29 29. Monsters Who Are Getting Stronger

As soon as the Kuma removed the glove, a sudden wave of danger jolted through Zoro.

In the blink of an eye, the Kuma's massive form vanished from sight. Zoro felt a looming presence behind him, and before he could react, the Kuma materialized, its palm carrying a seemingly innocuous meatball aimed straight at Zoro.

"Santoryu Ichi Gorilla."

Boom.

A rush of force seemed to materialize within Zoro's body, causing his arms to swell like balloons as he crossed his two swords above his head.

Boom.

The impact was devastating, shattering the ground beneath Zoro's feet and driving him to his knees.

"That's quite the weight," Zoro grunted through clenched teeth. Even with the power of "Three sword style" coursing through him, the oppressive weight was overwhelming. Alongside the Autumn Water in his hand and the mournful cry of the Third Generation ghost, Zoro faced a formidable challenge.

If it weren't for his strong Armament Haki, the Third Generation Guiche might have shattered under that blow.

Kuma was impressed by Zoro's resilience and decided to unleash his full strength, a stark contrast to his earlier water-releasing stance.

"Your strength is truly formidable," Zoro remarked through gritted teeth, excitement gleaming in his eyes. "This is what a fight should feel like."

"Save the banter for later, Roronoa. If this is all you've got, it doesn't live up to your reputation," Kuma said calmly.

"Two Sword Style: Toro," Zoro called out, channelling his aura into his blades.

A terrifying wave of energy surged forth, resembling a towering tornado unmatched in power.

Using this force, Zoro resisted the Kuma's immense figure and propelled himself out of harm's way, flipping gracefully through the air to create distance.

"It's a truly unique and powerful ability. I nearly underestimated it," Zoro observed, his gaze fixed on the Kuma with intense focus.

The Kuma's teleportation ability differed from Kizaru's pure speed. It was true teleportation with no discernible trajectory. Despite the Kuma's large size, its movement should have been slower, akin to Gekko Moria's.

But with its teleportation ability, combined with the meatball's repulsion and its overwhelming power, it posed a formidable challenge.

"Nevertheless, I can still fight," Zoro declared, determination burning in his eyes.

Zoro's face lit up with excitement, his focus honed to a razor's edge.

Teleportation merely dictated movement speed, not the speed of attack. He could counter its power, narrowing the gap.

"Focus," Zoro muttered, shutting out external distractions and zeroing in on his target.

With a keen sense, he anticipated the Kuma's teleportation, synchronizing his movements with its appearance.

"Three Swords Style: Ghost Slash!"

A devastating cross-sword wave surged forth, meeting the Kuma's meatball head-on.

Boom.

The silver-white blade was repelled by the resilient meatball, its armed colour covering it completely, rendering it impenetrable. Despite its seemingly soft exterior, the meatball proved incredibly tough, sending a powerful shockwave back towards Zoro.

But this was expected. He allowed himself to give ground slightly, dissipating the force.

Kuma was taken aback. Zoro had swiftly adapted to his movements after just one round of combat. Moreover, the collision showcased Zoro's strength vividly.

His Armament Haki and swordsmanship had undergone a remarkable evolution since their encounter at Thriller Bark ten days ago. It was as if he had reached full maturity.

Aside from a slight disparity in strength, Zoro was now undeniably formidable.

"Roronoa," Kuma murmured with a hint of relief, though he didn't relent. On the contrary, he intensified his assault.

"Infinite Pressure Cannon!"

With a sweep of his paws, the Kuma compressed vast amounts of air into numerous air cannons, each adorned with a Kuma paw pattern. Their destructive power and penetration were formidable, nearly sealing off all avenues of evasion.

"Three Swords Style: Hundred Eight Troubled Winds," Zoro called out, his blades slicing through the air with precision, effortlessly neutralizing the barrage of pressure cannons.

Swiftly changing tactics, he executed the "Three Swords Style: Gyūki," anticipating the Kuma's counterattack.

In a split second, the Kuma reappeared behind Zoro, delivering heavy blows. But Zoro was ready.

Multiple afterimages of the Kuma's teleportation surrounded Zoro, showcasing the Kuma's astonishing speed.

Undeterred, Zoro unleashed the "Three Swords Style: True Sword, Nothing," forming a black sphere with his blades, successfully blocking the Kuma's assault.

Then, with lightning speed, he transitioned into the "Three Swords Style: Extreme, Tiger Hunting," releasing a massive burst of energy resembling a roaring tiger.

The purple tiger-like force, Jianbo, collided with the Kuma, catching it off guard. With a thunderous boom, the airwaves erupted violently, leaving behind a landscape marred by craters and destruction.

With a sudden burst of speed, Kizaru materialized behind Luffy, delivering a swift kick to his waist.

Boom.

Luffy collided with the ground, emitting a bright laser upon impact. An orange-red shockwave rippled across the surface, accompanied by a scorching heatwave.

As the dust settled, Luffy rose from the massive crater, tearing off his tattered shirt.

"Admiral, you're as tough as a monster," Luffy remarked, sounding somewhat distressed. In their recent skirmish, he had been thoroughly outmatched. While their attack powers were comparable, the difference in speed was staggering. It wasn't that Luffy was slow; rather, Kizaru was simply too fast.

Even Luffy's ability to predict the future proved inadequate against Kizaru's overwhelming speed. 

"I have something to say to you, Straw Hat Boy," Kizaru's expression soured. Despite unleashing his full strength when Rayleigh refrained from intervening, he failed to incapacitate Luffy. The opponent's physical prowess and Haki's mastery made him feel like he was battling one of the weaker Four Emperors. He had underestimated Luffy's capabilities, and the encounter proved to be a humbling experience.

Luffy, however, remained undeterred, even finding enjoyment in the battle with the Admiral.

"This form feels too cumbersome. I've thought of something interesting. Let's give it a try, Kizaru," Luffy declared, reaching out to adjust his straw hat with a grin. He relished the opportunity to face off against the Admiral.

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