The air tore apart as Sharn's fingers, charged with Haki, sliced forward. Compared to blunt fists, these razor-edged strikes bit deeper — sharper, faster, more decisive.
Dragon had realized this truth. That's why he abandoned the heavy style of Garp's "Iron Fist."
The world, he thought, needed blades — not hammers.
The Marines had never birthed a true swordsman. Because they couldn't cut through the fog in their hearts.
So fists became their answer.
Even Sakazuki (Akainu) would one day discard his blade for his magma fist.
But Dragon? Dragon forged a new path — turning the fist into a claw.
"Let me show this world a new kind of justice — a new choice!"
He lunged, claw striking toward Sharn.
Sharn's black-dragon claws met his from the opposite direction.
The instant they collided, air warped.
Dragon's Haki-roaring, human-forged claws clashed with Sharn's monstrous might and dragon-scale defense.
A shockwave blasted outward, flattening nearby Marines.
Dragon's Conqueror's Haki erupted — wild, scarlet waves crackled across the battlefield.
"You think you can fight freely without fear?" Dragon shouted.
"To soar as free as the wind, you must reign as the dragon of the sea!"
"You're strong, Sharn — but not strong enough!"
Sharn grinned, his teeth bared. "You sure sound excited, Dragon!"
Lightning danced through Sharn's veins. Dragon's will pressed down like a storm.
For a moment, their spirits clashed louder than their claws.
One fought for fairness, one for freedom — both young, both terrifying.
Dragon's Haki flared higher, the ground cracking beneath him.
Sharn's purple lightning answered, arcs twisting around his body as if defying submission.
"So this is Conqueror's Haki?" Sharn muttered, his eyes wide.
"If it's power you're born with… then I'll drag it out of myself by force!"
In God Valley, kings clashed by the dozens. To survive there was to be extraordinary.
And Sharn refused to believe he was anything less.
"You say it's a gift from birth?" he growled.
"Then I'll prove it's something you earn!"
His own will burst out, electric and violent, tearing cracks through the battlefield haze.
Dragon felt it instantly — a raw, untamed Conqueror's Haki answering his own.
For the first time, his claws trembled.
"Your eyes… they're filled with ambition," Dragon said darkly.
"If I don't stop you now, you'll become unstoppable."
Far across the field, Roger laughed aloud. "That kid—he's your son, right, Garp? Same king's will!"
Garp's face went red. "Shut up, Roger!"
Rocks' fist slammed into him from the side.
"Focus, Marine!"
"Go to hell, you monster!" Garp barked back, dusting himself off.
Even bleeding, he glared at Bogard, who stood stunned.
"Wake up, Bogard!" Garp roared.
"Pirates can have a thousand excuses for sin!
But we—Marines—can never make one!"
Bogard blinked, clarity returning to his eyes. "Yes, sir!"
His sword shone black once more — the "Black Blade" back in hand.
"I lost myself, Mr. Garp. But not again."
He turned, rejoining the fight.
Meanwhile, Sharn — still battling Dragon — overheard. He snorted.
"How many people will I save? You really want to know?"
"If a Celestial Dragon kills ten a year… then killing one of them saves thousands!"
Dragon's expression hardened; sweat steamed off his skin.
Sunlight dimmed; dusk bled into moonrise.
The orange glow faded beneath their feet.
And then — silver light washed over the ruins.
The Moon Lion rose again.
White vapor erupted from Sharn's body as his hair turned silvery-white, eyes glowing blood-red.
His aura spiked; claws lengthened; the hybrid beast became colossal.
Electric light laced his skin — the White-Haired, Red-Eyed Black Dragon.
"Looks like fate won't let me die yet," Sharn whispered, his breath fogging the air.
Pain consumed him — the stimulant wearing off — but the Moon Lion's power countered it, keeping him upright.
Every nerve screamed, but his eyes only burned brighter.
"Not necessarily," Dragon said, voice low, vanishing into the air.
Sharn's grin widened. "Then this will be… my last Lunar Lion!"
A blur of motion — white mist exploded outward.
Dragon's claws gleamed with greenish Haki.
"Dragon-Claw Fist!"
They clashed again and again, faster than sight. Each impact rippled the air like a drumbeat.
The two fighters slammed through battle lines, crashing into the zone where Whitebeard and Sengoku were already trading blows.
"Oi, you two!" Sengoku snapped, turning mid-strike. "Watch where you're fighting!"
"Gurararara! Such spirit, boy!" Whitebeard roared, laughing thunderously.
"Join my crew, Sharn — be my son!"
Sharn froze, half in disbelief. "You're recruiting now?!"
"Thanks," he shouted back, electricity sparking across his claws. "But I don't do dads!"
And then he charged again, purple lightning tearing across the battlefield like a second dawn.
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