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## Chapter 521: Can't See the Movements of Either Side!
William transformed into a mass of white hot steam, cautiously sweeping slowly over the Stone Bridge. The Gun Turret on the opposite bank seemed to be keeping a close eye on his every move.
However, what William was concerned about was not this seemingly tall and imposing Metal Gun Turret, but the empty, withered Forest surrounding it.
[Swish!]
As expected, just as the steam stepped onto the scorched Ground, a high-speed spinning axe flew from the right side behind the Gun Turret.
Just by hearing the sharp Whistling Sound, one could tell its Speed was very fast.
Although William didn't have Observation Haki, he was highly focused and was able to react in time, quickly dispersing his Steam.
[Bang!]
The flying axe passed through the Steam and landed heavily on the surface of the Stone Bridge, blasting open the stones in that Zone like a Bomb. A large amount of Gravel flew out like Bullets, even affecting William's 'Body' ahead, passing straight through his 'Body'.
Looking closely again, the axe Blade had deeply embedded itself inside the Stone Bridge, with only the wooden handle sticking vertically out of the Ground. This showed how terrifying its Power was.
"That guy, he really has Armament Haki!"
William's Heart sank. He immediately retreated without hesitation. He knew that without Observation Haki, the Risk of continuing forward while being sniped by the opponent's various Weapons was too great.
This was also why he didn't fly over the River on either side. Otherwise, if he were shot down, he would likely have to face the surging River.
One must know that this was the Upper Lane for him, essentially one of the estuaries.
Fortunately, the opponent seemed to have only mastered Armament Haki. Otherwise, he definitely wouldn't have been able to avoid that last attack.
[Swish! Swish!]
That 'Bounty Hunter' who had recently gained some notoriety on the Grand Line clearly didn't intend to let him go just like that.
A Cutlass and a Long Sword were thrown out again, just as fast and accurate, and Coated with a layer of Armament Haki invisible to the naked eye.
But the Steam William had transformed into was too ethereal and flexible, sometimes dispersing, sometimes drifting, allowing him to dodge them one by one without much danger.
Jean Ango, hidden behind the Gun Turret, could only watch helplessly as the Steam flew back to the opposite bank.
The main reason was that he didn't carry many Weapons this time.
The Marines only allowed carrying the number of Weapons one could carry on their person. So he could only hold two in each hand, and then tie or wrap around ten various Cold Weapons on his back, Chest, and Waist.
For example, short axes, chain hammers, throwing knives, javelins, etc.
Overall, the quantity was still too small.
Although he could definitely find a way to Recover them after throwing them, such opportunities were certainly few, so he had to conserve them.
With this limitation,
Morgan William and Jean Ango could only remain in a stalemate across the Great Bridge and the River.
In fact, since the latter knew Armament Haki, he could have charged forward with a Weapon in hand. But the problem was that as a professional sniper, he instinctively preferred throwing as his primary Combat Means.
Hence the saying:
People generally don't choose the most rational way to act, but the way that makes them feel most comfortable. This has nothing to do with IQ, only Habit.
Lower Lane.
Mima Amatori was fiercely fighting Hachi, who was over forty centimeters taller than him, on the Stone Bridge with his Long Sword Coated with a layer of 'Kabaneri Heart Membrane'.
The latter's six arms, six Long Sabers, coupled with the Fish-Man Tribe's innate powerful wrist Strength and Stamina, meant that every 'Six Sword Style' sword technique he unleashed was quite powerful against the former.
Although the former had Enhanced his Total Cell Count, his Physique had only reached the level of Ordinary Sea Star People. In terms of raw Physical Strength alone, he couldn't compare with Hachi, who was a Fish-Man Tribe member.
But everyone knew that Combat was never just about who was stronger.
Mima Amatori had not only mastered Shave and Tempest Kick from the Six Powers, but had also initially grasped Armament Haki and Observation Haki. His Swordsmanship, derived from 'Serpent Breathing', was also excellent.
Furthermore, with his various experiences and insights from the Army Headquarters, he didn't take Ordinary Fish-Man Tribe members like Hachi, who were merely stronger, seriously at all.
So, he was actually suppressing Hachi with slashes throughout the entire fight.
Even when the opponent's Gun Turret fired at him, Mima Amatori could casually cut the Cannonball in half with a single Blade. This was something he couldn't have imagined doing in the past.
Through this Combat, Mima Amatori could more clearly Feel that he had indeed become much, much Stronger.
He was no longer an Ordinary Person, but a true Transcendent!
If he had his current Strength back then, why would he have needed to endure for over a decade and go through so much trouble to Scheme various Operations? He would have just killed his way into 'Kongokaku' alone with a single Blade!
"It's not enough, I need to become Stronger, step by step, to become one of the Higher-ups of the World Government and a Powerhouse at the Pyramid Peak!"
The determination in Mima Amatori's Gaze grew stronger. The Blood in his Body boiled under the burning of Ambition, and the Blade he swung became sharper and more powerful.
"This guy's Gaze is so scary, yo."
Amidst a series of Clanging Sounds and surrounding Blade Light and sword shadows, Hachi noticed a heart-palpitating red glow flash in Mima Amatori's Pupil as he swept his Gaze over.
He also noticed that he was already coiled in the center by a giant white python, and the snake head above him was already flicking its red tongue, eager to strike.
"This guy from the Otherworld is a Snake, a poisonous Snake, yo!"
This filled Hachi with Fear, and he no longer dared to hold back. He immediately unleashed his full Strength, thinking of first breaking free from Mima Amatori's entanglement and then temporarily retreating.
"Watch my Six Sword Style Secret Technique: Six Sword Waltz!"
In an instant, this Fish-Man Tribe member with pink skin, six arms, and an octopus Face, actually turned into a high-speed rotating Blade Storm.
Even the surrounding Air Current was stirred up, forming a Tornado of Energy/Force capable of shattering the Stone Bridge.
This scene truly astonished Mima Amatori.
If not for the protection of Armament Haki and the Perception of Observation Haki, he might have already suffered serious injuries and been forcibly dragged into the Tornado by the violent Energy/Force.
Mima Amatori narrowed his eyes, staring at the Blade Storm that seemed to have given up on 'One Tower' and was rapidly sweeping towards the deeper area.
He felt that the Power of Hachi's move was slightly stronger than the storm unleashed by Sanemi Shinazugawa from the Army Headquarters.
"Indeed, none of the contestants who can stand out from the 'Selection Trial' are weaklings."
However, the most watched Combat of this match by the Audience from the four Worlds was neither William, the Logia User, nor Mima Amatori's fight, nor even Tengen Uzui playing 'Whack-a-Mole' all over the place.
It was the battle between Muzan Kibutsuji and the Sword Master named 'Goethe' on the Mid Lane Main Road.
Their Combat had completely destroyed the Stone Bridge over the River. The two were engaged in the most tragic fierce battle entirely on the Ruins piled with stones and the surging waves of the River.
Several Flesh Whips Coated with Haki danced wildly in the air at supersonic speed, clashing head-on with the various Blade Lights and Slashes unleashed by 'Goethe', completely enveloping In the Court with rapid, deafening Loud Noises.
Many Audience members' naked eyes could no longer see the movements of either side.
They only felt countless blurry Afterimages and Roaring filling every corner of the Virtual Screen.
William transformed into a mass of white hot steam, cautiously sweeping slowly over the Stone Bridge. The Gun Turret on the opposite bank seemed to be keeping a close eye on his every move.
However, what William was concerned about was not this seemingly tall and imposing Metal Gun Turret, but the empty, withered Forest surrounding it.
[Swish!]
As expected, just as the steam stepped onto the scorched Ground, a high-speed spinning axe flew from the right side behind the Gun Turret.
Just by hearing the sharp Whistling Sound, one could tell its Speed was very fast.
Although William didn't have Observation Haki, he was highly focused and was able to react in time, quickly dispersing his Steam.
[Bang!]
The flying axe passed through the Steam and landed heavily on the surface of the Stone Bridge, blasting open the stones in that Zone like a Bomb. A large amount of Gravel flew out like Bullets, even affecting William's 'Body' ahead, passing straight through his 'Body'.
Looking closely again, the axe Blade had deeply embedded itself inside the Stone Bridge, with only the wooden handle sticking vertically out of the Ground. This showed how terrifying its Power was.
"That guy, he really has Armament Haki!"
William's Heart sank. He immediately retreated without hesitation. He knew that without Observation Haki, the Risk of continuing forward while being sniped by the opponent's various Weapons was too great.
This was also why he didn't fly over the River on either side. Otherwise, if he were shot down, he would likely have to face the surging River.
One must know that this was the Upper Lane for him, essentially one of the estuaries.
Fortunately, the opponent seemed to have only mastered Armament Haki. Otherwise, he definitely wouldn't have been able to avoid that last attack.
[Swish! Swish!]
That 'Bounty Hunter' who had recently gained some notoriety on the Grand Line clearly didn't intend to let him go just like that.
A Cutlass and a Long Sword were thrown out again, just as fast and accurate, and Coated with a layer of Armament Haki invisible to the naked eye.
But the Steam William had transformed into was too ethereal and flexible, sometimes dispersing, sometimes drifting, allowing him to dodge them one by one without much danger.
Jean Ango, hidden behind the Gun Turret, could only watch helplessly as the Steam flew back to the opposite bank.
The main reason was that he didn't carry many Weapons this time.
The Marines only allowed carrying the number of Weapons one could carry on their person. So he could only hold two in each hand, and then tie or wrap around ten various Cold Weapons on his back, Chest, and Waist.
For example, short axes, chain hammers, throwing knives, javelins, etc.
Overall, the quantity was still too small.
Although he could definitely find a way to Recover them after throwing them, such opportunities were certainly few, so he had to conserve them.
With this limitation,
Morgan William and Jean Ango could only remain in a stalemate across the Great Bridge and the River.
In fact, since the latter knew Armament Haki, he could have charged forward with a Weapon in hand. But the problem was that as a professional sniper, he instinctively preferred throwing as his primary Combat Means.
Hence the saying:
People generally don't choose the most rational way to act, but the way that makes them feel most comfortable. This has nothing to do with IQ, only Habit.
Lower Lane.
Mima Amatori was fiercely fighting Hachi, who was over forty centimeters taller than him, on the Stone Bridge with his Long Sword Coated with a layer of 'Kabaneri Heart Membrane'.
The latter's six arms, six Long Sabers, coupled with the Fish-Man Tribe's innate powerful wrist Strength and Stamina, meant that every 'Six Sword Style' sword technique he unleashed was quite powerful against the former.
Although the former had Enhanced his Total Cell Count, his Physique had only reached the level of Ordinary Sea Star People. In terms of raw Physical Strength alone, he couldn't compare with Hachi, who was a Fish-Man Tribe member.
But everyone knew that Combat was never just about who was stronger.
Mima Amatori had not only mastered Shave and Tempest Kick from the Six Powers, but had also initially grasped Armament Haki and Observation Haki. His Swordsmanship, derived from 'Serpent Breathing', was also excellent.
Furthermore, with his various experiences and insights from the Army Headquarters, he didn't take Ordinary Fish-Man Tribe members like Hachi, who were merely stronger, seriously at all.
So, he was actually suppressing Hachi with slashes throughout the entire fight.
Even when the opponent's Gun Turret fired at him, Mima Amatori could casually cut the Cannonball in half with a single Blade. This was something he couldn't have imagined doing in the past.
Through this Combat, Mima Amatori could more clearly Feel that he had indeed become much, much Stronger.
He was no longer an Ordinary Person, but a true Transcendent!
If he had his current Strength back then, why would he have needed to endure for over a decade and go through so much trouble to Scheme various Operations? He would have just killed his way into 'Kongokaku' alone with a single Blade!
"It's not enough, I need to become Stronger, step by step, to become one of the Higher-ups of the World Government and a Powerhouse at the Pyramid Peak!"
The determination in Mima Amatori's Gaze grew stronger. The Blood in his Body boiled under the burning of Ambition, and the Blade he swung became sharper and more powerful.
"This guy's Gaze is so scary, yo."
Amidst a series of Clanging Sounds and surrounding Blade Light and sword shadows, Hachi noticed a heart-palpitating red glow flash in Mima Amatori's Pupil as he swept his Gaze over.
He also noticed that he was already coiled in the center by a giant white python, and the snake head above him was already flicking its red tongue, eager to strike.
"This guy from the Otherworld is a Snake, a poisonous Snake, yo!"
This filled Hachi with Fear, and he no longer dared to hold back. He immediately unleashed his full Strength, thinking of first breaking free from Mima Amatori's entanglement and then temporarily retreating.
"Watch my Six Sword Style Secret Technique: Six Sword Waltz!"
In an instant, this Fish-Man Tribe member with pink skin, six arms, and an octopus Face, actually turned into a high-speed rotating Blade Storm.
Even the surrounding Air Current was stirred up, forming a Tornado of Energy/Force capable of shattering the Stone Bridge.
This scene truly astonished Mima Amatori.
If not for the protection of Armament Haki and the Perception of Observation Haki, he might have already suffered serious injuries and been forcibly dragged into the Tornado by the violent Energy/Force.
Mima Amatori narrowed his eyes, staring at the Blade Storm that seemed to have given up on 'One Tower' and was rapidly sweeping towards the deeper area.
He felt that the Power of Hachi's move was slightly stronger than the storm unleashed by Sanemi Shinazugawa from the Army Headquarters.
"Indeed, none of the contestants who can stand out from the 'Selection Trial' are weaklings."
However, the most watched Combat of this match by the Audience from the four Worlds was neither William, the Logia User, nor Mima Amatori's fight, nor even Tengen Uzui playing 'Whack-a-Mole' all over the place.
It was the battle between Muzan Kibutsuji and the Sword Master named 'Goethe' on the Mid Lane Main Road.
Their Combat had completely destroyed the Stone Bridge over the River. The two were engaged in the most tragic fierce battle entirely on the Ruins piled with stones and the surging waves of the River.
Several Flesh Whips Coated with Haki danced wildly in the air at supersonic speed, clashing head-on with the various Blade Lights and Slashes unleashed by 'Goethe', completely enveloping In the Court with rapid, deafening Loud Noises.
Many Audience members' naked eyes could no longer see the movements of either side.
They only felt countless blurry Afterimages and Roaring filling every corner of the Virtual Screen.
