Chapter 122.2 : Hancock!

Without delay, Hyuga Hiashi sent the invitation to Hoshigaki Kisame.

Not long after, Hoshigaki Kisame received the invitation and promptly accepted.

The stage was set.

With anticipation, excitement, and a hint of solemnity, Hoshigaki Kisame arrived. He couldn't forget what had befallen the Fourth Raikage.

In terms of raw power, he might not match the Fourth Raikage, but battles often transcend sheer strength; they hinge on strategy and restraint.

Kisame possessed the ability to harness the power of the Devil Fruit while controlling water ninjutsu, effectively neutralizing fire-based attacks—an aspect of combat in which he found confidence.

The duel commenced.

Having learned from Hawkeye's blunders, Akainu wasted no time, opting to unleash his full might immediately.

Likewise, Hoshigaki Kisame harbored a similar resolve, promptly employing his own ninjutsu—Water Style: Exploding Water Colliding Wave!

Boom!

The arena transformed into a vast lake, Kisame's domain.

Akainu reacted swiftly, employing Moonwalk, a technique from the Marine Six Styles, propelling himself into the air. He'd extricated himself from the lake, though not without effort.

"This man can conjure a lake!" Akainu observed, a crease forming on his brow.

As a wielder of Devil Fruit powers, he harbored a natural aversion to seawater. However, his strength precluded him from succumbing easily to such weaknesses. Even the concentrated essence of seastone posed little threat to him.

While the lake comprised seawater, its dilution mitigated its potency. Yet, combat beneath its surface posed a vulnerability.

"Then let us engulf this lake in flames!"

From his aerial vantage point, Akainu unleashed his ultimate technique—Meteor Volcano!

Boom!

His fists transmuted into molten lava, birthing a barrage of colossal lava fists resembling a meteor shower, bombarding the lake below.

Boom!

Explosions reverberated, evaporating swathes of seawater.

In the Golden List live room:

[Kakashi: Such formidable power! Akainu has mastered the Lava-Lava Fruit to an incredible degree. If Gamanemu possessed such prowess, the implications would be staggering!"

[Great Toad Sage: Look at him, look at yourself, wasting the potential of the Lava-Lava Fruit!]

However, the slumbering Gamanemu remained oblivious to the unfolding spectacle.

[Hidan: That Hoshigaki Kisame guy's situation is a bit dangerous. The other guy might retreat. And that Lava-Lava Fruit ability is too terrifying; it can even burn the sea!]

[Third Hokage: I agree. Hoshigaki Kisame is indeed in dangerous situation.]

Hoshigaki Kisame stood tall, feeling the overwhelming strength of Akainu. With a sense of urgency, he swiftly formed hand seals, unleashing the Water Style: Big Shark Ball Technique!

This ninjutsu had the capability to absorb the opponent's energy in the form of a shark, thereby amplifying its own power.

Boom!

The massive water bomb transformed into a shark and charged towards Akainu. Despite some of it being obliterated by Akainu's magma, the shark absorbed the energy and grew larger.

"This technique can actually absorb energy!" Akainu frowned, swiftly understanding its mechanism. He countered with Marine-style combat.

Rankyaku!

With the agility of a Marine Admiral, Akainu delivered a devastating kick, slashing through the shark with a vacuum slash.

Bang!

The shark exploded upon impact.

Hoshigaki Kisame was taken aback. He hadn't anticipated Akainu's formidable physical prowess. Taijutsu specialists were his greatest concern.

But surrender wasn't an option!

Before long, the lake Kisame created was obliterated by Akainu's Meteor Volcano, and the Admiral closed in.

"Dark Hound!"

Akainu's hands morphed into lava as he lunged at Kisame with incredible speed. In response, Kisame brandished his signature weapon, Samehada.

"Alright, partner, it's time to suck up some energy!"

Fully empowering his weapon, Kisame clashed with Akainu's Dark Hound.

In an instant, Kisame was sent flying, but Samehada greedily absorbed Akainu's fire energy, despite its aversion to flames.

Yet, Akainu swiftly intervened, targeting the masseter muscle.

"Your weapon can absorb my fire energy? Then I'll have to resort to pure Taijutsu to deal with you!"

As a Marine Admiral, Akainu was a Taijutsu master. With unparalleled skill, he engaged Kisame in hand-to-hand combat.

Whenever Kisame attempted to summon seawater with ninjutsu, Akainu utilized his Lava-Lava Fruit ability to counteract the water's evaporation.

In a critical moment, Akainu seized an opening, delivering a powerful kick to Samehada, then pummeling Kisame's arm with the Dark Hound.

Boom!

The arm was instantly engulfed in magma.

But Kisame swiftly escaped using the Body Flicker Technique.

"Underestimated his strength. Seawater weakens Devil Fruit abilities, but against overwhelming strength, that weakness is negligible. Damn it, challenging Akainu was a mistake!" Kisame cursed his folly.

If he continues to battle in this manner, he risks inevitable defeat.

Persisting in such a futile struggle serves no purpose; surrendering is the only logical choice.

There's no shame in conceding defeat, and losing an arm is a trivial matter. After all, Obito himself lost half his body and yet remains formidable.

Upon returning, the priority should be to have Obito craft him a prosthetic arm infused with Hashirama cells.

"I Admit defeat!" Hoshigaki Kisame declared simply.

[Hidan: Hoshigaki Kisame just surrendered!]

[Kakuzu: Unbelievable. The opponent's strength is overwhelming, and with their mastery of Taijutsu, Hoshigaki Kisame stands no chance. If he's struck by even a single blow, it could prove fatal!]

[Uchiha Obito: Hoshigaki Kisame chose the wrong opponent. If he had faced Crocodile, perhaps he'd stand a chance. No, he would certainly emerge victorious. Restraint is key.]

[Hyuga Hiashi: Another loss for us.]

[Senju Hashirama: Better to admit defeat than to face death.]

[Third Tsuchikage: These otherworldly powerhouses are indeed formidable. We're fortunate to hold the upper hand. Otherwise, we'd be at their mercy, forced to yield one by one.]

[Garaga: Ha! Losing is out of the question. Look around, there's no one stronger than me!]

[Third Tsuchikage: Let's not forget the incomparable strength of Garaga-sama. Truly invincible!]

[Garaga: Ahem, I dare not claim invincibility. My strength still pales in comparison to Master and Beerus!]

In the arena,

[Sakazuki emerges victorious, awarded with the Vajra Immortal Fruit!]

Without hesitation, he consumes the fruit in one gulp.

Instantly, a surge of majestic energy erupts, fortifying his physique.

"Marvelous! My strength has surged significantly!" Akainu exclaims with excitement.

Meanwhile, at Marine Headquarters, chants resound:

"Akainu Admiral reigns supreme!"

"Long live Akainu Admiral!"

"Invincible Akainu Admiral!"

With Kaido, one of the Four Emperors, defeated and Hawkeye, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, dead, Admiral Akainu's triumph solidifies his standing. It wouldn't be long before others regard his might as surpassing even those legendary figures.

The battlefield was crackled with tension as Kaido's dominance wavered, his Emission Haki stripped away. Meanwhile, Akainu won, perhaps his strength even surpassing the mighty Kaido.

In the chaos, both Akainu and the enigmatic Hoshigaki Kisame vanished, leaving a momentary pause in the fray.

[Hoshigaki Kisame: My apologies, everyone. It seems I've underestimated my opponent this time.

[Fourth Raikage: Another defeat, but solace is found at last!

[Tsunade: Fourth Raikage, are you back with us?

[Fourth Raikage: Indeed, though I must admit, I hadn't anticipated such formidable foes from the Otherworld. A miscalculation on my part!

[Killer Bee: Big bro, you still kicking!]

As the seventh round approached, a new challenger emerged from the Pirate World, a woman whose prowess rivaled the likes of Yaya, Honghong, and Kumoko.

[Introducing: Boa Hancock, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, wielding the powers of the Love fruit.

[Kakashi: Another Warlord of the Sea. I wonder how her strength measures against Hawkeye's?

[Tsunade: Undoubtedly formidable, and breathtakingly beautiful too. It's a shame she's on the opposing side!

[Third Tsuchikage: Her strength is immense. Our ninja world may see casualties if we're not careful. Who dares face her now?

"Master, she's stunning! Almost as pretty as me!" Kumoko exclaimed.

Yasao's gaze fixated on the Pirate Empress, marveling at her presence. While he'd seen anime renditions, witnessing her in the flesh was an entirely different experience. Her beauty defied belief, her aura commanding respect.

"Kumoko, Yaya, Honghong, Rongrong, any thoughts on my approach this time?" Yasao inquired.

Unsettled, the women exchanged wary glances. "Master, are you planning to snatch her away just because she's beautiful?" Kumoko retorted, her caution palpable.

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