SIX PATH SAGE OF THE ROCKS PIRATES

The two clashed relentlessly, their duel spanning hundreds of exchanges in just minutes. Kaito, wielding his sword with determination, faced the fearsome Golden Lion, whose blade work was as wild and unpredictable as a tempest. Each swing of the Golden Lion's dual swords, enhanced by the abilities of his Float-Float Fruit (Fuwa Fuwa no Mi), carried overwhelming force and precision.

Despite the Golden Lion's ferocity, Kaito quickly realized his opponent wasn't fully committed to the fight. The Golden Lion was holding back, fighting with a degree of restraint that allowed Kaito room to learn and adapt.

"Improving mid-battle, huh?" the Golden Lion muttered, a mixture of surprise and amusement in his voice.

As their blades clashed again, the great swordsman couldn't help but notice Kaito's rapid growth. Each strike Kaito delivered carried more precision, more intent than the last. The Golden Lion, being a master of swordsmanship, could immediately discern this improvement—it wasn't an illusion. Kaito's progression in such a short time was something even the Golden Lion himself couldn't achieve.

"Hmph. Impressive. But even with that growth, you've still got a long way to go," the Golden Lion sneered.

Kaito leaped back, putting some distance between them. His breathing was steady, his grip on the hilt of his sword firm. The battle had granted him valuable insights into swordsmanship, pushing his skills to the next level. Yet, he knew his current understanding of the blade was limited compared to the vast experience of his opponent.

"Enough of this," Kaito said, sheathing his sword. His voice carried a quiet confidence. "I've learned all I can from this fight. It's time to try something else."

The Golden Lion raised an eyebrow. "Backing down already? Disappointing. I thought you had more fight in you."

Kaito shook his head with a faint smile. "Not backing down. Just changing tactics."

He stretched out his palm, and a sphere of swirling purple and black energy began to condense, radiating a terrifying, oppressive power. The air grew heavy, and even the seasoned members of the Rocks Pirates felt an involuntary chill run down their spines.

"What… what is that?"

"That pressure… it's insane! What kind of ability is this?"

Kaito's face remained calm as he channeled the power of the Nine Tails, a force he had unlocked through a mysterious system. This was the Tailed Beast Bomb—a technique of devastating power, known in the world of ninjas as an ultimate S-rank ability. Normally, such a feat required accessing at least Four-Tails' worth of the Nine Tails' chakra, but thanks to the unique conditions of Kaito's power, he could harness it freely.

"Let's see if this lives up to its reputation," Kaito muttered, the orb in his hand growing larger and more menacing.

The Golden Lion's eyes narrowed as he sensed the threat. "That's no Devil Fruit power. What the hell are you?"

As the purple-black sphere reached its peak, Kaito's aura surged, making the very earth tremble beneath them. The onlookers, pirates hardened by countless battles, found themselves retreating instinctively, their instincts screaming at them to get away.

Kaito smirked. "Time to see how a legendary swordsman handles something beyond the blade."

As Kaito prepared to unleash the devastating power of the Tailed Beast Bomb, the pirates aboard the Rocks Pirates' ship instinctively retreated, moving several meters back to avoid being caught in the blast.

Though the Tailed Beast Bomb hadn't yet been fully released, its oppressive aura was palpable. The purple-black sphere radiated an overwhelming energy, suffocating and threatening everyone nearby.

"If that thing detonates, it'll tear this ship apart!" a crewmate muttered, beads of sweat forming on his brow.

"Gurararara… It seems like you've consumed a truly extraordinary Devil Fruit, kid. The pressure from that technique isn't half bad," Whitebeard commented with his signature booming laugh, gripping his bisento tightly.

Charlotte Linlin, arms crossed and observing Kaito with narrowed eyes, smirked. "For someone your age, wielding power like that? You're leagues above the other rookies on this ship."

The Rocks Pirates were notorious for being a gathering of monstrous individuals, each vying for supremacy. Despite their cutthroat environment, none among their younger ranks could match Kaito's current strength.

"Interesting," Ochoku sneered. "A brat with only a 100 million bounty who can make even me feel uneasy? I underestimated him."

Even Rocks D. Xebec, usually unperturbed, allowed himself a rare smile. "Looks like today's raid brought more than treasure. We've found a real gem."

Though Kaito's strength didn't yet rival Rocks, the captain could see the immense potential brimming within him. To master such power at his age? The possibilities for Kaito's future were endless.

Golden Lion Shiki, blades in both hands, studied Kaito with an appraising gaze. "If I'm not mistaken, this is your ultimate move, isn't it?"

Kaito nodded, a calm confidence in his voice. "You're not wrong, Mr. Shiki."

At this moment, Kaito had mastered several abilities: Conqueror's Haki, the Sage Body, and the power of the Nine Tails. Each ability bolstered his already impressive combat potential, but the Tailed Beast Bomb was his trump card, a technique that no one had yet seen in action.

With the purple-black sphere now fully condensed in his palm, Kaito directed its terrifying power toward Shiki. The sphere, though smaller than the massive versions used by the full Nine Tails in the Naruto series, was still over a meter wide and brimming with explosive force.

Kaito thrust his palm forward, and the Tailed Beast Bomb shot toward Shiki, its velocity blurring the air. The surrounding space seemed to ripple under the sheer energy of the attack, and the ship rocked violently as the sphere closed in on its target.

Even for a battle-hardened pirate like Shiki, the pressure was undeniable. The power of the Tailed Beast Bomb, though not yet at its full potential, was devastating. Kaito's mastery of one tail of the Nine Tails might limit the attack's full scale, but its destructive capacity remained terrifying. This was, after all, the ultimate technique of the Nine Tails, an S-rank ability known for leveling mountains and reshaping landscapes.

The attack hurtled toward Shiki with the force of a collapsing star, filling his vision with its brilliance. Shiki tightened his grip on his swords, bracing himself against the incoming assault, his grin unwavering despite the pressure.