Chapter 136 - Vs Kong

[A/N: first of all, if anyone wants to see a close image of Kong in his transformed state visit my p.atreon Page, it would be set to public. And even though it won't be accurate it might help you envision the fight better]

"RROOOAAARRRR"

In the clearing, a loud roar resounded, courtesy of a transformed Kong.

And as if even possible, Kong's size grew even more. He was already near 30m but with this he became even bigger reaching 40m.

Once again Ian was surprised when he felt his strength this time.

This guy had just all of a sudden became stronger. Although he didn't reach the middle of the emperor realm, he still was much stronger than earlier.

He could understand where his confidence to take care of them all came from now.

After all, he was in the realm that would enable you to become the strongest person in the world when you reach its peak.

Garp and Sengoku would be outclassed by this guy in seconds. Although they had become stronger somewhat, they were never going to be a match to a diávoloi.

Yes. That was what Kong had become. He was no longer fit to be called a human. As evidenced by the grey armor on him. The diávoloi's were inherently stronger than humans. As evidenced by the two strongest people, Roger and Whitebeard, struggling to beat them.

This ability to further transform his body must be the power given to Kong by Im he was spouting about earlier.

When Ian focused a bit more, he could feel the aura of two hearts inside Kong.

'So he was like Blackbeard then?" Ian thought to himself. Perhaps as a reward, he was given the blood of a diávoloi.

Ian too had two hearts. The difference, however, is that he was still human. This was how his ability worked.

It took whatever was beneficial to him and added it to his DNA, making it better each time. In essence, his human body was always evolving and reaching new heights.

But Kong, on the other hand, fused with the blood, and since the diávoloi's blood can't be suppressed by a 'normal' human, he was effectively one of them now. Just a plain Diávoloi.

'I see!' Ian, once he reached this thought, understood something.

'Perhaps Kong was not a bad guy from the start. Maybe the blood influenced him to become like this…' Ian thought to himself.

It would explain why Garp and Sengoku were friends with him back then.

Shaking his head from these thoughts, Ian focused back on the present.

He would have plenty of time to think about this when he is done here. Not to mention he had to somewhat hurry, since he was not sure if the events with Sanji had already happened or not.

Since he no longer cared about the plot of the one-piece world, and Sanji was his friend, he was going to help Sanji if he wanted him to.

Looking sideways at Garp and Sengoku, Ian sighed.

Both of them were shocked beyond measure. They were gaping at Kong as they watched him. They knew about his Zoan devil fruit but this was different.

"I guess this is enough for you to let it go right?" Ian finally addressed Sengoku.

His question was easy to understand, and Sengoku gave a nod as he closed his eyes painfully.

Kong was no longer a human. Garp could understand as much. And the fact that Kong was preaching and shouting fanatically at them earlier about his sovereign Im, didn't help his case.

He opened his eyes and made contact with the white ape who by now was towering over them and watching them as if they were insects that could be squashed easily under its foot.

Not a few seconds later Sengoku mouthed the words 'Farewell, my friend'. And then he turned to Garp.

"Let's step back a bit!" He said. This was Ian's fight. And he deserved to get revenge for his parents.

In fact, Sengoku would have done the same as Ian was doing right now. The reason he couldn't let it go was just that he considered Kong his friend…

Garp gave a nod as he too could understand that Ian had to do this on his own. He could also feel that Kong as he was now, was quite strong for them both. Even if they fought together.

But… just as they were about to step up Kong noticed this and made his move.

"DO YOU THINK I'LL LET YOU GO" He yelled towards them. His voice booming all around.

In a speed that shouldn't be possible for someone of his size, he appeared in front of Garp and Sengoku, his lower arms attempting to catch them, and his upper arms joined together and trying to flatten them into a human paste.

"Huehuehue"

A creepy laugh was heard from him as did this.

He couldn't help himself. After all, the feeling of resignation on their faces as they realized they couldn't get away in time was priceless.

But would Ian let him do so?

Garp and Sengoku watched in amazement as Ian seemingly materialized from lightning near them and delivered a punch to the ape's midsection after jumping a bit into the sky.

All of this happened in a second after which Kong was shot like a bullet as he flew straight through many huge trees until he impacted somewhere far from them and raised a cloud of dust.

"Step back for a bit okay?" Ian instructed. And they both heavily nodded towards him as they made on their way.

Then Ian started focusing on the ape.

He knew that his attack had hurt the ape somewhat. But as Kong righted himself and then jumped back towards the place he was launched from, Ian could see that his punch barely had broken through his bone armor.

And even that was mended after a few seconds.

Regeneration. This was the ability that Kong perhaps had.

It was the conclusion that Ian reached.

He was going to test this out from now.

"RRROOOAAARR"

The ape roared once again and a bone armor started to gather around its lower left arm as if a shield.

Next was a long poll sprouting from its lower right arm that Ian thought was going to end up being a sword or spear.

But in the end, it became a hammer, which the ape proceeded to break off his arms with his other hand.

Now holding both a hammer and shield, the ape charged at Ian with a mighty jump.

Kong knew that from Ian's one attack on him that he shouldn't charge blindly. As such he made the shield. And then the hammer.

"I killed your parents. And now I will be sending you to join them, Ian Louis!!" Kong yelled as he swung his hammer down.

But Ian casually raised his hand and caught the giant hammer easily. Still, the shockwave resulting from this was devastating as it broke the ground they both were standing on.

But Ian still stood there floating. Meanwhile, the ape jumped back.

But Ian flew at him taking the initiative to attack.

Kong raised his shield and prepared for Ian's attack.

Ian once again made a casual punch of his, but Kong at that time grinned maliciously.

He then proceeded to have spikes protrude from the shield just as Ian was going to punch it.

Ian only raised a brow in surprise but didn't stop his attack.

Upon touching the shield, it shattered completely along with the spikes, and then Kong's whole left arm was broken after.

"AHHH" this had him yell out in pain as he tried to retreat.

If one would look closely at Ian's arms, they would notice faint scale patterns on his skin. When Ian used his scaly mode, a wise person would do well to try to dodge his attacks. Otherwise what happened to Kong would happen to them.

Thinking of trying something he had on mind, Ian used 'shave' to gain on the retreating form of Kong, and in one motion withdrew his sword and chopped the right arm holding the hammer swiftly.

"AHHHHHHH"

He then watched as Kong roared in pain. He couldn't help but feel a bit of happiness at Kong's pain. This was the person responsible for his parent's death after all.