The Marine soldiers were in a panic. If that sword struck the warship, not only would the ship be destroyed, but most of them would surely die under its force!
This was no joke.
This was certain death.
Just as the Marines scattered in fear—
Suddenly!
A brilliant golden Buddha's light shot straight into the heavens, illuminating the sky.
"Presumptuous!"
With a voice full of majesty, Marine Fleet Admiral Sengoku transformed into a towering golden Buddha, a figure that seemed capable of suppressing all pirates. He swung his radiant palm forward, intercepting the Sword of Promised Victory head-on!
But the Sword of Promised Victory was no ordinary technique—it was a Noble Phantasm, Artoria's ultimate trump card!
BOOM!
A deafening impact shook the sea.
The Marines watched in shock as a massive figure was hurled backward, crashing onto the deck of the warship.
Sengoku had been struck down!
As the golden light faded, his form returned to normal size.
"Cough… cough…"
"That blow was terrifying… but luckily, I managed to block it in time," Sengoku said hoarsely, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth.
He couldn't hide the lingering fear in his expression. If he hadn't activated his Devil Fruit ability in that instant, that strike might have cleaved him clean in half.
The power behind that sword was indescribable—beyond words.
The Marines who witnessed everything were stunned.
That had been Sengoku, their Fleet Admiral—the strongest Marine in their eyes. And yet even he had nearly fallen to a single strike from the blonde swordswoman called Artoria.
"The Kamui Pirates… they're terrifying. That Artoria is a monster!" one Vice Admiral whispered.
"Her swordsmanship… it might even surpass mine."
For once, Kizaru's usual lazy demeanor vanished. He fixed a serious gaze on Artoria, committing her face to memory—not because of her beauty, but because her overwhelming strength was burned into his mind.
She wasn't just strong.
She was a monster among monsters.
And worst of all, Sengoku had already been injured before they had even set foot on Hachinosu.
If this was what greeted them now… what horrors awaited on the island itself?
There was a real possibility the Marine fleet would be annihilated.
Even Kizaru felt the cold weight of death press down on him. For the first time in years, the usually carefree Admiral was unsettled—truly panicking inside.
"Don't concern yourself with me, Kizaru. I'm fine!"
Sengoku, regaining his composure, patted Kizaru's shoulder and steadied his breath. His voice rang with authority once again.
"Did you really think I would fall so easily? If that's the case, then you've underestimated me. No matter what—"
"I am the Fleet Admiral of the Marines. How could I fall here?"
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📢 Check out my new Naruto fanfic!
[Naruto: I Don't Want Recognition]
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