Chapter 89: Giant Vice Admiral! Spear of Elbaf: Nation Splitter!
Duel Island, deep in the giant forest.
"There's nothing here."
Roy, having landed on the island, looked up at the countdown and then around the empty forest, feeling a bit eerie.
Yes.
Like most people, Roy knew this third test, just like the first, couldn't be as simple as the rules stated.
After all, this was the final assessment. The winner, if a Marine, would become an Admiral Candidate, renowned across the four seas.
So Roy was on high alert.
But he had to admit, Fleet Admiral Sengoku never disappointed when it came to being disappointing.
Entering the forest, Roy realized... there really seemed to be nothing here.
[Rabbit-Rabbit Fruit, Model: Snow Hare LV3: Greatly enhances hearing and jumping ability.]
[Dog-Dog Fruit, Model: Dachshund LV3: Greatly enhances sense of smell.]
[Bird-Bird Fruit, Model: Falcon LV3: Greatly enhances vision.]
As mentioned before.
With the 10 billion Berry deposit from the Revolutionary Army, Roy, now financially comfortable, hadn't been stingy with upgrades.
After upgrading his main combat fruits—Munch-Munch, Slice-Slice, Daibutsu, Quetzalcoatlus—to LV4.
He also selectively upgraded some common Zoan fruits that didn't cost much, to cover specific situations and increase his versatility.
For example, this "Five Senses Enhancement" combo allowed him to perceive almost any subtle change in his surroundings.
But that was the problem—scent, sight, sound... every sense told him this forest was completely normal.
And speaking of which...
"The objective is weird too."
Roy frowned.
"If the goal was for the nine of us to fight until one remains, the objective should be 'defeat everyone else within 3 hours'."
"'Survive in the forest for 3 hours'—if everyone chooses the rational path and hides, are we all winners?"
Just as Roy thought this...
BOOM!
A thunderous roar echoed from somewhere in the forest, accompanied by a massive slash and intense Haki shooting into the sky.
Almost simultaneously...
BOOM!
Another massive tremor came from a location closer to Roy.
Roy: "..."
Well, looks like not everyone is rational.
"Fighting is good. Gets me closer to the goal..."
Roy muttered.
Although he decided to be a bit looser with his power, his goal hadn't changed—he didn't care about being an Admiral Candidate, top 5 and commanding the Detention Unit was enough.
Just as he was thinking...
"Elbaf Battle Skill: Earth Shatter!"
A massive roar came from behind him, followed by the terrifying sound of rushing wind.
"Soru!"
Roy vanished instantly.
Just as he dodged, a colossal sword smashed into the ground where he had been standing.
CRASH!
The ground flipped over. Just as the move name suggested, the earth shattered, massive cracks spreading out from the impact.
THUD! THUD!
With heavy footsteps.
A gigantic figure in a Marine uniform walked out of the forest.
"Hahaha! Dodged it, did you?"
The Giant laughed like thunder.
"Vice Admiral Harmo."
Roy rubbed his ears. "Of course I dodged—you shouted your move name so loud, it's hard not to dodge, right?"
The Snow Hare's hearing was too sensitive; he almost went deaf.
"Hahahaha!"
Harmo laughed even louder. "Can't be helped! Silent ambushes shame a warrior's honor! The God of Elbaf wouldn't bless such a disgraceful battle!"
He shouldered his colossal sword. "Roy Amos. I heard about what you did yesterday... Defeating Bastille in one hit. You are a remarkable warrior."
"So why are you coming after me?" Roy shook his head helplessly.
"To wrestle with the brave warriors of the four seas! To fight all kinds of strong opponents! That is why I joined the Marines!" Harmo grinned. "Come! Rare warrior—let us battle!"
He roared, swinging his massive sword again.
"Giants..."
Seeing this, Roy shook his head, knowing a fight was unavoidable.
But...
"Fine."
His eyes sharpened.
The next moment, Harmo was surprised to see Roy didn't dodge the falling sword.
Barehanded, Roy jumped to meet the blade.
"No Haki? No Wave Fist? Not even those gauntlets!?"
Harmo frowned instinctively. "What is he doing?"
He acknowledged Roy's strength, but this... intending to fight him with pure physical strength?
"Kid, you're underestimating the Giants!"
He roared, swinging the sword faster!
But in an instant, Harmo's expression froze.
Because he found, incredibly—his massive sword felt like it was clamped between two mountains.
But his eyes told him it wasn't mountains clamping his sword... it was Roy's hands!
CREAK!
With the sound of the blade straining, Harmo felt a massive force from the other end.
"You..."
He gritted his teeth to speak, but before he could finish, he saw Roy flip his hands.
BOOM!
The sword flipped, and Harmo's colossal body was flung away by the immense force!
CRASH!
He smashed through dozens of giant trees, disappearing into a cloud of dust.
In Marineford.
Watching the broadcast, the commentator screamed in disbelief.
"Un... unbelievable! What happened!?"
"We can't hear them, but without a doubt—Major Roy just flung Vice Admiral Harmo! And... he didn't seem to use his Wave Fist or Haki!"
"He... he threw a Giant with pure physical strength!"
His shock mirrored Harmo's own.
"I, Dvaro Harmo—lost in pure strength to a human..."
He struggled up, grabbing his sword, staring gravely at the figure standing in the distance.
"Is he really human?"
He was truly shaken.
He felt it clearly. Roy had crushed him in absolute physical power!
And it was true...
[Human-Human Fruit, Model: Daibutsu LV4]
[Human-Human Fruit, Model: Giant LV4]
[Strong-Strong Fruit LV4]
[Human-Human Fruit LV5]
"Ignoring vitality and recovery, for pure muscle strength, the Giant Fruit is stronger than the Quetzalcoatlus—this 'Muscle Enhancement' combo is set."
Clenching his fist, feeling the surging power, Roy looked at Harmo.
"Vice Admiral, how was it?"
He grinned.
"Hahahaha!"
Harmo stood up. "Amazing, Major Roy—just like the rumors, your physique is monstrous!"
"But..."
He grinned back. "I am a warrior of the Giants."
As he spoke, he assumed a strange stance with his sword—holding the massive blade horizontally at his side.
VMMM!
Haki erupted, swirling around his blade like a vortex.
At the same time...
Crack. Crack.
His veins bulged all over his body.
Yes, Giant warriors didn't fear monsters.
On the contrary—they prided themselves on hunting monsters.
Those who could hunt truly powerful monsters were honored as "Heroes." Their hallmark was the ability to use the ancient martial arts passed down in Elbaf.
Moves named "Spear of Elbaf", symbolizing strength and glory.
Harmo was strong, but his power hadn't reached that level yet.
However...
"With this super-giant sword..."
Harmo gripped the hilt tighter.
"I can barely use one of them."
As said before, his sword was unusually large, even for a Giant.
This was why.
For Giants, Size... is Power!
He swung the sword.
At that moment...
"Hm!?"
Roy's gaze sharpened.
"Is that..."
A light flashed in his eyes.
The next instant, Harmo's slash flew.
"Spear of Elbaf: Nation Splitter!" (Hakoku)
In that instant, the power surging from the sword seemed to turn into a massive tsunami!
BOOM!
The towering ancient trees in the forest were torn apart like fragile seedlings. A massive chasm appeared in the ground instantly.
"It... it appeared! Elbaf's secret technique!"
"It is said a powerful Giant warrior using this can destroy an island nation in one blow!"
"This is the power of a Headquarters Vice Admiral! Even Supernova Roy must dodge... !?"
The commentator's passionate speech cut off abruptly.
Because...
BOOM!
The terrifying slash... hit Roy.
A massive cloud of dust rose—dust, wood chips, and stone fragments mixed with Haki flew in all directions.
"He... he didn't dodge! Is the battle over!?"
The commentator's cry was joined by shouts from the Detention Unit: "Captain! Did that idiot drink too much last night? How do you not dodge that!?"
But then...
"Hah... hah..."
In the forest, amidst the rising dust.
Harmo maintained his swing pose, his massive chest heaving, sweat streaming down his muscles.
"Did I... win?"
He gasped, staring at the spot where Roy stood.
He knew he had given it his all. This 'Nation Splitter' (Hakoku) was a Giant technique on par with 'Sovereignty' (Ikoku) and 'Ocean Sovereignty' (Hakai). He could only use it thanks to his super-giant sword.
He was confident that even Giant heroes would find this strike troublesome.
Time seemed to freeze.
Until a moment later...
Whoosh...
The sea breeze cleared the dust, outlining a blurry silhouette.
The silhouette was still standing.
"Giant martial arts... truly impressive techniques..."
Roy's voice rang out.
The dust cleared completely.
Roy's Marine uniform was tattered.
His arms were crossed in front of him.
But on his body...
VMMM!
Golden fluctuations erupted, surrounding him.
[Wave Fist: Vajra Body]
"But it looks like you can only use that move once?"
"What a pity."
As his words fell, Roy vanished.
The next instant, he appeared above Harmo's head.
In his hand, the glow of the Wave Fist shone.
"It's over."
Exhausted, Harmo knew clearly—after using 'Nation Splitter,' he couldn't dodge this.
But he didn't mind—as a warrior, defeat after a full-force battle was no shame.
But...
"Hm!?"
Harmo's eyes widened in disbelief.
Because he saw the change in Roy's body.
He could see Roy's muscles tense and exert force... the trajectory of the muscle changes, the subtle shifts in the body... were incredibly familiar!
"You..."
But he had no time to say more.
The next instant, Roy's fist slammed into him.
BOOM!
In the forest, a powerful shockwave erupted.
☆☆☆
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