. Tall apartments, stacked houses, cots, lofts, and the like. A few mansions were spread near by but never further into the island more than a Kilometer. Jungle to thick. Animals to vicious. Or so they say.
In truth. It was far easier to keep people on the coasts, where the money flowed, than have it harder to get merchandise in and out through long treks across the island.
"Reminds me of Jay Vanem." Leroy said. Eyes wandering.
"You were on Jaya?" Zeke asked.
"Yeah? How else would I have gotten to Skyderia?" He snarked back.
"Pfft." Arnie snorted.
"True. You got me there. Now- Time for you to get to work. Use your observation Haki. Tell me how many people are on this island." Zeke stopped in his tracks in front of Leroy. The group suddenly stopping as crowds moved around them.
"Close you eyes. And focus on everything around you." Leroy did as he said. Eyes closing. Visualizing that pool in his lower half. From the Small of his back. Radiating and flowing up like water. And into his head and radiating outward. That same birds eye view was seen in his minds eye. Dark with bright blobs of clouds in an assortment of colors. Slowly the definite shapes of people came into view. Like shaping from smoke into silhouettes of people. But the crowds. Far too dense. Far too full of movement.
"Can't count can you?" Zeke could see the frustration in his students eyes. "Breath. Visualizing flow is only so you can get it working. But if you keep focusing, as if like squinting your eyes or tightening your fist, you'll gain clarity. Using more of your Aura as Fuel."
"Or…" Leroy began…His shoulder rose, and fell…Gently his aura came into shape. Activating in a flare. Immediately with the boost of Haki and efficiency, shapes came into view. He could count each of the individual people. And even start making out people miles away in the other coasts, more in groups than individuals
"Fifteen three blocks west. Thirty over by the ship at the end of the port behind us." Shapes of buildings like outlines and frames of what they were occupying the black.
"And how many down the street and to the left? In side the bar?" Zeke challenged.
"Nineteen. No- Twenty now. A man just walked through the doors." He began to feel sweat down the back of his neck.
"Hagh…" He breathed out. Dropping the Observation. "Doing that increases efficiency and strength of your Haki. But-?" He poised.
"It drains more Haki…But I'd imagine it'd also trade off in letting me get better at it quicker at the cost of exhaustion." Leroys mind quickly connected the dots. If Haki was like a muscle. And constant use increased its strength, usage, and amount usable. Then pushing to the edges in any way, just like his body with Arnies training–
"Exactly." Zeke confirmed.
"Cmon. Lets keep going." The teacher gestured with his head to have the rest of the group follow after him.
A pat on the back clapped against Leroys back. Arnies voice speaking in his ear "Good work there dawg. Getting sharper and sharper."
"Thanks arn." He smiled back.
Picking up the pace. Leroy jogged to the side of Zeke. "Where is it we're looking for?" Zekes stroked his chin. Thinking… "The message mentioned a Dead Owl would be where we would find the place…"
"Dead…Owl?" The Brown haired man looked around. Zeke side eyed his student. He knew where it was. But he wanted his student to find it. And using his natural senses compared to Zeke just sensing the location of the ring.
"Like…That?" He pointed to a sign. A logo carved in a realist style against the wood, an owl with a arrow in his chest, wings splayed out and in a barrow. "Arrow Barrow…."
The swing gates flapped as the quad walked into a dark wooden, dimly lit bar. It was left empty, no one but a lone man with a beard behind the bar wiped down the top idly. "We're Closed." The gruff, hoarse voice of the man barked to them.
"We were told to look for a Dead Owl." Leroy walked forward. Taking charge of the situation.
"Dead Owl Huh?" The wiping stopped. Eyes finally coming to settle on the quad. "Look about right. Better then the last guy that game along." A sigh left his lips, shaking his head.
"Notorious?" The once rubber man asked. "Yeah. Five Hundred Million kind."
'Five hundred million?' The thought zipped through Leroys mind. Five Hundred in only the last two years. Either someone that escaped from Styx…A notable Super Nova, or–
Someone from Sabaody.
The Bartender walked over to a large case shelf above, reaching for a bottle of Gratis Rum, and pulled it back, it was connected to a hidden lever. A subtle clack echoed, shoes skirting across the floor to open trap door to behind the Bar. "Cmon. Take the hallway to the very end."
A wall depressed into the wall and gently cracked inward to reveal a dark corridor lit by lanterns. A Case of stairs lowering down below the ground level. "G'on. Don't wanna keep the big ones waiting" The Barkeep said, pushing the door in deeper allowing the quad to enter and descend.
"Why would they hide a fighting ring?" Freddie asked.
"Because-" Zeke began. "Tortuga loves secrecy. Playing the game of Piracy. Hidden codes, smuggling, hand signs, secret passages. The Marines never come close enough. But it was a culture built up to ensure just in case. Everyone on the island knows where the fight rings are. How to get in. Where to go, etc."
"I can guarantee this isn't going to be small. Did you notice how few people were out on the street just outside? I bet there'll be a massive amount of people watching this tournament." He ended.
It only took some time before reaching the depths and the end of the hall, opening into a large chamber where two women in office clothes approached the group. "Well well, the 3rd to last competitor we need. I'm Sadie, this is Maggie." The dark haired woman gesture to the shorter blonde, both wore knee length skirts, heels and sleeveless buttonups. Hair both done into high pony's.
"Name, Height, Weight?" Maggie asked Arnie.
"Oh no. Not be. Him, we're just watching." The Lifter answered, gesturing to Leroy, who had pulled the covering up over his nose.
"Oh yes, apologies." She gave a deep nod and focused to Leroy. "Name, Height, Weight?"
Leroy met Zekes eyes. Thinking back to what he had said on the ship. A Passing comment on his name. That gave Leroy and Idea.
"Lee. 6'5, 198 cm. 220l lbs, 100kg. Why?"
"We're just to figure out what wait class and where to put you in the brackets. Lighter weights will start lower down. Heavier weight, higher up. Which means you should only have to do a couple fights compared to lower weights." Maggie added.
Leroy scoffed. A Small smirk widening. "Well that doesn't sound fair."
"It's not." Sadie confirmed. "Mr. Gall only wants the best. All this other competition is to get money through the Gambling Bets and admission of audiences. We already have a decent idea whose going to be moving to the next segment, theres a good chance those that win or loose in this Tournament are going to the next stage anyway."
"In the higher weight class?" Leroy asked.
"Or those that generally dominate their fights." Maggie finished, Putting a hand on the back of Leroy as she guides him over a serious of Doors. "You all can wait in here with him, or go out to the Audience. You will need to pay however."
"Don't worry. We're Lee's coaches and ring side Attendees." Freddie lied, partially.
"Great. Then stay here with him. It'll probably be a few hours until His fight comes up." Saddie smiled, closing the metal door. The room was small but comfortable. A Small bed, and a Screen in the corner behind Freddie, Arnie and Zeke. Showing the sandy covered floor of a massive arena flooded with lighting. Two current fighters slugging against each other. Blood spraying against the sand.
Leroy closed his eyes. Focusing. Doing the same as he did before, but now with less people, he could see the massive spike of a few individuals a couple hundred feet away. One of them…Felt Familiar. But he couldn't tell exactly who or what it was.
"Didn't realize we were so far away from the Coast." Leroy noticed. "We must be in…The Middle of the island now. Or close to it."
The fights came and went. An hour went by. Leroy watched the screen intently. The brutality. The skill. The Pure Martial Arts and Strength going from what seemed like ordinary people to decent and strong fighters. Some of their impacts even shook the ground just enough that Leroy and the others could feel.
"Seems like we're getting close." Leroy said.
"Anything you want to go over before you go out there?" Zeke asked. He wanted to see what his Student may be worried about to refresh himself on before hand.
"Yeah…What're the types of Reqia? I bet theres gonna be at least some people out there that may have something. And I wanna have it in my head to remember." Leroy folded his hands, resting forward on his knees.
"Good." Zeke smiled. "Theres only a half dozen Categories. And they all follow similar ideas to the Affinities, but in truth each of the Types of firmament can be any affinity, and empowered by other Haki Branches or Aura. And can even be based in a branch, using it for fuel or properties not just typical aura." Zeke sighed.
"Theres Tool. Which is a Konseki that works like a Utility. Can be anything. Usually never to complicated or powerful, but do give an edge especially when combined with Modularity through Vows. This can be as simple as…uh…" Zeke pondered waving his hand "A Needle that pins something to someone. Something like that."
Leroy Nodded. Brow furrowed as he thought.
"Theres Heft abilities. Which are Basic Powers and Abilities with a single Capability. A Strong punch that focuses on internals and shocks them with electrical pulses. Could even be a simple power up ability through some form of affect or attribute."
"Kinda like Gear 2 and Gear 3?" Leroy asked.
"Exactly."
"Then theres Binder. It's where an Ability has a Multitude of Rules and Guidelines that must be abided by for the powers to even manifest or key abilities to be utilized."
"Manifester. Manifest a Certain object, which is a Common ability of Firmament, but these Objects are far more Defined, and have an ability tied to them. Can be a weapon, tool, object, or anything along those lines."
"Vocation. A Special type that acts similar to or over laps with other types. A Heft that Has Rules, or a Manifester that has Tool like utilities."
"And final…Verduna. And the easiest way to explain this. Is its essentially a Devil Fruit ability manifest through Haki. They are broad, massively powerful or capable. And can do a variety of things just like a devil fruit, but tied to something to draw from. Concept, Idea, Ability; That sorta thing. These are incredibly rare. But awe inspiring. There is a few categories within this Category" Zeke leans forward to continue explaining but a Knock at the door interrupted.
"Lee?" Saddie asked, opening the door. "You're up!" Leroy clapped his knees and stood up. Offering a hand out to Freddie, who took it and groaned as he stood to his feet.
"Right this way!" Maggie moved her hand out to the side down another Hall Way. "Coaches?" She began turning to walk backward as she lead. "You will take the door to the right and will come out ringside. Lee? You will take the main tunnel here and wait for the Announcer to call you out, you'll be getting back to back fights!"
"Back to back?" He cocks a brow.
"Yep. You're apart of the Main Event, Big Guy! Make sure to give 'em a show! It's the only way to guarantee your spot on the next Section!" She clapped his back. Pushing Leroy forward.
As he walked down the hall, he bounced from foot to foot, cracking his neck and rolling his shoulders. In a quick one two he snapped his fists out 'cocking' his arms. "Phooo….Heee….Hooo…"
"COMING IN AT THE WEST CORNER! Standing at 6'5 or 198 cm and weighing in at 220 lbs or 100 kg! He's fast. He's swift! He's the next in our Main Event! Lee~!!!" The Words of the Announcer were muffled to Leroys ears through the concrete walls before becoming clear as he stepped out into the blinding light of the threshold! Eyes quickly adjusting, feet pressing against and through the sand.
Slowing as he came to a stop near the middle. His eyes locked to the man that already stood near the center. He was tall. But shorter than Leroy. His chest was exposed, hairy, wearing compression shorts and gloves on his hands. Head bald, face square.
There were countless people around in the stands it was like an auditorium that wrapped all around the ring, slopping up into an angle the further back it went. There had to be thousands, if not five digits of people in the arena.
"Cmere!" The Referee said, wearing shorts and tight white shirt with blue gloves. Waving his hand to get Leroy to come closer.
The two stood face to face. Lee a few inches above Hanz, the opposition.
"Alright. Rules. There are no Rules. Especially for these matches. Try not to kill each other, but its not mandatory. I'm only here to count blows and time KD's. Good? Good." He clapped his hands and shuffled back. Raising his hand up.
"Who're you betting on?" Arnie said, arms folded as he looked from a lower position. The Ringfloor just about Eye Level for Him, Zeke and Freddie.
"Leroy's got this. Guy should go down in single blow." Zeke confidently declared. Crossing his arms as well. Watching as Leroy and Hanz got into position. Leroy bringing his right hand close to his cheek, left forearm blow his ribs, legs spread apart.
Hanz took traditional boxing stance. Fist tight. Bent forward, and hands up to his chin. Gloves covering his mouth.
"Look at that–" Zeke pointed to Leroy to Arnie. "Haha!" Arnie laughed. "He's using a loose shell pose. That hand up like that can send a strike flying. And the other can grab or already be cocked to fire forward and push away if need. His foot works good too."
Leroy shuffled back the moment the bell rung, Hanz slamming a jab forward. Zipping from side to side as he continued a barrage of three punches in each arm.
"Other guys overly confident. Thinks hes all powerful." Freddie said. "Look at the posture, thinking he can out run Leroy. But, he seems far to slow for Leroy." Though he could not keep up with Hanz's speed, let alone Leroys, with how easy he was dodging, was clearly out pacing him.
"Oh! And Hanz hasn't made a single hit!" Announcer Called. Crowd Cheering at the spectacle. "He's known for his strength and that right arm! The Black-Arm Hanz!"
'Black Arm?' Leroy thought. Dodging another jab. 'Armament Haki?' Focusing. He used Observation, the Broad ability of the branch, Aura and Presence Sensing, as he leapt backwards, he focused. His eyes began to darken, as if mascara was traced around his eyes and water line. Small waving lines traced against the edge of his eyes.
"What…The fuck is that?!" Arnie said nudging his elbow into Zeke.
"Heh…Haha! Really now? You just did that…Like nothing else! He just reached the second level of Observation…Theres Three Levels to each branch. So to say. It marks efficiency of use, and ease of use of the abilities. Remember when I mentioned the colors for Hardening? Same happens with the branches."
"Essentially, when each Level is reached. You start to notice personalization of the branches. Those eye markings…his 'Yan Liu' meaning Eye Flow, are aspects that become visualizers for himself and opponents. Like a sharpened blade, or a blades Hamon line."
"So their marks of progress…" Freddie said. Hands behind his back as he leaned forward. Watching as Leroy now even easier than before, dodged the attacks. "Can he turn them off?"
"No. Not unless he weakens his use of the Haki itself."
'It's working so much easier now…I feel like I can switch between the Abilities almost as easy as blinking. I only need a few moments of Concentration to switch!' Leroy thought to himself as the colors of the world around him came back into view one second, and then desaturated the next, the flows of Haki in Hanz's body like a five way branches river, starting from a lake in the small of his back that lined up with his naval.
Hanz was activating flare for just small momentary boost, so quickly that he his aura didn't have time to begin leaking out of his skin. His flows 'pulsed' and 'beat' like veins. Threatening to breach the skin, but each moment it did, Leroy had already memorized his patterns. Right right, left jab. Left Left, Right Jab finishing with a wide right Haymaker
"Do you see that Folks! It's almost Like Lee has begun to get even faster! He's reading Black Arm like a book! But wait! Whats this?!" The announcers breath hitched, and the crowd leaned forward!
In the aural view, the pulse in his right arm swirled and…changed color to a darker tone almost as if like water in a drain or a twister was inside his body before bursting out of his skin to his sight and quickly solidifying around his entire arm like a sheath! Quickly, Leroy switched to using Danger Sense, the Singularity ability of Observation.
Hanz's arm was Blackened! Dark and Metalically shiny! Leroy had been right!
"Black Arm…DESTROYER!" Hanz screamed! Leroy's senses firing off at the Danger! If he didn't, it was gonna hurt!
In a blink, the moment that Hanz through his arm forward, Leroy sidestepped, feet quickly pirouetting behind themselves, right out of the line of fire from the attack! So fast that Not even Hanz could have a chance of anticipating or keeping up! Leroy's hand moved up!
Fingers clasping around. The feeling of the ring against his skin noticeable before!
WA-THOOM!
A Downward counter-strike straight to Hanz's right chin! The bone cracked and crunched brutally in a visceral sound that almost outpaced and overpowered even the sonic boom from Leroys strike, followed by a gnarly torque of Hanz's entire head to follow the force! Rattling his brain, even as super human his internals and externals were, such a violent thrashing made it seem like the entire world was flipping upside down before all of the energy from his Punch had left his arm!
To the crowd. Hanz's arm Blackened. His aura turned on in a dark brown murky stroke of energy. And before his arm moved to them, Leroy had gotten to the side, his arm fully extended, Hanz's Jaw devastated, and his punch finally finishing its movement! A massive bellow of wind shot forward! Compressed air and wind cracking the wall it impacted against! Whipping the air and clothes of the spectators as well! The only thing they had heard for sure.
Was Hanz's Jaw breaking!
"OOH!" The Announcer and Crowd all grimaced, some recoiling, other tightening their hands. In disgust, or in sheer astonishment of such a blow! "And Hanz's is…" Thud…His body limped against the sand. A small cloud forming while a stream of red came from the corner of his mouth, pooling against the ground.
"Down! Hanz is down! And before the first Round Timer had even gone off! Only One minute and Five Seconds have past since the start of the round!"
"One! Two! Three!" The Referee began. But Leroy was already walking away from the mans Collapsed form, sliding against the far wall to take a small breather. Only a minute of movement against Hanz. And he could feel his lungs beginning to sting…
All because of that injury from Kuro Ryu…His hand touched his chest…Gripping the fabric before tearing it off and tossing it to the side in one motion. Across his torso, where hair had grown out, was a massive scar across his pectorals and reached all the way down his sternum. It was like…A Star. Four points in each cardinal direction like jagged triangles, and smaller ones in between each of the marks. Skin darker than the rest, rough and coarse from scarring. It was the result of the attack that had gone through Rhico and into Leroy.
Took almost an entire year to heal properly.
"Five! Six! Seven!" No response came from Hanz, except for bloody drool and a soft rise and fall of his chest.
Leroys finger picked gently at the skin. "Woah…You see that gnarly scar?" Some of the voices from the crowd said. "Yeah. How'd he get that."
"Almost looks like a burn. Or a bad explosion or some shit…" Voices continued.
Leroy's mind was stirring…Thinking back to Azar…Face pouting underneath the Bandana where none of the viewers could see what he was thinking.
"Eight! Nine! Ten!" Ding Ding Ding! The Bell rang loudly over the arena. "Black Arm Hanz is Down and Out! In record time of only 1 minute and 5 Seconds! The Winner is! Lee!!!!" The Crowd roared in palpable excitement! But Leroys thumbs just rested in his waist band.
"He's got a strong built! Look at that chest!" An audience member commented to a woman next to her. "And that stomach. He aint got Abs but he's got some heft to him alright!"
"And those scars too…It's like not even an Inch of him hasn't been cut or hit by something! Are those…Shark Teeth?!" Another one noted.
"And without further adieu! The next fight of this segment of Brackets!"
Leroy had to go up against three more opponents for a total of five. A Man named Husk, who seemed to be really reliant on using martial arts and whatever weapon, a strange curved halberd, for range. He was tall and skin with dark and wrinkly skin.
A woman named Hana, here hands covered in thorny vines that Leroy could tell wasn't due to any form of Konseki or other wise. He was beginning to get bored. The two remaining men…He hadn't even heard the name off. Because the moment the bell rang. He released a use of the Ejection Ability for Conquerors. A Concentrated blast wave of Haki that Knocked the last man out before he had time to even draw his gun.
"Oh! Did you see that?! What kind of ability was that?! Lee's body didn't even move! It seems he's been using less and less movement? Could it be this extraordinary fighter is…Getting Bored?!"
"Well! Lets hope this next Fights not a Bore for either fighter! Because our last fight of the Night for this Bracket is…Coming in at the south Corner! Weighing in at only 55kg or 120 lbs and Standing at 5'6 or 172 cm!"
In a blink. An energy filled the arena…Everyones voice suddenly went quiet. It was almost visible. A strange sickly orange hue mixed with yellow permeated the atmosphere around the area. There was a feeling mixed into it…A feeling of…Malice!
"Hah…He! You…You've seen his name all…Over the Papers and his face plastered on every…Bounty board!" The Announcer struggled to get out…This wasn't Haki. Who ever it was. Was using their Aura to expand as far as possible and then the texture ability to mix into it, giving it an uncomfortable dry scratchy feel like ash and filled with Malice and contempt.
Even Leroy had begun to bead sweat down his brow…From within the dark. There was a raging fire of aura at the epicenter of it all.
"With a bounty…Exceeding Five Hundred Billion! Named as one of the Thirteen Disasters!"
"Yokeinu, The Burnt Wolf!"
"Bartholomew Howl!!!"
Howl. Looking the exact same as he had before on Desamare. Walked out of the Threshold tunnel. But moment that Leroy saw his face. He knew that not only was this the presence he had felt earlier. But he had gotten far stronger than before. And had the appearance to match.
His eyes were marked by makeup, and the Yan Liu around his eyes. But his irises Glowed. And Seemed to leave trails with every movement like streaks of bright light. His cheeks had large gauge rings, exposing his teeth inside. Large gauge rings in his ears larger than before and piercings in his nose, bars, and a ring.
"Hmph." Howl scoffed. The Aura concentrating inward, and the expansion was cut off. Leaving the crowd breathless and sweating. "Didn't expect to see you here, Red Sash." Howl said. But the crowd was reeling that they hadn't even heard what Howl said. Leroys enhanced senses without Haki let him hear.
"Didn't expect to see you here either, Howl. But try to keep the Name under wraps. I wanna keep these fights at least a bit neutral. Dont wanna ruin my big Return." Leroy scoffed.
"Yeah. What ever." Howl, ever the apathetic man, kept his hands in his spiked shoulder black trench coat.
"Don't expect you to go easy either…Black Bart." He quipped the old name of the Man. Having remembered seeing it back on Jaya Vanem on the Board.
"Oh You're gonna get it now…" The bell dinged. And Howl turned around and began walking away. He was radiating his Malicious Aura again, telling Leroy plain and simple he shouldnt take the opening.
Leroy turned and walked as well. The murmurs of the Crowd whispering in anticipation as they turned and faced each other. Ten Meters across from one another. With a deep breath, Howl sighed. And tensed! His eyes shooting open! Irises Dilating! And a blaze of Conquerors Haki shot forward! Lightning streaking through the air! The Modify Ability of Radiation. Indiscriminate release of Haki in all directions! Turning off the brains via short circuit of man of the crowd! Causing them to fall into Unconsciousness! Even the Announcer and referee slumped against the Microphone, feedback emanating from the Impact.
Freddie began to slump. But Zeke Caught him! Only a few seconds had passed.
But the Haki had little effect on Leroy. Sweat dripped. And he felt only a tad bit wobbly. Only for him to flinch forward! Body tensing and his eyes dilating!
ZZV-VOOOM!
The Twos Conquerors Haki blasts slammed against each other! Like two opposing magnetics, The visible color of Howls Yellowish Orange color and Leroys Dark Red rippled in the air! Attempting to over take one another, the singularity in the middle of the arena crackled with lightning! White energy glowing almost like a spot light- no, a star!
Leroy and Howl were locked in a tug of war, an arm wrestling match, staring contest and flex competition all tied into one. Seeing who who break focus and pushing back against the other! Fueling their Haki against one another!
In a sudden burst of his Aura Flaring! His Conquerors Radiation over came Howl's! The bubble burst! Ribbons of aura dissolving and wisping through the air.
"Agh!" Howl winced in pain! Recoiling backward. Hand coming to touch his forehead.
"Ha…Hah…" Leroy breathed. Howl felt an overwhelming heat wash and crash over him. Leroys immense Conquerors had been to much and overwhelmed him.
"Seems like maybe if you didn't keep your observation on for so long, you'd be able to have fueled more into that clash…." Leroy cocked a shit eating grin.
Howls shoulders rose and fell quickly. Head throbbing. Fighting against the threatening migraine that attempted to invade his skull, pulsing temples he could hear. With a quick shake of his head. His fiery blood orange hair waved.
"Hmph!" Throwing his hands behind him, Howl created explosions, from the palms of his hands and through the bottom of his boots! Forcing him to zip through the air at Massively Faster than Sound! Leroy's Danger Sense Fired! Not a chill, but a full body sudden stabbing like pin and needles! He only had a second to react!
Kicking against the ground, Leroy shot up into the air! Howl merely missing him by a few feet, but with expert dexterity, and explosions that were marked by their black smoke in the air, redirected himself, curving upwards and slamming against Leroy!
"Hrah!" With a blackened fist, Howl slammed against Leroy Hardened forearms. But upon impact, Howls knuckles exploded! Blowing Leroy backwards, thinking quickly, he shot his leg up! Even without the gum gum fruit, he could reach the shorter man! His boots toe crashed into Howls jaw!
"Shell-" Howl takes the opening and blasts forward! Blurring through the air! His fists blackened each one of his strikes against Leroy seemed to burn like hot coals, a Kata! This was howl's 'Darkthrone'
"Shock!" The final fist Slammed into Leroy's chest! A single explosion erupting before a chain reaction detonated! Each of the points of contact that Howl had slammed into ruptured! The Pirate Captain turned them into bombs of kilotons of potency!
Leroy, left bloody and wounded, skin cut deep, went skidding across the ground. It certainly would've caused the Crowd to cheer had they not all been currently Unconscious.
His back slammed against Ring side. "Leroy!" Zeke said. Running up to him. "You okay?" Freddie was laid out on the bench behind the two. Foam at his mouth.
Shaking his head, Leroy nodded. "Yeah…I'm I'm good. He hits fuckin' Hard though…" He dragged the back of his hand against his mouth. Smearing the blood.
"What can you tell me about him so far?" Zeke asked, watching as Howl landed against the ground. Hands in his pockets and slowly, defiantly, walked towards Leroy as he to wiped the blood from him.
"He's got Observation…Seems like its better than mine…" He began
"True. He's at the highest Level of Liu. Eyes glowing, Markings, and the trail. I'd imagine even his eyes would change shape had those eyes of his not been artificial." Zeke sensed with Observation that Howl was part cyborg. Meaning he had a larger pool of Haki to use, if slightly, from the mechanical movement of the parts, and the strain of Biological Processes being lifted from the genetic modification he had.
It was the slightest edge. But an edge none the less.
"And his fist…They…Burn. Like branding irons." He continued. He had only a few more sentences to continue before Howl reached him.
"And?" Zeke poised.
"It must be Kata…Fits all identifiable aspects for it…"
"Good! Konseki?"
"None so far…"
Leroy began to push himself up off the ground. Howl slowly grinning. "Whats wrong? Find something down there on the ground?" He pulled his hands from his pockets. Sparks flying in the form of intimidation.
"Lee! You can take the ring off!" Zeke advised.
"No…" Leroy wiped his mouth again. Feet shuffling, widening as he bent forward. Ready to continue. His aura began to flow out of his body. Like a torches flame covering his person.
With a simple tug. Leroy pulled the bandana off. Tossing it to the side where it limply fluttered to the ground.
"I'll beat him fair and square, with only my Haki…" His brow tightened. Arms Blackening to that same dull matte color.
In a burst of speed! Leroy flew forward! Fist cocked back! Howls eyes focused fingers curling, but he Leroy was just that bit enough faster than the other to land a jab straight into Howls sternum! Forcing him to lurch forward! Spit spewing out of his maw!
"Vulcan Slug!" Leroy yelled. Even with out his Fruit Powers, he still called the names out had they not been. "Vulcan Shot!" Knuckles slammed into the bottom of Howls Jaw who quickly attempted to counter
'He thinks I'll go for a simple explosion!' Howl thought to himself, his palm splayed out, swiping straight for Leroys face!
Raising his out hand, Leroy caught Howl by the wrist!
"Gotcha…!" Howl voiced with pride "Bloodshed!" He screamed! He'd trapped Leroy, an explosion detonating from his wrist in a massive fashion! Red Sash winced in pain, but he did not let go! He tightened his grip! A loud metallic and flesh crunch reverberated as the bones in Howls wrist cracked
"Shi-!" The injured man began, instinctually beginning to let off another explosion from his palm, only for Leroy to whirl around, lifting him off his feet and tossing him away to the other side of the arena! A massive disturbance of dust flew into the air as an enormous crater formed against the wall!
'He can use Explosions from any part of his body, and make anything he touches explode. Even his skin can detonate before then regrowing…But the injuries persist if he'd taken one before; Different from a Logia.' Leroy pondered. Watching as Howl's wrist, that had just been cut down to muscle, regrew but had been left mangled from the fractures.
Howl too analyzed. 'Red Sashes Body isn't like before…His style. He's not using the elongation I saw him use on Sabaody.' Eyes locked onto his opponent Hand. 'Seaprism? For what? His power isn't waned at all. And the flows of his Haki are Normal…He gave up his Fruit power and didn't even use it to form a vow?'
Howl himself had formed a Vow. His eyes were naturally superior than humans as they were synthetic and Mechanical in Nature, he sacrificed part of it's enhanced vision to permanently have the full spectrum of his Observation on at all times, on the additional cost of any non-known abilities needing to be activated by intentionally.
'I'm an Ejection type. From the looks. He's probably a Broad type…I'm Fifth Dan. But he's a rank up sixth. Ejection and Broad are close on the Chart. Meaning they actually meld better together in use than having disadvantage as compared if they were farther away or directly opposite one another…'
"Holding back? Wearing seastone? What. Afraid you'll hurt me?" Howl mocked.
"Hardly." He scoffed back. "More like I'm gonna kick your ass and out skill you."
Haki was a skill. A skill anyone could learn to use. But that skill was tied to strength. The more skill you had. The stronger you were. If you had the most skill? You were probably one of the strongest unless you didn't have all your capabilities, intentionally or not.
THAM! The two clashed again! "Vulcan Sling!" Leroy slammed his foot into Howls ribs! Foot blackened! "Hngh! Hah!" Howl shoved his hand back letting of an explosion right against Leroys Chest!
"Ack!" Leroy spun around, slamming the back of his blackened, hardened into Howls cheek! Blood spewing out, soaking into the sand! "Hmph!" Raising his boot, pressing it against Leroy, He detonated the entire boot! Thrusting Leroy back! Skin scorched and injured!
With Leroy skidding to a stop, Haji connecting him to the ground, ceasing his movement.
"Hmmh!" His hand shot into the air! Slapping his palm against the sand! Howl roared!
"Eviseration!" In a blink, the entire ground detonated! Explosions consolidating and melding into a single massive eruption of fire, smoke and pressure! Dust bellowing up into the air as all the way down to the stone!
Leroy was caught in the massive fireball! Knees tucked in, hands held close! The fire hadn't even cleared before his senses fired! Up! His eyes shot up! Hand whirling through the air to clear all the smoke in a sudden movement! Howl was high up above! Leg in the air!
'If I don't move, everyone in this place may be at risk…! There doesn't need to be so much death…' Leroys mind reeled, he activated the Modify ability for Observation, In a blink, everything began to move at a snails pace. Even his own body moved slowly. The Ability of Slow Mo, it speeds up the users perception to the point of moving a mere percents of their typical view. At the cost of their own body doing so as well. Perfect for forming plans and counter plans. But it can only last for so long!
Leaping into the air, Leroy kicked the air itself, rocketing up to meet Howl as he began to descend downward! His fist slamming forward to meet the back of his calf! Detonating it!
The rupture was monumental, the energy expanding in a massive pressure wave fireball like a nuclear device concentrated at the point of impact! Howl sent flying backwards! Soaring up through the air! Slamming through roof of the arena, destroying the concrete, stone and earth above! Trees flinging around as chunks of the earth ascended around Howls body! Light began to shine in, beaming around the arena!
Leroys, holding both his hands up, sweat immensely. A pale almost pink hue of energy surrounded the sky in a dome. It was like foggy frosted glass. The rubble and debris slowing down in its decent like the dome was elastic.
Firmament…It's Singularity ability of Mold. Jokyu difficulty. It was the basic ability of creating a shape out of pure firmament. He was lucky that he was a broad type. Or he wouldn't have been able to create such a massive shield…He could feel the amount of drain…
"Haki Bloom…." Zeke whispered. "That construct. It has elastic properties…"
Leroy. Had in that moment of desperation. Awakened his Firmaments Kata!
Slowly, the shield began to disappear. Harmlessly dropping the debris that had made it into the arena and the stands. The destruction directly above that had been held up, Leroy smashed through as he shot up through the air! Merely dust left behind!
Howl was already moving again!
"Leroy…He's moving at…120% of his power!" With his Haki Bloomed, efficiency and pool suddenly expanding in growth, he erupted his aura in a massive flare! Boosting him even further! He resembled a comet soaring through the night sky! Color streaking as he raised to meet Howl!
"Hell! RIPPER!" The Howl Pirate Captain screamed! Pressure building up! He was forcing explosions a dozen time a second from his feet, and creating micro explosions through his body to operate on a similar principle to Gear 2! Ten Fold what he was before!
Leroy would have to focus as much power and strength into this strike as possible! Osu, condensing his unused raw aura to boost his fist! His hand shout out! Black dots radiating around his hand for a moment! "Gum Gum!"
"VULCAN SHOT!" The two Captains Fist collided together! Haki against Haki formed sparks of aura to shed off, streaks of lightning that were merely silver in hue sparked like two live wires against each other!
"GRAH!" With a mighty push! Howl was over powered! Fist slamming backward, throwing him further up into the air!
The moment before impact, when Leroy had raised his hand up almost to aim his shot, he had created a Mold of Firmament behind him! Forcing howl to crash against it, but as if like on a trampoline was repelled back down! But he…Wasn't released?! The Aura stayed stuck to him!
The Kata had a Elastic and Sticky attribute to it. Like gum!
Again and again! Leroy slammed his fist out! Legs tucked in, then propelling him back up to stay a float! "SHOT! SHOT SHOT…" Howl was sent flying back and forth like a paddle ball, a speed bag! Unable to move from the force, haki and the lack of concentration!
"SHOT!" With a final blow! The elastic firmament dissipated! Letting the Captain go only to collide with Leroys fist a final time! Sending him flying up through the air!
He pierced through the clouds. A giant hole forming in it. His mind unable to react, having already fallen unconscious from the final blow…
"Hah…Haghh…Hngh…Ah-" Hot breath left Leroys lips. Holding his shoulder tight. Blood still flowing from the wounds. Inspecting his hand, he noticed that the Hardening was no longer a dull black. But was now a metallic hue. White spots glowing from the reflected light like polished obsidian.
"Hell yeah…"
The Announcer had begun to stir. Saddie and Maggie doing the same. Groans releasing from the crowd as the awoke to the massive destruction around them. Whispers and comments floating against the wind. Some in confusion. Others in awe.
"Holy shit…" Saddie and Maggie whispered to each other.
"W-Well…Looks like we have our winner by unanimous decision and seemingly TKO! The winner of this Bracket, our Champion! Lee!!!"
Claps and Jubilation filled the once weary crowd! Celebrating the victory of Leroy!
Saddie and Maggie struggle to reach the top of the rubble. But once there. The two grabbed each of Leroys arms and held them up in the air!
"Alright hot stuff! Looks like you're moving onto the Battle Royal~" They cooed. "Lets get you somewhere private so we can– Patch you up yeah?" Saddie said in a confusingly sensual voice. But before Leroy even had a chance of arguing. He was pulled away.
A few hours passed. And Leroy reentered his waiting room with Zeke, Arnie and a conscious Freddie. "There he is!" Freddie said standing up to wrap his arms around Leroy.
"Eteteteh-" He winced in pain.
"Oh right. Sorry about that. Those two office ladies treat you well?" The Teacher asked.
"Heh. Yeah you can say that. Just wish it hadn't taken so long. Bit of an offer I couldn't refuse but I did enjoy the relaxation." Now bandaged, the Captain rolled his shoulder, stretching his neck out.
"Well…That ref came by and said that the ship heading toward the next stage will be leaving tomorrow morning. But until then. You'll be guaranteed some luxuries and RnR in the mean time." Arnie explained.
"Phew…Thank goodness…" Leroy sighed, settling against the plush bed.
"So. Debrief time." Zeke began. Catching the Students attention.
The Two discussed briefly what had happened. From the development of Leroys Haki Liu in two of the branches, to the Kata he had suddenly awakened in the heat of the moment. Just as zeke had taught the awakened ability in the Bloom would be what ever needed to best solve the situation and matched his disposition. Clearly, Leroy needed to not only suppress Howl, but also keep him in place. This tied with his want to use his Gum Gum powers but being unable to do so, resulted in his Kata having the Properties of Sticky and Elastic Gum.
Leroy said he'd name it 'Chicle' after the name for sticky resin or gum from gumtrees.
As for Zeke. He explained more of the Yan Liu concept. Each level made the Haki more Personalized to the user and obvious. Conquerors became more colorful and the initial emotion in it more exact. Conduit had its flows become easier aura more obvious from the source, Observation had the eyes change, Armament metallic, Firmament became more solid than transparent, radiating more of a light than before. Even his base aura, which started to look more ethereal and intense would change.
He ended by saying, a person has obvious Yan Liu in all of there branches by the time they reach Yonkyu, or at least by the time they're at Fourth Dan. He was already at Sankyu of the Sixth Dan not long before. But now. He was already well into Fifth Dan. Just by this fight alone honing his abilities.
"But after each dan and rank. The next one just gets harder than the one before it." Zeke cleared.