"Is this really power a human can possess?!"
"Am I still dreaming?"
"He's a complete monster!"
"..."
Outside Whiskey Peak town, a group of bounty hunters shivered as they watched the intense air currents and swirling dust constantly rising from within the town, all filled with terror.
They truly hadn't imagined that human destructive power could reach such an astonishing degree. Most importantly, it was fortunate that a young Marine from Marine Headquarters, whose strength was formidable enough to contend with Gecko Moria, had arrived today. Otherwise, they would surely have met a terrible end.
Just then, Paul wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, quickly turned his head, and instructed his companions behind him, "Quickly, prepare the ships! If Commander Cross loses, we'll make a quick escape!"
He wasn't doubting Cross's strength; primarily, Cross was too young, and Gecko Moria was a seasoned great pirate who had been famous for many years. If he weren't strong, the World Government wouldn't have invited him to be a Warlord of the Sea member.
"Boss Paul, you're always so thoughtful!" Someone stepped forward, praising him repeatedly.
"Less talk!" Paul said impatiently. "All of you, get moving! Food and fresh water need to be prepared too!"
Suddenly, a man walked up to Paul and whispered, "Boss Paul, if Commander Cross and Gecko Moria end up mutually wounded, or if Gecko Moria is heavily injured, what do you say, do we have a chance...?" As he spoke, he made a throat-slitting gesture.
Hearing this, a group of bounty hunters' eyes lit up, their hearts involuntarily stirring. Although the man didn't finish his sentence, everyone present was an old hand and understood his meaning perfectly.
After all, as the captain of the Thriller Bark Pirates, Gecko Moria's bounty was already as high as 320,000,000 Berries ten years ago. If it weren't for his defeat at Kaido's hands, which led to a reduction in his activities, his bounty would certainly be much higher.
If Gecko Moria were to die by their hands, then fame, wealth, status... wouldn't they have whatever they desired?
Thinking of this, Paul couldn't help but feel a dry mouth, subtly tempted, but he still cautiously said, "This matter, we'll see how it plays out. We absolutely must observe the situation, don't act rashly!"
"Otherwise, with so many of us, he'll surely die!"
Boom boom boom boom boom... boom boom boom boom boom...
Meanwhile, by the riverbank in Whiskey Peak town, over a dozen massive mud-rock tentacles continued to relentlessly jab and lash at the ground, like the flailing tentacles of a deep-sea giant kraken.
The once-flat ground was now scarred with craters, continuously spewing shattered rocks. Propelled by the powerful earthy air currents, their force was no less than that of bullets.
Moria's face was contorted in a grimace. While rapidly dodging, he swung the scissor-shaped greatswords in his hands, either evading or hacking and breaking another mud-rock tentacle attacking him.
However, ever since his defeat by Kaido in Wano Country, his will had been depressed for too long, and his strength had degraded significantly. Soon, he couldn't keep up with the attacks from all directions.
Whoosh—
Amidst a whistling sound of tearing air, a giant mud-rock tentacle, like a straight, colossal knight's spear, thrust forward with extreme speed.
"Spiky Shadow Lizard!!!"
Boom—
At the critical moment, Moria decisively activated his ability. The shadow on the ground rapidly extended, transforming into a massive black spear that violently shattered an even larger mud-rock tentacle, scattering mud and rocks into the sky.
Bang—
However, another mud-rock tentacle pierced forward, fiercely slamming into Moria, who had no time to defend or dodge. He was sent flying and landed heavily on the ground over ten meters away.
The next second, more mud-rock tentacles, as if seeing an opportunity, rushed forward to stab at Moria.
"Shadow's Asgard!!!"
"Shadow Substitute!!!"
Boom boom boom boom...
Suddenly, under the dense, storm-like barrage of over a dozen mud-rock tentacles, Moria's shadow clone rushed out.
Scáthach, beside Cross, saw the clone and tried to intercept it. But just then, the shadow clone abruptly vanished, replaced by Moria, covered in blood, causing Scáthach to halt.
"Cough cough... cough cough cough..." Moria knelt on the ground, coughing up large mouthfuls of blood, his body utterly disheveled with blood and dust.
"Moria, do you think you can escape?" Cross snorted coldly, once again manipulating the animated mud-rock tentacles. They rumbled, attempting to encircle and trap Moria.
"Damn it, what kind of cursed ability is this?" Moria's face was grim. He roughly wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, grabbed his two scissor-shaped greatswords, and charged directly at Cross.
In his view, if he could just get close and take out his opponent, he wouldn't have to worry about this bizarre ability.
"Perfect timing!" Cross grinned, also stepping forward to meet him.
Clang—
In a flash, the two closed in on each other, striking a fierce blow. A deafening clang of metal erupted, almost like the striking of a massive bronze bell, causing ripples in the air like waves on water.
The next second, the ground beneath their feet instantly shattered into large pieces, and surging air currents spread like a strong wind in all directions, kicking up thick dust.
"Kishishishi~ Brick Bats!!!"
Suddenly, Moria grinned viciously at Cross. Countless shadow bats flew from behind him, instantly enveloping Cross.
"N-not good!"
"Black Box!!!"
Seeing this, Cross's expression subtly changed. He instinctively retreated, but Moria unleashed another new technique. Dozens of shadow bats surrounded Cross and quickly merged, rapidly forming a black box. With a thud, Cross was sealed inside.
"I actually forgot he had this move!" In the pitch-black environment, Cross's face darkened. His powerful Armament Haki quickly enveloped his entire body, transforming him into a black metal sculpture.
He wasn't a rubber man like Luffy, so he wouldn't be immune to ordinary blunt force. With Moria's strength, even with Cross's physical conditioning, taking a direct heavy punch would be unbearable.
Rumble—
At this moment, Moria, his expression sinister, raised his fist high and slammed it down hard on the black box on the ground. The terrifying force not only flattened the box but also created a dent in the ground itself.
Rumble—
Following this, Moria withdrew his fist and then stomped on the shadow box. With a huge roar, the ground directly vibrated and cracked, forming a giant, spiderweb-like fissure.
"Kishishishi~ You damn brat, you must be paste now!" Moria's face was gruesome and terrifying. He stared viciously at the tattered black shadow box on the ground, letting out an unrestrained, wild laugh.
Splish—
Suddenly, a section of pitch-black blade poked out from inside the shadow box, interrupting Moria's triumphant glee.
"Moria, keep massaging me with your fists; the force is quite moderate!" A mocking voice came from within the shadow box. Cross had pierced through the shadow box with his katana and then, with brute force, pried it open, escaping its confinement.
"Nani?!" Moria's face twisted. He stared at the black metallic figure completely covered in Armament Haki before him, hardly able to believe his eyes. 'How old is this brat, and how can he possess such powerful Armament Haki?!'
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