Chapter 691: The Strongest Mouth Cannon
After leveling up to level 60, Ian not only unlocked a sixth card slot but also unlocked a dedicated treasure slot at the same time.
This dedicated treasure slot refers to Ian's own main card slot, meaning he could equip a second exclusive treasure.
Moreover, this second exclusive treasure slot had the same effect as the slot for equipping the Thousand Cherry Blossoms blade. Exclusive treasures equipped in this position were real after manifestation, unlike those equipped on other cards, which only materialized when the corresponding card ability was used.
This forced Ian to continuously refresh the exclusive treasure fragment shop and piece together another exclusive treasure.
Initially, Ian had wanted to create a Hollow mask from Kurosaki Ichigo, which would have looked incredibly stylish.
However, after spending a ton of diamonds to finally piece together the native five-star red card Ulquiorra Cifer, Ian realized his dream of a Hollow mask was dashed. Just like the Byakuya Kuchiki card, to use the First Release and Second Release, both the card and the Zanpakuto were required.
This meant that if Ian wanted to use Ulquiorra's card, he had to obtain his Zanpakuto as an exclusive treasure.
That was how his current dual-wielding style came about.
Back when he was trying to get Ulquiorra's Zanpakuto, Ian had gone through hell. This Black Wing Demon was a five-star exclusive treasure, so after piecing together a four-star exclusive treasure from the shop, he had to upgrade it to five stars first, then spend a massive amount of diamonds to swap it, searching through the vast pool of exclusive treasures to find this Zanpakuto!
Because he was an unlucky African, his face was too dark; Ian had no idea how many times he had swapped before finally getting what he wanted.
Baccarat's Luck Fruit couldn't yet help Ian improve his luck, so he could only grind it out with resources.
If Ian weren't a big spender now, he wouldn't have been able to handle this expense. This pay-to-win style with no upper limit was terrifying to even think about.
Fortunately, although he spent a lot of diamonds, Ian didn't really fall into a pit he couldn't climb out of. In the end, he managed to swap for this Zanpakuto.
Thus, Ian's current six equipped cards were: Flying Shadow, Misaka Mikoto, Great Serpent, Trunks, Byakuya Kuchiki, and Ulquiorra. His combat power was basically set.
Katakuri stared at Ian's current dual-wielding stance, his eyes full of caution. He finally began to understand Ian's ability.
Many people had been guessing what Ian's Devil Fruit ability really was. Many had also checked the swords in his hands but found that they weren't any famous blades—nothing like the Supreme Grade Blades or the Great Grade Blades. It was only now, witnessing the birth of Ian's other sword firsthand, that Katakuri finally understood. No wonder the pink-hilted sword in his hand could turn into countless cherry blossom petals. No sword in the world could do that. The swords in Ian's hands were likely manifestations of his ability!
Even when fighting Arest, Ian had only used one sword, but now he had brought out the hidden second one. Katakuri's internal alarm bells rang wildly.
Although he didn't know what devastating move Ian might unleash, years of combat experience told Katakuri that he absolutely couldn't let Ian use it! Gritting his teeth, Katakuri's body began to writhe, splitting off several mochi lumps.
These mochi lumps then transformed into several pitch-black arms coated in Armament Haki. At the same time, Katakuri charged at Ian at lightning speed!
"Power Mochi: Takedown!"
Transforming into a super tentacle monster, Katakuri unleashed countless fists at Ian like a storm!
However, facing Katakuri's endless fists, Ian simply crossed his two swords in front of him, continuously swinging the blades to block every incoming punch!
The Armament Haki on their blades and fists clashed, producing a series of crisp metallic clangs. The sounds merged into one continuous, rapid rhythm.
Katakuri felt a bit puzzled because Ian was only passively defending against his punches, showing no sign of using any dangerous moves.
He was holding two swords—was he just putting on a show?
Thinking this, Katakuri didn't dare let his guard down. He increased his attack speed, pressing Ian closely, determined not to give him time to unleash a big move.
What Katakuri didn't know was that this close-quarters pressing attack was exactly what Ian wanted!
One kept punching, the other kept parrying. Their battle caused the distance between them to grow shorter and shorter.
Just then, Ian swung his sword, deflecting one of Katakuri's mochi arms, and seized a momentary opening. He suddenly opened his mouth wide at Katakuri!
As his mouth opened, a terrifying energy instantly gathered inside. It was a pitch-black light point that burst forth like a cross-shaped flash, erupting from Ian's mouth in a black beam that shot straight at Katakuri!
[King's Hollow Flash: Black]!!!
This was the black Cero from Ulquiorra's card. Although it was Ian's first time using this skill, he creatively fired this Cero from his mouth!
Ian was well aware of Katakuri's Observation Haki's predictive ability. Although Ian's own Observation Haki could interfere to some extent, there was still a chance Katakuri might "see" his upcoming attack. Since Ian wanted a quick victory, he had to inflict the heaviest damage on Katakuri in the shortest time possible. If Katakuri dodged it, wouldn't all that energy be wasted?
Now, with most of Katakuri's attention drawn to Ian's two swords, constantly watching his blade techniques, he never expected Ian's attack to come from his mouth!
When the black Cero's light appeared in Ian's mouth, Katakuri couldn't react in time. The Cero's speed was literally light speed—from firing to impact, it took only a fraction of a second!
With a soft pop, a black hole was punched straight through Katakuri's chest!
Confused, terrified, and in disbelief, Katakuri flew backward. The black Cero that had pierced his body continued onward, its black light illuminating the entire Whole Cake Island. Even hundreds of nautical miles away, the flash was visible!
The flash vanished in an instant, leaving only a snapshot on the retinas of onlookers. But when the light disappeared, the Cero's power fully erupted!
Boom! An earth-shattering sound rang out. Along the straight trajectory of the Cero, a spiral atmospheric disturbance stretched into the distance, stirring up all the dust and seawater in its path. From another angle, one could see this spiral cloud formation extending from Whole Cake Island to the distant sea.
Ian's black Cero had no idea where it ended up.
This was the strongest mouth cannon in the world!
After the black flash appeared, everyone on the island who was fighting froze, turning to look at Ian and Katakuri.
All they saw was Ian, mouth open with a wisp of black smoke drifting out, and Katakuri crashing heavily to the ground.
After landing, the black hole in his chest began to ooze blood, more and more, quickly spreading across the ground behind him. Katakuri coughed up large mouthfuls of blood!
Unable to dodge, Ian had struck his real body in that instant!
Seeing Katakuri like this, Big Mom's children's minds went blank. They never imagined that their perfect, invincible brother Katakuri could be reduced to this state by Ian in less than two minutes of combat!
"Bro... Brother!?"
When they snapped out of it, Big Mom's children quickly abandoned their opponents and rushed madly toward Katakuri's location.