No matter how many attacks were launched, Sword Saint Bickley's defense absorbed them all. Dozens of assaults vanished into his mysterious barrier as if they had never existed.
Dracule Mihawk's expression was grave, his hawk-like eyes fixated on the radiant Holy Sword.
"I'm not entirely sure of the exact ability, but one thing is certain: it must be tied to that Holy Sword. Its power is immense," Mihawk murmured, sensing the source of the Sword Saint's defensive technique.
Edward Newgate's face mirrored Mihawk's solemnity.
"His defense rivals Ashveil's Conqueror's Haki barrier. As expected, he's a master on the same level as Ashveil." Even when the World Allied Forces had attacked Ashveil with their combined might, he had withstood it—but here, Bickley's shield effortlessly neutralized attacks comparable to that legendary strike.
Urouge, witnessing attacks vanish beside the Sword Saint, swallowed hard. His life seemed to hang by a thread. The Holy Sword was barely a meter away from him, and if it advanced another step, annihilation would be instantaneous. He had already prepared himself for death.
Then, golden particles swirled into a shimmering barrier, blocking the Sword Saint's path. Relief flooded Urouge as he recognized the familiar aura. It was his captain, Thorne Ashveil! He had arrived in time to prevent disaster.
Sword Saint Bickley froze, his expression unusually grave. How could anyone withstand his attack? Even a master like him felt a bead of sweat forming on his brow. Only one person on this ship could oppose him—Ashveil.
"Hey, hey, who's shouting so loudly here? You almost ruined my concentration," Ashveil said, frowning, his tone mildly annoyed. He hadn't wanted any interruptions while managing the situation.
Bickley's eyes narrowed. This Ashveil was indeed formidable.
"You, kid… I know you. Imu specifically sent me to deal with you. You don't think you can defeat me, do you? My strength isn't limited to this," Bickley said, his gaze piercing Ashveil.
Ashveil casually stepped from his dormitory. Had Bickley not revealed his identity, it would have been difficult to distinguish him from any other swordsman attempting to follow Ashveil.
"This is troublesome. If you're here to follow me, fine. But if it's someone coming to kill me, I can't ignore them," Ashveil muttered, lightly patting his forehead.
"You Celestial Dragons are endlessly restless. When I deal with Imu, will you finally be quiet?" he added, his tone sharp and unyielding.
Bickley's face flushed crimson. In all his years, he had never encountered anyone who dared treat Imu as a weakling, much less someone who mocked the authority of the Celestial Dragons.
"Ashveil, don't underestimate Imu-sama! How dare you judge her so casually!" Bickley roared, swinging another radiant strike.
But Ashveil merely observed, intrigued. The sword in Bickley's hands was truly exceptional.
Boom!
Bickley's strike collided with Ashveil's Conqueror's Haki barrier. The barrier rippled under the impact, but the Sword Saint could not penetrate it. Winds howled, carrying shards of energy across the Whitebeard Pirates' territory, spanning dozens of kilometers.
Mihawk's eyes narrowed, excitement flickering across his face.
"Thorne Ashveil… still so powerful. Such a terrifying attack, yet he handles it with ease."
Ashveil frowned slightly, assessing Bickley.
"You really are weak, Bickley. I'll have to handle this myself. How inconvenient," he said, his voice tinged with annoyance.
Suddenly, a massive fist formed above Ashveil, forged from Conqueror's Haki and crackling with purple lightning.
Bickley's expression stiffened, astonished by the fusion of Haoshoku and lightning.
Without pause, Ashveil's giant fist charged forward, a roar tearing from his lips. The earth beneath Bickley cracked and shifted under the overwhelming force.
"Terrifying…" Bickley muttered, hastily raising his Holy Sword to block. He created a square barrier overhead, and the immense power vanished upon entering it, absorbed without leaving a trace.
Ashveil's expression was calm, his confidence unshaken.
"Hahaha, Bickley, didn't you boast about your overwhelming power?" he said, his tone mocking yet controlled.
"What's the matter? Couldn't even breach my defense?" Bickley's voice dripped with incredulity and frustration, as he realized the full extent of Ashveil's might.
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