One Piece: Failure’s Road to the Pirate King

Chapter 67: External Release, Internal Destruction



A loud explosion erupted in the air, causing the ground beneath Sage to sink, creating a deep indentation.

Zefa's eyes widened as he saw Sage suddenly expand.

Qi Gong Technique? Life Return?

No!

Bang!!

Sage's other fist ruthlessly swung towards him. Zefa instinctively extended his prosthetic limb, using Haki to entangle with the punch, creating a shockwave upon impact.

Veins bulged on Zefa's forehead and arms as their fists clashed, leaving deep imprints on the ground beneath them.

This isn't just those two techniques; it's something even more powerful! Although the amount of Haki in the Entanglement was halved between their fists, reducing its power significantly, Sage's physique had become stronger, allowing him to match Zefa's strength! "Oh? Surprised, are we? Is it terrifying? Hmm!!"

Sage grinned savagely, his eyes suddenly widening as he let out a muffled roar. In that instant, his fist overpowered Zefa's, forcefully pushing it back and deflecting it, while his leg shot up like a sword, aiming straight for Zefa's chest.

Bang! Zefa was kicked away by Sage. In that moment, Sage quickly leaped into the air, shooting towards the retreating Zefa like a cannonball, his fists ignited with black energy, creating afterimages that struck down like thunder.

"Falling Hundred Crack Fist!"

A combination of Big Dipper Falling Finger and Hundred Crack Fist!

Thanks to Haki, he didn't need to stab into the body to create an explosion; Haki could replace the fingers' influence on the Secret Acupoints. All he needed next was "Ora!" "Ora ora ora ora!!"

As the rapid black fists rained down, just as they were about to reach Zefa, a red dot flickered in his eyes. His hands suddenly spread wide, transforming into afterimages. Under the protection of Haki, he managed to withstand Sage's chaotic barrage even while being pushed back.

Bang bang bang bang!

Under the afterimages, the two fists collided, creating shockwaves until Zefa was about to land. He kicked up hard, his leg passing through the continuously colliding fists, striking Sage's chest.

Bang! That kick sent Sage tumbling backward.

Sage spun in the air and landed almost simultaneously with Zefa. Upon landing, his feet kicked up a cloud of dust, moving rapidly in the manner of the Big Dipper's seven stars, creating afterimages as he approached Zefa, who had just touched down, surrounding him with four afterimages.

"Big Dipper Seven Star Death Point!"

This wasn't the 'Seven Death Stars'—the Big Dipper Seven Death Star Point only struck the enemy's Secret Acupoints with full force, without afterimages.

Nor was it the Ultimate Technique's Seven Star Point Heart, which could use afterimages to catch the opponent off guard, but only targeted the heart.

This was a combination that made it impossible to defend while striking all over the body's Secret Acupoints. Isn't this much more efficient than simply attacking the heart?

At his level, he could hit wherever he wanted!

"Such traces are meaningless in front of Observation Haki!"

Seeing the afterimages, Zefa smirked, a smile creeping onto his face as he turned and elbowed Sage in the head.

Then, "Nani?!"

That elbow passed right through Sage's head, leaving Zefa stunned as he instinctively looked in the direction.

"I can use Observation Haki too!"

The front-facing afterimage of Sage gradually solidified, a red dot glowing in his eyes. His hands opened wide, drawing a circular trace that quickly converged at the center, then expanded into fists, charging towards Zefa's chest along the Flow black fire formed by Entanglement Haki.

"Six Kings Cannon: Heaven Breaking Live Kill!!"

Unlike before when he faced Garp, this move was infused with Haki, his ultimate Haki!

Even if Zefa tried to block with Haki, it would be useless. The power of will, though like an invisible armor, was ultimately just will; in a clash, it couldn't remain unscathed.

He and Zefa weren't that far apart in strength; under such an offensive, there was no way to avoid injury. As long as he made contact, he could hit the Secret Acupoints.

As long as he could break through Zefa's defenses, he was confident he could inflict damage on this guy!

Boom!!

With a loud explosion, a massive shockwave blasted outward, causing the Navy and Pirates who had fainted on the ground from Conqueror's Haki to shift slightly, and blowing the clothes of those Pirates quickly moving cargo onto the ship.

That was the shockwave from the Six Kings Cannon. As it spread, Sage's fist, burning like fire, halted just before Zefa's extended left fist, unable to get any closer.

The surface of Zefa's fist seemed to extend forward, like an invisible barrier, blocking Sage's punch.

Is this "external release?!" Sage's pupils constricted.

"Kid, let me teach you a lesson!"

Zefa revealed his white teeth, grinning savagely, "There are many ways to avoid touching your fist, and Haki is the most convenient!"

A swirling Flow of black energy surged from Zefa's left fist, enhanced by Haki, directly breaking through Sage's fists and closing in on his chest.

Bang!!

The punch didn't even touch his chest before it exploded with a muffled sound, visibly shaking Sage's body. Although his chest showed no signs of injury, blood suddenly erupted from Sage's mouth and nose.

"100%!"

His body expanded again, the armor formed by his muscles becoming even more terrifying. His deflected fists came together again, and as Zefa's punch approached, he struck Zefa's body with both fists, sending him staggering back ten meters and carving a deep trench in the ground.

Zefa's body swayed, and a trickle of blood finally escaped from the corner of his mouth.

"So this is the kind of power; it's somewhat like internal destruction."

He took a deep breath, stabilizing his body, and looked at Sage, whose physique was now even more exaggerated, resembling a body covered in steel armor. He sighed, "Truly a monstrous young man; the times, like the waves of the sea, will ultimately stir up great tides."

Sage clutched his chest, his face darkened, "Oh really? Then you should go home and retire, or you'll be crushed by the waves on the sandy beach!"

The internal organs in his chest were clearly shattered.

Not only was there external release, but he had also used the technique of 'internal destruction'! Even with weakened will, Sage found it absurdly strong.

But it wasn't as exaggerated as Garp, and with a hiss! White vapor shot out from his nose as Sage clenched his fist, staring at Zefa for a moment.

That punch had finally taken effect, causing his chest to rise and fall erratically, his breathing rhythm altered.

"Hahahaha, old man still wants to catch more Pirates; it's too early to retire!"

Zefa raised his fist, Haki surging again in his arm, "Sage, kid, I can see you're a good guy. Why do you have to be a Pirate?"

In battles between strong opponents, there was no need for many words; one could clearly understand the other's character through their actions.

Of course, it was the power of Observation Haki.

Zefa's Observation Haki was also quite profound; during the fight, he could sense that this kid wasn't the type of true chaotic and evil Pirate.

"Why does an old man have to ask this? If I don't become a Pirate, will I starve to death?"

Sage scoffed, but a scene flashed through his mind.

The destroyed escape ship, and the island that had been bombarded and sunk. "There's no option for me to become a Navy here!" he snarled.

A sea breeze blew across the surface, ruffling Zefa's somewhat blurry justice cloak behind him and Sage's white hair.

Boom! Both sides stepped forward simultaneously, shooting out like arrows. Zefa's left fist once again entangled, unleashing a punch towards Sage's face like a raging wind.

Bang!!

Sage crossed his hands in a strange manner, the Flow under Haki entanglement like black fire, blocking Zefa's punch from advancing any further.

At the same time, his agile body moved sideways, delivering a heavy kick to Zefa's abdomen.

Bang! Another muffled sound erupted. Although Zefa's abdomen displayed Haki, Sage's own power kicked him back. As Zefa retreated, Sage lowered his body, his arms slipping past Zefa's punch. The clash of Haki created sparks, brushing against his arm as it surged forward, heading straight for Zefa's chest.

Zefa's eyes narrowed, and he struck down with a powerful punch aimed at Sage's head, but it passed right through.

Afterimages?! Several afterimages quickly appeared around Zefa. A red dot flashed in his eyes; under the perception of Observation Haki, he instinctively pulled his arm to the side, Haki swirling around his elbow. Just as he was about to strike with an elbow, his eyes suddenly froze, his breathing becoming more rapid, and his attack momentarily stalled.

But in that moment of hesitation, Sage's true form flickered from the side, his fists rapidly swinging.

There was no time!

Zefa's entire body was enveloped in a purple-black hue, allowing Sage's fists to rain down upon him.

"Ora ora ora!"

In an instant, over ten punches struck him, the fierce Haki penetrating through the Haki covering Zefa, causing his body to tremble.

"Kid!"

Zefa gritted his teeth, enduring the punches, and forcefully drove his elbow forward.

Bang! The elbow, entangled with a massive amount of Haki, crashed towards Sage's face. Sage, rapidly swinging his fists, quickly changed his stance, crossing his arms to block the incoming elbow. However, the force of the Entanglement Haki was too fierce, causing him to sink into the ground, sending debris flying.

"Flaw!"

Unlike Sage, who piled all his Haki into his hands, Zefa had enough Haki to use elsewhere. He swung a leg, kicking hard at Sage's ribs.

"Paper Drawing!"

A red light flashed in Sage's eyes as he twisted his body, dodging Zefa's leg. The leg missed Sage's body, but Zefa revealed a smile. In that moment of evasion, the external Haki struck Sage's ribs, forcing his body to curl sideways, making him grimace as blood flowed from the corner of his mouth.

Bang!!

In that stumble, Zefa's elbow broke through Sage's fists, striking him in the face and sending him flying.

With that elbow strike, Zefa quickly moved his feet, his figure flashing as he chased after Sage, his left fist opening wide before slamming down with even more ferocious Entanglement Haki.

"You are going to lose!!"

Boom!!

As the fist came crashing down, it created a deafening roar, sending a large amount of debris flying in all directions, creating a massive indentation in the port ground. From within that indentation, a figure shot out, skimming the ground and carving a deep trench, crashing into another building in the port, creating a large hole and kicking up dust.

"Cough cough cough!"

Zefa's body landed on the ground, instinctively coughing a few times. The Haki on his fist dissipated, but he showed no signs of relaxation, instead focusing intently on the dust.

Just now, that strike... he felt like he hadn't hit anything solid! As the dust settled, Sage's figure emerged, arms crossed, his feet deeply embedded in the ground, standing firm. Beneath those arms was a face covered in blood, yet that face now displayed a fierce expression.

The black fire-like Entanglement Haki showed no signs of weakening, and Zefa frowned, "External release?"

That feeling just now was as if Haki had blocked his Haki from a distance.

This guy has learned the technique of external release?!


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