Koshiro moved like an arrow, his figure flickering through the air like a black phantom. Even Kaido and Kurozumi Orochi showed a hint of surprise.
Liu Feng and the others were momentarily taken aback, their gazes instinctively shifting to Shimotsuki Yasuie, who lay on the ground, covered in wounds and blood. In that instant, they understood.
For the first time, they witnessed Koshiro exuding such a sharp killing intent. It was clear that Kurozumi Orochi and Kaido had truly enraged this steadfast man, who had remained unchanged for centuries.
In the sky, the bat-winged man flapped his wings, unfazed by the looming danger. Instead, a cruel grin crept onto his lips.
He was a formidable Gifter, granted immense power by the artificial Devil Fruit, along with the rare ability to soar freely through the skies. His bat-like sonar perception functioned similarly to advanced Observation Haki, allowing him to detect his surroundings with precision. Combined with his long-range, ultra-accurate archery, few in these seas could escape his sniper attacks.
"Ignorant warrior," he sneered. "Let me show you my true strength!"
The bat-winged man sneered, moving so swiftly that he seemed to vanish, leaving only an afterimage as he drew his bow. His actions were seamless—fluid and precise in one motion.
A faint sound of something slicing through the air echoed. Strangely, despite being enveloped in Armament Haki, the arrow—packed with immense impact—caused no disturbance in the airflow. It was as if a vacuum had formed in the void, a phenomenon achievable only through sheer speed.
A glint of cold determination flickered in Koshiro’s eyes as he charged forward. Shimotsuki Yasuka was his patriarch, and he would never allow anyone to harm him. In that instant, his once-calm gaze turned razor-sharp, radiating an overwhelming killing intent that manifested into a deadly blade’s glow.
His sword flashed through the air.
The arrow was struck mid-flight and sent crashing into the ground, triggering a terrifying spectacle.
The moment the arrow struck the ground, the Armament Haki enveloping it erupted, blasting open a massive crater spanning ten meters.
Yet, this did nothing to slow Koshiro’s advance. He streaked forward like a fleeting light, his posture gradually lowering as he charged.
For the first time, the bat-winged man’s expression faltered, a sense of unease creeping into his heart. He had poured his full strength into that arrow—yet that damned warrior had deflected it with ease.
Panic surged within him as Koshiro drew closer. Desperation gripping him, he hastily drew his bow once more.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Three arrows shot out in rapid succession, streaking toward Koshiro like meteors.
Though fired at different moments, they arrived simultaneously, forming a "品" shape as they hurtled forward at terrifying speed. The sheer precision of this technique was proof of his extraordinary archery skills.
This was no ordinary Gifter. Even without his artificial Devil Fruit abilities, his mastery of archery and use of Haki placed him among the top snipers of the seas.
Yet, against this seemingly inescapable attack, Koshiro simply smirked coldly. Then, an eerie sight unfolded.
To the bat-winged man’s utter shock, the damned samurai closed his eyes mid-sprint.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
The arrows tore through the air, closing in—but ahead of Koshiro lay only an endless abyss of darkness.
A confident smile slowly curled at the corner of Koshiro’s lips.
He could "see" everything clearly.
But this wasn’t the perception of Observation Haki—it was something deeper. A warrior’s intuition. A refined sense of danger and foresight honed through countless battles, allowing him to remain absolutely calm, even in the face of death. This was the ideal state of mind, attainable only in the heat of combat.
Lowering his body and tilting his head slightly, he let the three razor-sharp arrows, brimming with incredible piercing power, graze past his skin—without inflicting a single wound.
And in the next instant, his figure vanished like a ghost.
The bat-winged man’s eyes widened in horror, his body trembling instinctively. His bat-like senses screamed at him to flee—but he couldn’t.
Because before him stood a tall figure.
A pair of eyes met his—a gaze as calm as still water, as gentle as jade.
Then, a breathtaking flash of sword light.
Blood sprayed into the air, scattering like a crimson rain.
With a single stroke, the bat-winged man was cleaved in two.
He never even had the chance to scream—his life was severed in an instant.
Behind him, Koshiro landed gracefully atop the rooftop. His cold, gleaming sword slid smoothly back into its sheath.