Chapter 137: Critically Injuring Akainu
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Noir stared, eyes wide with shock, at the massive explosion on the sea’s surface. A few wisps of white fire still flickered and danced on the waves.
Ace must have developed a special high-temperature flame and then used compression and expansion to create a bomb.
Even though Noir had only made a passing suggestion, Ace had somehow managed to develop an even hotter, paler flame.
As expected of someone with the blood of the Pirate King.
But where was Ace?
A chilling thought struck Noir. Had Ace used that move to take Akainu down with him?
Garp clearly had the same thought. He anxiously scanned the area. After a moment, a still figure appeared within his range of perception.
"Ace!"
A charred figure, barely recognizable, floated lifelessly in the depths, slowly sinking.
Panic seized Noir. He plunged his hand into the water. The boiling sea rapidly cooled, a layer of frost forming on the surface.
The ice spread, thickening, reaching towards Ace until Noir finally grasped him.
With furious strikes of Devil Blade, Noir shattered the ice and quickly pulled his friend out of the water.
Garp didn't interfere, watching them with a complex expression.
Thank goodness he's alright, that reckless Kid...
As the old man stood there, lost in thought, a faint stirring beneath the ice caught his attention. It was Sakazuki, trapped within the frozen layer.
Akainu wasn't in good shape either. He was unconscious, covered in severe burns, his arms particularly badly injured. His usually bulging muscles seemed to have shrunk significantly.
Garp's eye twitched. It's a miracle he survived such a close-range explosion.
Akainu was out of commission, and so was Ace.
That must have been a suicidal move from Ace, like Luffy pushing himself to the limit with Gear Second and Third simultaneously.
A thousand damage to the enemy, twelve hundred to himself. Ace's injuries were so severe they'd even affected his internal organs, potentially causing long-term damage.
Noir carefully hoisted the weakened Ace onto his back. While Garp was busy tending to Akainu, he made a dash for the Underworld Pirates' ship.
Garp's stern face hardened. He tossed the rescued Akainu aside and charged after Noir, roaring,
"Noir! Drop Ace and surrender!"
Noir leaped to the side just as Garp's fist shattered the ice where he'd been standing.
What ability did Devil Noir copy now? How did he make those ships disappear into thin air?
The Underworld River was Noir's personal dimension, and he could open its entrance wherever he was.
All Noir needed to do was board the Ark Maxim and fly to a safe location.
"Wait! Look! That ship's flying?!"
A Marine pointed at the Ark Maxim in disbelief. Garp watched Noir's ship ascend, a look of admiration on his face.
"What a magnificent vessel!"
But as a high-ranking Marine officer, Skywalk was a basic skill.
Garp propelled himself into the air, rapidly closing in on the Ark Maxim's hull. "You're not getting away!" he roared.
Noir transformed into light, hovering in the air to engage Garp in combat.
With experience from his previous encounter, Noir fought with more confidence this time.
The more they fought, the more surprised Garp became. Although still raw, Noir's Haki carried a familiar feel.
It resembled Garp's own unique Haki, yet it had a distinct, new essence, as if Garp himself had trained Noir.
Not only does this kid have the Copy-Copy Fruit, but his Haki aptitude is monstrous as well?
Haki coursed through Noir's body. He let out a satisfied breath.
Battle truly is the best training.
Ever since he'd copied Garp's talent, no matter how much he trained, he'd been unable to replicate the "Fist of Love"
But now, fighting against Garp himself, he was finally making progress.
However, even with Mihawk's intervention, he couldn't keep Garp at bay forever. He still needed a way to escape...
An idea struck Noir. Using his light speed, he returned to the ship and grabbed someone, soaring high into the sky.
"Help... help me!"
"You Kid! Put me down this instant!"
Noir chuckled, his voice echoing through the air.
"With pleasure..."
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