Chapter 62: The Gathering of Strength

On the Tang Jikede,

"Listen carefully, young one."

"The so-called Busoshoku Haki, or Armament Haki, is an extension of willpower, a manifestation of an unyielding soul."

Flames roared on the deck, and two figures—one tall, one small—stood facing each other. They allowed the flames to scorch their arms, and the bald, burly old man began to speak slowly.

"Turn your will into armor, your soul into a blade. That is the essence of Busoshoku Haki."

"Unlike some lucky individuals born with 'Haoshoku Haki'..."

As he spoke, the bald old man glanced at the seated Doflamingo, his disdain evident.

The Conqueror's Haki, known as the "King's Disposition," was indeed formidable for ordinary people. However, for someone who had mastered Busoshoku Haki like him, it was no more than a breeze.

Of course, not only him, but also a handful of people in the world knew about the Conqueror's Haki's secret technique, "Haoshoku: Ryo."

"Unlike the more talent-dependent 'Kenbunshoku Haki'..."

While Kenbunshoku Haki could be developed through training, many exceptionally talented individuals, even without great strength, could easily grasp it:

The princess of Fish-Man Island, the little girl Aisha from Skypiea—both weak in combat, yet possessed of fearsome Kenbunshoku Haki.

"But Armament is different. Only by firmly believing in your own strength and will can you unleash this spiritual light between life and death!"

Due to the tragedy that had befallen him in the past, "Bald" Arknock had a special patience for children.

Moreover, Verge was so young and dared to challenge him with a bet, so Arknock found himself breaking tradition and offering some advice.

However, mastering Busoshoku Haki was not so simple.

Whether you can harness the power of your spirit amidst blazing flames depends on your own will, kid.

————

"Hey, isn't this too unfair?"

Intense cold air swept outward in a circular pattern, instantly enveloping half of the dock. The ambient temperature plummeted to around minus two hundred degrees Celsius, causing the air to freeze and solidify in an instant. Debris and buildings were covered in a thick layer of ice.

The pirates and knights who hadn't managed to escape in time were frozen solid, becoming icy sculptures. This was the true embodiment of "When gods clash, mortals suffer."

Even Rosinante had to retreat; otherwise, he wouldn't be able to endure this level of cold for long.

"So, it's true that a powerful Devil Fruit can greatly enhance one's strength."

Unlike Rosinante's "Silence Fruit," which required considerable effort to master, it was clear that Barlf Talni's Devil Fruit granted a significant boost to her combat abilities.

Previously, she could already suppress Jola's "Inspiration State" with just her physical prowess. Now, with her Devil Fruit power in play, she made it impossible for Rosinante to even get close. How could they fight like this?

"Cough, you..."

Falling back to Jola, who was seriously injured, Rosinante directly asked her without wasting time.

"Don't be polite at a time like this. I'm Rosinante. So, that girl—do you have any way to help?"

"I'm Jola, the 'Art Person' who consumed the 'Art Fruit.' I can turn targets into works of art using my 'imagination.'"

Asked by Rosinante, Jola quickly introduced her ability, still displaying her positive attitude. 

Because she hadn't experienced the downfall of her country yet, her personality hadn't changed much. 

So, her ability was an "enhancement" rather than an "injury"? Although her combat prowess wasn't like the future's abstract art horror, which could defeat opponents with a touch, she still had a chance of winning.

"Miss Jola, leave the upcoming battle to me."

"Use your ability to assist me—"

————

"Is there an ability that can shield against 'Kenbunshoku Haki'?"

After being ambushed twice in a row by Rosinante, if Barlf Talni hadn't noticed this anomaly yet, then her claim as the "North Sea Overlord" was laughable.

The North Sea was far from the weakest East Sea that would be scrutinized countless times over two decades later. Even though Haoshoku Haki was a formidable power, a tiny group of top individuals had mastered it.

Even though they were all just using basic Haki.

"I am truly delighted from the bottom of my heart. I invite all the loyal and brave individuals to listen to this hero's story—"

?!

Amidst the protective circle of armored knights, the middle-aged poet plucked the strings of his instrument, and his resolute poetry echoed through the devastated harbor. This revitalized the spirits of the worn-out knights who had suffered heavy casualties.

"The hero shall triumph over evil, for he wields..."

Swoosh,

Amidst the poetry and the sound of the lyre, a golden beam of light shot towards Barlf Talni, illuminating her golden vertical pupils, which contracted.

Faced with Rosinante, who approached wielding a golden longsword, this time Barlf Talni didn't choose to counter with her 'Dragon Scales.' Instead, she agilely leaped backward.

"Sword of the Golden Mountain King!"

Splat—

The golden light descended, carrying a thunderous, rolling sound that extended like an invisible sword swung by a giant. It split the frozen pier in half and even continued on to freeze the surface of the sea!

"This level of 'Flaming Slashing Strike' is interesting."

While this attack was formidable, it wasn't enough to make Barlf Talni feel fear.

Although the opponent could disrupt Kenbunshoku Haki, before Barlf Talni had mastered it, she had also experienced countless battles. The golden vertical pupils locked onto Rosinante's figure, and the enhanced vision from her Devil Fruit power made her fearless.

"Unfortunately, it's not your own power."

"Exactly,"

With the missed strike, Rosinante lifted the all-gold longsword in his hand. His strength was far from that of a "Sword Master," so it should have been impossible for him to unleash a Flaming Slashing Strike.

First, the middle-aged poet had been empowered by the 'Inspiration Fruit' ability. Then Jola had used the 'Art Fruit' to create weapons and armor. Added to that, Rosinante had recently awakened Kenbunshoku Haki and simultaneously shielded his opponent's Kenbunshoku perception.

Only this combination of factors allowed Rosinante to face Barlf Talni head-on!

"As long as we can defeat the enemy, the source of power doesn't matter."

Behind him, draped in a magnificent cloak adorned with the emblem of the Gryphon Pirates, and wielding the sword known as the 'Golden Mountain King,' Rosinante appeared truly majestic, like a hero descended to earth.

"Or perhaps, the pirates' code of combat forbids relying on external power?"

"Hahaha, true."

The athletic woman grinned, clenching her fists in succession. She was surrounded by swirling frost, and her shoulder-length black hair danced behind her.

"My only regret is that these powers aren't yours. You won't get to have a full-fledged battle."

"Then, let's begin—"

Boom!!

A white figure streaked toward Rosinante with rolling frost. For the first time since the battle began, Barlf Talni took the initiative to attack.

"Dance!"

The concept of Barlf Talni's "Dance Partner" was something that struck terror into the hearts of all pirates in the North Sea.

With Barlf Talni charging, her muscles tightened, and her fists rained down like a storm of icy punches, reminiscent of a collapsing iceberg or an artillery barrage!

Boom boom boom boom—

Countless punches fell like surging waves, completely engulfing Rosinante's figure. The buildings around him exploded, turning into numerous frozen debris that scattered everywhere!

"The rest is up to you, Mr. Rosinante."

Protected by several arriving armored knights, Jola, who was already severely injured, had to retreat from the aftermath of the battle. Beside her, a knight captain anxiously inquired.

"Lord Jola, will that hero... will he..."

"He won't,"

Jola shook her head. In addition to creating the 'Golden Mountain Sword' as Rosinante's weapon, she had also crafted the magnificent cloak as a defensive measure.

"Cloak, turn into flames!"

In the midst of a violent ice explosion, as Rosinante commanded, the magnificent cloak suddenly burst into roaring flames!

The fiery cloak kept the terrifying cold at bay as Rosinante swung the all-gold longsword, blocking the oncoming fists one by one! Like a lone boat on a tumultuous sea, it braved the stormy winds and rain, yet still managed to stay afloat.

-"Take this sword strike!"

As Barlf Talni unleashed a barrage of over a hundred punches and paused to catch her breath, Rosinante, who had been evading and defending, seized the opportunity. He took a deep breath, causing the surrounding air to generate a vortex out of thin air.

"Flying Rampant!"

In this state of multiple enhancements, Rosinante unleashed an unprecedented burst of power. With a swing of his golden longsword, a hundred-meter-long beam of golden light shot into the sky!

This strike had no accompanying sound of wind; it was pure light hurtling toward Barlf Talni!

Upon seeing this sword strike, whether they were standing close or far, on the pier or on the sea, everyone's hearts seemed to skip a beat. They all had an uncanny illusion: this slash was coming for them, ready to neatly cleave the entire battlefield and everything on it in half from top to bottom!

"Perfect timing!"

Facing this earth-shattering sword strike, Barlf Talni's eyes gleamed with excitement, and she didn't dodge.

Instead, she also took a deep breath, enveloping herself in a ferocious storm of ice. Then, without fear, she met the golden sword light with a punch! A head-on collision—

"Dragon's Crushing Fist!"

---

?!

On the Don Quixote, 'Baldy' Arnok's expression changed.

"How is this possible..."

Just five small nations forming an alliance, and yet there was a fighter of this caliber among them?

Clap,

As he turned to leave and head to the pier to investigate, in the midst of the flames, within Arnok's perception, Vergo, who should have already been charred and unconscious, suddenly spoke up with a voice as raspy as two pieces of charcoal rubbing against each other.

"Wait... wait!"

In the flames, Arnok's attention was caught. The boy who should have been burned black and unconscious was now speaking, his voice hoarse.

"Our... gamble... isn't over..."

This kid—

Upon closer inspection, Arnok noticed a metallic glint on Vergo's charred arms, which were now a burnt black.

"It seems you have a lot of trust in your comrades,"

Halting his steps, 'Baldy' Arnok continued to expose his arms to the flames.

Although these flames posed no real threat to him in his current state, a gamble was still a gamble. Since the boy on the other side could still endure, Arnok had even fewer reasons to back down.

"But I also have faith in my captain. She's my pride!"

---

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(End of this chapter)