"Hmph, it's just Haoshoku. Having Haoshoku Haki doesn't mean you can be arrogant!"
"I am a user of the Zoan-type Devil Fruit, Leopard Form!!!!"
"Roar!!!!"
Wicks roared in anger, his entire body began to swell, grow taller, and enlarge. Then, under Nox's gaze, he transformed into an upright, bipedal humanoid leopard.
Although he knew that Devil Fruits existed in this world, this was only the second time Nox had seen a Devil Fruit user, so he was quite curious about Wicks' transformation.
After transforming into a humanoid leopard, Wicks was able to withstand Nox's Haoshoku Haki.
Seeing this, Nox also withdrew his Haoshoku Haki.
"Leopard Claw!"
After Wicks transformed into a humanoid leopard, he dropped to all fours, then exerted force. The ground was shattered by his powerful limbs.
Wicks instantly rushed in front of Nox at an extremely high speed. His sharp Leopard Claws, gleaming with cold light, were covered in Busoshoku Haki.
In the New World, any Pirate with a bit of fame would possess some level of Haki.
This is a basic quality for a Captain in the New World; without Haki, one simply wouldn't survive long in this chaotic Sea.
"Clang!!!"
A long sword covered in Busoshoku Haki blocked the Leopard Claw. Nox steadily received Wicks' attack without taking a single step back.
"Is this all you've got?"
Feeling the force transmitted through the sword, Nox roughly estimated that this strength was similar to that of Rear Admiral Jessno, whom he had killed earlier.
The only difference was that the Zoan-type Devil Fruit made Wicks slightly more durable than Jessno.
"Kid, you've got guts!"
Hearing the contempt in Nox's tone, Wicks revealed sharp fangs from his leopard mouth. His other Leopard Claw, also covered in Busoshoku Haki, attacked from the side.
"Clang!!!"
The sword in Nox's hand forcefully pushed back one of Wicks' Leopard Claws, and then immediately blocked the sneak attack from the other Leopard Claw.
Suddenly, Wicks retracted his Leopard Claws, and his leopard foot seized the opportunity to kick towards Nox's abdomen.
However, before Wicks' leopard foot could land, Nox dodged the attack with a flash of his body.
Taking advantage of Nox's dodge, Wicks instantly charged forward again. His pair of sharp Leopard Claws, like throat-locking sickles, grabbed towards Nox's throat.
"Hmph, you're pushing your luck!"
Seeing the opponent pressing forward relentlessly, Nox coldly snorted. The Sword Master's sword energy on his body suddenly erupted, and his sharp eyes stared directly at Wicks, who was about to approach him.
"Limitless · Cross Slash"
Instantly erupting with speed that broke the sound barrier, the sword in his hand slashed out rapidly.
Two dazzling white sword lights formed a cross slash, striking Wicks before he could react.
"Sizzle!!!!"
Wicks instinctively used Busoshoku Haki for protection, but even with his Busoshoku Haki and the strong defense of his Animal-type, the Cross Slash forcibly cut through it.
A cross-shaped sword wound, deep to the bone, was hideous and terrifying, with blood continuously flowing out.
"Bang!!!"
Wicks' body was also sent flying over a hundred meters by the powerful slash.
"Double Soru!"
Nox's body did not stop because Wicks was sent flying. Instead, the speed of his feet increased.
After bursting forward with two steps of Soru, he had already rushed behind Wicks before Wicks even landed.
"Limitless · Crescent Moon Slash"
The long sword was swung out in an instant. The intense sword energy was as if it could cut down the full moon in the night sky. The crescent-shaped slash went straight towards Wicks' head.
Wicks couldn't use Moonwalk, and without any leverage in the air, he forcefully twisted his body. One of his leopard feet, covered in Busoshoku Haki, kicked the crescent moon slash.
"Rumble!!!"
The extreme sharpness of the Crescent Moon Slash instantly cut through the Busoshoku Haki and defense of the leopard foot, even cutting halfway through the leopard bone.
At the crucial moment, Wicks' other foot kicked out simultaneously, blocking the attack of the Crescent Moon Slash.
He saved one of his leopard feet, otherwise, the Crescent Moon Slash would have cut off one of his feet!
"Bang!!!"
Wicks, who was sent flying again, immediately stood up after landing. Enduring the pain in his foot, he stared intently at Nox.
He didn't expect the opponent's sword to be so destructive, able to cut through his double defense.
This kind of slashing power was too terrifying, simply the nemesis of Animal-types.
"If this is all you've got, you'll die very quickly."
Nox raised his sword and charged forward again. This time, he didn't hold back and temper his Busoshoku Haki like he did during his fight with Rear Admiral Jessno.
After all, Wicks' current strength was significantly weaker than his, and wouldn't provide much tempering effect.
"Damn it, don't underestimate me!"
Wicks was extremely angry. His crewmates had been knocked unconscious, and as a Devil Fruit user, he couldn't go into the sea.
So, to survive, he had to defeat this guy in front of him.
Wicks, bursting with full power, had terrifying speed, but for Nox, who was proficient in Soru and Moonwalk, this speed couldn't surpass his.
Nox, possessing faster speed and more powerful attacks, steadily held the upper hand during the fight with Wicks.
The Limitless Sword Style was unleashed, making it difficult for Wicks to parry. Each time Nox's sword struck, it caused him terrifying injuries.
If not for the powerful physique, vitality, and recovery ability of his Animal-type, he would have already been severely wounded, his strength greatly reduced, and then killed by Nox.
And during his fight with Wicks, Nox's swordsmanship and combat experience continuously increased.
The speed of his sword strikes became faster and faster, the sharpness of the sword blade became keener, and the coordination between his footwork body art techniques and swordsmanship became more and more perfect.
"Is this the battle of strong individuals?"
"They are so strong, my eyes can't keep up with their speed."
"Is that a Devil Fruit user? Their vitality is really tenacious. He's been cut so many times by Senior Brother, yet he hasn't been killed."
"..."
The members of the Limitless Pirates, who had already finished their battle and boarded the ship, were all watching Nox's fight with Wicks from afar. They were all rookies just starting out.
This kind of battle between strong individuals broadened their horizons and made them clearly realize their own insignificance, fostering much more reverence for the strong individuals on the Sea.
When they were on Asattava Island before, they had also seen Nox train.
But they didn't know how strong Nox was. Now, they had truly seen it, and they were even more convinced by Nox.
Lesley clenched her fists tightly, her beautiful eyes fixed on Nox, who was continuously fighting.
She had followed Nox in the past seeking powerful strength. Now, she realized that the powerful strength she sought, wasn't it right before her eyes?
She didn't have that kind of powerful strength herself, nor the talent to pursue such powerful strength. Then, she would pursue the monster who possessed powerful strength.
And obtain him. That way, wouldn't she indirectly obtain strength?