The moon in the sky was eerie, and meteors were born from the moonlight, streaking across the sky.
Just like an opening act, it ignited the battle.
The Sage moved first, smoke rings swirling under his feet as he jumped high, one leg bent, left hand resting on the back of his right hand. A burst of black light appeared like a black sun, launching a huge black pillar.
"Annihilation Slash!"
"Gallic Cannon?"
Kuro was obviously taken aback, stepping forward into an Iaido stance. The Black Blade was sheathed and then drawn with lightning speed, bringing forth a golden electric arc. It sliced the black pillar in half from the center, dispersing it like foam.
"Ultimate Armament Aura?" The Sage frowned slightly, "It seems different..."
"Unified Haki, a manifestation that combines all Haki into one, similar to your Ultimate Armament Aura, right?"
Kuro chuckled, pointing the Black Blade at the Sage, "If that's all you've got..."
Pop.
Likewise, as if ripples formed in water, the foam dissipated, and the figure raising a blade suddenly fragmented. A sharp presence appeared from behind the Sage, aiming straight for his neck.
"You're no match for me!"
The voice appeared behind the Sage. Kuro was seen maintaining a blade-swinging motion, the sharp blade nearly reaching the Sage's neck.
Bang!
But at that moment, without even turning his head, the Sage kicked backward, striking Kuro. As his foot landed, a turtle shell-like defense appeared on Kuro's body, but the force of the kick sent him flying.
The Sage's aerial ability dissipated at that moment, causing him to land heavily on the ground.
Kuro's figure, after flying for a while, stopped in mid-air, and the two stared at each other from top to bottom.
"You noticed? Impossible..." Kuro clicked his tongue.
"In this world, no one can ambush me," the Sage said.
Kuro was stunned for a moment, "Thoughtless Shadow Kill?"
"Correct."
The Sage chuckled, "What was that technique of yours? Four Gods Secret Technique?"
Both came from the same place, so they could roughly understand each other's techniques.
"A move from the same hometown can't be broken, huh."
Kuro thought for a moment, then suddenly looked up, "Then let's try this move! Lion Might!"
The sky, already dark, suddenly became overcast. The moonlight was almost completely shrouded as a massive boulder, nearly half the size of the island, descended from the sky, falling straight down.
From such a high altitude, combined with the unnatural speed of the falling boulder, if it struck, the island would likely vanish instantly!
But...
Bang!
The Sage directly pulled out the flintlock gun inserted at his waist and pulled the trigger at the descending meteorite. The bullet expanded to a diameter of more than a meter the moment it emerged from the gun barrel, immediately turning into a blurred shadow, like a fleeting meteor. It pierced through the meteorite, exploding in the center and blasting it into fireworks, scattering fragments like a rain of stones.
The Sage sneered, "Heavy? No, doesn't seem like it, Flutter?"
"Speed? No... is it More More?" Kuro was taken aback.
"What a strange fruit," both sides spoke in unison, then simultaneously fell silent.
"How strong can Flutter really be? And for a Sword Master like you, to actually eat a fruit?" The Sage raised an eyebrow.
"Likewise, how good can More More be? I thought you were just a pure street fighter, if you ate a fruit it should at least be a Zoan-type," Kuro retorted.
The Sage had never encountered the Golden Lion and had little interest in that kind of loser, nor did he think much of the Flutter ability's strength.
Kuro, on the other hand, had easily defeated Vald and similarly didn't think much of More More's strength.
Besides...
How could he insult the power he consumed!
"Try it, see how strong Flutter can really be!"
"Lion Might Earth Roll!"
Kuro suddenly spread his hands and clenched them. The island's ground surged like waves, forming a spiral under the Sage's feet. From the spiral, numerous earth spikes extended, like the gigantic maw of a monster, trying to engulf the Sage.
"Muda da!"
The Sage crossed his hands, launching two Haki Bullets that blasted open the spiraling ground. At the same time, his body began to move, using all limbs and even his head. With the various parts of his body, he shattered the spiraling and constricting ground. The debris unexpectedly expanded and accelerated under his punches and kicks, shooting towards the airborne Kuro.
"You're using what I'm controlling to hit me?"
Kuro furrowed his brow, opening his hands. The stones, moving at such high speed that they emitted a breaking sound, just suspended around him and were sent back down.
"Returning it to you!"
"I don't want such trash!"
The Sage's fists ignited with black flames. His arms moved so fast they were invisible, launching a barrage of Haki Bullets that shattered the descending massive rocks completely.
The moonlight continued to illuminate the island, and the wind became a bit sharper. Both parties, one high and one low, observed each other silently for a moment before both broke into a sneer.
"Ordinary tricks don't work on you, Four Emperors... seems like you're not one of those new era weaklings, you're a true Pirate Emperor," Kuro said with a smile.
"Similarly, you're not just a typical newly appointed Admiral, you're a very traditional old Admiral too."
The Sage grinned, revealing his teeth, "Let's get serious."
"Alright!"
Kuro released Shusui, lifting both the sword and its sheath. At the same time, he raised his hand to the sky, and beneath the moonlight, a golden object descended.
It was a long strip of gold, but the aura contained within was extraordinary, as if something was sealed inside.