Good wind rides the current.
At 7,000 meters above sea level, Dragon's body formed from swirling wind, slowly solidifying into a physical form.
He extended a finger and dipped it into the Imperial Cumulus.
That familiar, powerless sensation made Dragon narrow his eyes slightly as he thought to himself:
"Just as I suspected... it's just like the sea."
"If what Rosinante said is correct, the Imperial Cumulus's range is limited. I'll need to search elsewhere."
In the next instant, Dragon dissolved back into a raging gale and disappeared.
With his abilities, he could have easily split the clouds apart with a gust of wind.
But a move like that would cause a disturbance too obvious to go unnoticed. Dragon didn't believe Donquixote wouldn't catch on.
For the safety of Kuma and his daughter, it was better to stay low-key.
...
White-White Sea — Upper Yard Region
Step… Step…
A towering figure streaked across the shattered sky islands like a supercharged kangaroo.
It was Bullet, who had just finished a meal at Conis's house. In his hand, as always, he dragged the blackened plant like serpent known as Kurozumi Orochi — looking no different than a fat snake.
Ever since the incident in Upper Yard not long ago, he had forbidden Conis from delivering food here anymore.
Boom!
The impact left a massive crater in the cloud island surface.
In a flash, Bullet appeared once more in the palm of the Doflamingo statue.
Flames burned in his eyes.
A purple glow of awakened Haki flared across his body, swallowing the tool-like weapon — Kurozumi Orochi.
He was still far too weak! Still nowhere near strong enough!
The serpent demon, armored in scales, stood tall at his side.
In this fused Serpent Demon form, Bullet gained not only enhanced regeneration, strength, and speed, but heightened perception as well.
He pulled out an alloy from within his cloak and sat cross-legged.
Channeling his Observation Haki and the heightened senses of his Serpent Demon form, he focused everything on the chunk of alloy in his hand.
From the moment he first saw it, he felt it—
This metal… it was the key to his evolution.
Time passed.
A breeze drifted upward from beneath the Gate of Heaven.
Spotting the massive statue, Dragon couldn't help but pause and take a closer look.
Whoosh!
"Someone's watching me?!"
Serpent Demon Bullet snapped his eyes open. He clenched the alloy tightly, his massive figure rising like a mountain.
His gaze, sharp as blades, cut toward the direction of the Gate of Heaven. A wild grin crept onto his lips.
"Show yourself!!!"
"Such sharp perception?"
Dragon was a little surprised by Bullet's reaction.
Logia users like him were naturally skilled at hiding their presence. Wind, being intangible, gave him an edge in concealment.
And yet the moment he arrived, his presence had already been discovered?
Who was this guy?
He wasn't the lightning fruit user from the newspapers...
"Hahaha~ Since you won't come out…"
Serpent Demon Bullet grinned wickedly, bent his knees, and vanished on the spot.
Boom!
With a thunderous crash, he appeared in front of the Gate of Heaven.
"Then allow me to lend a hand!"
As his words fell, a deafening rumble erupted from within him, like a dam bursting.
Killing intent and sheer willpower surged outward in black waves of Conqueror's Haki.
The immense pressure swept in all directions.
The cloud island beneath them began to sink under the weight.
Boom!
"Another Conqueror's Haki user?!"
The world had long known that Doflamingo wielded Conqueror's Haki.
But this unfamiliar subordinate of his… also had such a rare gift?
Dragon's form appeared not far away, eyes narrowing with focus.
His own Conqueror's Haki surged forth as well — imbued with resistance and the belief in freedom.
The moment their Haki clashed, the air around them exploded with tension.
Hurricanes howled. The clouds of the floating island began to tear.
Even the weather itself twisted. A dense, ominous thundercloud began to gather above their heads.
"Heh heh heh~ Now this is more like it! Fight me!!!"
Sensing a worthy rival, the excitement on Bullet's face deepened.
He was the first to end the meaningless Haki standoff.
A true man settles things with fists.
The ten-meter-tall Serpent Demon bent his legs and, after a brief charge-up, surged forward — instantly closing dozens of meters.
His black-purple fist struck like a coiled serpent, crashing toward Dragon's head.
"Serpent Smash!"
How can something this massive move so fast?!
Dragon's pupils shrank. His right hand formed a claw — index and middle fingers together, thumb, ring, and pinky curled slightly.
At the same time, a violet-red shimmer of Armament Haki coated his fingers.
"Dragon Claw!"
And with it, the surrounding gales responded.
His attack moved with incredible speed — faster than fast.
He countered first despite striking second. His five fingers, like laser-sharp claws, slammed into Bullet's incoming punch.
Crack!
Three scales shattered on impact — but no more than that.
Feeling the mountain-like force behind Bullet's blow, Dragon's pupils narrowed.
His tense right arm suddenly recoiled, unleashing a new surge of power through his clawed hand.
Boom!
In the next instant, the two clashed again.
After a brief deadlock, Dragon was blasted backward, five fingers broken.
The weight of this man's strength was crushing.
"Interesting... such physical power, and that Devil Fruit..."
Bullet steadied himself after sliding back two steps. His grin stretched to his ears as he looked at the rapidly healing wound on his right fist.
This old man's power was strange.
Most people used fists or blades to channel force. It's more efficient that way.
But this guy used finger strength?
His strikes were incredibly refined, and his flowing Armament Haki had even broken through his own Haki and Mythical Zoan armor.
And that last burst of force… curious.
It didn't feel like he blasted the guy away.
More like… the guy rode the rebound and flew off with the wind.
"Let's try this one next!"
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Fanfic is finished 527 chapters in total on p@treon/tambeerg