NOVEL NEXT Chapter 196: 196. Abilities
----
The next moment, Daiki and Abona felt an overwhelming force pressing them to the ground.
However, as the gravity descended, Abona, relying on his combat experience and agility, quickly manoeuvred to an area unaffected by the gravitational pull.
Daiki, lacking such experience, was immediately pinned down, the ground beneath him cracking and sinking under the immense pressure.
"Boom..."
The fractured ground suddenly collapsed, forming a massive crater as Daiki was forced beneath its surface.
Meanwhile, Abona launched another swift assault on Fujitora from a different angle.
This time, his blade, Bright Dawn, was infused with Armament Haki, turning its edge pitch black. With a decisive swing, the blade unleashed a devastating slash.
Even for a Marine Admiral as powerful as Fujitora, the blow was formidable. He was forced to abandon suppressing Daiki with gravity and sidestepped to avoid the incoming attack.
The slash tore through the earth, carving a deep fissure. Fortunately, the battlefield was encased in a protective barrier, preventing the destruction from spilling outward.
Still, the shockwaves from the attack were felt by the soldiers observing nearby, leaving many visibly shaken.
"With Observation Haki honed to the level of future sight, this battle seems almost decided," Anos remarked from his vantage point, watching the combat unfold with keen interest.
Inside the battlefield, Daiki, now freed from Fujitora's gravitational hold, leapt out of the crater. His body was coated in dust and riddled with gashes, some so severe that the bones beneath were visible.
Despite the injuries, his wounds began to close rapidly, thanks to the regenerative abilities of his Silver Moon Wolf form.
Over the past month, Daiki had dedicated himself to mastering his newfound powers. While not yet invincible, his recovery speed had improved significantly, allowing him to endure intense combat.
"Daiki, if you don't put in more effort, you'll embarrass yourself out here!" Abona called out, his voice carrying across the battlefield.
"I don't need your reminders—l I know!" Daiki retorted, though his frustration was evident. He had come to terms with the reality that the blind middle-aged man before him, Fujitora, was far beyond his current abilities.
Even so, Daiki refused to give up. He charged at Fujitora with renewed vigour, his entire body now cloaked in Armament Haki. His eyes turned blood-red, and sharp, 30-centimetre-long claws extended from his fingertips.
As he moved, his claws slashed through the air in rapid succession, each strike landing with the ferocity of a torrential downpour.
While such an assault might devastate a weaker opponent, it was ineffective against someone of Fujitora's calibre.
Utilizing his Observation Haki, Fujitora effortlessly evaded Daiki's attacks, each strike deflected by the invisible wall of gravity surrounding him.
"The speed is there, but the strength is lacking," Fujitora observed calmly, encased in a gravitational shield that nullified Daiki's relentless onslaught.
As Daiki continued his futile assault, Abona stood still, his blade brimming with Armament Haki as he concentrated his energy.
A faint tornado of dust began to spiral around him, expanding outward as he prepared his next move.
"One Slash…"
With his right hand gripping the hilt of Bright Dawn and his left steadying the blade, Abona unleashed a horizontal strike with incredible speed.
Even Anos, observing from the sidelines, felt the air compress momentarily, a testament to the power of the attack.
Fujitora, sensing the danger, unsheathed his staff blade fully for the first time. His aura shifted dramatically as he prepared to counter.
"Gravity Blade: Tiger!"
Fujitora's sword slashed in response, though it emitted no visible light. Instead, the sheer force of his gravity distorted the surrounding space, creating a crushing wave of energy. The clash of these two powerful techniques sent ripples through the battlefield, causing the barrier to shudder under the strain.
Realizing the potential danger to the soldiers outside the barrier, Anos rose to his feet. With a calm but decisive motion, he raised his hands, summoning an immense secondary barrier.
"Spatial Art: Folding..."
Anos created a kilometre-long barrier, folding the space within to redirect the destructive force away from his people.
The protective measure ensured the safety of everyone present while still allowing them to witness the spectacle.
"His Majesty's abilities are incredible!" the soldiers murmured, awestruck by the King's decisive intervention.
Despite the chaos, Daiki refused to back down. Though his strikes seemed futile against Fujitora's defences, his speed impressed the soldiers watching.
Most couldn't even track his movements, let alone comprehend the precision behind his attacks.
Even as the battle raged, the onlookers couldn't help but marvel at the display of power and skill, their hearts racing as they awaited the next move.
----
Don't forget to drop some Power Stones!
For early access to advanced chapters on p@treon.
P@treon/iamxeno
Thank you so much for your support and for reading!