Chapter 152: Ryuo Haki and Defeat
Ashura Jakun stood firm under the pressure radiating from Golden Lion Shiki, but his expression had already changed. Gone was the fearless momentum he’d displayed before.
He was a swordsman, yes — but also the leader of the Mountain Bandits. He had to think of the Ashura Clan and all the bandits who followed him. If the enemy really had multiple fighters with the aura of kings... their chances of victory would drop sharply.
"Shyahaha~! Our deal still stands! Today, it’s just the two of us — a one-on-one! Show me what you’ve really got!!"
Golden Lion Shiki crossed both his swords, each wrapped in Armament Haki as he struggled to push the flow outward. He was eager to master Ryuo as soon as possible.
"Just make sure you stick to that promise!!"
Jakun had already realized — after Shiki unleashed both Conqueror’s Haki and his Float-Float Fruit powers — that pure swordsmanship alone wasn’t enough to guarantee victory. But for the pride of a swordsman and the honor of the mountain clans, he had to at least make this outsider feel their strength. Maybe even win enough ground to secure some autonomy later.
Jakun raised his blade high, slowly tracing a circle through the air. Yet as he moved, countless afterimages appeared — like a spinning cone — and the wind began to twist around him.Gusts roared through the clearing, snapping trees like twigs.
"There it is! The invincible slash of Boss Ashura!!"
Dozens of mountain bandits cheered, eyes shining with excitement at the terrifying sight of their leader’s secret art. Rumor had it, this very move once wounded even Fukujin Kishoten of Kuri Castle — forcing the city and the mountain clans into an uneasy peace.Otherwise, Kuri would’ve swallowed up the mountain clans long ago, forging the biggest force in the region to stand against the shogunate’s oppression.
Golden Lion Shiki’s eyes sharpened as he observed Jakun’s fearsome technique. The wind pressure tugged at him too, though it was nothing compared to the monstrous storms of the New World seas.