The gigantic shadow bat and the frost-white circular slash of sword energy crashed into each other, the shadow bat forcibly lifted up like an extremely elastic rubber ball.
At the same time, a large portion of the shadow was torn away.
Unfortunately, shadows were creations of ability. No matter how much was lost, it didn't matter. Moria could condense more shadows at any time to replenish it.
Moreover, the shattered fragments of shadow did not disappear. Instead, they transformed into small bats and continued their assault.
"Not a bad ability."
Netherworld Mist gathered behind Vane, forming a pair of Ice Crystal-like wings. With a single beat, the frigid mist energy spread outward. A small patch of the world began to howl with freezing winds as snowflakes crystallized and drifted down.
A localized blizzard technique.
The bats flying in the air clearly slowed down.
Rasya had already pulled back far enough. Watching the miniature blizzard zone created by Vane, uncertainty about the mission's outcome grew in her heart.
"Shadow's Asgard!"
The massive bat in the sky returned to the ground, condensing into a black Moria.
Clang! Clang!
The shadow warrior now held a large pair of scissors. The scissors could be dismantled—normally used to cut others' shadows, but in battle the two blades could be separated into a pair of curved machetes.
"So you've turned into the shadow warrior. Looks like you can't hit me while I'm flying anymore."
"Don't underestimate me, you brat pirate!"
Under Moria's command, the lower half of the shadow warrior's body turned into countless small bats. Working together, they actually lifted the shadow warrior into the air.
With a flick of his hand, the large scissors split into two curved machetes.
"Assault!"
The crossed blades slashed down at Vane.
"Whirlwind Cutting Fist!"
He fused the power method of Whirlwind Cutting Fist into his sword. Originally this was extremely difficult—after all, a sword wasn't part of his body and couldn't generate internal force.
But now he forcefully controlled ice energy, injecting it into the blade. The energy within the sword resonated at the same frequency as his body's exertion.
Thus, a brand-new sword technique was born.
What once required multiple swings to unleash Spring Breeze Comes could now, with the power method of Whirlwind Cutting Fist, achieve half its effect in a single strike.
The sword energy became layers upon layers of storm, cutting across the shadow warrior again and again.
Very quickly, the shadow warrior was torn into pieces midair.
If it had been flesh and blood, it would have died beyond doubt. But it was merely a shadow construct.
At this moment, Moria displayed the control he would later lose when facing Luffy more than a decade in the future.
The shattered shadow fragments hadn't even fallen before tendrils extended from each piece, merging instantly. A completely unharmed shadow warrior reappeared.
And it still wielded the two curved machetes.
"Gehehehe~ So you've got some skill, pirate!"
The shadow warrior's arms elongated, slashing twice at Vane from a distance!
"Crude!"
Moria might have been strong, but at this moment he was absolutely not a swordsman. In Vane's eyes, such attacks were unbearably clumsy.
With only a slight adjustment of his posture, he easily avoided both slashes.
"Shadow's Assault!"
The shadow warrior's body exploded at that instant, transforming into countless shadow arrows that covered the sky in a sweeping barrage.
This was something Vane hadn't anticipated.
Just like Whirlwind Cutting Fist, the defensive counter style of Flowing Water Crushing Rock Fist had also been integrated into his sword techniques.
This time, the sword energy formed twisted wave-like patterns. When the shadow arrows struck the waves, they all veered off course, their directions warped beyond Moria's control.
"Damn it! Horn Blade Shadow!"
Behind Vane, the shadows rapidly gathered and burst forth with a massive spearhead!
In the future, at the Summit War, this move would pierce through the jaw of the ancient giant Little Oars Jr., dealing him severe damage.
"It's useless! Moria, you've wasted far too much time and energy all these years. Bullying low-level pirates is fine! But where is your Haki!"
Without even turning around, Vane used Soru in midair to widen the distance between himself and the Horn Blade Shadow, causing it to strike empty air.
"Haki!"
Moria had once possessed Haki. Once.
Haki was not something that remained forever simply because you had it—it could fade as well.
Moria and Crocodile were prime examples. Both had challenged Whitebeard and Kaido in their time. They must have known Haki—otherwise, how could they dare attack two future Yonko?
Crocodile likely allowed his Haki to deteriorate after hiding in the first half of the Grand Line for too long without using it.
Moria probably refrained from using it for similar reasons, though his were more complicated. After being utterly crushed by Kaido, his spirit had collapsed. Failing to manifest Haki was a reasonable explanation.
"You actually know Haki!"
On this point, the World Government had set Moria up. They hadn't clearly informed him that Vane possessed Haki.
It was deliberate. After all, Moria was still a pirate. If he didn't occupy the Shichibukai seat, someone else would.
"A brat who just set sail actually knows Haki! How infuriating!"
Moria controlled the shadow warrior, splitting off part of its body into a small storm of bats that rammed toward Vane, while the shadow warrior itself stood ready with its two curved machetes, waiting for an opening to strike.
From afar, Rasya watched the battle unfold and couldn't help sighing inwardly.
If this operation failed, she would bear part of the responsibility. She had sailed here on a pirate ship, bringing along a group of pirates she had deceived—at Moria's request.
Fighting within a crowd was Moria's greatest advantage. He could cut off others' shadows to strengthen himself. But here, in this desolate wilderness devoid of people, Moria had been severely weakened.
"Damn it, this Vane actually suggested scouting alone, and dealt with the expendables I brought along while still at sea!"
It was as if he could read minds.
"Soru!"
Vane vanished from before the shadow warrior, charging straight at Moria himself. A single thrust unleashed a flying slash that set off alarm bells in Moria's heart!
"Shadow's Exchange!"
Moria instantly swapped positions with the shadow warrior. The flying slash struck the shadow warrior instead, but its ruined body quickly restored itself.
"Now that's not a bad ability."
Exchanging positions with the shadow warrior to avoid damage—quite an excellent technique.
"Gehehehe! Brat, you're full of surprises. But don't think I'm that weak!"
Moria reached into his own body and grabbed out more than a dozen struggling shadows writhing in his palm.
Rasya hadn't brought anyone along—but fortunately, he had prepared some shadows himself.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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