103. The Battle That Reached The Peak Instantly

"Atonement?"

Zoro looked puzzled, but Tenguyama Hitetsu didn't say more. Instead, he gave them the autumn water and ushered them off.

"It's best to leave," he advised, gesturing to avoid the strong battle ahead. "Fighting here won't end well."

Luffy, feeling liberated, couldn't wait to take down the Cross Union and grab the historical text they sought.

"Let's go, Uncle Tenguyama," Ace bid farewell politely.

Once they were out of sight, Tenguyama Hitetsu removed his mask, revealing the face of an elderly man. Anyone familiar with Wano would be shocked to see it was Kozuki Sukiyaki, believed to have died.

"Oden," Kozuki murmured, sadness in his eyes as he handed over Oden's swords meant for his children, Hiyori and Momosuke.

With Kaido in power, Sukiyaki held onto hope for Momonosuke and the red-sheath samurai. But with the Cross Union, led by Crocodile, seizing control cleverly, their hope dwindled.

Desperate, Kozuki gave Zoro Oden's swords, hoping the Straw Hats could defeat the Cross Union, even though it wouldn't change Wano's fate.

As they headed to the capital, Zoro pondered Sukiyaki's words, realizing the significance of being a true swordsman like Hawkeye.

Suddenly, snowflakes filled the sky, a strange occurrence in Wano. Luffy and Sanji sensed trouble as two figures, Bullet and World, appeared with overwhelming strength.

Luffy, sensing danger, activated his fifth gear, feeling more powerful than ever, ready to face whatever came their way.

Luffy roared, shattering the ground beneath him as he charged forward. The force of his attack dispersed the wind and snow, creating a massive cyclone of white.

In a blur, Luffy clashed head-on with Bullet's falling figure, their collision sending shockwaves through the air. The ensuing storm, filled with swirling snowflakes, resembled a colossal white dragon.

Meanwhile, World moved with incredible speed, propelled by a blast of white energy. His target: Luffy. But before he could reach him, a man engulfed in black flames appeared, launching a powerful kick directly at World.

The intense heat from the kick created a vacuum, scorching everything in its path. World retaliated with a punch, but the sheer power of the attack overwhelmed him, sending him crashing to the ground like a cannonball.

"Impossible! You dare interrupt our captain's fight?" Sanji, hands in pockets, stood confidently in the air, his white aura pulsating around him.

As the battle escalated, Zoro, facing off against Hawkeye, prepared himself by tying his green turban securely around his head.

The clash between these two formidable forces marked the peak of the conflict, each side pushing the limits of their strength and resolve.

----------

You can read advanced chapters here: patreon.com/GregariousLion