Under the cover of night, three figures tore at each other like three raging whirlwinds.
Amid the unending clash of blades and claws, there were also several sharp cat howls and dog barks mixed in.
This time, Sherwin rarely refrained from taking any drugs, did not use Link Time to launch a surprise attack, nor did he use empty soul possession to ban their Observation Haki.
Instead, he fought Inuarashi and Nekomamushi in the most straightforward manner.
Just as he had anticipated, Inuarashi and Nekomamushi in their Moon Lion forms, when fighting together, were perfectly able to battle his normal state to a standstill, and even faintly held a slight upper hand…
After all, it was one versus two. When the gap in strength was not large, the side with more people naturally had the advantage.
However, because Sherwin had been focusing heavily on improving his close-quarters combat techniques recently, and because he also had the Mirror Flower Structure move to turn the tide at critical moments, even while being pushed back, he did not show the slightest sign of defeat.
On the contrary, Inuarashi and Nekomamushi, who had been maintaining their Moon Lion forms the entire time, were gradually beginning to show signs of fatigue.
It was just that…
You two have already been panting like this half an hour ago, right?! How is it that not only are you not getting weaker, but you're actually getting fiercer the more you fight?!
Once again using the Longsword to block both of their claws at the same time, feeling the increased force coming from them, Sherwin could not help but curse in his heart.
Does this "Oden virus" really come with buffs like instant sit-ups and extended combat endurance?
Of course, complaints aside, in reality Sherwin was more than happy for the two of them to keep holding on, because while Inuarashi and Nekomamushi were growing more ferocious as the battle went on, Sherwin himself was also improving at a rapid pace.
Just as the old men Chinjao and Garp had said, only by fighting opponents of equal strength could one dig out their own potential to the greatest extent.
In addition to his growth in raw strength, through this battle with the cat and dog in front of him, Sherwin had also basically figured out what the Flowing Haki technique of Wano Country was really about.
To be precise, it should be the Oden style, or the Flowing Haki technique of the Kozuki family.
In fact, back when he was in Shimotsuki Village, Sherwin had already asked Koushirou for guidance on Armament Haki coating.
The Armament coating technique Koushirou taught him at the time was indeed quite exquisite, but it was not necessarily much stronger than ordinary Armament coating.
Moreover, in terms of difficulty, it was only slightly more complex than standard Armament coating.
Judging from Koushirou personality and his later act of giving away his family inherited training notes, it did not seem like he had deliberately held anything back from Sherwin.
Because of this, Sherwin had made some guesses of his own: either Koushirou branch had lost part of its inheritance after leaving Wano Country, or Oden—or rather, the Kozuki family—Flowing Haki was somewhat special…
After all, they were the main line of one of the five daimyo clans. Having a few hidden techniques tucked away was hardly surprising.
And the Armament Haki techniques that Inuarashi and Nekomamushi were now using also proved Sherwin conjecture correct.
The Flowing Haki Kozuki Oden had taught them was indeed different from what Koushirou had taught Sherwin.
To explain it in simpler terms…
Ordinary Armament Haki coating was essentially like applying a general enhancement to one weapons or fists and feet, evenly increasing attributes such as durability and attack power.
No matter what weapon you used, the enhancement you received did not differ much. Its defining feature was being well-rounded and broadly applicable.
The Flowing Haki taught by Koushirou, on the other hand, had additional advantages when used with blades and other sharp weapons.
If ordinary Armament coating was equivalent to "all weapons attack +5," then the Shimotsuki family Flowing Haki would be more like "sharp weapons attack +7, blunt weapons attack +5."
Or put another way, his Flowing Haki possessed an extra "sharpness" attribute, a bonus that only sharp weapons could benefit from.
As for the Flowing Haki used by Inuarashi and Nekomamushi, on top of possessing "sharpness," it also added another attribute: "armor piercing."
As for how this "armor piercing" was achieved, once explained plainly, there was actually nothing particularly mysterious about it…
It was simply the result of combining ordinary Flowing Haki with the internal destruction technique of Armament Haki.
In principle, it was very similar to Old Master Chinjao Armament-version Eight-Impact Fist, with at most some minor differences in how the two were fused.
In fact, among the techniques Sherwin had developed himself, there were also ones that used similar principles. However, relying on this kind of technique alone, trying to injure Kaido across a gap in overall strength like in the manga was still impossible…
At the very least, judging by the current level of Haki of Inuarashi and Nekomamushi, it was hopeless, and Sherwin himself would have to activate a major move and charge it up, or stack a whole pile of buffs, just to barely reach the threshold.
Therefore, within the Ryuo techniques of the "Oden Style," there was still one crucial element—namely, the will infused into it.
That right. After going around in circles, it ultimately returned to the path of idealistic swordsmanship.
In other words, Koushirou had actually already taught this technique to Sherwin long ago—it was just that he couldn't learn it…
In fact, looked at from another angle, Sherwin, who had already inherited a complete stylistic system, was capable of unleashing similar attacks.
As long as he could successfully master the Bushido style in the future, using exactly the same Ryuo would not be anything difficult.
It was just that mastering the Bushido style might be a little hard for Sherwin…
Whatever. Even if I can't use that move, I can still injure Kaido and the even tougher Big Mom.
Sherwin used Senior A-Q spiritual victory method to console himself.
Besides, even if I can't learn the authentic Ryuo, our family cats can!
So…
It really no big deal at all!
Hmph!
The more he thought about it, the more depressed the Hunter became, and he decisively vented his anger on the Inuarashi and Nekomamushi in front of him.
Once again using Mirror Flower Structure to shock the two of them back, Sherwin took advantage of the moment they entered stiffness, sheathed the Longsword, and assumed an iaijutsu stance…
Monster Hunter Style · Ultimate Art · Crimson Heaven End—eh?
Sherwin blade had only been drawn halfway when Inuarashi and Nekomamushi, who had just been blasted away by him, suddenly reverted to their original forms.
The two of them then went limp and collapsed to the ground like noodles, eyes tightly shut, breathing faint—clearly they had completely passed out from extreme exhaustion.
"..."
Damn it! You really picked the perfect time to pass out!
Not only did Sherwin fail to vent the frustration in his heart, he felt even more stifled now.
But there was no way he could keep slashing at Inuarashi and Nekomamushi when they were already unconscious, so he could only resentfully push the Longsword, which had been drawn halfway, back into its sheath.
"So strong! Duke Inuarashi and Boss Nekomamushi joining forces in their Moon forms still weren't a match for him! No wonder the newspapers said he has the strength to contend with the Four Emperors!"
Even though he hadn't delivered a finishing blow to Inuarashi and Nekomamushi, Sherwin strength still earned the amazement of the surrounding Mink Tribe spectators.
In fact, this group that loved handing out thrones everywhere even started setting their sights on Sherwin…
"Actually, a short-hair breed could be the king of Zou too!"
"..."
Already feeling stifled, Sherwin kept rolling his eyes when he heard the discussions around him.
"Wow! Big Brother Sherwin won, meow!"
(=｀=)
The little angel Klee Meow was the first to pounce into Sherwin arms the moment the battle ended, twisting her small head as she burrowed and rubbed against his chest.
The other Felynes also crowded over one after another, chirping noisily as they surrounded Sherwin.
Under the Felyne healing, the bit of gloom in Sherwin heart quickly vanished.
As expected…
What can dispel worries? Only petting cats!