"Crackle... crackle..."
On Lancelot's tightly clenched fist, faint arcs of electricity began to flicker!
At first, these electric arcs were mere scattered sparks, but in an instant, they spread like wildfire, growing denser and more intense, like silver snakes dancing wildly in the air.
At the same time, Lancelot slightly bent his knees, lowering his center of gravity as his body leaned forward more and more.
An intimidating aura emanated from him, like a beast poised to pounce on its prey, ready to strike.
"BOOM..."
With a low, dull sound, Lancelot erupted with all his strength in the next moment.
The terrifying force surged out like a volcanic eruption, causing the solid ground beneath his feet to shatter into countless tiny fragments, flying in all directions.
Immediately after, people only saw a black shadow racing away at an astonishing speed, like a cannonball fired from a barrel, carrying unparalleled impact and destructive power.
His speed was so extreme that even the surrounding air seemed shaken by this immense force, emitting sharp, piercing sonic booms that echoed through the skies.
"Oh no..."
Across from him, Ace's face changed drastically at the sight, his heart crying out in alarm.
Because Lancelot's speed was truly too fast, and he really couldn't afford to let him get close.
"Mirror Flame!"
Ace abruptly raised his sturdy right arm, and in an instant, a torrent of blazing flames erupted like a volcano!
The flames rapidly converged, forming a massive, towering wall of fire in the blink of an eye.
This wall of fire stood like an impenetrable barrier in front of Lancelot, attempting to completely block his attack.
You must know, while this appears to be a simple defensive move, when used offensively, its power is comparable to Aokiji's terrifying ultimate technique—"Ice Block: Pheasant Beak"!
This demonstrates just how terrifying the power of this move truly is.
Astonishingly, Lancelot seemed completely oblivious to the overwhelming flames crashing down upon him.
Not only did he show no signs of slowing or halting his attack, but his movement speed actually surged even faster at that very moment!
Simultaneously, Armament Haki surged forth with breathtaking speed, swiftly entangling and enveloping his entire body in the blink of an eye.
Moreover, as the Armament Haki emerged, a pair of sharp, menacing dragon horns abruptly sprouted from his head, gleaming coldly and inspiring awe.
His body was instantly encased in a layer of dazzling golden dragon scales, tightly interlocked and shimmering like an indestructible suit of armor.
Immediately after, Lancelot shot like a meteor straight into the intensely scorching, raging sea of fire.
"BOOM..."
In an instant, a thunderous roar echoed through the skies, like a bolt from the blue, earth-shattering and deafening, as if it could tear the entire world apart.
When Lancelot collided violently with the sea of flames, the immense impact distorted the surrounding air, making the very space seem to tremble and shudder precariously.
Yet, incredibly, Lancelot appeared completely at ease and unburdened in the face of the terrifying impact and the raging inferno.
He was like an unstoppable blade, effortlessly slicing through the layers of flames, treating the blaze capable of reducing everything to ashes as nothing more than a trivial obstacle.
Thus, Lancelot broke through the flames unimpeded, emerging directly before Ace.
At this moment, his body was covered in gleaming golden scales, intertwined with the black Haki swirling around him.
The combination made it seem as though he wore a suit of black-and-gold battle armor.
Coupled with the arcs of electricity entangling his already draconified hands, he resembled an invincible war god descended from the heavens, majestic and awe-inspiring.
"How is this possible?"
Ace widened his eyes, exclaiming in disbelief.
His mind was flooded with doubt and shock, even leading him to question whether the Devil Fruit he had consumed was truly the legendary Flame-Flame Fruit.
After all, the attack he had just launched appeared so fragile and powerless against this Marine before him!
Given his current mastery over the Flame-Flame Fruit's abilities and his own formidable strength, he had been confident that even against a dreaded Marine Admiral, he could unleash such a move head-on without falling behind.
But now...
However, Ace had no time to ponder further, for in the blink of an eye, Lancelot burst through the flames and closed in on him like a bolt of lightning.
If he failed to react immediately, it was certain that, even if he survived Lancelot's thunderous strike, he would likely be left severely wounded and hanging on the brink of death.
In the blink of an eye, Ace erupted with blazing flames, instantly transforming into a massive fireball that shot upward, swiftly reaching mid-air.
However, almost simultaneously, Lancelot's sharp dragon claws crackling with dazzling electric arcs came whistling toward him.
The strike was lightning-fast.
Fortunately, Ace reacted with incredible speed, soaring into the air at the last possible moment and narrowly evading the fatal blow.
Hovering in the air, Ace felt a mix of lingering fear and immense relief.
The perilous scene from moments ago remained vivid in his mind.
Though he had managed to dodge the attack by a hair's breadth, a fine layer of sweat had unknowingly formed on his forehead, and his heartbeat raced uncontrollably like a wild horse freed from its reins.
Below, Lancelot slowly raised his head, his gaze sharp as he looked up at Ace in mid-air.
His eyebrow twitched slightly, and a faint, almost imperceptible smile curled at the corner of his mouth as he murmured softly.
"As expected..."
After all, this was the renowned Fire Fist Ace—the most dazzling genius to emerge since Red-Haired Shanks.
How could he be so easily defeated in just a few moves?
It seemed that if he wanted to crush him completely, he would have to bring out some of his trump cards.
No sooner had the words left his mouth than an astonishing scene unfolded—Lancelot's body began to swell and expand at a visible rate, and in the blink of an eye, his originally human-like form had transformed into a majestic colossal golden dragon, its entire body shimmering with a brilliant radiance!
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