One Piece; Full Counter!

Chapter 08: The End of the Battle

The sky above was ablaze, awash in an otherworldly purple glow as streaks of lightning danced violently through the heavens. Thunder rolled with a feral intensity, each crack a reminder of the sheer magnitude of power at play. From high above, the towering giant Nindo loomed, his crimson hair whipping wildly in the storm-like winds that swirled across the battlefield. Purple lightning crackled around his massive fist, a chaotic symphony of energy that seemed to electrify the very air. The storm's ferocity bent the trees below, their leaves shuddering as if bowing to an unseen tyrant.

In a stark contrast of motion, Meliodas plummeted toward the earth. His descent was slow, almost serene, as arcs of purple lightning reflected in his emerald eyes. His torn clothes fluttered against the wind, and though his body was battered, his gaze remained steadfast, unwavering.

In the distance, Teach was already running, his face pale and his mouth agape in horror. His steps faltered as he cast a backward glance, watching the unfolding chaos behind him.

Above them all, Nindo's grin widened, his features a tempest of wild ecstasy. He raised his enormous fist, the lightning encasing it radiating brighter than before. "RAIMEI RAIDEN!" he bellowed, his voice like the roar of an avalanche. He punched downward with the force of a thunder god, releasing an explosion of violet energy that shattered the stillness of the moment.

The scene erupted into pure devastation. Lightning rained down like divine wrath, striking the earth with deafening booms. Massive trees were split asunder, their trunks exploding into splinters as their crowns were engulfed in flames. Rocks as large as boulders disintegrated under the relentless onslaught, sending debris scattering like shrapnel. A dense cloud of dust rose, mingling with the thick, acrid smell of scorched wood and ozone.

From afar, the tremors of the attack rippled through the forest. Deer lifted their heads, their ears twitching in alarm as they stared wide-eyed at the glowing purple maelstrom in the distance. Birds took frantic flight, their wings beating against the oppressive air, while even the island's predators growled and whimpered in terror, retreating into their dens.

Gradually, the storm abated. The furious cacophony gave way to a quiet stillness, save for the crackle of dying flames and the faint hiss of dissipating electricity. The last traces of purple lightning flickered and faded from Nindo's colossal hand as he landed with a thunderous impact. Dust and soot billowed around him, and the remnants of his attack smoldered in a radius of destruction. The forest around him was a graveyard of blackened stumps and charred earth, the air thick with the scent of smoke.

Nindo surveyed the scene, his massive frame casting a long shadow over the desolation. His red eyes gleamed with pride as he chuckled, gripping the haft of his giant axe embedded in the ground. "Seems I got carried away," he said, his voice rumbling like distant thunder. He hefted the weapon onto his shoulder with ease, its weight a trivial matter to him. "Didn't think I'd use my strongest move on a kid. Not exactly fitting for a warrior of my stature."

A sudden noise—zzzzzzttt!—cut through the heavy silence. Nindo's grin faltered, his eyes narrowing as he turned sharply toward the sound.

There, amidst the devastation, stood Meliodas. His yellow hair was disheveled, strands clinging to his dirt-streaked face, but his green eyes burned with an unyielding determination. His tattered clothes clung to his frame, the fabric barely holding together, yet his stance was firm. In his left hand, his dagger emitted a faint purple glow, surrounded by the lingering remnants of crackling electricity. Sparks danced around him like restless fireflies, as if the storm had left part of itself behind in him.

Behind him, Teach froze, his face a mask of disbelief. He clutched his head, his mind racing. What just happened? That lightning... it was going to hit me for sure, but... His memory replayed the moment: Meliodas leaping into the storm's path, taking the full brunt of the attack. He absorbed the lightning? But he was hurt. That much power should've killed him. Is this... part of his Devil Fruit power?

For a moment, even Nindo was taken aback. His massive hand tightened around his axe as he laughed, his voice tinged with genuine admiration. "Kid, I swear on my name, I'll remember you for the rest of my life."

Meliodas, without sparing Teach a glance, asked in a calm yet commanding tone, "Teach, do you have a sword or dagger in that bag of yours?"

Teach snapped out of his daze and fumbled through his belongings, producing a thick, jagged dagger. "This is all I've got," he said, tossing it over.

Meliodas caught it effortlessly with his right hand, studying it briefly. "You only carry tools for assassination?" he asked, his tone pointed. "Is that how you fight, Teach?"

Teach opened his mouth to respond but hesitated, unnerved by the piercing gaze Meliodas leveled at him. Those green eyes weren't merely questioning; they seemed to weigh his very soul. In that moment, Meliodas wasn't just speaking as a fighter in this world—he was a king again, recalling countless faces from his past life. Men like Teach, who clawed their way to power through deceit and bloodshed, had been all too common.

In his left hand, Meliodas held the lightning-charged dagger, its purple glow pulsing faintly like a living heart. In his right, he gripped the weapon Teach had provided.

Without warning, he lunged forward.

Nindo reacted instantly, swinging his massive axe in a horizontal arc. The blade cleaved through the air, releasing a devastating wave of cutting energy that tore through the forest. Trees were felled in an instant, their trunks severed cleanly as the wave roared toward Meliodas.

Undeterred, Meliodas planted his feet, waiting for the precise moment the wave reached him. He raised his dagger, its blade glinting ominously. "Full Counter!" he shouted.

The wave of energy rebounded with twice the force, roaring back toward Nindo like a tidal surge. The giant's eyes widened as he leapt skyward, narrowly evading the retaliatory strike. As he hung in midair, he surveyed the swath of destruction the counterattack had wrought. If I hadn't jumped... I'd have lost both legs. This kid... he's dangerous.

From the ground, a sharp, star-like glow caught Nindo's attention. Meliodas stood beneath him, the dagger in his left hand radiating with blinding purple light. His expression was calm yet resolute.

"This is on you," Meliodas said, his voice cutting through the chaos like a blade. "I didn't want my first meeting with a giant to end like this. I had hoped for something more... peaceful."

With a swift motion, Meliodas slashed the air. A wave of purple energy burst forth, the air itself vibrating under its intensity. The attack screamed toward Nindo, tearing through the atmosphere with a sound like shattering glass.

Nindo swung his axe in an attempt to block, but the wave carved through the weapon effortlessly. The blade shattered, fragments scattering as the energy slammed into Nindo's chest. A deep gash tore through his flesh, from his shoulder to his abdomen, and blood sprayed in a crimson arc.

The giant fell with a resounding crash, his massive body shaking the earth as he hit the ground. Trees quivered from the impact, and the forest seemed to hold its breath.

Meliodas stood amidst the wreckage, his daggers still glowing faintly as he surveyed his fallen opponent. The once vibrant forest had been reduced to a charred wasteland, smoke rising from the remnants of trees that had stood for centuries. The only sounds were the crackle of flames and the labored breaths of the defeated giant.

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