The mushroom cloud from the explosion momentarily distracted him, causing him to get punched in the face by Hitsugisukan.
“Don’t get distracted, you b*stard. Does that young man really make you so wary?”
“It seems that your information is quite outdated. People overseas have know idea who you are, the so-called ‘Duke’, but Thunderclap’s reputation far surpasses yours.”
“Is that so? Then, I must work harder. I can’t let the youngsters underestimate me.”
Hachi and the others’ fight wasn’t the most difficult. Although the Store-Store Fruit was troublesome, it ultimately came down to a test of brute strength. But among the Minks, it was Hitsugisukan who faced the greatest pressure as he had to deal with a Logia-type user whose Observation Haki was far from weak.
The thundercloud had a significant effect on Hitsugisukan, almost turning him into a black goat. However, when it came to pure hand-to-hand combat, the World Government’s agent was no match for Hitsugisukan. By almost risking his life, he was able to tie Hitsugisukan down.
They had the upper hand just now. So, his goal was to stall Hitsugisukan, the “strongest warrior” of the Minks, which has been achieved.
But now, he has to escape, which wouldn’t be so easy. While the Cloud-Cloud Fruit granted him the ability to fly, the flying speed of the cloud depends entirely on the wind. Zeraora could also fly, so he wouldn’t be able to shake off Zeraora.
In just a moment, Zeraora had already arrived before him. However, when his claw descended, it grabbed nothing but air. Similar to the Substitute that he had used earlier, this was also a Substitute, but this time, it was made of clouds.
“Let me handle this.”
“Ha! I’m getting old. If it was several years ago, I could have captured him.”
Hitsugisukan had expended a significant amount of energy, so he was having a tough time dealing with this opponent who could fly.
“Young people don’t have much respect for kings. This guy is a pirate, you know. Be careful; you might get overthrown.”
He could tell that Zeraora didn’t hold Hitsugisukan in high regard; he merely saw him as someone of older age. So, he tried to instigate them against each other.
“Don’t act oversmart, human. We’re different. I’m old now, and your arrival proves it. It seems I can’t protect this country anymore. If there is a powerful youngster, it’s the right thing to give them a chance.”
Time was life’s biggest enemy, and even the strongest people appeared powerless in the face of time. Hitsugisukan was already starting to feel his age.
Although his attempt at provocation failed, it didn’t disrupt his plan. He had already caught enough test subjects by dispersing the String Clouds. Besides the original Plan No. 2, he had an undisclosed Plan No. 3: escape with the experimental subjects by himself.
Despite his relatively good treatment of his subordinates, he chose to withdraw alone in this circumstance. He released a large number of dark clouds; these clouds didn’t flicker with lightning, but they covered a much larger area, gradually spreading across the entire Mokomo Dukedom.
Then, like before, cloud clones split from his body and dispersed into the black clouds.
He knew the opponent had mastered Observation Haki. Being able to become an officer in the New World, both color Haki was almost a prerequisite. However, Haki varied between individuals. These cloud clones shared the same aura as his elemental form, intended to disrupt the opponent’s senses.
As long as he could make it back to his ship, they wouldn’t be able to trace him in the vast sea, unless the Minks he had captured had left a Vivre Card on Zou Island. But it is just a possibility and he believes it to be unlikely.
However, in the night sky, a flicker of pink light appeared.
It was Yanyan, who had been spotted by him earlier when he was capturing Minks. It tried to disperse the clouds, but its power was ineffective.
In the end, it was brought up along with the Mink who was holding it. When it sensed that this person was flying, it released a magical glow to indicate the direction.
Although it couldn’t cause any significant harm, it could emit a signal within the dark clouds. This allowed Zeraora to lock onto the target directly.
When he noticed his abdomen glowing, he had a bad feeling. He tried to remove whatever was inside, but it was too late. Zeraora’s speed could rival even Kizaru, let alone mere clouds.
Several thunderclaps resounded in the sky in succession. Accompanied by thunderous roars, Zeraora, with lightning beneath his feet, appeared right in front of him. Following flashes of lightning, a fierce battle erupted between the two sides in the sky.
As Zeraora delivered a powerful flying kick to his neck, he was sent flying backward. However, Zeraora didn’t continue the attack because he was holding a Mink captive in each hand.
“Zeraora, I advise you to consider the consequences of your actions. I’m not your match, but if you keep attacking, I’m confident I can snap their necks before you can knock me down!”
The Minks, originally intended as test subjects, had now become his hostage. However, Zeraora didn’t stop; instead, he unleashed a more potent electric current, causing the clouds to rumble.
“They live, and you can die a peaceful death. They die, and you will understand what cruelty truly means.”
“Your words don’t sound like negotiation. Since it seems that I am going to die anyway, don’t blame me if I go down fighting.”
He resorted to threatening Zeraora with the hostages only because he knew he was outmatched, but he didn’t expect Zeraora to be so unyielding. His entire focus was now on Zeraora; his speed was astonishing, and any lapse in concentration could prove fatal.
In his view, although Zeraora seemed uncooperative verbally, he was showing restraint in his actions. However, what caught him completely off guard was the sudden thunderous sound within the clouds, followed by an arrow piercing through his shoulder.
“Sea…Seastone?!” A feeling of powerlessness came from the wound, and he could no longer maintain the Cloud-Cloud Fruit’s ability, causing the people he had concealed within him to fall out one by one.
Yanyan was among them, and it once again served as a signal flare, guiding the Millennial Dragon below in the right direction as they one by one landed on the dragon’s broad back.
In the midst of the clouds, Setsuna’s figure appeared, holding a bow. She too knows Magnet Rise, granting her the ability to fly. The Seastone arrowhead had been custom-made for her by Wano Country’s artisans. Outside of Wano Country, it was virtually impossible to craft Seastone into such small arrowheads.
This was her specialized weapon for dealing with devil fruit users.
The agent’s attention had remained focused on Zeraora, so he didn’t notice Setsuna following closely behind. Furthermore, the lightning produced by Zeraora within the clouds was intended to further conceal Setsuna’s presence.
“Fool, this is Zou Island, our country. How can your enemy be just one person?”
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