"You seem to have forgotten our last encounter," Hui turned, addressing Akainu with a tone that sent a shiver down the Admiral's spine.
That last encounter was the most unforgettable experience of Akainu's life. He had nearly died.
Just a few minutes later, and he would have been lost to the sea if the Marines hadn't arrived.
Suppressing his fear, Akainu met Hui's gaze.
A smile flickered across Hui's face. In a flash, he was beside Akainu, his blade already swinging.
Akainu's pupils constricted.
This attack was different from the one Hui had used against Kuzan.
That strike, aimed at Kuzan, had been evaded by the Admiral's Logia transformation.
But this time, the sword was shrouded in an inky blackness that paradoxically emitted a faint glow.
It was Haki, specifically Advanced Armament Haki.
As everyone knew, Armament Haki could solidify a Logia user, making them vulnerable to physical attacks. This meant Akainu couldn't simply phase through this attack.
Blood sprayed as Akainu, at the last possible moment, shifted his body, narrowly avoiding instant death.
The truth of the matter was, of course, Hui hadn't used his full power.
Against an Akainu who hadn't yet reached his peak, Hui's full speed and strength would have resulted in only one outcome: Akainu's obliteration.
"I've been curious," Hui said, ignoring the wary Akainu and Kuzan, their bodies tense.
He looked towards the World Government officials, his gaze settling on the Five, now four Elders. "Are you trying to analyze my abilities? So, tell me, what abilities do you think I possess?"
His words hung in the air, tinged with amusement.
Below, the World Government officials exchanged uneasy glances.
They had been trying to decipher the extent of Hui's powers. But after prolonged observation, they realized his abilities were too numerous, constantly evolving, a bottomless pit they couldn't fathom.
"Since you won't make a move, I will. After all, my blade hasn't had its fill yet," Hui declared, pointing the Itto towards the World Government contingent below.
He hesitated before striking. Among them was someone with a unique ability, capable of erecting an impenetrable barrier.
That barrier had blocked Hui's previous attack, resulting in heavy Marine casualties while the World Government forces remained relatively unscathed.
Knowing this, the World Government personnel had formed a protective ring around their shield-bearer.
But Hui decided to eliminate that individual first. And for him, it was a simple task. The individual possessed a Devil Fruit ability, perhaps a variant of the Barrier-Barrier Fruit, like that of Bartolomeo's.
Regardless of the specific Devil Fruit, Hui sensed the person's life force and knew he could eliminate them instantly.
He activated his life-manipulating ability.
In a heartbeat, the target's life force was extinguished. Within the layers of protection, a Devil Fruit user was instantly killed without anyone noticing.
Before they could react, Hui swung his blade.
It was the same attack as before, with the same terrifying brilliance.
A galaxy seemed to unfold within the arc of his swing, captivating all who witnessed it with its breathtaking beauty.
But it was a deadly beauty, one that could kill those who lingered too long in its thrall.
Devastating sword energy surged outwards, consuming everything in its path.
Below, people desperately tried to defend themselves, but against this attack, it was futile.
Countless bodies were pierced by invisible blades, falling lifelessly to the ground.
Even these wisps of sword energy, more accurately described as shimmering sword light, were lethal.
The Four Elders bore the brunt of the attack.
They exerted their full strength, each employing their unique techniques in defense. As members of the highest authority, their power was undeniable.
Hui's strike could instantly obliterate anyone below the rank of Rear Admiral and easily dispatch numerous weaker Rear Admirals.
However, those with higher levels of strength could withstand the shimmering sword light.
This was partly because the attack was a wide-range offensive maneuver, prioritizing area coverage over single-target damage.
"We blocked it!" someone exclaimed, relief evident in their voice.
But not everyone shared their fortune. Of the over one hundred World Government personnel present, more than half were now dead.
"That's more like it. Equal casualties on both sides. It's much more pleasing to the eye," Hui commented, sending chills down everyone's spines.
Was this man truly slaughtering World Government forces simply for aesthetic satisfaction? What kind of mentality was this? Demonic?
"You four are quite composed. Aren't you supposed to apprehend me? Come on, show me what you've got," Hui taunted the remaining Four Elders, impatience creeping into his voice.
"If you're so eager to die, we'll grant your wish," one of the Elders responded. He seemed to have gauged Hui's strength during the previous exchange and decided to intervene personally.
Suddenly, the Elder vanished.
Not through a spatial technique like the Teleportation Array, but with sheer speed. \
He reappeared beside Hui, his fist, and indeed his entire body, enveloped in a dense layer of Armament Haki. He launched a punch at Hui with blinding speed.
But a smirk played on Hui's lips. Before the Elder's fist connected, Hui drew his blade. The sword flashed, its speed exceeding comprehension. Striking first despite being the second to move, Hui severed the Elder's arm in a single stroke. (Think of Minato in Sage Mode ambushing Uchiha Madara and getting his arm cut off in an instant.)
With a swift kick, Hui sent the Elder flying, crashing into the ground and creating a large crater. Before the Elder could rise, a bolt of purple lightning shot out from Hui's hand, piercing the Elder's heart.
This was a masterful application of lightning, like that of Kizaru's Pika Pika no Mi, although the underlying principles differed; the result, however, was the same.
Another one of the Five Elders was now dead.
"Disappointing. At this rate, you won't capture me. Instead, I'll eliminate you all," Hui declared, his tone sending a wave of fear through the remaining three Elders.
This man was truly a monster. They thought they had grasped his limits, but it was clear now that he hadn't even been trying in the previous engagements.
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