Observation Kill.
This is the ability originally possessed by Shanks in the original story.
Although its name is Observation Kill, its actual power isn't about nullifying the opponent's Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki).
Instead, it involves suppressing one's own presence so the opponent cannot use Observation Haki to foresee their future moves.
To be honest, this ability is rather underwhelming.
After all, how many people on the seas actually use Observation Haki to predict the future?
In 99.9999% of cases, this move is basically useless.
But now, Whitebeard just used this technique to land a heavy blow on Ian.
He literally cut Ian into two and a half pieces with one slash.
However...
"Tch."
Whitebeard clicked his tongue. "Disgusting ability."
The two severed pieces of Ian's body turned into fiery crows that gathered in the sky, reforming into Ian's shape.
"Pops, once he enters this flame state, no attacks can affect him!" Marco warned.
"Unlike Logia users, in this state, he has no physical body at all. Even Haki doesn't work on him!"
"I suspect the only way to hurt him is to extinguish the flames that make up his body!"
But how could they possibly put out his flames?
The golden flames burned at an outrageously high temperature—water evaporated before it could even get close.
Not to mention, he could transform anytime into a red flame state with power capable of destroying everything.
"Just a little more, Whitebeard-san," Ian said with a smile, holding his flame sword.
"But too bad, I'm pretty good at staying alive."
Although Whitebeard's Observation Kill sealed Ian's future sight, his regular Observation Haki still worked as usual.
Ian still managed to react just in the nick of time to Whitebeard's attack, then entered his Phoenix state.
If the destructive flames were the strongest spear, then the Phoenix state was the strongest shield.
Using both abilities at once made him invincible.
"But… is that the legendary Observation Kill?"
Ian smiled slyly. "So sneaky, Whitebeard-san. You clearly can use this move but never did before, just to make me let my guard down and then launch a surprise attack, right?"
I never expected this. I thought only Kaido-sensei had that rough exterior but secretly loved scheming. But Whitebeard-san, with your thick eyebrows and big eyes, you play the same game?
"Sneaky?"
Whitebeard-san sneered coldly. "Are you calling a pirate sneaky?"
Ian just smiled, making no argument.
Still, Whitebeard actually uses Observation Kill.
Kaido-sensei doesn't even use this move, and embarrassing Aunt Linlin? Forget about it.
No wonder he's one of the two top players on the seas, a man who stands shoulder to shoulder with the Pirate King.
A pure hexagonal warrior, maxed out in every aspect.
The only weakness was not having a top-tier monstrous physique and being troubled by injuries as he aged.
Ian, full of curiosity, asked, "So, Whitebeard-san, can you explain it to me? What exactly is the principle behind Observation Kill?"
The original story never explained it. Even Red-Haired Shanks was only said to have this ability but never demonstrated it.
Ian had no clue whether this technique was based on Conqueror's Haki or another secret of Observation Haki.
"Want to know?"
Whitebeard moved closer again. "Then come experience it yourself!"
"So that's how it is. Then let me show you what it feels like."
Ian curled his lips into a smirk.
Battling strong enemies was always the fastest way to enhance one's Haki.
In the next moment, Ian's body swelled, transforming into a gigantic golden flying dragon.
Then—
The Winged Dragon shifted its form, switching into battle mode!
With the power of Life Return, the dragon gradually morphed into a colossal dragon-human warrior!
At sixteen years old, after fully transforming into his beast form, Ian's length exceeded a hundred meters.
Even though Life Return adjusted his body size, making his limbs thicker and reducing his overall bulk, Ian still stood about eighty to ninety meters tall!
In this state, a single flap of his wings whipped up a raging gale!
"How is this possible?"
Below, the ship Moby Dick was tossed by the fierce winds brought on by Ian, and Teach shouted in astonishment, "How many forms does this guy even have?!"
What kind of ability does Ian possess?!
"Here I come! Whitebeard-san!"
Ian's loud laughter cracked through the sky like thunder.
Flames burst from every joint on his body, allowing him to maintain impressive agility despite his enormous size.
His massive crimson sword suddenly slashed downward.
While his beast form was obviously less agile than his humanoid form, in compensation, this form's strength was far greater!
Whitebeard's expression shifted slightly, "Marco!"
Marco immediately understood and flapped his wings, dodging swiftly to the side to put distance between them.
Ian's sword cut through empty air.
Still, the wind pressure from the giant blade turned into an invisible, massive slash that tore through the sky and carved a huge fissure in the ocean below.
"Why dodge, Whitebeard-san?"
Ian laughed heartily and continued swinging his sword, "Are you seeing some grim future I'm not aware of?"
Whitebeard's expression darkened slightly.
He indeed foresaw a troubling future.
This kid's power had increased drastically; trying to block his attacks like before was no longer possible.
Ian could tell from Whitebeard's reaction that he was right.
To say it boldly, in this state, his strength even surpassed Aunt Linlin's.
During the battle on Hive Island, even if he had faced Aunt Linlin head-on in this form, he probably would have won as well.
Unless Aunt Linlin had some decisive trump card.
After all, the weakness of this form was agility—and Aunt Linlin had none at all.
As he swung his sword to strike, Ian used his Observation Haki to lock tightly onto Whitebeard, carefully observing the abnormalities on him.
First, he needed to figure out what exactly was blocking his view of Whitebeard's future.
Whitebeard's counterattack came immediately.
Even if Ian tried to compensate by spitting fire, his sluggishness was inevitable in this moment.
Although Marco's speed wasn't as fast as Ian's beast form, he was by no means slow.
He quickly seized an opening in Ian's defense and closed in.
Whitebeard took the opportunity to slash his sword across Ian's chest.
But before the slash could land solidly, Whitebeard shouted angrily, "Marco, fall back!"
Marco immediately spread his wings and retreated.
At the same time, a shockwave burst from Whitebeard's blade, piercing straight through Ian's chest and leaving a huge hole.
The unfortunate thing was that the body pierced was Ian's, which had turned into flames.
"It's useless."
Ian swung his sword back in a counterstrike.
Yes, the weakness of this form was agility, but that didn't mean your attack would land successfully.
Whitebeard glared fiercely, "Kid!! Don't get too cocky!!"
Boom!
The sky suddenly began to howl!
Everything started to tremble — the air, the clouds, the sea, even Ian's body!
"Pops is going all out!!"
On the Moby Dick, Vista shouted loudly, "Everyone, brace yourselves! We're going to be affected! Protect yourselves!!"
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