Inside the barrier, the air was so thick it felt like it could drip water.
Raging lightning, furious roars of a beast, and… a man's wild and unrestrained laughter, all intertwined, forming a bizarre prelude to war.
The Lightning Release Armor on the Third Raikage crackled, each flickering electric arc containing destructive power.
He stared intently at Garp, his sharp eyes filled with a mix of wariness and fighting spirit.
"You… you bastard…"
His voice was low and hoarse, like two rocks grinding together.
"Who exactly are you?"
"Are you here for the Eight-Tails?"
As soon as the question was asked, the atmosphere in the entire canyon tensed to the extreme.
However, Garp's reaction to the Raikage's questioning surprised everyone.
He slowly extended his pinky finger into his nostril and dug around vigorously.
Then he flicked his finger.
"Huh?"
He looked utterly bewildered, tilting his head to look at the Third Raikage.
His expression was as innocent as a three-year-old child.
"Eight-Tails?"
Garp, still picking his nose, repeated in confusion.
"What is that thing?"
"Does it taste good?"
Boom!
These words were like a barrel of gasoline poured onto the Third Raikage's already blazing fury.
Playing dumb?
Mockery?
A monster strong enough to punch back the Eight-Tails wouldn't know what a Tailed Beast is?
In his eyes, this was blatant contempt!
It was the most thorough contempt for him, for the Hidden Cloud Village!
"Bastard…"
The Third Raikage's teeth gnashed together.
The Lightning Release armor made of Chakra on him suddenly surged with electricity!
The blue-purple electric arcs became thicker and more violent!
Crackling!
Amidst the ear-splitting thunder, the ground around him was crushed and cracked by the powerful energy, sending gravel floating upwards!
"It doesn't matter!"
The Third Raikage let out a low growl, suppressing extreme anger.
He suddenly lowered his body, adopting a charging stance, transforming himself into a blue cannonball about to be launched.
"No matter where you came from!"
"And no matter what your purpose is!"
His eyes were bloodshot with rage, fixed on Garp's figure.
"This old man will beat you half to death first!"
"Then I'll interrogate you slowly!"
Before he finished speaking.
The ground beneath his feet exploded!
Chapter 5
Boom!
The Third Raikage transformed into a blue lightning bolt, and wherever he passed, the ground cracked inch by inch, leaving a scorched gully!
His speed had completely surpassed the limits of what the naked eye could capture!
"Die!"
A furious roar exploded in Garp's ears.
However, facing this thunderous strike, the smile on Garp's face grew even wilder.
"BWAHAHAHA!"
"Just as I wanted!"
He didn't retreat, he didn't even think about dodging!
Garp also lowered his body, the muscles in his right arm instantly bulging and knotting, veins writhing like small snakes beneath his bronze skin.
He violently pulled his fist back, charging power!
Then, he unleashed a punch towards the blue lightning streaking towards him!
"Hah!"
There was no fancy move name, no dazzling energy effects.
It was just a simple, unadorned punch!
The next instant.
The lightning-wrapped fist and the calloused iron fist collided fiercely in the center of the canyon!
Buzz—!
There was no earth-shattering bang.
Only a terrifying hum loud enough to deafen the entire world!
Centered on the point where their fists met, a destructive shockwave exploded outwards in a spherical shape!
The ground beneath their feet, like a lake hit by a massive object, sent up soil waves dozens of meters high!
The entire giant barrier formed by the "Four Violet Flames Battle Array" trembled wildly under this power, and intense ripples spread across the purple energy wall!
Outside the barrier, all the Kumogakure Ninja were sent flying by the terrifying aftershock, stumbling and falling, blood oozing from their mouths and noses, their faces filled with incredulous horror.
Inside the barrier.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Clear cracking sounds echoed.
The ground beneath the Third Raikage and Garp could no longer withstand this brutal force, instantly cracking like a spiderweb, then collapsing into a huge pit!
Dust filled the air.
The two figures separated instantly, each retreating dozens of meters.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The Third Raikage left deep footprints in the hard rock ground with each step, retreating over a dozen steps before barely steadying himself.
He looked up, staring intently at the man opposite him, his eyes filled with unprecedented solemnity.
He glanced down at his slightly trembling right arm.
His fist, encased in the Lightning Release Armor, was throbbing with a numbing pain.
How could this be?
His Lightning Release Armor was known as the strongest shield!
His Lightning Release: Lariat was known as the strongest spear!
Both offense and defense!
But this man in front of him had actually matched him using only pure physical strength?
No!
He even… subtly gained the upper hand!
The Third Raikage had a more precise assessment of Garp's strength in his heart.
This guy… definitely possesses strength not inferior to his own!
And this monstrous strength is simply terrifying!
On the other side.
Garp also shook his fist, grimacing.
A shallow white mark was left on his knuckles, accompanied by a slight tingling sensation from the electric shock.
The wild laughter on his face slowly subsided.
In its place was a serious expression mixed with surprise and annoyance.
"Damn it…"
Garp muttered under his breath, his eyes changing.
"Is this thing called a beginner dungeon?"
As one of the strongest individuals standing at the apex of the pirate world, he had entered with a mindset of "experiencing life" and "just having some fun."
After all, for a million Berries, what kind of earth-shattering challenge could one expect?
But that punch just now had given him a solid lesson.
The opponent's strength and speed had completely exceeded his expectations.
"It seems I have to get a little serious now."
Garp clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking loudly.
"Otherwise, I might really capsize in this small ditch!"
Inside the dungeon, the battle had already reached a white-hot intensity!
"BWAHAHAHA! Now this is getting interesting!"
Garp's wild laughter subsided, replaced by an extremely excited seriousness!
His muscles bulged, his bones resonated, and the aura he exuded was even more terrifying than before!
"Don't get carried away!"
The Third Raikage roared, his Lightning Release Armor glowing to its extreme, the blue-purple electric light almost solidifying!
These two monsters had completely entered their battle state!
However.
They had both overlooked the third presence in the arena.
The Eight-Tails Gyuki, having been punched away, trapped by the barrier, and finally completely ignored by two mere humans, had its fury level breaking through the sky!
Roar!!!
It opened its gaping maw.
Black and purple energy began to converge and compress wildly, forming a sphere radiating destructive power.
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