Chapter 1061 - 636: Red Hair!
In the lava-filled cave, the eruption quickly filled the entire hollow, and at the entrance in front of Sage, it coagulated into the shape of Akainu.
"Meigo!"
A powerful and swift claw of magma attacked Sage nearly face-to-face. In a flash, Sage raised his arms quickly to block this extremely penetrating attack.
Bam!
The penetrating force and enormous explosive power blew Sage’s body backward in the air. After flying straight for a few seconds, he twisted his arms upward, deflecting the attack, causing the magma claw to shoot diagonally towards the lava stone ceiling, blasting out an even deeper hollow.
Under the tremor, the magma densely covering the stone ceiling flowed straight down, dripping below, corroding the already scarce rocky ground, and even seeping to Sage’s feet, fizzing with a sizzle.
White steam rose from Sage’s body, restoring the deep burn wounds on his hands that exposed bone. He looked up at Akainu ahead and sneered, "Continue!"
A large amount of magma flowed on Akainu’s head, but within it, his injuries were visible. Blood oozed from his left eye and mouth corner, only to be quickly evaporated by the heat.
He didn’t reply but clenched his fist, and the magma condensed even more.
After a brief stare-down, both took a step forward.
"Great Eruption!"
"Hundred Demons Assault!"
Boom!!
The intense vibrations expanded the surrounding cave again, and the subsiding terrain let more seawater pour in, turning magma into obsidian. The evaporated gas turned the passage into a high-temperature hell.
In the now considerably widened passage center, with magma and seawater-tinged obsidian as the boundary, both stood their ground. The magma fist and the white steam-filled fist clashed, motionless.
The magma-covered fist had a ribbon of distinct bright red, while the white steam-filled fist was restoring its charred carbonization to flesh color.
Mastery in body techniques provides no advantage against Logia-type powers, which is why the strong always wield a weapon. Otherwise, facing the formidable power of Logia, fighting with fists isn’t just less powerful, but it’s also slightly disadvantageous.
However, this point is irrelevant for Sage right now.
His powerful regenerative ability allowed him to engage in a high-endurance battle with Akainu, until one of them was exhausted first.
"You wicked brat, my stamina... isn’t lacking!" Akainu said in a deep voice.
"What a coincidence! My endurance in this form is also different from before!" Sage sneered.
He’s not like a certain Nika; if stamina can’t keep up with ability development, what kind of progress is that?
He himself is growing in a comprehensive way.
In this form now, he is ready to face any high-intensity battles.
Both exchanged another glance, fists still entwined. One fist, scorching with magma, gathered a massive dark-red magma from the arm, transforming into a fierce, snarling dog, whose mouth opening and closing even melted a further layer of the rock walls, expanding the cave.
"True Meigo!!"
No coming back for a second round, Akainu launched a fierce attack.
Sage remained fearless, enduring the intense heat that could roast a person, placing the other hand on the fist. As they meshed together, it burst forth the same black-and-red beam of light expanding the cave terraces.
"Great Red!!!"
Boom!!!
The horizontal mushroom cloud deepened the hollow, with the magma and light fusing, shrouding both figures...
Five days later.
In the seas outside the Red Earth Continent.
Lily stood at the bow, staring at the hollow that was as large as a Gate of Justice. Inside the hollow, although five days had passed, faint tremors could still be heard.
Regarding the aura...
It could no longer be sensed anywhere.
"First time fighting this long."
Marika’s voice sounded from behind. Lily turned to see her approaching with a tray, offering a drink.
Lily took the drink, her red lips touched the straw for a light sip, nodding, "Not even Kaido lasted this long. Luckily, Sage is someone who endures."
Sage’s particularity made every strike of his maximize his Haki. Having experienced so many battles, fighting half a day to a full day was already considerable, but seeing something lasting five days without a victor - this was a first.
As for purposely holding back to carve out a passage, it would have been quicker to accomplish if he were fighting alone.
Reaching this level indicated that the Navy Fleet Admiral really was quite tricky.
"The landscape may change permanently..."
Marika looked at the massive cave’s half-cooled flowing magma and the obsidian terrain that had cooled down, exclaiming, "The power of Logia-types is more direct in the hands of these strong individuals."
There’s no need to worry about whether Sage would win; they had confidence in him. What concerned them was the strength of the Navy Fleet Admiral.
Sage was undoubtedly the world’s strongest, which was universally acknowledged, but Akainu, as a Logia-type, proved unexpectedly difficult.
"Sage once said Logia-types have the most enduring battle capability, and the power of will was mainly to counter these Logia-types. They are innately powerful, and without an appropriate way to counter them, just their destructive power alone can render many Haki masters helpless."
Lily considered it and continued, "If the goal is to pierce through the Red Earth Continent, then this battle might not end quickly; perhaps... a victor will emerge."
Long battles, narrow terrains, Akainu’s reputation on the seas is well-known; not like Aokiji or Kizaru who could stop mid-battle. With time drawn out, the victor might very well be decided here.