The blades were sharp, each one moving with extreme speed.
Despite wielding four swords to parry simultaneously, Sasaki Yushinen found his body being torn apart by sword energy in mere moments.
The immense impact forced the distance between them to widen.
Sasaki Yushinen flipped through the air, landing on the mountainside, continuously leaping to dissipate the force of his fall.
The mountain was high and steep.
There were few stable spots, so Sasaki Yushinen kept descending.
However, this was not a bad thing for Sakata Gintoki.
His suspended sword energy served as the perfect platform.
Twisting his body, he spun in the air, stepping on sword energy as he rapidly descended, closing in on Sasaki Yushinen and launching a fierce attack.
Sasaki Yushinen showed no fear, facing the incoming Sakata Gintoki, still finding every point of leverage and swinging his four swords.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sound of clashing blades was accompanied by sparks and lightning.
The powerful sword energy that missed its target slashed towards the distance, striking the steep cliffs, kicking up large clouds of dust, dislodging massive rocks, and felling trees.
Fighting their way down, the two exchanged countless blows in mid-air.
Finally, they landed on the ground, and the battle became even more intense, with booming sounds and tremors rippling across the island.
"Damn you!"
Sakata Gintoki's cheek had been grazed by sword energy.
His fair face was pale and marked with several wounds.
A pretty face could only take so much.
Sakata Gintoki's anger was immense.
Sasaki Yushinen was not faring much better. Facing Sakata Gintoki, who had unleashed his Sword Domain, he was struggling.
Sasaki Yushinen realized that the enhanced abilities from Sakata Gintoki's awakened Sword-Sword Fruit power were beyond his current capabilities.
"If I don't get serious now, I might just die."
"In that case, I'll let you witness my third form."
Sasaki Yushinen wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and let out a low growl.
The next moment, Sasaki Yushinen's body underwent a transformation.
His somewhat dark skin turned a dark purple, an extra eye appeared on his forehead, his mouth grew fangs, and a second pair of arms sprouted from his back, picking up the remaining two swords.
Hum!
His formidable Armament Haki instantly coated his swords, which emitted a ghostly, cold glow.
"Six-Sword Style, Reaper's Carnival!"
Sasaki Yushinen crouched slightly, holding six swords. His three eyes fixed on Sakata Gintoki, he said coldly, "Sakata Gintoki, you are now worthy of taking this sword from me."
"You can die without regret."
Sakata Gintoki felt Sasaki Yushinen's power surge again, his expression more serious than ever. He pointed his sword at Sasaki Yushinen.
He channeled all his strength, pushing the Sword-Sword Fruit's ability to its absolute limit.
This would be his most powerful, and final, move.
If this strike didn't defeat Sasaki Yushinen, then he would be the one to die.
Countless small branches, loose stones, and other debris, influenced by the Sword-Sword Fruit's ability, transformed into sword light. Along with swords conjured from thin air, they filled the space around Sakata Gintoki.
Sasaki Yushinen, seeing Sakata Gintoki surrounded by thousands of swords, was filled with awe.
Such an array, such an aura – he was truly a Sword-Sword Fruit user.
He was strong enough!
For a great swordsman, such a fruit ability was a perfect match.
For a moment, Sasaki Yushinen felt envious.
Yet, even so, Sasaki Yushinen showed no fear or intention to retreat.
Any retreat could lead to his eternal damnation.
"Ten Thousand Swords Return to the Origin!"
Sakata Gintoki roared and charged forward instantly. His Yubashiri flashed with light, and ten thousand beam swords moved in unison.
Boom!
Sasaki Yushinen took a large stride, his speed reaching its peak. Relying on his formidable Observation Haki, he dodged and counterattacked continuously.
At this moment, Sasaki Yushinen was like a descending god of death, leading an army of shadows, relentlessly clashing against Sakata Gintoki's thousands of beam swords.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
Sword light flew everywhere. Some were shattered, some were sent flying and vanished into the ground, while others were flung far away, only to be controlled by Sakata Gintoki and launched again.
The fierce collision of sword energy caused immense destruction.
The entire island was constantly breaking apart under the fury of their battle.
The aura generated by their clash spread further into the distance.
The Sky Pirates who had already departed, Shiki the Golden Lion and Kotaro Kurai, felt the aura of their battle and showed expressions of surprise.
"To think that such an aura could push Sasaki Yushinen to that extent?" Kotaro Kurai mused, then chuckled.
"That brat's combat power is truly astonishing," Shiki said with a hearty laugh. "What a shame."
Kotaro Kurai chuckled without retort.
No matter how strong Sakata Gintoki was, once Sasaki Yushinen unleashed that move, he would have no chance of survival.
The Sky Pirates continued their advance, their target being the Black Tortoise Navy base.
A night raid was not considered a conspiracy.
Because they were pirates, as long as they achieved their goals, any means necessary was just part of their routine.
As the Sky Pirates pressed on, Kenjiro, watching the massive island approach, calmly put on the Gauntlets of Annihilation gifted to him by Benedict.
Kenjiro stretched his limbs and then gazed at the approaching island.
One punch, two punches, three punches…
Kenjiro's punching speed increased, and his aura grew stronger.
Simultaneously, on the island, Shiki the Golden Lion, Kotaro Kurai, and the other formidable members of the Sky Pirates sensed this aura.
"I wonder which of the Black Tortoise Navy's Admirals possesses this aura?" Kotaro Kurai said, his Observation Haki spreading out.
Immediately, Kūrai sensed a scene: the island beneath his feet was being shattered by a man.
This vision appeared in his mind, followed by the sensation of terrifying power erupting from the island below.
"Hokuto Hyakuretsu Ken!"
"Break!"
With a single punch, it was as if countless cannons had exploded simultaneously.
A thunderous boom echoed for miles around.
On the island, some of the Sky Pirates' crew members and structures that had not yet departed were devastated. With the forced dissolution of Devil Fruit powers, they lost their ability to float and plummeted downwards.
After punching the island, Kenjiro took a deep breath and, stepping on the falling debris, moved to a safe area.
In fact, Kenjiro even landed on another floating island.
Upon landing, Kenjiro quickly moved to the center of the island.
"Hokuto Hyakuretsu Ken!"
The same technique, delivered with rapid force.
Cracking sounds and explosions reverberated as the massive island began to shatter and disintegrate.
Just as Kenjiro leaped towards the next island, falling downwards.
A figure appeared and launched a surprise attack from behind the falling Kenjiro.
"What terrifying power!"
"As expected of the Black Tortoise Navy's Admiral, codenamed 'Hokuto', Kenjiro."
"Then, I shall be your opponent."