One Piece : Winged Dragons of the Beast Pirates

"This is the Second Form."

Taking advantage of Jozu's moment of exertion, when old strength had faded but new strength had not yet risen, Ian, transformed into Immortal Phoenix, delivered a heavy punch to Jozu.

His fist was drenched in crimson.

"Ugh!"

Jozu groaned in pain, shooting backward as if electrocuted, crashing straight through a rock mountain.

He clutched his chest, incredulously lowering his head.

"Without Armament Haki as a defense, mere diamonds are nothing but kindling."

The roaring flames emitted intense heat, and Ian's fists glowed a fierce red.

This is the Fist of Destruction.

"..."

Diamond Jozu's eyes widened in shock as he looked down to find a gaping hole in the left side of his chest.

It wasn't just his skin and muscles—his ribcage, which protected his heart, was nearly shattered. Beneath those ribs, his beating heart was visible!

How is this possible?!

Is this what Marco meant by the physical form of red flames? What kind of destructive power is this?!

Ian smirked.

The flames of destruction are slower to break through the tougher substances. A master like Marco Jozu, with his powerful Armament Haki, can endure continuous contact, but if it's just a moment of collision, the flames can only barely damage their Armament Haki.

But that little bit of "barely" is enough.

Even without the destructive power, once the Armament Haki is pierced, the flames would reveal their dominance over diamond, causing Jozu's body to evaporate.

With the addition of destructive force, it was entirely normal to bore a hole in Jozu's chest; if he hadn't been completely obliterated, it would have meant this guy's Armament Haki was strong enough.

Heavenly compatibility, as they say.

"Jozu! Are you okay?" 

Among the Whitebeard Pirates fighting against the Beast Pirates, a big-headed fishman noticed the commotion and called out in alarm.

"Namur! Don't come over here!" 

Diamond Jozu shouted fiercely, "Stay away from this guy!"

Jozu understood clearly; if he, a seasoned warrior, was heavily injured by a single punch, then if any of his comrades approached, that punk could probably kill them with just a casual touch.

Marco had mentioned that this guy's form had time limits.

Delay.

They had to buy time!

"Everyone, stay far away from him!"

Jozu shouted loudly, turning to sprint away.

This was not cowardice; it was strategy.

However…

Hmph, think you can escape?

The speed of Ian in his Phoenix form was different from his Sphere form.

The flames surged as an accelerator, and Ian's speed surged once more, creating an afterimage as he nearly instantaneously closed the distance to Jozu.

So fast!

This bastard is just as fast as Marco!

Diamond Jozu gritted his teeth and turned around.

Since he couldn't avoid it, then…

"Shining Heavy Fist!!"

Jozu guarded his chest with his left hand while his right hand swung back, delivering a powerful punch.

The Armament Haki wrapped around his fist surged out like a torrent, aiming to blow Ian away.

This was another piece of advice from Marco.

"Winged Dragon's Destruction Fist!"

Ian merely scoffed, unafraid, and countered with a punch of his own.

His destructive fist surged forward like a fish swimming upstream, tearing through the torrent of Haki and smashing directly into Jozu's fist.

How foolish; while projecting Haki did enhance his offensive power, it significantly weakened his defense.

"Ugh!"

Jozu cried out in pain, staggering backward, clutching his arm.

His right fist had been punctured, and a few of his fingers, deprived of support, fell to the ground.

Jozu clenched his teeth in frustration. Facing this form of his opponent, he could only buy time.

But how to stall?

"Jozu! Run away!"

At that moment, the merman, Namur, charged in with a group of pirates. "We're here to help you hold him off!"

"Namur! What are you doing?!"

Jozu's body shook. "Don't go near him!"

"Jozu, don't worry about us! Everyone, attack together!!"

But Namur completely disregarded Jozu's warning. Jozu couldn't die! He was a crucial powerhouse of the Whitebeard Pirates! Taking a deep breath, the merman shouted, "Fish-Man Karate: Sea Drum!"

Namur unleashed a powerful punch, distorting the air in front of him.

In that instant, the moisture in the air was drawn in, transforming into a shockwave that surged towards Ian.

Ian simply stood his ground, and before the water vapor's shockwave could reach him, it dissipated into nothingness due to the intense heat.

More pirates were charging towards him.

"What nonsense."

Ian couldn't be bothered to attack; he simply shot forward, flames erupting from his wings as he accelerated.

Blades, gunfire, punches, and kicks rained down upon Ian.

Yet none could stop him from soaring ahead; any attacks that came too close were melted away before they even touched him.

The fiery-winged figure swept through the crowd of pirates.

Only charred remains were left behind.

"Damn it!!!"

Watching his comrades fall, Jozu didn't attempt to flee. Instead, his eyes filled with fury as he charged at Ian, shouting, "I'll blow you to pieces!"

"Radiant Charge!"

The Diamond Man charged directly at Ian, his front covered in Armament Haki.

This was truly a signature move of the Whitebeard Pirates; everyone risked everything to let you escape, and returning would be an insult to their sacrifices.

But, of course, he couldn't escape.

Determined to finish this guy off, Ian didn't hold back on his strength. This time, the Phoenix Form would last a long while.

"Sun God's Wrath!"

Not only did he not hold back; it was downright extravagant. The red flames gathered in his hands hadn't even dissipated before more crimson fire erupted from his body, blooming like a scarlet flower.

It was akin to a Valkyrie entering her second phase.

In Jozu's narrowed gaze, the red flames swiftly engulfed him.

Destructive power surged instantly; the Armament Haki coating Jozu's body began to crumble rapidly. Even as he tried to gather more Haki, the speed of destruction was almost on par with his own efforts.

And at that moment, a figure rushed through the sea of flames.

"Finished!" 

Ian swung a powerful punch. 

"Bastard!!" 

Jozu roared, launching a solid left punch. 

But in the next instant, Ian's fist penetrated Jozu's left arm, driving straight through to the elbow, causing the entire forearm to dissolve into nothingness. 

With no obstruction, Ian's fist crashed heavily into Jozu's chest. 

Then it went right through. 

"Ugh!" 

Jozu's body instantly stiffened, and the right arm he had intended to strike Ian with also went rigid. 

A column of red flames burst through his body, shooting out from his back. 

The gaping hole in his chest widened at a shocking speed. 

Not only that, but the surface of his body began to rapidly vanish as well. 

Ian stepped back two paces. 

A few seconds later, all that remained amid the red flames was him. 

What a tiring fight. 

The prolonged use of the Immortal Phoenix Form, combined with the burden of two rounds of Sun God's Wrath, had indeed taken a toll; he had exhausted more than half of his stamina. 

However, the victory was easy. 

"You little brat!!" 

An angry roar echoed from one side of the island. 

Ian felt the ground shake as he turned his head, a massive slash accompanied by a violent shockwave surged toward him, threatening to consume everything in its path. 

Here it comes again? 

Hey, Kaido-sensei, is there a problem with how you threw that one? 

The shockwave engulfed Ian, sweeping away everything in its wake, tearing through the entire island, rushing into the sea, and creating towering waves. 

Let's go big or go home, right? 

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