One piece: I,Akaino will not die easily

Volcano, a deafening roar.

Magma, naturally forming layered petals, fell from the high heavens, raining fire as it splashed onto the lake's surface, sizzling and hissing upon contact.

Magma twisted in a spiraling motion around him, placing Sakazuki's burly frame at the very heart of the molten vortex.

Sakazuki locked eyes on the towering giant who gazed down at him, his fingers lightly tapping the surface of the lava lake.

Like a geyser, magma surged from beneath his feet. As the first surge reached its peak, a second stream erupted from the conduit formed by the first, continuing its ascent.

The first stream of magma, rapidly losing heat, began to cool at an astonishing rate. Its surface solidified into a grayish-brown crust, and through the ashen exterior, the dim, blood-red glow of semi-solid magma flickered, bearing the weight of the column it now supported.

Within a few breaths, the lava soared to an immense height. Under the stunned, disbelieving gaze of the giant, a mountainous throne of magma materialized above his head.

Only Sakazuki could accomplish such a feat—creating a miniature volcano from the very bottom of a volcanic lava lake.

The magma above Sakazuki's head finally stabilized, slowly taking the form of a jagged, mountain-shaped backrest.

Sakazuki rested both hands on the burning molten armrests, looking down upon the giant.

Dorry took a large step back, avoiding the wave of blistering heat washing over him.

The high temperatures distorted the air, causing it to ripple. The giant tilted his head back, gazing at the man before him.

A face as unwavering and chiseled as a mountain, coupled with an icy, indifferent expression, made him seem like an immovable peak—silent, solemn, and yet commanding deep respect.

Beneath his slightly loosened collar, ashen-blue tattoos, like the remnants of volcanic cinders, melded seamlessly with his powerful, muscular physique.

The rugged, wild aesthetic of the magma throne, combined with Sakazuki's imposing presence, struck Dorry with a visually overwhelming impact—savage yet dignified.

At first glance, Dorry did not dislike this man before him. Bold, mighty—a true warrior.

Compared to those effeminate weaklings, it was battle-hardened warriors like this—who brandished their blades on the battlefield and guzzled ale off it—who earned the admiration of Elbaf's people.

In Elbaf, among men, power and might are everything.

"My purpose here is to uncover the truth behind what happened between Elbaf and the World Government," the giant declared, standing tall as he struck his greatsword against his shield.

Hailing from the New World, Dorry had no narrow worldview. The fact that this Marine wielded magma meant he was most certainly a rare Logia-type Devil Fruit user.

But a mere Logia fruit alone was not enough to intimidate him. His booming voice carried unwavering confidence.

"I am, of course, aware of this matter's importance. However, what responsibility or obligation do I have to share it with a mere weakling?" Sakazuki's rigid features twisted slightly with disdain.

A vein bulged at Dorry's temple. For the first time, he was being outright denied a request because of this one word.

"What did you just say?"

Leaning back into the throne's backrest, Sakazuki slowly rotated his neck, producing a sharp cracking sound.

"If you are weak, then even if I tell you, it will change nothing. So why should I waste my breath?"

"Oh? So it seems you think you're strong, huh, little brat?"

Dorry casually twirled his greatsword in a smooth arc before pointing its tip at the Marine, laughing heartily.

"You can test it yourself and see who the real weakling is!"

Sakazuki tapped his finger lightly against the armrest of his throne, laying down the final trap for his prey.

"Interesting. If you can defeat me, then the answers you seek, and even my head, will be yours."

Truthfully, Sakazuki was curious about his own physical strength.

Ever since his reincarnation, he had dominated most battles purely through the destructive power of his Magma Fruit. He had never truly tested the limits of his body and martial skill.

Among the Marines, legends like Garp and Zephyr ruled through sheer Haki and raw physical strength, but Sakazuki had never found an excuse to spar against them.

Fighting Garp? That old bastard was either disappearing without a trace or off on some mission. In the entire past year, Sakazuki had barely even crossed paths with him.

"Rest assured. I won't use my Devil Fruit in this fight."

Sakazuki stood up, magma beneath his feet automatically solidifying, forming precise stepping stones that advanced with every stride he took.

Dorry's fierce eyes locked onto Sakazuki, his voice low and rumbling.

"Are you pitying me?"

Stretching his limbs, Sakazuki corrected the giant's phrasing with an air of arrogance.

"Respect, fool. A real man does what real men do. Instead of roasting you alive, I'd rather smash your skull open!"

"Hah! I'm starting to like you, brat!"

Dorry laughed heartily, tossing aside his greatsword and shield, flexing his massive fists until they cracked audibly.

"Come on! Let's see who's the stronger one!"

Before the giant's words had fully left his mouth, Sakazuki vanished.

In an instant, he reappeared right in front of Dorry's face.

A fist coated in Armament Haki struck directly against the giant's helmet, carrying enough force to send the behemoth staggering backward.

But that was all.

Losing balance for only an instant, Dorry stepped back several times, dispersing the impact. He swung a powerful counterpunch—but Sakazuki was already gone.

Reappearing above, Sakazuki's whip-like kick slammed into Dorry's unguarded stomach.

"BOOM!"

A deafening shockwave erupted as the giant was hurled sideways.

Dorry barely regained his footing before another attack came barreling toward him.

Having already adapted to this new fighting style, Dorry hurled a fist forward, intercepting Sakazuki mid-air and smashing him into the ground.

"BOOM!"

Dust and debris erupted from the impact crater.

But Dorry did not immediately follow up.

Had it been anyone else, that last punch would have broken bones.

However, from the instant his fist made contact, Dorry could clearly tell—it felt like he had struck steel.

The dust gradually settled.

In the center of the crater, stood a man—arms crossed, utterly unscathed.

Sakazuki's entire upper body was coated in a deep, dark purple Armament Haki.

He gazed at Dorry with a smirk.

"That's all you got? You sure you're a giant?"

Dorry frowned. "Armament Haki?"

He had seen many Haki-wielding pirates in the New World, but few could coat their entire upper body at once.

Laughing loudly, Dorry boomed: "You sure can take a hit, Marine brat!"

Sakazuki remained stone-faced, but internally, he had analyzed his opponent.

Dorry was strong.

If he had used his Magma Fruit, it would be over in an instant.

But this was Elbaf.

A nation of warriors.

If he wanted to earn respect here, he needed to fight like a real man.

No dodging. No tricks.

Just fist to fist, flesh to flesh.

A real brawl.

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