Chapter 9 : Ian vs Hyougoro!!

A year ago, Kaido had acquired the Dog-Dog Fruit, Model: Okuchi-no-Makami. 

In the original story, due to the complicated father-daughter relationship, Yamato wasn't given the fruit. It wasn't until Yamato, wandering on Onigashima in a state of hunger, stumbled upon it by chance that the fruit came into play.

Given the current father-daughter relationship between Kaido and Yamato, such an inexplicable situation would not occur again. After reclaiming the Dog-Dog Fruit, Model: Okuchi-no-Makami, Kaido handed it over to Yamato.

Yamato was quite pleased with her new abilities and had become quite adept at using them.

A white breath engulfed Hyougoro and then descended to the ground like an inverted Milky Way, with white mist spreading out.

In an instant, the ground was coated with a layer of white ice, and the samurai who were affected were quickly covered in frost.

"It's so cold! I'm going to freeze!"

"What kind of monster is this guy?!"

The samurai cried out in alarm.

Even though Yamato was young, her monstrous physique and the extraordinary effects of her fruit were on full display!

Yamato landed gracefully on the ground, surveying her handiwork with satisfaction.

As the mist cleared, Yamato's gaze fell upon the shivering samurai and Hyougoro, who had been frozen into an ice sculpture.

"Hahaha! That's all—"

Yamato burst into laughter.

The ice encasing Hyougoro shattered instantly, and the robust man charged toward Yamato with lightning speed.

How could this minor frost possibly hold him back?

"Huh!"

Yamato stepped back in a slight panic, but she couldn't retreat faster than Hyougoro, who was closing in like lightning.

The fist, wrapped with Armament Haki, surged mercilessly toward Yamato.

At that moment, a shadow fell from the sky, and a golden figure appeared, blocking Yamato's path.

Crash!!

The dark fist, brimming with invisible energy, collided with a shield that shattered like eggshells, the impact echoing like thunder.

"What is this?"

Hyougoro staggered back in surprise.

It's so hard!

So hard!

"It's a bit painful,"

Ian lowered his hands, wincing slightly. The Advanced Armament Haki was no joke.

Thankfully, the defense held strong in his Sphere Mode.

"Yamato, are you alright?"

Ian glanced sideways.

"I'm fine,"

The white wolf (Yamato) advanced, transforming into a werewolf (Human-Beast Form) covered in white fur. Standing beside Ian, she grumbled, "But Ian, you're right, this guy is really impressive! I can't freeze him at all!"

"Who are you?"

Hyougoro demanded, his face serious as he addressed the golden Ian.

"These two are Kaido-sama's daughters and disciples!"

At this moment, the ninjas had already surrounded them, occupying the surrounding heights. Fukurokuju, the leader of the ninjas, landed beside Ian and the others. "Hyougoro! Your reckless days in the Flower Capital are over!"

"Kaido's people?"

Hyougoro's expression changed. "Has that bastard Orochi finally revealed his true colors? Colluding with foreign pirates and oppressing the people—I knew a day like this would come!"

It's a shame that the Kozuki family isn't here to deal with this!

That's why it's dragged on, making them act out!

"Bold, daring to criticize the general!"

Fukurokuju sneered, "Hyougoro, you've already sealed your fate!"

"Wait a minute."

At this point, Ian interjected.

He looked at Hyougoro, who wore a resentful expression, and said seriously, "Can we talk before the battle? Kaido hopes you'll surrender and has a high regard for you."

"Surrender?"

Hyougoro was taken aback by Ian's words, but in the next moment, he had already drawn his katana, enveloping it in a pitch-black, domineering aura. "What do you have to say to us, demons?"

"The samurai of Wano Country never surrender! This battle is where we begin! For the sake of our country!"

"Everyone!"

He raised his long sword high. "Charge!"

"Yeah!!"

The surrounding samurai responded with enthusiastic cheers.

"Prepare to die, scum!"

Leading the charge, Hyougoro and the samurai surged towards Ian and his group.

Ian could only sigh.

"I'm really tired of dealing with these stubborn idiots. Don't they understand that the purpose of language is communication?"

There's no avoiding it.

Roar!!

Blaze Cannon!

The overwhelming flames centered around Ian erupted instantly, and in the blink of an eye, the samurai were completely engulfed.

"Ahh!"

In an instant, screams filled the air.

In his Sphere Mode, Ian almost entirely loses his mobility, moving sluggishly even in his Human-Beast Form.

Yet, even in this state, the intensity of the flames is undiminished, allowing him to function like a living turret.

"This!!"

Fukurokuju's face turned pale with fear.

The terrifying heat wave reached him, making him feel as though he was about to be set ablaze.

What terrifying flames!!

Could this really be the work of a child under ten years old?

Yet, the flames that scared him so much could not be halted by anyone! Amidst the brilliant golden blaze, a black figure carved a path through the inferno and crashed into Ian like a meteor.

Ian stood his ground, raising his right arm to block the impact with the shield on his arm, protecting himself from the Armament Haki infused fist.

Even so, the immense force propelled him backwards.

The sheer power of such an Advanced Armament Haki is truly overwhelming. No wonder even Kaido's dragon scales couldn't withstand it.

Ian landed heavily, just managing to stabilize himself. As he looked up, a long blade wrapped in Armament Haki was already slicing through the air.

"I'll handle this guy!"

Amid the raging flames, Hyougoro's roar echoed.

This foe is the most dangerous! With such a widespread fire attack, his destructive power surpasses even that giant's!

He must not be given any chance to attack his subordinates! He needs to be driven from the battlefield!

This is Hyougoro's resolve.

"Uh—"

Ian raised his other hand to block the descending long blade. "Looks like I don't have a choice."

Only he can confront this threat.

"Hahahaha! Ian, come on!"

Yamato's laughter rang out as she charged at the samurai with her mace wrapped in ice, moving like a whirlwind.

"Move out!"

Fukurokuju gave the order, and all the ninjas joined the fray.

"Quack!!"

Erya, who had been temporarily pushed back by Hyougoro, roared and swung his mace once more, beginning a new wave of chaos among the samurai.

Meanwhile, at the shattered gate, Kurozumi Semimaru arrived, panting.

He glanced between Ian, engulfed in flames, and Yamato, who had plunged into the samurai ranks.

This is dire. Who should I protect?

Ian continued to be driven backwards.

The power Hyougoro unleashed with his Armanent Haki was astonishing. 

Fortunately, Ian's defense was robust enough to withstand it; the Armanent Haki of this level couldn't penetrate his defenses. 

It wasn't necessarily that Hyougoro's Armanent Haki was inadequate, but rather that Hyougoro himself wasn't strong enough.

Ian used the force of Hyougoro's attack to push himself back, crashing through several walls. This opponent was still too dangerous for Yamato. It was best to keep him away from the battlefield.

Despite the pain, Ian didn't suffer any external injuries.

He was quite pleased with the current situation. As long as he could keep Hyougoro occupied, the tide of battle would undoubtedly turn in their favor.

However, after another powerful punch sent Ian flying, Hyougoro immediately withdrew and headed towards the berserk Erya.

Ian understood what was happening.

"This isn't good," he muttered, his eyelids drooping in frustration.

It was troublesome having everyone mixed up in the chaos.

The Sphere Mode that Ian had taken instantly dissolved in the flames, merging into the intense red fire.

In a flash, Ian transformed into a burning figure! His facial features were lost to the flames, leaving only two glowing points for eyes, as his limbs, torso, head, and wings were completely engulfed in fire.

Immortal Phoenix · Human-Beast (Orc) Mode!

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