End of Battle

Descending with energy-infused fists, Jack executed the Hurricane Cyclone, creating a tornado-like effect aiming to disorient Lysander. The Vice-Admiral, however, counteracted with a gravitational field around him, reducing the effects of the cyclone.

Lysander smirked, "Your power is commendable, Pirate Hunter, but can you withstand the might of a celestial body?"

Without waiting for a response, Lysander began using his Devil Fruit powers more aggressively, attempting to manipulate Jack's gravity. The aim was to destabilize him, making him as light as a feather, disrupting his techniques.

Jack felt the change immediately. His feet seemed to lose their grip on the metallic floor, making him momentarily float. But rather than panic, Jack utilized the situation to his advantage. Tapping into his Sky Shatterer technique, he launched a forceful punch into the air. The shockwave it generated was so potent, it disrupted the gravitational field Lysander had summoned.

Both fighters, with their unique skill sets, were pushing the boundaries of their techniques. The chamber became a whirlwind of energy and gravitational forces. Every punch, every kick, was filled with purpose, power, and precision.

Lysander, acknowledging the might of his adversary, employed one of his most powerful techniques, the Black Hole Grasp, on a larger scale. He aimed to create a vast gravitational pull to draw Jack in and trap him.

Jack, sensing the mounting danger, responded with equal vigor. Harnessing the power of his Iron Tempest, he unleashed a rapid succession of energy-infused blows, intending to disrupt Lysander's concentration and break free from the gravitational pull.

A faint smirk inched its way onto Jack's face, a rarity for the usually stoic Pirate Hunter. The excitement of the battle began to kindle in his chest, a thrill he couldn't suppress despite the pressing situation of the kidnapped children. It reminded him of why he loved combat in the first place, testing his limits and those of his adversaries.

Seeing Jack's barely perceptible smile, Lysander let out a boisterous laugh. "I knew you were just the same! You enjoy this! It's written all over your face. Now, show me your Haki," he challenged, his tone filled with anticipation.

As Jack activated his Haki, a tangible shift in the atmosphere was palpable. Lysander, with an approving nod, reciprocated, initiating his own Haki, causing the energy within the room to surge dramatically.

Lysander then shifted into his Celestial Ascendance tier, where his mastery over Haki synergized perfectly with his fighting style. His movements became even more refined, his power augmented exponentially. Using his Stellar Shield, Lysander coated himself with a formidable layer of Armament Haki, making his body appear as though it was forged from obsidian. His every strike now carried a devastating weight behind it.

Taking a deep breath, Jack responded with his own advanced techniques. Harnessing the power of his Sky Shatterer, he unleashed a shockwave aimed directly at Lysander. The Vice-Admiral, demonstrating impressive reflexes, dodged to the side but not without taking a glancing blow. Jack swiftly followed up with his Sky Splitter, channeling a significant amount of energy into a monumental punch.

But Lysander was ready, his Galaxy Strike was in play. He channeled his own Haki into his limbs and counteracted Jack's assault. The impact of their Haki-infused blows sent a concussive wave throughout the chamber, causing even the durable steel walls to reverberate.

Jack, sensing the tide of the battle shifting, opted for his Phantom Punch series. The Shadow Strike was first, an almost blindingly fast sequence of blows that left afterimages in its wake. Lysander found himself on the backfoot, parrying and dodging, barely keeping up with Jack's incredible speed.

Just when it seemed Jack had the upper hand, Lysander unveiled his Supernova Burst. With a shout, he channeled both his Haki and the power of his Devil Fruit, launching an attack that appeared as if a star had descended upon the room. The force was immense, and Jack, despite his formidable defenses, was sent skidding across the chamber.

Without missing a beat, Jack retaliated. Activating his Ghost Guard, he enveloped himself with a shimmering barrier of energy. As Lysander charged, Jack's form seemed to blur and phase, allowing Lysander's blows to pass right through him.

Lysander's eyes narrowed, adjusting his tactics. "You're full of surprises, Pirate Hunter," he admitted begrudgingly. Using Void Dance, he combined his gravity manipulation and Haki, turning himself into an agile and nearly untouchable combatant. The chamber was filled with the dance of two masters, their movements blurring into one continuous flow of attacks and defenses.

Jack, with a swift motion, transitioned into his Iron Leap, launching himself skyward. From his vantage point, he activated his Sky Sprint, propelling himself forward at Lysander with blinding speed.

The Vice-Admiral, however, was not to be outdone. Using a combination of his Rokushiki and Celestial Fist techniques, he managed to evade Jack's advances, turning the tables on him with a well-timed Gravitational Adept move. This caught Jack slightly off-guard, as he felt a shift in his own gravity, momentarily disorienting him.

Realizing that this battle could very well stretch indefinitely given their matched skills, Jack decided to bring out his most potent attack. Tapping deep into his reserves, he initiated the Sky Annihilator. The room seemed to darken as Jack unleashed a barrage of Sky Shatterer punches, creating a massive shockwave that threatened to engulf everything in its path.

Lysander, sensing the immense danger, did the only thing he could. Using the very last of his energy reserves, he activated his Black Hole Grasp, attempting to neutralize Jack's onslaught. The two formidable forces clashed in the center of the room, creating a maelstrom of energy that threatened to tear the very fabric of the chamber apart.

Suddenly, with an ear-deafening roar, the energies exploded outwards, sending both combatants crashing into the walls.

Lysander, though winded from the intense clash, managed a breathless chuckle. "We are evenly matched, Pirate Hunter!"

Jack slowly pushed himself off the metallic wall, his clothing scorched from the explosion, the edges of his cloak singed. As he straightened himself, a dark, palpable aura began to surround him, the atmosphere in the chamber growing thick and foreboding. His eyes, normally a calm blue, now deepened to a tempestuous shade, reflecting the storm of power that bubbled beneath the surface. A grin crept onto his face, a rarity for Jack, displaying a row of white, defiant teeth.

"Far from it," he responded, his voice chillingly calm amid the turbulent atmosphere.

Lysander's laughter faded as he felt the overpowering pressure emanating from Jack. Taking a cautious step back, the disbelief was clear in his eyes. "You were still holding back?"

Jack didn't answer verbally. Instead, with a sudden blaze, his form disappeared from Lysander's sight, leaving the Vice-Admiral momentarily disoriented.

Reappearing behind Lysander, Jack released an Inferno Fist—a technique where his punches were enveloped in both Haki and flames, resembling a meteor in its might. Before Lysander could react, the fiery punch connected with his back, sending him stumbling forward.

Regaining his footing, Lysander integrated Rokushiki with his fighting style, making his movements more fluid and powerful. He launched into a series of Tekkai-enhanced punches, each blow resonating with the power of hardened iron. But Jack, already expecting this level of assault, responded with his Flame Shield. The defensive technique created a fiery barrier that not only shielded Jack from Lysander's onslaught but also retaliated by releasing bursts of flame upon contact.

Lysander, feeling the heat and intensity of the shield, swiftly transitioned to his Geppo technique, propelling himself into the air to gain an advantage. From above, he could see Jack preparing for his next move.

Jack, sensing Lysander's aerial maneuver, activated his Starry Sky Leap. Launching himself upwards surrounded by a blazing inferno, he met Lysander mid-air with a Meteor Haki Punch that was aimed to stun. The impact between the two created a brilliant burst of light, illuminating the chamber.

Reverting to the ground, Lysander, although slightly winded, unleashed his Galaxy Strike—a combination of Soru and a Haki-enhanced punch. Jack, anticipating the swift attack, used his Comet Dash. The technique propelled him forward with immense speed, leaving a trail of fire in his wake. As the two collided, the power from their respective techniques created another resounding explosion within the chamber.

However, Jack, drawing from deeper reserves of his strength, was ready to end the battle. He prepared for his most potent technique, the Cosmic Cataclysm. Channeling a vast amount of energy, he released a barrage of Meteor Haki Punches towards Lysander. Each punch was so powerful; it not only engulfed the Vice-Admiral in flames but also created a series of fiery explosions upon contact.

Lysander, already at the limit of his endurance, tried to counter with his Black Hole Grasp, but the relentless onslaught from the Cosmic Cataclysm was too much. Overwhelmed, he was sent crashing into the far wall of the chamber, his form slumped and defeated.

The room, once filled with the sounds of intense combat, now echoed with the crackling of residual flames and the heavy breathing of the two combatants. Jack, standing tall with his stormy eyes and dark aura slowly dissipating, looked over to the fallen Vice-Admiral.

Lysander, coughing and trying to catch his breath, managed a weak smile, acknowledging his defeat. "Impressive, Pirate Hunter," he rasped.

Jack's expression remained neutral, though the tempest in his eyes had calmed. "Remember our deal, Vice-Admiral," he responded, his tone firm.

Lysander, despite his weakened state, nodded in agreement. "Very well. I'll aid you in your search. But remember, Pirate Hunter, I still serve the Marines. My duty will always come first."

Jack simply nodded, turning away. The next phase of his mission was about to begin, and with Lysander's assistance, the kidnapped children's safety was one step closer to being secured.

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