Chapter 40 : Yamato!!

Compared to the approaching spiked club (Kanabo), Ian's attention was actually more focused on Yamato's face.

In the past five years, this girl has really grown up a lot.

That round-faced, gap-toothed girl with white hair is now a graceful young lady. The baby fat on her face has faded, her chin has become sharper, and the childishness in her eyes has disappeared. No one can deny it; she has truly become a beautiful young woman.

Our girl has grown up.

However, the young lady's iron club showed no mercy.

Yamato seemed to instantly appear in front of Ian, her club, wrapped in invisible waves of energy, was already swinging down towards Ian's head.

Is this also a form of Rokushiki?

The watching Umit realized something was off with Yamato's speed.

Even the Soru of Rokushiki shouldn't be this fast for an ordinary person.

What shocked him even more was that the black iron club was surrounded by an invisible force.

"Armament Haki!!"

Umit couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

No way, a girl so young has mastered Haki!! Haki is a power hidden within everyone, but it's impossible to harness the Armament or Observation Haki without a certain level of physical and mental strength! What kind of monster is this girl?!

And the surprises didn't end there.

Facing Yamato's iron club, Ian merely took a slight step back, spun his body, and his right leg whipped out like a steel whip.

Clang!

The heavy sole of his shoe collided with the iron club, and a powerful shockwave instantly spread out.

Umit's eyes widened. The boy's shoes were also wrapped in Armament Haki.

Have both of them mastered Armament Haki?

"Mmph!"

Yamato grunted, being knocked back by Ian's kick. Her small feet dragged noticeable trails on the ground.

"Tempest Kick!"

Ian leaped into the air, his legs swinging in a continuous motion.

In the next moment, a series of azure slashes, like a storm, flew out and covered Yamato.

"..."

Umit was left dumbfounded.

Is this the power a thirteen or fourteen-year-old boy can possess?

"Dragon's Might!"

Unfazed, Yamato gripped the iron club tightly. The club, surrounded by Armament Haki, created afterimages in the air, swiftly and precisely shattering every incoming slash.

But, amidst the clash, a dark shadow flickered into view.

It was Ian, who had instantly closed the distance with Yamato. His body twisted like a sheet of paper, effortlessly dodging every attack from Yamato.

"Paper Arts!"

Ian raised his right hand, fist clenched, and declared, "Rokuogan!"

The air blast struck the incredibly sturdy iron rod.

"Ugh!"

Yamato was once again sent flying by Ian's punch.

"Time to show your real skills, Yamato."

Ian's tie fluttered in the wind as he lightly landed back on the ground, speaking calmly.

Still not using your real skills?

Umit glanced at Yamato, who had also landed.

"Then take this! Ian!"

Thick white fur grew from Yamato's body, and in the blink of an eye, she transformed into a beautiful white werewolf (Human-Beast Form)!

Another Zoan type? 

And also an ancient type?

Umit speculated.

But his speculation was shattered in the next moment.

Yamato shot a stream of white frost at Ian.

What was initially mist-like breath now surged like a laser beam.

Ian chuckled. This girl's mastery of her Devil Fruit power was quite impressive.

She had changed the form of the frost using sheer willpower.

Ian's legs pushed off the ground, propelling him into the air.

His newly learned Armament Haki could only wrap around objects; it was still insufficient to counter Yamato's frost.

With a rhythmic pounding in the air, Ian soared, then dropped like lightning toward Yamato.

"Phantom Blade!"

White frost and invisible Armament Haki enveloped the iron rod as Yamato leaped to meet Ian.

With a loud clash, the two opponents were thrown back.

"Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit!!"

Umit's eyes widened in shock.

There was no mistake—aside from transforming, she could use unique abilities. This was definitely the Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit!

The little girl… is she really a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit user?

Ian landed and glanced at his right hand.

The hand that had just collided with Yamato's iron rod was now covered in a layer of solid ice.

His mastery of Armament Haki was still far from sufficient.

Yamato's freezing ability had improved greatly over these five years.

"Ian!"

Yamato pointed her iron rod straight at Ian. "It's time for you to use your abilities too, isn't it?"

"It seems so."

Ian didn't object.

Using just his normal abilities wouldn't be enough to defeat Yamato.

Then.

Umit turned his gaze to Ian.

No way! Could it be—

Brilliant golden light began to shine.

Golden flames spread out instantly, the intense heat making Umit sweat profusely.

What is this!

He watched as a figure emerged from the flames.

A golden armored being enveloped in flames!

Just standing there, the ground beneath his feet began to melt.

Is he also a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit user?

Are you kidding me?

Two rare Mythical Zoan Devil Fruits in one go?

Ian spread his arms wide. "Come on, you can attack me whenever you want."

"Such arrogance! Ian!"

Furious, Yamato performed Soru, dashing to Ian's front. "Ice Slash!"

The iron rod, wrapped in Armament Haki and cold air, struck Ian's chest with a thunderous blow.

The powerful force made Ian fly into the air, but he deftly landed after a mid-air somersault.

"Namuji Hyoga!"

Before he could even steady himself, an extreme cold breath had already engulfed him completely.

However, this freezing cold air couldn't freeze him.

Or rather, Yamato's breath dissipated as Ian's body was engulfed in flames.

"Can't freeze him at all!"

Yamato puffed up angrily, looking like a pufferfish.

In a fit of rage, she charged forward, wildly swinging her iron club at Ian in a frenzy.

But it was all in vain.

The cold air had no effect on Ian's flames, and the iron club couldn't penetrate his defenses.

"She's completely outmatched."

Black Maria sighed, "In fact, she doesn't even have the means to injure Ian."

"Big Sister Yamato is already terrifyingly strong! But—"

Jack spoke with near fanaticism, "Her opponent is Ian, after all!"

Indeed, that girl was already fearsome.

At thirteen or fourteen years old, with exceptional physical prowess, mastery of the Six Powers, an adept use of Armament Haki, and the abilities from her Mythical Zoan fruit, there were hardly any peers in the world stronger than her.

Yet her opponent, the boy named Ian, was one of those few.

And their power gap was substantial.

"Huff—huff—"

After a barrage of attacks, Ian was unharmed, while Yamato was exhausted, panting heavily with her spiked club.

"Now, it's my turn, Yamato."

Ian smiled lightly.

"Bring it on!"

Yamato grinned excitedly, tightening her grip on her spiked club.

Even though she would lose, she was undaunted.

Ian extended his right hand, flames gathering in his palm, lengthening, and transforming into a long spiked club.

A layer of Conqueror's Haki, still without color, wrapped around the flaming spiked club.

And then—

Ian shot forward.

Yamato charged as well.

The two had an extraordinary level of synchronization.

"Thunderous Eight Trigrams!" X2

Above the plaza, on the top of the main building.

"These two brats are unbelievable. What kind of kids have this level of power at their age?"

Queen peered down, "Especially that Ian kid. Even I can't say I'd easily defeat him now!"

"Easy defeat?"

Behind him, King's cold voice cut in, "You can certainly try. Ian might surprise you."

"Huh? King, you bastard!"

Queen retorted angrily, "Are you saying that Ian punk has gotten strong enough to defeat me?"

Ignoring their argument, Kaido, leisurely sitting on a cushion in the back and drinking, suddenly heard a "Bruu-bruu-bruu" sound.

"Transponder Snail?"

He frowned and pulled out a transponder snail from his pocket.

There were very few people who knew his number, even if you searched the entire sea.

Who could it be?

Click.

The call was connected.

"Kaido... it's great, after all these years, your number hasn't changed."

"Hmm?"

Kaido raised an eyebrow and then chuckled heartily, "Ha ha ha! It's you, kid! You're still alive, huh?"

"Not for long. Actually, Kaido, I'm calling you for help. Considering our past connections, I want to entrust my children to you."

"Oh?"

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