Chapter 168: The Strength of the Golden Lion!
At this moment, the Golden Lion made no move to stop Chrollo.
Because now, Ryuunosuke had already unsheathed his Sword, and was calmly walking toward the Golden Lion, step by step.
"Shiki... come on," Ryuunosuke said, a smirk playing on his lips. "Let me see what power you still have left from the old era."
"Don't hesitate. If you do... I'll take the opportunity and kill you without mercy."
The Golden Lion didn't respond with sarcasm or arrogance. He simply stood there, silent.
Because he could feel it—the overwhelming aura radiating from Ryuunosuke.
This was no ordinary presence. It was the aura of a true powerhouse—one that crushed weaker wills by sheer intensity alone.
"You'll regret asking to see my full strength," the Golden Lion warned coldly. "Lion Power: Lion Valley!"
Without another word, he unleashed a dense barrage of slashing energy.
"Fancy moves won't save you," Ryuunosuke said coolly. "One strike is all I need."
Raising his sword, he coated it in Armament Haki and swung it in a single clean motion. The incoming storm of slashes shattered instantly under his blade.
"If that's how you plan to fight me..."
"Then the so-called legends of the old era..."
"...are nothing but trash."
Boom!
A terrifying wave of killing intent exploded from Ryuunosuke, mixing with his powerful Haki.
The sheer pressure stunned the Golden Lion.
"That's Conqueror's Haki..." he muttered in disbelief. "You... how are you using it like this?"
He had expected Ryuunosuke to have Haki—but this?
This mastery, this deadly application... it didn't make sense. How old was this guy?
He wasn't just powerful—he was terrifyingly skilled.
"Hey, relic of a bygone age..."
"Are you ready to vanish along with your era?"
As soon as he said it, Ryuunosuke disappeared.
When he reappeared, he was already right in front of the Golden Lion.
A massive Thought Beast, shaped like a giant catfish, surged forward to strike.
"Lion's Power: Earth Scroll!"
The Golden Lion reacted instantly, manipulating the terrain to escape the beast's attack. At the same time, he summoned a swarm of massive lion heads to crash down on Ryuunosuke.
For a moment, fear gripped him.
He'd sensed it—if he had reacted even a second slower, he'd be dead.
That's right.
This Ryuunosuke... he was a real threat to his life.
"Shinra Tensei!"
Ryuunosuke raised his hand. A repelling force exploded from his palm, obliterating the lion heads in an instant.
"Everyone, move out," he said calmly. "Anyone you see is an enemy. Kill on sight."
He floated upward, charging toward the Golden Lion again.
With the Rinnegan in his eyes, Ryuunosuke had the ability to battle freely in the air.
Seeing this, the Golden Lion faltered.
He had believed that aerial combat was his unique advantage. But now... flying didn't mean anything special anymore.
"Lion's Power!"
The Golden Lion stopped holding back.
He no longer cared if he hurt his own men.
Ryuunosuke had given him a terrifying illusion—that if he didn't go all out, he'd die.
Another one from the East Blue...
Am I going to be defeated by another damn pirate from that sea?!
Furious and desperate, the Golden Lion released a large-scale technique.
A violent storm surged, forming a massive lion's head that roared toward Ryuunosuke.
"The ability to manipulate weather?" Ryuunosuke said, eyes narrowing. "I'll admit, you've developed your Floating Fruit well."
"But in the face of true power—"
He clapped his hands together, the Rinnegan pulsing with light.
"—it's meaningless!"
"Shinra Tensei!"
With a burst of power, he switched places with the Golden Lion, placing him in the direct path of his own attack.
Then came another move.
"Dark Pavilion!"
Ryuunosuke activated his Nen ability. Instantly, the Golden Lion was trapped—locked in place, unable to move—left to be devoured by his own storm.
The aftermath was devastating. The entire island shook and flattened. Even the stones cracked and shattered under the force.
It was clear—Golden Lion's last attack had been monstrous.
But then...
"Jihahahaha... Jihahahaha...!"
Golden Lion's hair was wild, his eyes bloodshot, his expression manic. But he laughed.
Loudly.
Dangerously.
Ryuunosuke narrowed his eyes.
That aura again—it had changed.
"I'll admit... you're strong," the Golden Lion said between laughs. "But if you think that's enough to dismiss the old legends, you're wrong."
"You've got a lot of powers, but not a single fatal one."
Boom!
Before he could finish, he turned and sent another Earth Scroll blast at someone approaching from the shadows—Akame, attempting a stealth attack.
The blow knocked her away. She wasn't hurt—but the ambush failed.
"Akame, go fight on the other front," Ryuunosuke ordered calmly. "Leave this one to me."
"His Observation Haki is sharp. Assassination won't work on him."
Akame clenched her fists but nodded. "Understood, Ryuunosuke!"
She dashed away toward the main battlefield.
"A smart choice," Golden Lion smirked.
He removed the two swords strapped to his legs—Oto and Kogarashi—both famous blades forged by Wano's greatest swordsmiths.
Each had reached the rank of great sword.
Still airborne, Golden Lion's presence expanded.
"...So your Fruit has awakened?" Ryuunosuke muttered. "Impressive, Shiki. You've been hiding your cards well."
But just as the two prepared to clash again—
BOOM BOOM BOOM!
A sudden roar erupted behind Ryuunosuke.
He turned, frowning.
Huge pirate figures loomed behind his crew.
"Giants?" he muttered. "No... something's wrong."
Just moments ago, those pirates had normal builds.
Now—they'd grown to massive size.
Giantification... this is Caesar Clown's research!
Big Mom wanted to create her own army of giants for Totto Land.
Don't tell me—Shiki succeeded where they failed?
Thinking of the giant animals on Sky Island, Ryuunosuke felt a chill.
If they'd tested the method on beasts, it was only a matter of time before they used it on humans.
"Still have time to worry about your crew?" the Golden Lion taunted.
"Didn't you say you don't care about others?"
He appeared beside Ryuunosuke—without triggering even a ripple in the air.
Even with Observation Haki constantly active, Ryuunosuke hadn't sensed him.
What the hell...?
What kind of technique did he use to bypass my Haki?
BOOM!
The Golden Lion struck.
It was only two swords—but Ryuunosuke felt like mountains were collapsing on top of him.
What kind of power is this...?!
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