Yes—break through the limit!
Because at this very moment, Daren could feel it clearly: the power, speed, and physical endurance that had long stagnated were now rising at a rate unlike anything he had ever experienced!
Physique: 62.251 (+0.08, +0.05, +0.06…)
Strength: 59.311 (+0.05, +0.04, +0.03…)
Speed: 61.623 (+0.04, +0.06, +0.03…)
And the most significant change—was in his speed!
After breaking past the 60-point mark, his speed and burst capabilities had undergone a qualitative leap. He could now move short distances at high speed with startling precision.
If this continues, within mere minutes, Daren could learn the Navy's Rokushiki technique, Soru, just from the stat boost and his clash with Byrnndi World!
With that in mind, Daren began simulating and replicating Byrnndi World's power technique in his head once more.
Boosted by his magnetic field perception, he could vividly visualize every contraction of muscle, every shift in movement, every flow of breath whenever Byrnndi World performed Soru.
"Die, you little Marine brat! Don't think you can stall for time!"
Byrnndi World roared in fury, his figure vanishing with a sharp "whoosh" before reappearing above Daren, driving a thunderous kick down toward the Marine Captain's head like a falling mountain!
The force of the kick howled through the air, exploding with ear-piercing sonic booms.
Daren's eyes snapped open.
Whoosh!
The snow beneath him erupted violently.
A flicker of disbelief flashed deep within Byrnndi World's pupils.
Boom!!
His foot crashed down, smoke and snow roaring like dragons, the ground groaning beneath the pressure.
But the Marine brat—was gone.
Shockwaves surged through Byrnndi World's mind.
Soru!
That Marine brat… just used Soru!!
How…?
"Impossible!!"
Byrnndi World shouted in disbelief.
After their earlier exchange, he had a solid grasp of Daren's strength—the so-called North Blue Admiral.
An inhumanly powerful body, extraordinary reflexes and perception, and that strange magnetic control…
It was impressive, yes—but still far from enough to challenge a great pirate like himself.
If not for Daren's monstrous endurance, he'd already be dead by now.
But now…
In less than two minutes, he had learned Soru—one of the Navy's Six Powers—just by watching!?
No...
Byrnndi World shook his head, face darkening.
He looked at the black-haired Marine, who reappeared dozens of meters away, gasping for breath and bleeding—yet his physique, speed, strength, and reactions were all visibly improving under Byrnndi World's Observation Haki!
Byrnndi World gritted his teeth, fists clenched tight.
This reckless brat… is using him as a training dummy!
"You think you know who you're dealing with?!"
Fury flooded his bloodshot eyes. Byrnndi World exploded forward, moving even faster than before, appearing in front of Daren in a flash.
"More More—100x Speed!!"
"Die, you little Marine!!"
His Armament Haki-coated fist turned pitch-black, its hardness absolute. The punch radiated explosive power so intense it distorted the very air around it.
Daren's pupils shrank.
Too fast!
It was more than ten times faster than Soru!
The punch was ferocious—unyielding, overwhelming, terrifying.
No way to dodge!
Even with magnetic field perception tracking Byrnndi World's movements, the explosive power from that speed exceeded Daren's current reaction limit.
This… was the scent of death.
If that's the case…
Daren gritted his teeth and grinned viciously, completely ignoring the incoming punch to his chest. He swung his own fist straight forward!
In an instant, they closed the distance.
Like two roaring tigers, they lunged at each other—fists like fangs, ready to shred their prey.
Boom!
Bang!
Their fists collided simultaneously.
Crack—!
Daren's chest caved in with a gut-wrenching crunch. The pain was excruciating, forcing a sharp gasp from him as blood gushed from his mouth, turning his face deathly pale.
But his punch had also connected—slamming into Byrnndi World's cheek and leaving a bruised, bleeding mark at the corner of his mouth.
Boom!
A second explosion of Armament Haki burst forth. Daren's body was launched like a cannonball, sent hurtling hundreds of meters before crashing into a distant, snow-covered mountain.
A dull rumble echoed through the peaks. Avalanches of snow fell like crashing waterfalls, sending pale waves rising hundreds of meters into the sky.
"All that effort… almost lost your life… just for a drop of blood?"
Byrnndi World stepped toward the collapsing mountain, wiping the blood from his mouth as he looked down at the smear on his thumb and sneered.
Within the shattered rock, Daren lay in a massive crater, blood streaming from his mouth and nose.
"For me… that's more than enough."
The Marine Captain's uniform was in tatters, his shredded muscles rippling like liquid as blood continued to pour from his face.
Yet his eyes blazed with fierce, unyielding spirit—his expression radiating savage joy and defiance.
"The legendary pirate, the 'World Destroyer' Byrnndi World… wounded by a brat who doesn't even have Haki… Hahahahaha!!"
Daren laughed loudly, revealing blood-stained teeth.
Byrnndi World heard the taunt but didn't flare up—instead, he went quiet for a moment.
"I've got to admit it, Daren... I've never met a lunatic like you on these seas."
He looked at the battered young Marine, for the first time showing a trace of seriousness and recognition in his expression.
"Given time, you'll definitely rise to the top of this ocean."
"But unfortunately…"
Byrnndi World's body shot forward like a cannonball, racing straight toward Daren.
"Today—you die by my hand!"
His Haki-clad fist expanded rapidly in Daren's view, but Daren remained calm, his grin unchanged.
"That's not a sure thing. The fastest speed on this sea… belongs to us Marines."
Suddenly—
A golden beam of light tore through the air at a speed beyond comprehension.
Countless photons converged in front of Daren into a foot clad in white leather shoes—blocking Byrnndi World's punch head-on.
Boom!!
A powerful shockwave exploded outward, whipping up a billowing cloak of justice.
"That was scary... you almost killed our Captain Daren..."
Glowing light particles continued to gather—from the foot, up the leg, the waist, the neck… until finally, a face appeared behind a pair of comically oversized sunglasses.
Borsalino smiled lazily as he turned to Daren.
"If you died here, Admiral Sengoku would definitely give me hell."
Daren shrugged and grinned.
"Even someone moving at the speed of light shows up late, huh... Rear Admiral Borsalino."
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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