82. Seimei Kikan Bushintai
"Damn it, battling in the air severely restricts the effectiveness of my Devil Fruit power!"
Katakuri remained steadfast, his gaze remarkably composed, unruffled by the temporary setback. He maintained unwavering eye contact with Atlas across the way, wearing an expression of understanding.
Out of nowhere, Katakuri's elongated limbs divided into multiple legs, each one fortified with Haki. Swiftly, he launched a rapid assault on Atlas!
Yanagi Mochi (Willow Mochi)
Atlas had activated his observation Haki well in advance, and his body seamlessly transformed into a thin sheet of paper, swaying with the air currents generated by Katakuri's movements. Effortlessly, he evaded every attack.
'While my observation Haki may not match Katakuri's strength, I've attained an advanced level. When it comes to Armament Haki, the quality difference between us is minimal.'
As Atlas skillfully dodged Katakuri's barrage of attacks, he took a moment to assess the comparative strength between them.
While Katakuri stands as the unparalleled master in the One Piece world, possessing the utmost proficiency in Observation haki, this individual's prowess in weaponry is by no means weak.
Observing how effortlessly Atlas thwarted his attack, Katakuri's brow furrowed even more. Simultaneously, his legs transformed swiftly, adopting a waxy texture infused with armament Haki. He then compressed them sharply, propelled by a reactive force, and swiftly surged toward Atlas.
Kaku Mochi (Square Mochi)
The upper section of Katakuri's charging hand swiftly underwent a compression resembling rice cake, enveloped by intense flames. Dark Armament Haki coated it, akin to a detonating rocket launcher, its formidable force nearly tearing the air apart!
The potent penetrating force pierced through Atlas's body in an instant, causing his entire form to swiftly dissipate, akin to the moon fading in a mirror!
Witnessing the change in his haki, Katakuri sensed something wrong. A substantial amount of sticky dough poured out from his body, enveloping him entirely. The vibrant armament color swiftly coated the glutinous dough!
"Damn! How is this guy so incredibly fast?"
Katakuri felt powerless. Just as Atlas struggled with Katakuri's Observation haki, Katakuri also found himself deeply troubled by Atlas's speed, explosive power, and strength.
Bakuhatsu ken (Explosive fist)
A faint sound pierced through the dense layer of glutinous rice, reaching Katakuri's ears, setting off alarm bells in his heart. His muscles tensed, and the glutinous balls generated by his super creation thickened slightly!
Boom!
Another powerful explosion echoed, yet Atlas displayed no joy. Katakuri had already readied himself for full defensive measures.
As the smoke cleared, a dark sphere hung in the air. Shortly afterward, the spheres transformed into black, powdery solids, descending one by one. The howling sea wind swept through and vanished from view.
"What a terrifying level of haki! Can you foresee the majority of my attacks?"
Atlas subtly twisted his neck, stirred his energy and blood, and spoke with a touch of solemnity.
Without waiting for Katakuri's response, Atlas closed in directly, gearing up for a physical clash between men.
Katakuri's response was swift; his arms promptly transformed into mochi spheres, coated in armament colors. While his armament color might not possess the awe-inspiring magnitude of Atlas's, it still allowed him to endure in an extended battle against the observation haki.
Boom boom boom!
The two exchanged fists and kicks, the clash of armed weapons generating a continuous metallic whine. Atlas intermittently employed Seimei Kiken (Life Return), expanding his arms, with the thick muscle fibers showcasing formidable power.
Katakuri, on the contrary, resembled a tentacle monster, as his body produced numerous tentacles covered in armament colors. With his ability to foresee the future, he adeptly blocked every attack from Atlas with precision.
"It appears Atlas has found a formidable enemy."
Gion, observing the battle from a distance with his observation Haki, felt a tinge of concern. Despite the current advantage favoring Atlas, Katakuri's observation Haki seemed slightly superior. The ability to foresee the future was so buggy that none of Atlas' attacks managed to land on Katakuri.
Of course, Gion remained unaware of Atlas' current formidable self-healing ability, but her slender, white hands had already grazed Konpira at her waist. Despite the duel being initiated by Atlas, both being Marines, they were not inclined to stand idly by.
In the mid-air at a distance, the clash between the two had escalated into a fierce stage. Judging solely by appearance, Atlas seemed more troubled, yet he had not sustained any significant injuries. Katakuri, on the other hand, remained in the same attire as when he entered the scene. Apart from occasionally massaging his numbed fists, there was no noticeable change.
"Damn it! It's impossible to utilize the fruit's awakening ability in mid-air!"
Katakuri harbored a silent frustration that the awakening of his Mochi-Mochi Fruit could assimilate the surrounding environment, imbuing nearby objects with Mochi characteristics for his use. However, in the current aerial battleground, there was nothing for his Mochi to utilize. The fruit's assimilation was thwarted, and the sole ship present had been reduced to wreckage by Atlas.
Is Atlas formidable? Undoubtedly! He's a man with virtually no weaknesses in physical abilities, strength, and Haki. Katakuri pondered, wondering if his observation Haki hadn't been honed to the point of foreseeing the future, what would his chances be against such a monstrous opponent.
The answer is uncertain. Numerous factors influence the outcome of the battle, but it's certain that the chances of winning would be considerably smaller than they are now.
"Marine, causing harm to my family is unforgivable! You won't leave here unscathed today!"
Zan Giri Mochi (Slicing Mochi)
Katakuri's arm abruptly expanded to an immense size, adorned with barbs resembling a mace. True to form, it was coated in armament colors and set into a rapid rotation. The entire arm transformed into a Mochi ball, possessing a pliable nature. Like a meteor hammer, it soared directly towards Atlas's face!
"Well done!"
Atlas displayed no fear whatsoever. Through the technique of Seimei Kikan (Life Return), his already robust body swiftly expanded to a towering five meters. His broad back took on the appearance of a fierce grimace. Every muscle fiber was infused with black and red armament haki, forming a mysterious pattern that traced from the corner of his eye to his forehead. The overall effect presented an explosive power and a striking beauty!
Seimei Kikan Bushintai (Life Return Martial Body)
Boom!
Atlas swung his colossal fist, colliding with Katakuri's 'mace'! Both attacks exuded immense power, but Atlas, empowered by the Ox Talisman, undeniably held the upper hand!
Boom boom boom!
A horrifying burst of air exploded from Katakuri's body. In this pure strength clash, Katakuri lost control of his airborne form and plummeted into the distance!
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