Klein reached into his coat with his left hand and pulled out a scroll labeled "S-Rank Ninjutsu: Great Eruption."

He leapt into the air, landing atop the giant sword wielded by his opponent. Sprinting along the flat of the blade, he dashed toward the hilt at full speed.

"Get off!" roared Harald, swinging his True Greatsword and flinging Klein away like a bug.

Soaring through the air, Klein hurled the scroll from his hand.

Whoosh! The scroll unfurled midair, revealing arcane and mysterious characters—

Like sacrificial runes.

Perhaps only Klein himself could see them clearly. Others could only gape and exclaim, "Damn, that's badass!" or "That's top-tier!"

"S-Rank Ninjutsu: Great Eruption!"

Red light flared. The air temperature spiked. A flaming magma fist burst forth from the scroll, blazing toward Harald.

"Magma?!" Harald's expression tightened. His lightning-wreathed greatsword slashed down, cleaving the molten blast in two.

"He actually summoned magma... how is that even possible?"

His heart trembled in shock.

BOOM——

BOOM——

The split magma fists slammed into the ground, exploding into thick, choking black smoke.

"Still a bit lacking..." Klein smacked his lips.

Right now, his Magma Fruit was still low-level. Combined with the opponent's Armament Haki, its effectiveness had dropped.

Maybe...

He considered layering Advanced Armament Haki onto the Great Eruption to boost the magma fist's power.

"A Devil Fruit user!" Harald frowned. His fierce, demonic face grew solemn.

This guy already had top-tier swordsmanship and Haki—and now, Devil Fruit powers too?

Not going to be easy!

The magma scorched and corroded the ground, forming a pockmarked crater as it flowed outward.

"It's magma! Mr. Klein just summoned magma from a scroll!!" Os stared slack-jawed. It was the first time he'd seen Klein use Great Eruption.

He was utterly awestruck.

Gloriosa's beautiful eyes sparkled as she smiled. "As expected of Klein-sama. To seal magma in a scroll and unleash it on his enemy—if that had been any other giant, they'd be dead!"

"Klein-sama once sealed a technique called King's Fist in a scroll..." muttered Shakky, cigarette dangling from her lips.

Back then, Klein nearly wrecked a Marine ship and dumped everyone into the sea.

"There's actually... someone who can rival Father!?" Loki's face was icy, but inside, a storm surged.

In Elbaf, just mentioning his father inspired endless praise and awe—a living legend.

But now, a mere "tiny" human had shaken that pride to its core!

"Red Dog! Blue Chicken!" bellowed Linlin. The magma Homies and slash Homies zipped to her side.

"Yes, Mama! Awaiting orders!" ×2

Linlin reached out and grabbed Red Dog and Blue Chicken. She was about to rush to support Klein when a booming voice halted her in her tracks:

"Don't interfere in my fight!"

"After finally matching with a worthy opponent, how could I not go all out!?"

Red light flashed in Klein's eyes. He threw another scroll and launched himself back into the air, his blade crackling with wild lightning.

"S-Rank Ninjutsu: Divine Departure!"

"Divine Departure!"

One from the scroll. One with his own blade.

A double Divine Departure!

"Nani?!" A trace of fear flickered in Harald's eyes. "Even sword techniques can be sealed in scrolls?!"

Gurgle—

He sensed immense danger. His blood surged like a torrential river inside his veins.

He poured all his power into his arms.

"Supremacy Sea Slash!!!"

BOOOOM—

Two apocalyptic forces collided, erupting in an explosion of dazzling light that formed a massive glowing sphere, lighting up the entire underworld.

Around it danced streaks of crimson lightning like writhing red dragons.

Utterly terrifying.

The shockwave tore across the battlefield, destroying everything in its path.

Even the great snowy mountains began to crumble. Trees and boulders were uprooted and sent flying.

The devastation stretched for kilometers.

Os and Newgate were both flung away by the hurricane-force blast—only Linlin managed to catch them in each hand, keeping them from being blown into oblivion.

Their clothes flapped wildly in the wind, flailing like sails in a storm.

"That power... Even from this distance, the aftermath alone is unbearable. These two... are absolute monsters!!" Os was sweating as he squinted through the wind to glimpse the battlefield.

Gloriosa's lovely eyes were filled with awe. "We're still far from the strength needed to face such warriors. But this lady won't give up."

"One day... we won't be mere spectators. I hope I can fight alongside Klein-sama... and then..."

"Then it'd be just like a husband protecting his beloved wife~"

As she spoke, her voice softened, filled with dreamy longing.

In her love-struck mind, a romantic fantasy bloomed—misty and pink, with imaginary hearts floating in the air.

At the center of the battlefield, the blinding light gradually faded.

A sword wound had split open across Harald's bicep, spraying blood like a fountain. His face darkened.

"This bastard..."

"He used his own attack to cover the scroll's strike, forcing me to defend against both at once!"

If it had just been a scroll-based attack, the casting delay would've given him more time to prepare or evade.

But now...

He thought quickly. With a whoosh of wind, his massive greatsword slashed down with overwhelming force toward Klein.

Clang—!

Lightning tore across the sky as Klein caught the blow with his own sword, a cocky smirk on his face.

"What monstrous strength! Every clash shakes my blood to life—this is exhilarating!!"

This was a joy he'd never experienced before. Battle could actually feel this damn good?

Too thrilling!!

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

Klein went into berserker mode, blade clashing against Harald's greatsword again and again.

"You're the real monster! What kind of human has a body like this?!" Harald's shock only grew.

He'd met powerful foes across the seas, but none matched up to Klein—especially not at his age.

Despite having blood from the Ancient Giant Tribe, even his strength couldn't suppress Klein completely.

And the kid was still young... with insane physique and all three types of Haki at a terrifying level!

Harald slashed again while shouting, "Are you really even human?!"

"You're the one who's not human. If your eyes are broken, just donate them already." Klein snapped back, then froze.

Wait... that sentence was a bit off.

That guy's eyes... probably wouldn't find a donor match anyway.

He hesitated. Should he let Harald keep pushing him to improve? Or should he go all out and end it?

This was a rare fight against someone who matched him—Klein wasn't done savoring the thrill, the blood-pumping joy of battle!

Meanwhile…

Outside Ethan Tavern, a giant stood trembling as he looked toward the underworld on the island, voice shaking:

"Mountain Lords… the Mountain Lords… they've all gone berserk! They..."

"They're trembling in fear!!"