Chapter 19 — Tai Chi: Yin-Yang Reversal
On the other side of the battlefield, the clash between the Smiling Pirates and the Four Priests was finally drawing to a close.
The Priest of the Iron Ordeal, Ohm, collapsed in a pool of blood. After being pushed to his limits by Gin, and pummeled multiple times by his mighty Golden Hammer, Ohm couldn't endure anymore. Blood mixed with fragments of internal organs spilled from his mouth.
Even his pet dog, Holy, was on the brink of death.
"Hmph. Victory."
Though Gin kept a cold expression, his heart was filled with pride. It was the first time he had fought using pure Haki alone, without relying on his Devil Fruit. The intense battle sharpened his control and understanding of Haki tremendously.
Gin vs. Ohm — Winner: Gin
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"Tai Chi: Yin-Yang Fist!"
A bubbly voice echoed through the jungle. A rotund black-and-white creature soared through the air, clawing wildly at the priest Shura, forcing him backward over and over. Not even his Kite Dial could help now—at this close range, one wrong blast would catch him in the explosion too.
As Shura staggered and lost consciousness, Tuan Tuan seized the opening. The tiny warrior formed a spinning Yin-Yang Bagua symbol in his stubby paws and slammed it into Shura's forehead.
"AAARGHHH!!"
Agony unlike any other surged through Shura's body like a wave of biting ants. His screams echoed through the forest until, after two minutes, he collapsed unconscious.
Tuan Tuan vs. Shura — Winner: Tuan Tuan
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The last priest tried to flee, watching his comrades fall one by one, but was intercepted mid-air by Gan Fall and his trusty bird, Pierre.
"I'm really not built for brawls…" muttered Poker, covered head to toe in mud, wearing only his shorts. He rubbed the bruise under his eye and sighed.
Shff!
Poker retrieved a small vial from his shorts and tossed it at Satori. Perhaps startled by the pressure, Satori reflexively struck the glass mid-air.
A green mist exploded outward, quickly enveloping a 10-meter radius.
"P—Poison…" Satori gasped, then collapsed to the ground.
Poker & Gan Fall vs. Satori — Winners: Poker & Gan Fall
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Not far away, the Shandian warrior Wyper and his group watched in silence as the Smiling Pirates swiftly defeated the priests.
"Who's there?!"
Gin narrowed his eyes. With his Devil Fruit enhancing his senses, he quickly spotted movement ahead.
"Wyper? What are you doing here?"
Gan Fall stepped forward, raising his hand to calm the Shandians. He had clearly seen that neither Gin nor Tuan Tuan had gone all out—both of them defeated the priests easily, without even dirtying their clothes.
Since Enel's rule began, dozens of challengers had fallen to the priests. Not even Wyper and his warriors could break through—but today was different.
"Gan Fall! Who are these people?" Wyper demanded, gripping his silver-gray bazooka tightly.
"They're pirates from the Blue Sea. Just adventurers—no ill intent," Gan Fall replied calmly.
"Adventurers? Ridiculous!" Wyper growled. "Don't tell me they've come for the Throne of God."
"Throne? Can that be eaten?"
Tuan Tuan puffed his cheeks in protest. "Our boss just wants to recruit crewmates. He doesn't care about thrones or crowns. It's just a little island. What's the big deal?
As the argument heated up, a massive explosion erupted in the distance. A powerful electric field swept over the forest, making hair stand on end and skin tingle.
---
Back at the heart of the Sky Island, Enel and Monkey D. Ash were locked in a titanic duel.
Enel's lightning had failed dozens of times now—every attack was casually brushed off by Ash. The God of Skypiea, who once reigned supreme, now tasted despair for the first time.
"Who the hell are you?!"
Enel's face twisted in disbelief. His thunderbolts, capable of reducing armies to ash, had no effect on this man—not only could Ash withstand lightning, he could disperse it. He wasn't just a threat. He was a natural enemy.
"I don't believe it! I refuse to believe this!!"
"Sixty Million Volts: Thunder Dragon!"
BOOM!
Enel slammed the drums on his back, summoning colossal dragons made of lightning. They swirled in the clouds, roared, then shot downward with fangs bared—rushing straight toward Ash.
The entire sky blazed with white light. The ground beneath them split open, charred and lifeless. All life within a ten-mile radius was incinerated by the electrical onslaught.
Enel landed, panting, as smoke billowed around him.
"Yahahaha! This god has triumphed!"
He laughed wildly at the smoldering crater where Ash once stood. Nothing remained but scorched ground.
Until…
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[Tai Chi: Yin-Yang Reversal!]
A Tai Chi symbol bloomed into the air.
"Hey, what are you laughing at?"
Ash's voice echoed across the clearing. "You really thought that was enough to kill me? Keep dreaming."
Enel stumbled backward in shock.
"Y-You were hit dead-on! How are you still alive?!"
"Special skill," Ash grinned. "Wanna learn it? I'll teach you. But you'll have to join my crew first."
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To be continued…