บท 141: Lysander
The Marine looked conflicted. The burden of his duty, the expectations of his rank, and his inherent moral compass were clashing. It was evident in every line of his face, every tensed muscle of his posture.
The Marine sighed, his silver hair catching the dim lighting. "You know, I've heard stories that Jack the Pirate Hunter stood toe-to-toe with Whitebeard at Fishman Island. If you really are that Jack, then I might consider your words more seriously."
Jack's expression remained unchanged. "Stories often get exaggerated. If you want to see if they're true, you're welcome to find out firsthand."
The Marine raised an eyebrow. "Is that a challenge?"
Jack shrugged, "Take it as you will. But my priority isn't to impress you with my past feats. It's to ensure the safety of those children."
The Marine studied Jack for a moment, his deep blue eyes searching for any sign of deception. "Then let's make it interesting. If you are indeed the Jack who battled Whitebeard, then a sparring match should be no problem for you. Defeat me, and I'll personally aid you in your search. However, if I win, you leave this island immediately."
Jack looked at the Marine, his calm blue eyes meeting the challenge head-on. "You're willing to put the fate of the children on a duel?"
The Marine smirked, "I believe in my abilities. And if you truly are the Pirate Hunter, then you'll have the advantage. What's the risk?"
Jack pondered for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Alright, let's do it. But we move to a more open space. No tricks."
The two made their way to a more spacious room, one devoid of any obstructions or potential ambush points. It was a stark chamber with metallic walls and a solid steel floor, ideal for a one-on-one duel.
Jack stood opposite the Marine, the silence echoing with anticipation. The room's atmosphere grew dense as the two fighters sized each other up, each waiting for the other to make the first move.
The Marine clenched his fists, the muscles in his forearms tightening visibly. "I am Vice-Admiral Lysander, Jack the Pirate Hunter," he declared with an air of formality. "Show me your resolve!"
Without any further hesitation, Lysander closed the distance between them, launching himself at Jack with an explosive burst of speed. In a split second, he was upon him, his fist aimed squarely at Jack's face. But Jack, anticipating the move, dodged sideways and responded with his Thunderous Blow, a punch so forceful it could shatter solid objects. However, Lysander, being no ordinary opponent, evaded it by inches.
The Vice-Admiral followed with his Starfall Kick, a swift downward kick that Jack sidestepped just in time. The air crackled with tension as the two combatants gauged each other, waiting for the other to make a move.
Lysander was the first to break the stalemate, launching a series of punches in rapid succession, which Jack parried, his arms moving in a blur. Responding in kind, Jack unleashed his Thunderous Combo, an overpowering barrage of punches meant to overwhelm his opponent. Lysander found himself on the defensive, each punch forcing him to step back further and further.
Spotting an opportunity, Lysander swiftly used his Moon's Grasp, attempting to immobilize Jack's arm. But Jack had other plans. He retaliated with the Thunderous Uppercut, a powerful blow that caught Lysander off guard, sending him reeling back.
Lysander, regaining his footing quickly, used the momentum to execute his Twilight Combo, a series of rapid punches and kicks. Jack, demonstrating his mastery of hand-to-hand combat, matched him move for move, neither gaining the upper hand.
Remembering his second level of techniques, Jack employed the Hurricane Strike, releasing a flurry of punches so fast they generated a gust of wind that staggered Lysander. Seizing the momentary advantage, Jack swiftly transitioned to the Hurricane Uppercut, creating a mini whirlwind that caught Lysander off guard, lifting him momentarily off his feet.
Lysander, not one to be outdone, shifted his strategy. Using his Orbit Feint, he circled Jack, trying to confuse him. The tactic almost worked as Lysander launched another Starfall Kick, aiming for Jack's shoulder. But Jack, ever the tactician, retaliated with the Hurricane Cyclone, using spinning motions with his strikes, creating a tornado-like effect that threw Lysander off balance.
The two continued to exchange blows, each using their techniques masterfully. The metallic chamber echoed with the sounds of their combat, neither willing to give an inch.
Lysander let out an enthusiastic shout, "Not bad, Jack the Hunter! Not bad at all!" His eyes twinkled with the unmistakable light of someone who relished the thrill of a good battle.
Jack, though his face remained calm, recognized the same passion in Lysander. While most would shy away from such a confrontation, for these two, it was a dance of skill and power.
Taking their battle up a notch, Lysander integrated Rokushiki into his Celestial Fist techniques, a martial art known to be practiced by high ranking Marine and World Government's covert organizations. The immediate increase in his speed and power was palpable. Jack realized he couldn't afford to hold back anymore. Transitioning to his third level techniques while seamlessly blending them with his second level, he prepared for the escalating combat.
Lysander, now utilizing his Geppo technique from Rokushiki, hovered above the ground for a split second before launching himself towards Jack, aiming to strike with a powerful Shigan, transforming his finger into something akin to a bullet. But Jack was ready. Activating his Iron Dash, he shot forward with incredible velocity, evading Lysander's attack and aiming a potent Iron Crush directly at his midsection.
The Vice-Admiral managed to parry the blow at the last moment using Tekkai, hardening his body to mimic the properties of iron. The collision sent shockwaves throughout the room, causing the very walls to vibrate.
Lysander was quick to capitalize on Jack's momentary imbalance, using his Rankyaku to send a razor-sharp air blade in Jack's direction. However, Jack responded with his Hurricane Barrier, redirecting the blade and safeguarding himself from the impending attack.
The two warriors seemed evenly matched, every advanced technique from one met with an equally formidable response from the other. They were relentless, each trying to exploit even the tiniest of openings.
Lysander, incorporating his Soru technique, moved at blinding speeds, appearing and disappearing in the blink of an eye. Jack, countering this, used his Iron Leap to gain a momentary aerial advantage, scanning the room for Lysander's next move.
Suddenly, from his left, Lysander appeared with a devastating Tekkai enhanced punch, seeking to land a decisive blow. But Jack, ever the tactician, was ready. Harnessing the power of his Iron Tempest, he unleashed a rapid succession of energy-infused blows that caught Lysander mid-attack.
The Vice-Admiral, despite being caught off-guard, managed to regain his stance, his eyes displaying a hint of admiration. "Your techniques are as impressive as the legends say, Pirate Hunter."
Jack's calm blue eyes met Lysander's gaze. "Your Rokushiki integration is commendable too, Vice-Admiral."
Lysander laughed again, his silver hair gleaming even more in the chamber's dim lighting. "Let's start the real thing, shall we?" His voice was filled with a mix of excitement and challenge.
With a sudden, powerful move, Lysander shifted his stance and immediately integrated his Celestial Fist Fighting Style with the techniques from the Rokushiki. Using Levitation Leap, Lysander momentarily decreased his gravity, launching himself at Jack with impressive speed. Mid-air, he transitioned into his Meteor Punch. The sudden gravity around his fist gave the punch a devastating force, as if a comet was hurtling toward the Earth.
Jack, not to be outdone, prepared his defenses, activating the Iron Wall technique. He summoned an energy barrier with his fists, ready to deflect Lysander's Meteor Punch. The force of the impact resonated throughout the chamber, reverberating metallically.
Quick to recover, Jack utilized Iron Dash, propelling forward with remarkable velocity. His fists surged with energy, aiming to obliterate Lysander's defenses. But the Vice-Admiral had other plans.
Lysander, in response, employed his Black Hole Grasp technique. He created a localized gravitational pull in his palm, trying to draw in Jack's energy-charged fists. It momentarily slowed Jack's Iron Dash, but not enough to deter him completely.
Deciding to escalate the battle, Lysander advanced to his Gravitational Adept techniques. He quickly switched to Nebula Sweep, decreasing the gravity around his leg, and aimed a high kick towards Jack's face, intending to send him airborne and vulnerable.
But Jack, always a step ahead, swiftly shifted to his third-level technique: Iron Leap. He propelled himself upwards, avoiding Lysander's sweeping kick. In the air, Jack's view was panoramic. He could see Lysander beneath him, calculating his next move.
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