One Piece: Gambling To The Top

After Josh burned Akainu figuratively, the latter finally showed some signs of being provoked.

Josh, who was floating up with each step, toward the sky, had a nervous smile. 'Is there a sin for being a crazy asshole?' Josh believed that would be a sin as well. But it has no attribute on his Demonic energy.

Nevertheless, he should focus on what he has in front of him. Akainu, the strongest known admiral who can survive a full anger-mode Strongest Man alive, is aiming to kill him.

Josh wants just to buy enough time so Akainu would lose the track of the girls.

And his insults seemed to work.

"You shall be burned by the very Justice you spitted on."

Aiming his fist on Josh, which only grew bigger, Akainu took a step forward and punched high to the sky, unleashing a great Magma Fist at Josh.

Although the attack was fast, Josh was high enough in the sky to see it coming. Not to mention, his demonic senses helped him to be high alerted.

Extending his sword to the right, while his left hand to the left, the red Demonic Energy started wrapped them.

Focusing on the attribute of Wrath while tilting the angle forward to the magma fist, Josh started spinning at a great speed.

From his clawed hand, great projectiles of Storm arms left. From the sword, same.

Those projectiles were gathering to make a great red sword arc, which started cutting the Magma's fist in half, letting Josh enter through the cut.

Stopping spinning, Josh quickly kicked on the air and stared forward, his pounding heart pumping him with adrenaline.

The great red arc headed to Akainu, who just formed a fist, and punched the arc to the side.

The sea started splitting in half. Wherever the red arc passed, the steam raised. No one can tell if it's because of Akainu's hot fist or Josh's wrath attribute.

"Not bad for an evil criminal." Said Akainu, as if he was looking at a fly.

"Wuff Wuff." Josh barked like a dog.

Akainu half-closed his eyes. Time to plant fear before death in this annoying brat.

"You started barking. Ass-licking is not going to save you now." Akainu had seen many pirates who had done that before their death. Some coward marines did it as well — Begging on the price of their dignity, even if it meant kneeling or barking.

"Sorry for the misunderstanding. I was just speaking your language." Josh mocked.

However, behind his demon face, he had the urge to call himself a crazy bastard. If there is something to be called a sin, it would be roasting a magma man.

"Talk to this dog then."

Akainu raised both of his hands. A great magma wave left his arms and headed toward Josh. "Dog Biting Crimson Lotus." The magma took a shape of a great dog head. It was so large that it can swallow a ship easily. Its eyes were flaming with fire, while its shape had fangs that were about to bit Josh.

Faced by a giant magma wave, Josh kicked the air below him using two Shave in a row.

Josh, although he was focusing on the battle, could notice a little thing.

He had a high tolerance for heat.

While using the Attribute of Wrath, the weather felt regular, even though anyone else would feel like they are standing at the edge of a volcano.

However, that was because the magma didn't touch him. No one knows how much harm it can do to him.

After dodging the giant dog's head, Josh went above it and raised his sword with both hands.

Before he even had a chance to attack, Akainu frowned more and shook his hand. The magma dog headed toward Josh again, opening its mouth and was about to eat him.

Although Josh waved his sword, the magma was about to hit him.

Turning toward the sea's direction, he kicked in the air.

Compared to a Haki Master like Akainu, Josh was very predictable.

The magma dog head seemed to be able to change direction and catch up to him, and it almost swallowed him.

Josh, focusing his energy on his feet, kicked on the magma dog's head and flew away, before moving in a zigzag shape.

Although Josh doesn't know Haki, he has unimaginable physical talent that allows him to adapt to the patterns of his foe, also, he has very strong senses.

Akainu flinched at first, seeing that Josh kicked on the Magma without his feet melting.

But when he landed on the sea, Josh seemed to have some fire around his scales covered feet.

Kicking on the sea, Josh seemed to feel relief as steam rising from the spot he kicked on.

"Your scales can resist the heat." Akainu crossed his arms. "All I have is to raise the heat and they will become ashes."

When the magma dog head stopped moving, the magma started falling above Josh.

"You are confident because you are just a logia user, aren't you."

Josh frowned after he dodged, using Shave three times in a row, gaining unimaginable speed.

"Yes, I am." Akainu was standing up proudly and posing with his arms crossed.

Josh reached the blade toward his back, sheathing it. It seemed so. However, in fact, Josh just put the tip of his blade on a rope that had a Seastone-made knife.

Akainu frowned. "Iai style with the sheath on your back, can you be more pathetic."

"Let's see about that."

Dashing forward, Josh used Shave four times in a row. It was the same footwork he uses whenever he uses his Judgement Slash. However, this time, it's faster with the additional Shave, and he was planning to stab instead of slash.

When Josh appeared in front of Akainu, he found that he was stopped all of the sudden.

Akainu was holding Josh's blade from the middle with his bare hand.

Wind surged around, pushing the water in every direction.

The momentum of Josh alone made the boat of Akainu raise.

Akainu was still starring deeply at Josh while holding his sword.

"You can be more pathetic. You thought I wouldn't notice your little trick." Akainu sneered at Josh. "Seastone on the tip."

Akainu must have noticed that before Josh even think about stabbing him with the tip of the sword.

Though, there is one thing Akainu didn't admit. Josh was so fast. Fast enough that he vanished from Josh's sight in his demon form.

However, after getting used to the speed of his fellow Admiral, the light man, Akainu's Observation Haki allowed Akainu to unconsciously hold the blade from the middle.

Appearing to be shocked, Josh tried to pull his sword back. "Never thought your Haki is so good."

Josh bluffed.

"The knife is well crafted, I will keep it." Said Akainu.

Akainu applied more strength on the blade, magma pouring on the sword.

Josh felt it's natural that he wasn't as strong as the Admiral.

Akainu could stop the swung of the Strongest Man in the World.

However, applying a seastone knife on the sword wasn't Josh real trick.

It was just a starter of a trick.

Although the blade of the sword turned red, it didn't melt at all.

Josh's sword was an Epic Tier sword for some reason. However, Josh didn't have time now to think about that reason. Akainu's strength seemed to be superior as he pulled back.

Letting the grip of the sword, Josh fell to his feet, standing in front of the giant 3 meters tall Akainu.

Seeing that Josh was forming a fist and was about to punch, Akainu sneered.

With his Haki, he could tell that a knife was hidden under the sleeves Josh.

'He must be thinking that I would think it's seastone and dodge it.' Akainu closed his eyes. 'However, if it was seastone, he wouldn't be able to transform into this Devil form.

After he opened his eyes, Akainu waited for Josh to start screaming when his fist meets Akainu's magma.

As expected, Josh's fist sank.

However, at the same moment, something else sank in the magma.

Akainu felt a sever pain coming from his ribs.

The magma was turned off.

Josh held his hand, which was on fire, and screamed.

"Fuck!"

He quickly shook his hand quickly, throwing the magma away from his scale.

Shocked, Akainu looked at the knife that deeply sank next to his ribs.

It was a real seastone!

And Akainu didn't have his magma now.

This shouldn't be possible. How would Josh be able to use his Zoan transformation while having the knife connected to his skin? It doesn't make sense at all.

Josh, who was about to flee away, decided to take a small risk, knowing that Akainu is distracted by surprise.

Akainu should be stronger with his Haki and his physical strength alone.

But. Although Akainu knows Haki, even Katakuri would lose his prediction when he loses his calmness.

And Akainu is unable to use his power now. That's the best chance to give a strike.

Josh extended his arms. From his opened palms, great crimson fire flew out of it toward Akainu. It was big enough to swallow a ship.

Akainu, before getting swallowed by the fire, stared deeply into Josh with a frown.

*Spsh*

Josh held his burning right hand and screamed again. "Fuck!"

Although he has a very heat tolerance, Josh was hurt by the magma.

When it started cooling, his healing factor kicked in.

Josh stared at the fire in front of him, Akainu's silhouette in the middle.

"I have to admit, your fire isn't bad, but it's nothing for justice."

Josh took a step back, looking at Akainu who walked out of the fire, surrounded by it.

Akainu was cracking his fists, which turned pitch black, starring at Josh as if he is about to kick his ass.

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A/N: Chapters ahead at patréon

www..patréon.com/Blazuki