One Piece: Heaven-Defying Talent

Boom!

A deafening explosion echoed through the battlefield.

The ground beneath Jozu and Lao G fractured, the powerful force sending Jozu skidding back over ten steps, leaving a large "G" pattern etched into the dirt beneath his feet.

Lao G, on the other hand, was hurled backward, slamming heavily to the ground. His arm twisted awkwardly upon impact.

Grimacing, Lao G reset his broken arm, locking eyes with Jozu. "Diamond Jozu, your defense lives up to its reputation."

Jozu scowled. "I prefer *Shiny White Spider Jozu*. But credit where it's due—you're strong, old man. Taking a hit like that and still standing? Impressive."

Though Jozu's words sounded like praise, Lao G's heart sank. As part of Doflamingo's crew, they were the first to test the Marine's strength-enhancing serums and pills. With all that power, he had assumed he would match, if not surpass, Jozu. Yet, even head-on, he was clearly outclassed.

And Jozu hadn't even unleashed the power of the String-String Fruit. If he did, Lao G knew he'd have no chance.

"Alright, old man," Jozu grinned, his eyes gleaming with intensity, "let's go again."

Lao G struck a strange stance, closing his eyes as his aura surged with deadly intent. The Armament Haki covering his body grew darker and denser, almost glowing with a fierce intensity.

Jozu, realizing this would be a tough round, summoned his own Armament Haki, enveloping his entire body in an impenetrable black sheen. He stood there, looking like a prehistoric beast ready to devour anything in its path.

With a shout, Lao G sprang forward, "Take this! Backache Fist!"

Lao G launched himself like a whirlwind, his speed startlingly fast. Jozu could see his movements but struggled to keep up with his speed. Of course, if Jozu activated his String-String Fruit powers, he could end this quickly. But he preferred the thrill of hand-to-hand combat.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Lao G's fists rained down on Jozu's armored body, each strike landing with a heavy thud. But Jozu's hardened Haki and diamond coating absorbed the blows, barely causing him any discomfort.

"Hah! Come on, hit me harder!" Jozu laughed heartily, reveling in the relentless barrage.

Lao G's attacks continued, hundreds of punches landing in moments, but Jozu's defenses remained unbreakable. Eventually, Lao G staggered back, panting in disbelief.

"This guy's a monster… nothing I do even fazes him." Realizing he was outmatched, Lao G turned to flee.

"Huh? Running already?" Jozu smirked, activating his String-String Fruit powers to give chase.

Lao G darted through the battlefield, evading Jozu's attempts to capture him with the String-String Fruit. But Jozu was persistent.

"Where are you going, old man? Fight me properly!" Jozu shouted, frustrated by Lao G's retreat.

Lao G turned back, exasperated. "I admit defeat. Just let me out of this birdcage!"

"No chance," Jozu replied, smirking as he tightened the String-String Fruit cage around Lao G. "Nowhere to hide now."

Lao G, realizing he was trapped, lunged forward, throwing a desperate punch at Jozu, who met it with a smirk.

Boom!

Jozu's fist connected with Lao G's face, sending him crashing against the net of strings. Lao G crumpled to the ground, unable to rise.

"Is that all?" Jozu sighed, disappointed by how quickly the fight ended. With Lao G down, he released his String-String Fruit abilities and turned toward Cavendish. "Hey, kid! Need a hand?"

But Cavendish's demeanor shifted, his face darkening as he radiated an intense, murderous aura. He turned his cold gaze toward Jozu.

"Uh… maybe not," Jozu muttered, taking a cautious step back.

Spotting Cavendish's momentary distraction, Drej seized his chance. He closed in quickly, zigzagging to disorient Cavendish before appearing behind him, ready to land a brutal kick to the back of his head.

But Cavendish, in his darkened state, didn't even flinch. It was as if Drej's presence meant nothing to him.

[•———•——•———•]

𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

✨ • 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟲𝟬+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.