“G Stamp.”
In the blink of an eye, Lao G’s attack came swiftly, using the dust and pebbles to divert Hermes’ attention, then launching a sudden assault.
And he came with his most decisive move right from the start.
But he forgot that Hermes was an expert in defense and evasion, with Observation Haki, Paper Art, Tekkai, Armament Haki, and the Mini-Mini Fruit. He had many options.
Hermes lightened his body, letting it float like a feather in the wind. The G-shaped shockwave barely grazed past him, forming a brilliant beam that tore through the street, causing a massive explosion.
“Death Finger Pistol.”
As he dodged the attack, Hermes raised his right hand.
Armament Haki and Tekkai concentrated on his finger, forming an afterimage as it struck Lao G’s side. The piercing force was unstoppable, twisting Lao G’s body into a C-shape. The force shot out the other side of his waist, causing him to spew blood from his mouth and nose, his eyes bulging.
Pain.
Excruciating pain.
Lao G felt all his strength drain away as he was sent flying, rolling on the ground and landing in a heap, vomiting blood continuously.
At that moment, he lost the ability to resist.
The finger strike had shattered his internal organs; it was only a matter of time before he died unless a miracle occurred.
Hermes’ principle had always been to finish off his enemies while they were down. He raised his foot to deliver a Rankyaku to send Lao G to the afterlife.
However, the next moment, several powerful auras approached rapidly. Even without Observation Haki, he could sense them. The previously clear sky was now covered in dark clouds, filled with black and red lightning, creating an apocalyptic scene of eerie dread.
A gust of wind hit, bringing with it an overwhelming will of dominance. Hermes felt a slight dizziness, his hair whipping wildly.
Spirit and body were both being pressured.
“Doflamingo.”
“Conqueror’s Haki.”
Hermes gritted his teeth, staring at the apocalyptic scene, standing straight without a hint of bending. He wouldn’t bow to mere Conqueror’s Haki.
He aimed to reach the top of the pyramid, to become the most daring person in the world.
The distance between them rapidly closed.
Hermes wanted to fight Doflamingo, but this guy had brought many people, making the situation unfavorable for him.
Using the Conqueror’s Haki to temper his will, Hermes quickly shrank, disappearing from sight.
Three minutes later.
A figure descended from the sky, wearing a pink feather coat—Doflamingo. Soon, Trebol and others appeared from different directions.
Seeing the gravely injured Lao G, everyone’s faces turned grim.
“Trebol.”
Doflamingo looked eastward, his sunglasses reflecting his killing intent. Hermes had escaped in that direction, and his Observation Haki could faintly sense him.
It was deliberate on Hermes’ part to let him notice.
“Fufufu.”
Trebol quickly moved to Lao G’s side, reaching into his own body and pulling out a small, weak figure. It was a tiny person with a slender body, a pointed nose, long hair adorned with two flowers, and red streaks on her cheeks.
Mansherry.
Princess of the Tontatta Tribe.
She had eaten the Heal-Heal Fruit and possessed powerful healing abilities.
The reason Jora had survived was because of Mansherry.
“Cry.”
Trebol held Mansherry with one hand and squeezed her with the other. The intense pain made her sob, her innocent, wide eyes shedding a clear tear that fell on Lao G, glowing green.
Visibly, Lao G’s pale complexion began to recover, his internal injuries healing rapidly. In just a few seconds, he went from the brink of death to barely hanging on.
With proper rest, he would be back to total health soon.
“Shall we pursue, Young Master?”
Nearby, the rotund Machvise looked towards the distance, following Doflamingo’s gaze.
“It’s too late. Our primary objective is to take Dressrosa. Now that we’ve alerted him, we act tonight.”
Doflamingo’s face was dark.
To save Lao G, he had used Conqueror’s Haki from a distance, causing the opponent to hesitate and not deliver the final blow. This move would certainly cause an uproar, and he didn’t want any more complications. After taking Dressrosa, he would deal with this bounty hunter properly.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes!”
The group quickly disappeared, leaving behind a scene of destruction.
The events soon spread across Dressrosa, especially affecting civilians caught in the battle, leaving them desperate and helpless.
Elsewhere.
Hermes arrived at an outlying park, maintaining his five-millimeter form on the tip of a lush tree. He extended his Observation Haki to its maximum, confirming Doflamingo wasn’t pursuing, then landed on a thick branch, pondering.
“Conqueror’s Haki, huh?”
Hermes mused.
Since awakening Observation and Armament Haki, Hermes had considered Conqueror’s Haki. It was the mark of a king, awakened only by one in a million.
In the world of pirates, anyone who made a name for themselves often had this power.
It was almost a requirement for the strong.
Recalling the original story, Conqueror’s Haki initially seemed trivial, merely helpful in clearing out small fry and boosting one’s image.
But later, it became different. This ability could be imbued into attacks, dramatically enhancing their power. For top-tier fighters, it was a game-changer.
If an opponent had Conqueror’s Haki while you didn’t, you’d be at a disadvantage.
So the question arose.
Did he have the potential for Conqueror’s Haki?
This ability didn’t just awaken by desire; it required exceptional aptitude, encompassing spirit, conviction, ambition, and more.
Considering everything, as a transmigrator, awakening Conqueror’s Haki seemed reasonable!
Its most terrifying aspect was the imbued attacks, significantly boosting their power. It was an incredible advantage, though not the only path. There were other powerful characters without Conqueror’s Haki, like Garp, Kong, Akainu, Kizaru, and Aokiji.
Excellence in any skill could make one formidable. There were many paths to greatness.
Currently, Hermes has many options.
Like his Mini-Mini Fruit, the two types of Haki, or any of the Six Powers. There was no need to rush.
However, if the opportunity arose, Hermes would love to awaken Conqueror’s Haki.
For no other reason than the instant boost to his prestige.
So, the usual rule applied.
To see if he had Conqueror’s Haki, he needed to push his limits.
Doflamingo was an excellent whetstone, though he came with many strong subordinates. Fighting them all alone was not advantageous.
These pirate crews weren’t like the ones he had faced before. A single misstep could be fatal. He needed to ensure his survival while stirring things up.
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