Takeshi wiped the blood from the corner of his lips.
"You think you're so tough? I haven't shown my true power yet, and you think I'm a pushover. You've had your fun hitting me, now it's my turn."
At that moment, flames seemed to burn around Takeshi's body, and his imposing aura increased dramatically.
This situation was also noticed by the members of Fairy Tail in the distance.
"What's happening? Is Takeshi going to transform again?"
"Such powerful magic!" Makarov's eyes widened.
He had never felt such terrifying magic before. It wasn't about the sheer volume of magic power, but its quality. This quality was something he was witnessing for the first time in his life.
"Throughout heaven and earth, I alone am the honored one."
Takeshi raised his axe toward Acnologia and calmly recited.
That's right. At this moment, Takeshi had become The One, greatly increasing his power level. In this state, his combat prowess could be considered the peak of humanity. Even gods would have to avoid him.
"Try to survive." Takeshi looked at Acnologia and calmly said.
"A mere human..."
Acnologia took a deep breath, preparing to unleash a roar.
But before he could release his magic, Takeshi instantly appeared beside his head and punched him in the face.
Boom!
"Arghhhhh!!!"
Boom... Boom...
Acnologia let out a scream as his massive body was sent flying sideways, shattering everything in his path.
Takeshi tapped his foot and charged toward Acnologia at extreme speed.
Seeing this, Acnologia swung his tail to sweep at Takeshi.
Smack!
Boom!
Takeshi raised his hand to block Acnologia's tail, but the ground beneath his feet shattered.
He grabbed Acnologia's tail with both hands and slammed it down toward the ground.
Boom!
The earth exploded violently, the powerful impact causing the ground to crack.
"Aaahhhh!!!"
Acnologia coughed up blood from his mouth.
Immediately after, Takeshi punched Acnologia's body repeatedly.
Boom... Boom...
Each strike made the earth tremble.
"Awooooooo!!!"
Acnologia couldn't help but let out a piercing scream, causing those who heard it to tremble in their hearts.
"How does it feel, Acnologia? To be looked down upon by a human?"
Hearing this, Acnologia flew into a rage, opening his mouth to bite at Takeshi—he wanted to devour this annoying human.
Takeshi tapped his foot and quickly retreated.
"Oh my. What's this? You think just because you've become a dragon, you're a beast now? Even biting people?" Takeshi teased.
Igneel's face darkened, he felt as if he had been insulted too.
"Human, don't get too arrogant! I am the Dragon King Acnologia!"
Acnologia roared loudly, his body releasing a powerful shockwave that blew away everything around him.
Even the members of Fairy Tail in the distance felt Acnologia's imposing aura, their bodies trembling involuntarily.
"Go die!"
Acnologia flapped his wings and flew rapidly toward Takeshi, his claws wrapped in dense dark power—this strike could easily shatter a mountain.
"Dodge quickly!"
Igneel shouted a warning.
He had wanted to join the battle earlier, but he was so shocked that Takeshi was suppressing Acnologia in a fight that he was momentarily stunned and forgot to act.
Seeing Acnologia launch an attack on Takeshi, he hurriedly warned.
But Takeshi seemed not to hear his warning. He concentrated terrifying magic power on the index finger of his left hand, then stepped forward quickly, meeting the attack with a finger.
"Holy Spear: Escanor."
Takeshi calmly recited.
Squelch!
Takeshi's index finger pressed into Acnologia's palm, piercing through it.
Crack!!!
A powerful impact surged into Acnologia's arm, and his dragonized arm actually fractured.
"Awoooohhhhh!!!"
Acnologia let out a scream, this strike had genuinely injured him.
"He injured Acnologia!"
The members of Fairy Tail couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, their emotions stirred.
Takeshi and Acnologia separated. Although Takeshi had crippled Acnologia's right arm with this strike, his own left index finger was also fractured and useless.
Acnologia truly lived up to his name. Even in his current peak state, Takeshi's strike only gave him a slight advantage, or rather, it was a mutual injury.
However, this strike ignited Acnologia's ferocity. A mere human had actually injured him—this was a great humiliation.
Acnologia swiped his claw at Takeshi.
Boom!
"Takeshi!"
Everyone in Fairy Tail saw Acnologia's claw strike Takeshi, their hearts in their throats. Igneel felt the same.
Soon, the smoke cleared, and Takeshi appeared in place, seemingly unharmed.
"How is this possible?!"
Acnologia widened his eyes in disbelief, as did Igneel, who, as a dragon, understood best.
Acnologia's attack seemed like just an ordinary swipe, but it was actually a dragon's magic.
In battles among Dragons, this claw could even kill a Dragon.
Let alone a human like Takeshi.
For Takeshi to withstand this strike head-on and remain unharmed was impossible—this was Acnologia, after all.
Takeshi lightly said, "Not bad. As expected of Acnologia. This strike made all my bones and muscles tremble, and my soul shake."
"Then I should return the favor properly."
Acnologia opened his mouth wide and charged at Takeshi. "Die!!"
As he spoke, Takeshi formed a hand blade with his right palm and calmly recited, "Holy Sword: Escanor."
He slowly swung his palm downward.
Squelch!
A huge wound appeared on Acnologia's chest, as if it had been slashed open by a sharp blade. Crimson blood sprayed from the wound, splattering on the ground.
Acnologia's body came to a stop, and the members of Fairy Tail fell silent at this sight.
If Takeshi's previous attack only injured Acnologia's arm, those watching might not have seen much difference. At most, Acnologia's left arm was no longer usable.
But this strike genuinely injured Acnologia; it wasn't just a minor wound but nearly a severe injury, especially with its exaggerated visual impact, which was truly shocking.