Chapter 34

"Jiehahahahahaha~" The Shiki soared through the air, his mane resembling a lion's mane billowing around him.

Arthur, now free from the Thor state, appeared bare except for cute wings sprouting from his back. He wielded a restored three-pointed, two-edged sword, focusing solely on accumulating power for the final strike.

Without resorting to tricks, both warriors channeled their strengths, infusing their weapons with their respective armed colors for the decisive attack.

The Shiki raised his leg knife, imbuing it continuously with armed colors. Simultaneously, Arthur concentrated thunder and lightning into the blade while infusing it with Armament Haki.

At last, they stood poised for their ultimate clash, knowing that only one would emerge victorious.

"Jiehahahaha~ After countless battles at sea, Laozi has honed his skills! Boy, you can rest assured, for Laozi shall end you!" The Shiki dived with the speed of lightning, unleashing a ferocious Conqueror's Haki that crushed down heavily.

Under the overwhelming Conqueror's Haki, Arthur felt a sense of impending defeat.

Boom~

Their collision ignited a chain reaction of explosions, sending shockwaves rippling across the island like a typhoon.

Golden purple lightning twisted and unleashed golden-purple ripples, marking the climax of their intense confrontation.

More than ten kilometers away, clowns, orangutans, and some sober pirates watched with concern as the golden and purple ripples engulfed the battlefield, rendering the weaker individuals unconscious.

The Shiki's eyes widened in astonishment at the unfolding spectacle.

A clown, visibly shocked, covered his mouth before exclaiming, "Could that kid also possess the qualities of a king!?"

Indeed, as the Shiki descended with his Conqueror's Haki, Arthur's intense determination and fearlessness awakened a latent power within him—the will of a conqueror.

The convergence of a strong heart, sky-swallowing ambition, and unwavering courage had granted Arthur the rare Conqueror's Haki, a trait possessed by very few.

The intense clash and the collision of Conqueror's Haki seemed to weaken the fabric of space itself.

Arthur strained to channel his Devil Fruit power, compressing his body to maintain the flow of Armament Haki.

After a prolonged struggle, Arthur sensed the Shiki's strength waning.

Sensing the shift in momentum, Arthur unleashed his full power.

"Come at me!!!"

Bang~

Arthur's strike severely damaged the knife on the Shiki's right leg, sending him crashing awkwardly into the ground.

"Huh~hu~hu~" Arthur's breathing was heavy, his chest rising and falling like a gust of wind.

Several hundred meters away, the Shiki lay on his back in a pit, panting heavily and staring blankly at the sky.

"Is this the end...?" The Shiki murmured, contemplating his imminent demise.

"Yes, your journey ends here," Arthur replied as he approached.

Struggling to adjust his position, the Shiki lay defeated on the ground. His once vibrant blond hair now seemed dull, and a sense of life's trials appeared in his eyes.

Seeing the defeated king before him, Arthur felt a mix of emotions. This formidable ruler, whose reign spanned the seas, now met his end at Arthur's hands.

"Jie ha ha ha ha~ You've won, go ahead and end me," the Shiki chuckled.

Arthur, looking at the resigned Shiki, asked, "Can you teach me how to use Conqueror's Haki?"

"Huh?" The Shiki smirked. "Do you really think I'd tell you?"

"I believe you will," Arthur affirmed. "Because even if you don't, I have other options. And..."

Arthur approached the defeated Shiki and spoke with determination.

The Shiki's eyes widened in surprise, a sly smile of satisfaction crossing his face.

"If that's how it is, then let me enlighten you! Just wait for that spectacle. It's a shame you came into this world too late. Jiehahahahahaha~" The Shiki's laughter echoed, tinged with a hint of intrigue.

As Arthur had revealed his plans and intentions to the Shiki earlier, the surrounding islands gradually converged beneath Arthur's island before descending and settling on the sea's surface, revealing their upper halves.

Having learned of Arthur's vision for the future, the defeated Shiki, despite his condition, wished to witness the dawn of the new era, even if only in spirit.

The Shiki's strength waned further, his breaths growing weaker. The rudder above his head ceased its flight, and his head bore several bloody wounds, remnants of the battle.

These were the true fatal wounds that Arthur's attack had inflicted. Otherwise, both warriors would have merely lost their combat prowess.

"End me! A pirate's fate is to die in battle. Lingering like this isn't fitting for a pirate of my stature," the Shiki stated firmly, looking at Arthur.

Arthur remained silent, raising his three-pointed, two-edged knife. "I eagerly anticipate the future's spectacle~"

With these parting words, the defeated Shiki met his end. His life concluded here, marking the end of an era...

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