On the peak of the sea island, in a confined space.
Two figures were locked in fierce, constant collision, sparks flying and lightning crackling as they fought with brutal intensity.
His katana slashing, deflecting a sword strike from yesterday, Sakata Gintoki flipped through the air, sword energy swirling around him to ward off another incoming blow.
Sasaki Yuunen’s current display of dual-wielding was incredibly vicious and insidious.
After only a hundred exchanges, no less than fifty strikes had targeted his vital points.
If it were only this, Sakata Gintoki could still hold on.
However, the techniques Sasaki Yuunen possessed made his heart tremble.
“Shiririri.”
“Your speed and reflexes are good, but you’re already faltering just because I’m showing off my dual-wielding.”
“Shiririri!”
“Your Devil Fruit ability isn’t just this, is it?”
“Before you die, don’t you want to show your strongest move?”
“Perhaps, you might have a chance to defeat me.”
“Shiririri!”
Sasaki Yuunen, with a playful laugh, watched the already sword-wounded Sakata Gintoki, his expression filled with provocation.
Sakata Gintoki took a deep breath and surged forward, sword energy suspended beneath his feet. More sword energy materialized around him as Sakata Gintoki unleashed his fruit ability.
Upon witnessing this, Sasaki Yuunen let out a “Shiririri” laugh and said, “It seems you’re going to get serious and go all out?”
“Indeed. Since that’s the case, I’ll get a bit serious too.”
As Sasaki Yuunen finished speaking, his form began to change.
Two more arms suddenly appeared on his back, and he drew the longsword he had been sheathing.
“Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Sasaki Yuunen, an Awakened Devil Fruit user of the Spider-Spider Model, and also a master swordsman.”
“This fruit is incredibly suited for me.”
“Now, I shall accompany you in this form.”
Sakata Gintoki listened to Sasaki Yuunen’s words, his face grave.
Although his strength had increased significantly today thanks to Benedict’s blessing, granting him Admiral-level combat power.
However, Admiral-level combat power had its degrees, and he had only just stepped into the Admiral tier.
As for Sasaki Yuunen, he was clearly an established Admiral-level powerhouse, famous for many years.
Facing such a formidable opponent, Sakata Gintoki felt immense pressure.
Only by fighting to the death could he have a sliver of a chance.
With these thoughts, Sakata Gintoki no longer hesitated.
“Thousand Sword Barrage!”
Sakata Gintoki leaped into the air, and as he swung his longsword, streaks of sword energy flew out.
Facing the myriad of incoming sword energies, Sasaki Yuunen grew more serious but felt no fear.
Instead, Sasaki Yuunen held his swords with all four hands, assuming a cross-shaped stance, and declared, “Sword Song Tempest.”
Like a rapidly spinning tornado, it coalesced around Sasaki Yuunen, the constantly incoming sword energies clashing and singing in the tempest’s sweep.
Sakata Gintoki’s Observation Haki continuously tracked Sasaki Yuunen’s attacks, his face grim as he realized the latter had neutralized all his attacks with his four swords.
“Brat, this move of mine isn’t just for defense.”
Just as Sakata Gintoki felt stunned, Sasaki Yuunen’s voice echoed.
And so, Sakata Gintoki knew he had been careless.
In a duel of experts, a moment’s lapse could lead to death.
“Rampage!”
Sakata Gintoki changed tactics, attacking instead of retreating.
The chaotic sword energy of his rampage collided with the sharp tempest that swept through the clouds.
“Disperse!”
Sakata Gintoki, wielding his swords with both hands, struck heavily against Sasaki Yuunen’s dual blades, controlling his sword energy to continuously assault Sasaki Yuunen.
But Sasaki Yuunen’s other two hands remained calm in the face of danger, fending off attacks while continuously parrying Sakata Gintoki’s assaults.
Whoosh!
The immense power not only left Sakata Gintoki with numerous wounds but also inflicted injuries on Sasaki Yuunen.
However, Sasaki Yuunen seemed unafraid. On the contrary, wounds and blood only seemed to excite him further.
“Not enough!”
“It’s still not enough!”
Sasaki Yuunen’s voice held a hint of sickly madness.
Concurrently, Sasaki Yuunen’s body surged with even greater power.
Sakata Gintoki, facing the relentless pressure of this power, was forced to retreat.
The rampaging sword energy also seemed suppressed, no longer posing a threat to the Sword Song Tempest.
“Four-Sword Style, Hellish Aria.”
A crimson glow flickered in Sasaki Yuunen’s pupils.
The next moment, Sakata Gintoki’s Observation Haki detected something, and his pupils contracted sharply.
Boom!
An immense force directly sent Sakata Gintoki flying.
His body tumbled through the air, while Sasaki Yuunen flashed by in a blur.
*Slice! Slice!*
In that instant, Sakata Gintoki wanted to cover his body with Armament Haki and, using Observation Haki, swing his sword in mid-air to dodge and defend.
In reality, Sakata Gintoki did just that, desperately trying to save himself.
Yet, even so, his body was like a peeled pineapple, covered in wounds.
“Shiririri, brat?”
“Is this all the strength you possess?”
“If this is all you can do, then I shall take your life.”
Sasaki Yuunen dove down, looking at Sakata Gintoki, and said with slight displeasure, “You’re wasting my time.”
Before the words fell, Sasaki Yuunen’s longsword was already plunging towards Sakata Gintoki’s chest.
Sakata Gintoki’s pupils contracted violently as he faced Sasaki Yuunen’s blade.
If one looked closely, one could see his pupils trembling.
If he didn't counter now, he would die.
“Sword Domain!”
In that instant.
Sakata Gintoki unleashed his final resort.
The last time he was on the brink of death, he had poured his all into it. Though he hadn't managed to kill Queen, it had awakened the Sword-Sword Fruit.
Sword Domain was the ability Sakata Gintoki had gained after his awakening.
Centered on Sakata Gintoki, it released a sword domain with a radius of five hundred meters. Within this domain, his swordsmanship would be further enhanced, and his techniques would be strengthened.
Even the countless sword energies he unleashed within this domain would become sharper.
The only regret for Sakata Gintoki was that his Armament Haki could only cover his sword and could not be imbued into the sword energies.
Just as the sword was about to pierce Sakata Gintoki’s chest, Sasaki Yuunen clearly sensed that the surrounding space seemed to have come to a standstill.
He could even clearly sense that the surrounding space felt like an overwhelming sharpness of blades.
Sakata Gintoki, his falling body instantly tightening his grip on his longsword, looked at Sasaki Yuunen with sharp, fierce eyes.
“Dōyako Eighteen Blades!”