Chapter 368: Observation Killer Vs Observation Killer

As I soared through the air, heading deeper into the island while chasing after Shanks, I was forced to suddenly dodge to the left as a massive sword slash suddenly cut the air where I was previously standing, momentarily leaving it void of air before it was quickly filled again, causing a huge explosion that nearly engulfed me.

'Ouch, that burns.' Thought Diddy as he fell towards the ground, extinguishing a small spark on the tip of his tail before crashing into the island.

Exiting from the crater, I violently shook my body, causing pebbles and dust to be flung off me while I opened my eyes, only to be met with Shanks blade mere inches away from my neck… I could even see my face on the broad side of his sword.

"Hehe, I hope you didn't think you'd be able to kill me that quickly." Said Diddy with a feral grin as he used Naga-sa to stop the sword that was a hair's breadth away from his neck, causing Shanks to furrow his brows, though he didn't respond and simply increased his force.

Smirking, I stomped my foot onto the ground, getting a better footing as I leaned forward, pushing Shanks back; despite his struggle, he couldn't resist my physical might, though it was only expected. Shanks was known for his immense haki, not his physical strength, though it was already impressive that he could withstand my raw strength, even if he used a bit of haki to help him.

With a final grunt, I flexed my muscles and pushed Shanks off me, though unlike before, he dug his feet into the ground, bringing his moment to a halt after several meters.

"With strength like that, you can give Kaido a run for his money for his title as The Strongest Creature. My arm is numb." Shanks said calmly as he flicked his blade and glanced at Diddy, who licked his lips and chuckled.

"Hehe, I tried it. Unfortunately, we ended in a tie. Next time, I'll defeat him. However, enough about Kaido; I'm fighting you, Shanks. Besides Whitebeard, you're the only Emperor of the Sea I haven't properly fought." Stated Diddy with a smirk as he thought back to his battle with Kaido, only for him to shake his head as he looked at Shanks, who lightly nodded.

"Before we fight. Why did you destroy my territory? You killed thousands of innocent and good people… And for what? Was it just to get my attention? 'Cause if so, I'm going to be pissed." Asked Shanks with a scowl as he narrowed his eyes at Diddy, who loudly laughed in amusement, which only served to irritate him.

"Hehehe, then it looks like you're going to be pissed. Besides, you shouldn't blame me; it was their fault for being so weak. After all, in this world, being weak is a sin… One I won't ever forgive." Replied Diddy with a wicked smile as he fearlessly stared at Shanks, who gnashed his teeth in anger before closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.

Although annoying, I gave Shanks his moment to calm down; I didn't want to fight him when enraged; I wanted him to have a clear and calm mind when I defeated him. However, the instant he opened his eyes, a burst of his haki emerged from his body, and just as the rumors stated, it was monstrous, even superior to Kaido's when he was drunk.

Yet, I couldn't help but chaotically laugh as my haki exploded out of my body and clashed with his. Shank's haki may be monstrous, but here is the thing… So is mine. Watching his expression sour as he evaluated my haki, I was about to attack, but before I could, his conqueror's haki suddenly increased in intensity as it surged toward me, only for my observation haki to be suppressed.

I tried several times, but no matter what I did, I couldn't regain my future sight; I was completely blind about what would happen now; though I wasn't worried, it simply made my smile grow as I lowered to all fours.

"Hehe, limit my observation, haki all you like. It still won't be enough to defeat me." Said Diddy with a savage expression as he pushed off the ground, cracking part of the island, before lunging towards Shanks, who slashed downwards.

"Divine Departure!" Said Shanks as he violently slashed at Diddy, who brought his bo-staff to block the attack, only for him to slash his sword once more.

Sensing danger, I swiftly tilted my head, dodging Shank's second attack, though not completely, as a small cut appeared on my cheek. Once I broke through his fist attack, I was met with several sword waves perfectly positioned that limited my movement.

'Heh, if I try to dodge any of them, I'll be sliced from all directions.' Thought Diddy with a feral smirk as he observed the rapidly approaching sword waves, only for him to bring Naga-sa closer.

Doing exactly what he wanted me to, I stayed in the middle of the barrage of attacks while using my bo-staff to block everything, though this allowed Shanks to run around and attack me from behind. With attacks coming from both ways, I clicked my tongue before slamming Naga-sa into the ground while lightning erupted from it like a tesla coil, destroying the numerous sword waves and allowing me to deal with the one coming from behind.

"Beastly Fist!" Said Diddy as he clenched his right fist before punching forward, smashing through the sword wave, only for it to explode, engulfing him within it.

'I will say, fighting someone who can suppress your future sight might be even stronger than suppressing your armament haki. I can't even touch Shanks.' Thought Diddy with a slight frown as he leaned backward, dodging a horizontal sword slash before unnaturally twisting his body, evading several more attacks.

Leaping into the air, evading several more attacks, I violently punched the air using one of the seventy-two Bian, dispersing the smoke and allowing me to see Shanks, who was calmly staring right at me.

Inwardly chuckling, I propelled myself toward Shanks, who swiftly attacked before I had even made a move, blocking off all of my pathways except for one that led directly to his sword; of course, I took it. Knocking away several of his sword waves, when I neared Shanks, his haki condensed around his sword before he violently slashed at me.

'No, it's a fake.' Thought Diddy, watching an illusion of Shanks hit him, only for his eyes to widen in shock as he was sent hurtling through the sky.

"Urgh!" Said Diddy as he diverted the sword wave to the side, freeing him from the attack that had sent him into the air.

I had barely managed to block the attack in time using my arm, but it had left a gash on my arm; nothing serious, but what was more shocking was the fact he had fooled my haki.

"S-So getting rid of his opponent's future sight isn't the only thing he can do. Heh, very interesting." Muttered Diddy with a feral grin as he licked his wound, tasting his blood, only for him to propel himself towards Shanks.

I don't know how that attack of his worked, and the fact he managed to confuse my haki was worrying, to say the least. It made me even consider using my five basic senses, but despite how great they were, they were simply inferior to observation haki. So, with that in mind, I remained focused while fighting Shanks, though to say we were clashing would be me lying; without my future sight, I was pretty much at his mercy… I hadn't even managed to touch him yet, though granted, half of my focus was on figuring out how his observation killing worked.

However, not long later, the Island started to tremble violently while inky black flames surged into the sky in the distance, signifying the battle had just started on the shore.

"Heh, you better hurry, Shanks. You've got a large fleet, but without anyone to keep Freyja or Bullet busy, they'll run amok and quickly obliterate your fleet." Stated Diddy with a smirk as he gazed at Shanks, who furrowed his brows and glanced where the battle was taking place, only for him to tilt his head.

"I trust they will last until I defeat you." Said Shanks lightly as he narrowly evaded a bolt of lightning while eyeing Diddy, though his attacks became more aggressive, causing him to chuckle.

"Hehe, your actions say otherwise." Remarked Diddy with a grin as he abused his natural, feline agility to nimbly evade the numerous attacks before using his ape heritage to powerfully swing his bo-staff at Shanks, who deflected it, though he was pushed back.

Thanks to Shank's increase in aggressiveness, we clashed more often, but not enough to matter, and as the minutes passed, I couldn't help but smile.

"Hahaha! I've figured it out!" Stated Diddy loudly as he slammed his bo-staff onto the ground, creating an EMP-like explosion of lightning, forcing Shanks back.

"Hehe, it took a long time since I was busy fighting you, but I've finally figured it out." Added Diddy with a smirk as he glanced at Shanks, who furrowed his brows in confusion.

I didn't bother elaborating and simply surged my conqueror's haki toward Shanks, causing him to frown, only to widen his eyes in disbelief a few seconds later.

"Observation killer vs Observation killer. Hehe, I wonder how this will go." Said Diddy with a feral smirk as he eyed Shanks, having suppressed his future sight with his powerful will.