Chapter 267

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Lubbock's Imperial Arms is called 'Cross Tail,' a thread-like Imperial Arms. The threads were made from the hair of a legendary Super Dangerous Species (Dragon) residing in the clouds over the East Sea, making them not only incredibly tough but also extremely sharp. Among these, the strongest thread is called "World-Cutting Thread," which surpasses all other threads in resilience.

It can be spread out as a trap or to form a barrier to probe for enemies and also possesses restraining and cutting abilities. As soon as it was used, Abel instinctively thought of Doflamingo.

"Another thread user, eh? So is this some kind of rehearsal?"

He just stood there, allowing the other party to set up the thread barrier.

"Where's your Imperial Arms? Aren't you going to use it?"

"Imperial Arms? I don't need such things."

In front of everyone's astonished eyes, Abel casually picked up a wooden sword that had been used for training by Akame a long time ago. After all, the 'Muramasa' with its instant death effect was too dangerous—it would be game over if he accidentally hurt himself—so he started with a wooden sword for training.

"Damn it, I'll make you regret this!"

Feeling humiliated, Lubbock, who usually disliked direct combat, was sincerely determined to teach this fellow a lesson this time.

So, as he moved his fingers, the surrounding threads came to life, coiling around Abel's limbs and body.

"Heh, so in the end, you're just a big talker? With just a little force, I can cut you into pieces."

To have Abel subdued so easily was a surprise to everyone watching the battle.

Only Tazmi, who had witnessed a part of Abel's strength, did not show such an expression.

"Cutting me? Go ahead and try. If I'm defeated that easily, how would I face my captain in the future?"

"Captain?"

The piece of information Abel had inadvertently let slip was peculiar.

But no one dwelled on it because the expression on Lubbock's face had changed.

No matter how hard he tried to retract the threads, those binding Abel would not budge.

With Abel's current physical condition, combined with his Haki of Armament, thinking that these threads could cut him was a fantasy! Even Doflamingo wouldn't be able to do it.

"Is that all you've got? Now it's my turn."

As soon as he finished speaking, Abel ignored the threads wrapped around him and swung the wooden sword freely. The next moment, an awe-inspiring aurora sword energy cut through the barrier in front of him, heading straight for Lubbock.

Lubbock's face went pale, but fortunately, he had already set up threads around him and quickly used them to escape.

The powerful Aurora Slash cut down dozens of trees before it finally dissipated.

Witnessing this attack, the entire scene fell silent.

"Hey, hey, are you kidding me? Are you sure he doesn't have an Imperial Arms, or is that wooden sword actually an Imperial Arms comparable to 'Muramasa'?"

Leone laughed nervously, exaggerating as she was the first to break the silence.

Akame gripped the 'Muramasa' tightly and shook her head; it was just an ordinary wooden sword.

Najenda spoke with a serious face, "With so many of us watching, if he truly used an Imperial Arms, it couldn't have escaped all of our eyes, unless he..."

"Unless what?"

"Unless, like Esdeath, he has already fused with his Imperial Arms."

The others paused for a moment, then, recalling the man's words about challenging Esdeath, they seemed to understand some truth.If that's the case, then they have indeed recruited an exceptional individual!

"I haven't even used a tenth of my strength just now. Shall we continue?" Abel's body, entwined with silk threads, was now freed.

Lubbock, however, was not willing to easily admit defeat, especially with the woman he admired watching from the sidelines. He was determined to seize the spotlight today!

"Silk threads have more than just one use, they can also be utilized like this." In Lubbock's hands, a spear formed from silk threads was fiercely hurled.

Anyone pierced by it would immediately have silk threads invade their body and shred their heart.

No one, no matter how tough, could have a heart as strong as steel.

Of course, Abel, whose heart is protected by a membrane as resilient as steel, is an exception.

But even with protection, he didn't fancy trying it out.

Because the rest of his organs were still very fragile.

"Too slow. With such direct and simple attacks, do you really think you can kill an enemy?"

With the perception of Kenbunshoku Haki, Abel nonchalantly caught the silk-thread spear in his hand and tossed it aside.

"Damn it!"

Seeing this, Lubbock once again created a battle-axe out of silk threads and foolishly opted for close-quarters combat.

With a light flick of his wooden sword, Abel deflected Lubbock's axe and then kicked him dozens of meters away.

Lubbock started to vomit blood upon landing, his face twisted in pain.

Had he not wrapped himself with many silk threads as a cushion in time, his intestines would probably have been ruptured by the kick.

"Lubbock!"

"The sparring ends here. Your strength is indeed formidable, but Esdeath is not so simple," said Abel, placing his wooden sword back in its place and turning to leave. "And that is now my affair. I do not wish for any interference when the time comes."

"I'm fine, I haven't lost yet!" Lubbock pushed away the people beside him, not bothering to wipe the blood from his mouth.

He indeed still had the 'Boundary Thread' as his trump card. Up to this point, scarcely anything could withstand the cutting of the 'Boundary Thread.'

But to use this move meant it was no longer a sparring match but a battle to the death.

Abel halted, and an indescribable and terrifying aura erupted from him.

Everyone struggled mightily to resist as if they were naked in a blizzard, facing the most fearsome apex predator.

The weakest, Tazmi, even began to have difficulty breathing and was on the verge of passing out.

Others like Sheele and Mine were barely holding on.

"What kind of monster is this guy?"

Leone was dripping with cold sweat, unable to muster any thought of resistance. It seemed that if she dared to move, she would be torn to shreds the next second.

Now, Najenda was starting to believe that the other party could indeed challenge Esdeath!

"Alright, I said the sparring is over. Lubbock, put away your Imperial Arms."

"Yes."

Lubbock, who was left with an indelible impression in his mind, ultimately chose to listen to his heart, as continuing to resist would mean death.

He was confident that he had been firmly locked on by that aura.

The wrong answer would lead to a thunderous strike!

As Abel retracted the terrifying aura, everyone present collectively sighed in relief, their backs drenched with sweat without realizing it.