Chapter 181:Li Yuan VS Silver Axe(part 2)

Silver Axe, realizing his advantage in burst speed, deftly evaded Li Yuan's strike and countered with a powerful swing of his massive axe. However, Li Yuan utilized his unique Observation Haki, capable of reading opponents' intentions, to anticipate Silver Axe's moves.

"Silver Axe, it seems you're not entirely foolish, but my sword isn't that easy to dodge!" Li Yuan taunted as the Seven Stars Sword intercepted Silver Axe's attack at its weakest point, redirecting towards his heart.

Detecting the threat with Observation Haki, Silver Axe twisted his body, narrowly avoiding the sword tip. Yet, Li Yuan's blade followed, slicing horizontally towards him.

In a desperate maneuver, Silver Axe blocked with his axe, intending to retreat and regroup. However, Li Yuan pressed forward relentlessly, denying Silver Axe any respite or chance to regain his rhythm.

Their duel was intense and rapid, exchanging hundreds of blows in minutes, each move teetering on the edge of life and death.

Silver Axe found himself increasingly frustrated, unable to regain control of the fight as Li Yuan dictated the pace, exploiting every opening with precision.

"Slash!!!"

Spotting a minor opening, Li Yuan's blade grazed Silver Axe's abdomen, slicing through muscle.

Silver Axe gritted his teeth, suppressing the pain to avoid further vulnerabilities.

"Damn it, it's like he knows my every move!" Silver Axe cursed internally, feeling trapped in a battle dictated by his opponent.

His attacks were anticipated and countered effortlessly, while Li Yuan's strikes targeted his weaknesses with uncanny accuracy.

Such battles, where the opponent controlled the tempo, he had only experienced against the likes of Redfield, the Lone High.

Back at the edge of the Infinity Sea:

"Li Yuan dared to split his forces against me. Such arrogance!" Branton sneered at Barrett and his companions blocking his path.

Today, I'll take your heads back to Li Yuan as trophies!" Branton laughed menacingly, surprised by Li Yuan's audacity to engage both the Violence Pirates and Silver Axe Pirates simultaneously.

"Hmph, your Violence Pirates are just afraid of us, so you teamed up with Silver Axe!" Barrett retorted, transforming into his Beastman form, launching a gravity-infused punch at Branton.

"Arrogant brat!" Branton replied, his muscles bulging as he countered with an Armament Haki-coated punch.

"Such heavy fists!" Barrett's expression shifted as pain radiated from his fist, sending him flying backward.

"One-Sword Style: Mountain-Shattering Slash!"

Seizing the moment, Ashura Doji struck with a powerful slash. Branton, despite his muscle-bound frame, dodged the descending attack.

"Impact Fist!"

But as Branton evaded, Howard attacked from behind with a powerful punch, forcing Branton to retreat several meters.

"A sniper!" Sensing danger, Branton tilted his head, narrowly avoiding an invisible black bullet.

Had he not sensed it with Observation Haki, the bullet would have struck his temple.

Instinctively, Branton sought the sniper's location but sensed Barrett closing in from the left.

"Six Powers Secret Technique: Maximum Wheel Six King Gravity Gun!"

Barrett, having recovered, unleashed another powerful attack.

"Damned brats!" Enraged by the relentless assault, Branton, empowered by his Muscle Fruit, countered with a full-force punch.

"Bang!!!"

The impact sent Barrett flying, bloodied, while Ashura Doji and Howard capitalized on the opening to attack Branton.

Their strategy was clear: Barrett, as a Mythical Zoan user, would tank; Ashura Doji, with the strongest offense, would lead the attack; Howard, with his Paramecia abilities, would support and harass; and Nebel, hidden, would ambush.

Though they couldn't inflict significant damage on Branton, they managed to hold their ground.

Meanwhile, the crews under Li Yuan and Silver Axe clashed fiercely.

Even with half their numbers sent to intercept Branton, the remaining 30,000 Infinity Pirates maintained an advantage over Silver Axe's forces.

Equipped with superior weaponry, including swords from Wano, and comprising skilled warriors and students from the Infinity Sword School, they held the upper hand.

Though Li Yuan's duel with Silver Axe seemed evenly matched, Silver Axe remained defiant.

He believed his forces could defeat the Infinity Pirates, given their split numbers.

Furthermore, he expected Li Yuan to retreat eventually, fearing Branton's invasion of his territory.

Once Li Yuan diverted his attention, both Silver Axe and Branton could encroach on his lands.

"Hahaha, Silver Axe, you think you can stall for time while Branton invades my territory?" Li Yuan laughed, aware of Silver Axe's thoughts through his mind-reading ability.

He trusted Barrett and the others to hold Branton at bay.

While a threat like Golden Lion or Whitebeard might concern him, Branton did not.

At worst, Barrett and his team might retreat, losing a few islands, but they could hold long enough for Li Yuan to defeat Silver Axe.

"Trinity Unification: Conqueror's Kingdom!!"

Li Yuan raised the Seven Stars Sword, channeling immense sword intent.

A devastating shockwave erupted, carving a hundred-meter-wide, five-meter-deep trench.

This technique, a fusion of his swordsmanship and Elbaf's mightiest combat art, was his own creation.

"That woman's technique!" Silver Axe's eyes widened, recalling Charlotte Linlin's similar move.

The swift, wide-area shockwave was unavoidable.

"Whirlwind Slash!!"

Desperate, Silver Axe spun his axe, harnessing inertia to counter the incoming force.

"Boom!!!"

The ground caved under the impact, debris scattered, and the island shook.

Silver Axe, though unscathed outwardly, felt intense pain, as if his body had been dismantled.

Such pain was trivial for a veteran like Silver Axe, not hindering his combat ability.

"Hmph, Li Yuan, your arrogance will falter when Branton takes your home!" Silver Axe sneered, spitting blood.

"Old man, you're tough!" Li Yuan acknowledged, renewing his assault.

Despite his advantage, defeating a veteran like Silver Axe quickly was difficult.

Victory required wearing down his stamina and Haki.

News of the Infinity Pirates engaging two major crews spread, surprising many who doubted their chances.

Yet in the New World's chaotic struggle, it was but one point of interest.

For instance, the Flying Pirates' conflict with John Pirates saw the World Pirates intervening, pitting them against two foes.

Two days later, the Infinity Pirates defeated the Silver Axe Pirates, who abandoned their island and fled by sea.

Silver Axe, marked by sword wounds, faced an unscathed Li Yuan, whose only damage was to his clothes.

"Hahaha, Silver Axe, admit defeat!!!"

"Trinity Unification: Conqueror's Divine Severance!!"

Li Yuan, elated, unleashed a sword strike, its unmatched force accompanied by blood-red lightning.

The attack locked onto Silver Axe, leaving no escape.

"I am Silver Axe, I won't fall!!!" Silver Axe roared, channeling all his strength into his axe, meeting the attack head-on.

"Boom!!!"

The blood-red lightning shattered Silver Axe's Conqueror's and Armament Haki.

Li Yuan's Seven Stars Sword overpowered the giant axe, striking Silver Axe's chest.

Silver Axe was launched skyward, blood trailing in the air.

Yet in midair, Silver Axe twisted, using the momentum to escape the island, aiming to flee.

His crew defeated, himself outmatched, Silver Axe had no desire to remain and risk death.

"Don't think you can escape!" Li Yuan pursued with Moonwalk.

"Captain, hurry!" A giant eagle appeared, Silver Axe landing on its back.

Seeing this, Li Yuan knew he couldn't catch them.

Moonwalk couldn't match the eagle's flight.

However, he wouldn't let them leave without consequence.

"Trinity Unification: Conqueror's Kingdom!!"

Li Yuan, summoning a 30-meter giant's visage, unleashed a massive shockwave.

Like a supercharged laser, it targeted the giant eagle.

"You can't stop me, Li Yuan!" Silver Axe leaped from the eagle, his axe intercepting the shockwave.

The damaged axe, without solid ground for support, couldn't withstand the powerful attack.

"Argh!!!"

Silver Axe's grip nearly faltered, his body wracked with pain as bones cracked.

"Captain!!!"

Though the eagle remained unscathed, it flew faster, catching the airborne Silver Axe.

"The great pirate Silver Axe has fallen to me. The Infinity Pirates are victorious!"

"Regroup and continue seizing Silver Axe's territory!"

Li Yuan addressed his surviving crew.

"Excellent, the captain is invincible!"

"Long live the captain!!"

"Hahaha, the Infinity Pirates are the strongest!"

The 26,000 surviving crew members cheered.

Originally 30,000 strong, the battle claimed 4,000 lives.

However, the Silver Axe Pirates suffered greater losses, with over 8,000 casualties.

Such losses were acceptable to Li Yuan, as the survivors proved their worth.

During the respite, Li Yuan checked on Barrett's situation.

As expected, Barrett's team was struggling but holding Branton at bay.

Thus, Li Yuan refrained from assisting, opting to rest before leading the charge to occupy Silver Axe's domain.

He'd instructed Barrett to retreat if necessary, ensuring their safety.

If Barrett hadn't called for help, it meant they were managing.

Fighting a powerhouse like Branton offered Barrett and his team a chance to push their limits.

Marine Headquarters:

Most of the Navy's high command had relocated to the G1 Fortress near the Red Line. Officially, they withdrew from the New World.

In truth, they awaited an opportunity to strike, hoping to capture one or two great pirates as a strategic advantage.

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