Chapter 46.2 : Squard Defeated!!

Yamato took a deep breath, indifferent, and shouted, "Namuji Hyoga!!"

A breath of energy, like a laser, swept through the area, freezing the surrounding pirates solid.

"Big Sister Yamato—"

Jack looked quite helpless.

Can't he get a chance to show off too?

"Let's just watch the show," Black Maria said, seemingly quite relaxed. Watching Ian's performance wasn't too bad either.

Clang, clang, clang, clang!

Compared to Yamato's overwhelming power, Ian's battle with the Squard was quite intense.

Squard's sword was exaggeratedly large, yet it was incredibly tame in his hands, like a trained hunting dog, moving with such precision that it was almost as if it were an extension of his body. The blade's sweeping movements were nothing short of spectacular.

In contrast, Ian's techniques were much more bizarre.

He met Squard's blade barehanded.

This was, of course, no easy feat.

After all, Squard's Armament Haki was much stronger than his, and attempting to block the blade with his bare hands would result in them being severed instantly. Without using his abilities, his defense was no different from an ordinary person's.

Therefore, as Squard's sword swung down, Ian's hand twisted like a snake and then flicked, hitting the side of the blade and knocking it away.

Paper Arts: Serpent Fist!

Though the two fought energetically with clashing sounds, in reality, Squard's most threatening blade had never even touched Ian. Ian hadn't even used Armament Haki.

In the brief moments between deflecting Squard's attacks, Ian even had the leisure to flick his hand, the back of his hand slapping Squard's face like a whip.

"Ugh!"

Squard was struck hard, seeing stars and questioning his life. 

This kid's power was astonishing! He couldn't suppress him at all!

Even more outrageous than his strength was his combat technique.

There was no discernible style, yet it was terrifyingly effective! How could a thirteen or fourteen-year-old kid so effortlessly deflect every one of his slashes? Even with Observation Haki, it should be impossible!

If Ian knew Squard's astonishment, he might just sneer. Compared to Kaido's attacks, yours are as slow as a turtle's crawl.

If you can't even keep up with this kind of attack, haven't you been getting beaten up for nothing all these years?

Squard's face was already dark with frustration.

Lady Toki had mentioned that these two kids were Devil Fruit users! Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit users! If they're this strong without using their powers—

"Ha!"

With a roar, Squard's large blade came crashing down.

Ian, like a leaf in the wind, twisted his body to dodge the strike.

"Die!"

Squard drew another katana from his waist, unleashing a brilliant slash with a deadly intent.

What a fast blade.

Ian marveled.

The blade slashed at his chest.

However, before Squard could even display a triumphant smile, the sensation of striking something as hard as Sea-Prism Stone made his face change drastically.

How can it be this hard!

"Impressive,"

Ian had already transformed into his Human-Beast Form in an instant, his wide wings spreading out, creating a heat wave that forced Squard to retreat repeatedly. "That last strike almost got to me."

It was too fast to even dodge.

"…"

Squard didn't speak, only tightening his grip on the large blade with his right hand and the katana with his left, his face stern.

A full-force strike, and I still can't break through this kid's defense?

Ian glanced behind Squard.

He saw a field of ice sculptures; Yamato had finished the battle on his side.

Then.

"Let's finish up here as well."

Ian extended his right hand, flames coalescing in his palm, stretching into a sword—a blade of fire, imbued with Haki.

The training from the past five years had already borne fruit.

Flames could now shape into various forms at will, a technique Ian called Flame Armament.

Flame?

Squard could hardly comprehend it—a flame solidified into a tangible form? And that's Haki? This kid can use Haki?

What kind of monster is this?

"Here it comes."

Ian chuckled lightly, suddenly transforming into a golden blur. In the next instant, he was already before Squard, his flame-covered sword descending with a slash.

So fast!

There's no time to dodge!

The distance is too close for the big blade to be of any use!

Squard gritted his teeth; there was only one thing he could do!

He released the large blade from his right hand and gripped his katana with both hands, its dark Armament Haki enveloping the blade as he swung to counter!

Clang!

A flash of fire flickered.

"Oh?"

Ian stood behind Squard, examining the flame sword in his hand. "So it's this sharp? But couldn't cut through Kaido-sensei at all."

Certainly, Kaido should not be used as a standard for judgment.

Clatter.

That was the sound of the blade falling to the ground.

"Ugh—"

Squard's massive form collapsed to his knees. His katana had split in two, the breakage melted, and molten iron flowed down the blade. 

A diagonal gash on his chest was glaringly obvious.

But no blood flowed from the wound because it had been instantly carbonized by the high temperature before any blood could even emerge.

Ian turned back, looking at Squard kneeling on the ground with his back to him.

What a surprise, I'm pretty strong.

With this level of opponent, I could take out twenty in one breath.

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