"Darkness Rages!"
Mira's magic burst outward, splitting into countless black claws that slashed down toward Bullet.
"Get out of my sight!"
Bullet's roar shook the air. His Conqueror's Haki surged forth, colliding with Mira's attack.
"—!!"
The black claws faltered mid-air, stalling against the crushing pressure.
In that instant, Bullet's figure blurred. With a heavy stomp of Geppo, he launched himself skyward and appeared right in front of Mira.
His massive fist reeled back and then came crashing down.
"What?!"
Mira's pupils shrank, her body frozen by his speed. She barely managed to cross her arms before her chest, coating them with Armament Haki.
BOOM!
Bullet's fist smashed through her guard like paper.
Crack!
Bone splintered under the force. Mira winced, pain shooting through her arms.
BOOM!
Before she could recover, another colossal punch slammed into her body.
Her figure shot downward like a cannonball, crashing into the sea with a deafening splash.
Two punches. That was all it took.
The gap in strength was clear.
Bullet didn't even spare her another glance. In his eyes, a Devil Fruit user who fell into the sea was as good as dead.
And Mira's transformation, her "demonic reception"… clearly some strange Fruit ability.
His attention shifted elsewhere. His blood boiled.
He turned toward Rain, a cruel smile twisting his lips.
"Boy… you want a fight?"
Before Rain could answer, the sea itself trembled.
Another wave of Conqueror's Haki burst out from the waters below, pressing back against Bullet's aura.
"…Hm?"
Bullet's brows furrowed, a flicker of surprise flashing in his eyes. Someone who'd fallen into the sea… unleashing Haki? Impossible.
"BULLET!!!"
Mira's roar split the waves. From beneath the surface, violent torrents of magic erupted.
The sea foamed and tore apart as her power forced the waters to part into a channel.
With a furious beat of her black wings, Mira shot out of the ocean, her body glowing with an even darker, fiercer aura than before.
In an instant, she was face to face with Bullet once more... faster, stronger, and far angrier than before.
"Super Dark Flash!"
Violent magic flared from Mira's hands, condensing into a blinding core of darkness and light.
She drove both palms hard into Bullet's chest, unleashing it all at once.
"Die!"
BOOM!!!
The explosion swallowed Bullet in a pillar of energy, tearing through the shore and sending shockwaves across the sea.
Mira staggered back to Rain's side, gasping for breath. The demonic form faded from her body as her magic drained away.
Even though the clash had lasted only moments, that final strike had been everything she had, all her power exploded at once.
"…Even if it didn't kill him," she panted, "it should've at least… heavily injured him, right?"
Rain's eyes narrowed, Observation Haki flowing outward. His expression remained calm, but his words carried weight.
"Although it's hard to believe… his aura hasn't changed at all. Barely scratched."
Mira's breath caught. "What…?"
As the smoke cleared, her disbelief turned to silence.
Bullet stood tall amidst the rubble, his body almost entirely unscathed. Only faint scorch marks marred his chest.
"…Not a bad attack."
Bullet's voice was steady, almost casual, as he brushed the dust from his shoulders.
Mira's jaw tightened. Her face twisted in frustration. Is he… mocking me?
"Damn it…"
She turned to Rain, her pride wounded.
"Rain… give him a good lesson."
Rain nodded calmly. "Don't worry."
His eyes locked onto Bullet, a smile tugging at his lips.
Bullet's grin widened in turn, his blood surging with excitement.
"Good. Come at me. I can feel it... the energy inside you. Stronger than hers. Show me your power!"
Rain exhaled slowly, then reached for the blade at his waist.
"Of Course."
The steel sang as it left its sheath.
Bullet's eyes widened, a flicker of recognition flashing across his face.
"That blade…?"
The gleam of the golden hilt, the edge polished by history Roger's saber, Ace.
"Divine Departure!"
Rain's voice rang out, and in a blur he was upon Bullet. The blade arced downward, a flash of unstoppable force tearing through the air toward the monster before him.
"Conqueror's Haki infusion?!"
For the first time, Bullet looked genuinely surprised. Then his grin widened, fighting spirit burning hotter than ever.
"Well done… come!"
His massive fist, wrapped in the same crushing willpower, swung forward to meet Rain's blade.
BOOM!!!
They didn't even touch. The collision of Haki alone sent shockwaves ripping through the air, splitting the sky above them.
"This pressure… this feeling…" Bullet's eyes lit up with a dangerous glint.
"It's the same as Roger!"
A wild laugh burst out of him. "Come on! Come at me! Show me everything you've got!"
Bullet charged in with raw ferocity, fists like cannons. No Devil Fruit tricks, no hesitation... just pure, overwhelming might.
Rain steadied his breath and raised Ace.
"Divine Departure!"
The saber cleaved forward, crashing against Bullet's fists again and again. Each strike shook the island to its core, sending shockwaves across the waves.
With every clash, Rain felt his control sharpening. The borrowed strength of Roger was no longer something he was struggling to wield it was becoming his own, strike by strike.
Bullet narrowed his eyes mid-fight.
Something about Rain's growth gnawed at him.
At first, the boy's power had been rough, unpolished. Like he'd only just learned to control it.
But the longer they fought, the more his movements smoothed, the more his strength refined.
"He's evolving right in front of me," Bullet thought, excitement surging through him.
"What kind of monster is this kid? Why does fighting him feel just like fighting Roger himself?"
But Bullet wasn't a man to dwell on questions.
All he wanted was battle, and the thrill of a worthy opponent.
"COME ON! COME ON!! Thrill me, boy!"
Rain's breath came heavy as he gripped his saber. Bullet's raw power pressed down on him like a mountain, every strike threatening to crush him.
"…Bullet is strong," Rain admitted quietly, forcing the words out through clenched teeth.
And in that moment, he knew the truth.
"At least for now… I can't beat him."
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