Bang!
The attack, which came rushing in like black fire, was struck by a punch from Zephyr, but the impact caused a slight delay in his body, halting his movement.
He looked at Sage, who on his fist still flowed like black fire, with an indescribable look in his eyes.
The power of this attack was quite unusual.
That technique was undoubtedly externalized.
But externalizing is just a form of 'flow', it can indeed strike people from afar, but the distance is never very far, it's not that it can't reach this level.
Under Borsalino's tutelage, there's a kid who uses 'Walking on Air', releasing his Haki over a distance; that is achievable.
But whether it's 'Walking on Air' or the Great Sword Master's slash infused with Coiling Haki, it would definitely be much less powerful compared to close combat.
Haki is just Haki; while it can enhance power, it requires skillful use, pure long-distance release becomes nothing more than simple impact, the further away, the more so.
Even a Great Sword Master, releasing a long-range Coiling Haki slash, wouldn't be as effective as fighting with the sword itself.
An attack that includes intrinsic strength is what truly holds power.
But what's happening now?
That distant Haki strike isn't weak at all, it's even enhanced, moreover...
"Full-powered Haki?" Zephyr murmured aloud.
The feeling was as if this kid entirely externalized his Haki; even if he guessed wrong, fighting with Haki for this long should have depleted his reserves.
However...
This kid's hands, enveloped in the same Haki as before, still flowed without change.
Sage didn't care what thoughts Zephyr had; after halting him with a hit, he used the opening to step on the air and rush upward. Mid-air, his five fingers clenched, and the Haki, like black Flowing Fire, coiled around his palms.
The degree of externalized Haki is something an ordinary person can't achieve like Sage does; with distance, the power changes, perhaps turning into mere impact. But the North Star Divine Fist can transform this externalization into the most substantial offensive power, surpassing anyone in precision and attack range!
Especially...
When every strike uses full power Haki!
"Tenha Kassatsu: Meteor Shower!"
With continuous strikes from both palms, the coiled Haki shot out with each swing, and in Zephyr's view, it seemed like countless black Flowing Fires descended, covering the sky!
"Kid!!"
Zephyr roared, his legs stood wide, and his fists punched toward the descending Meteor Shower.
Boom Boom Boom!!
Like countless fired shells crashing down on the harbor area, as Sage's attack hit the ground, it blossomed everywhere, the power of the Haki blasting one crater after another into the ground, with shattering fragments flying wildly in all directions.
Holding a box while running to the ship, Lily casually deflected a piece of debris, and as she looked toward the side of the port, her pupils shrank.
She couldn't see Haki, but it didn't mean she couldn't sense its might; with the ground shattered to such a degree, the gust of wind moved her long wavy hair and swayed her skirt, outlining perfectly toned legs and highlighting an imposing upper form.
Has the power... reached such an extent?
"Sage..."
She looked worriedly at Sage in the air, continuously wielding; he should be using all his strength, and though he seemed to have the upper hand, Lily always had a sense...
It might not be that simple.
BOOM!
The vast Haki bombardment ravaged the ground beyond recognition, and where Zephyr was, it blasted out a massive cloud of smoke, but the smoke was quickly blown away.
The Haki barrage, hitting in front of Zephyr, was constantly shattered by his swinging fists, with vibrations sweeping away everything around him.
Even though his fist-speed wasn't as fast as Sage's stormy barrage, letting a few streams of Flowing Fire-like Haki hit his body, they were neutralized by Zephyr's rhythmic, wind-like movements.
All over him, Haki had been activated, and not simply Hardening; the surface was wrapped in extremely potent Haki!
No use!
The current Tenha Kassatsu is the truly complete form, depending on Haki for long-range hits, it can even pinpoint Secret Holes, enabling the North Star Divine Fist.
But the key is...
Can't breach the defense!
Thud!
Amidst throwing punches, Zephyr abruptly stepped forward, imprinting a dent on the ground. His wind-like rhythmic Haki intensified layer by layer, forming upward currents, and the tremor's vibrations were transmitted towards Sage, causing cold sweat to appear on his temple.
With Zephyr's stepping advance, his figure, like a gale, rushed into the air, foregoing defense with fists, instead tightly clenching a fist, drawing back to gather strength.
Sage's Haki Shock hit him, creating only ripples of shock and reducing his speed, accomplishing nothing more.
Within just a few breaths, Zephyr closed in on Sage, the force gathering on his fist evident even to a fool.
Can't be hit!
Sage gritted his teeth, halted the twin palm strikes instantly, his fingers spreading to merge into one, Flowing Fire-like Haki detached from his hands, all condensed at the center of his hands, bursting forward.
"Sky Will Charge!!"
BOOM!!
An enormous mass of black Flowing Fire, larger than before, shot straight toward Zephyr's body. The complete exertion of Haki left Sage's hands bereft of renewed Haki for the first time. Compared to the previously split use of Haki, this time combined as one, the power naturally doubled.