Faced with Sherwin "greeting," Guernica did not respond, remaining as expressionless as ever. The only difference was that his mask-like face now bore several scars, carved by Sherwin Sakura Spirit Blade back at Mary Geoise.
As for Joseph, whose arms had been severed by Sherwin and who had also been struck by the Sakura Spirit Blade, he was nowhere to be seen. It was unknown whether he had died at Mary Geoise back then.
Aside from Guernica, the other CP0 members were all new faces. One had to admit that the World Government foundations were deep even the elite CP0 had so many members, whereas in the manga, aside from Guernica and Joseph—who were already finished at Mary Geoise—there was only Lucci group who were promoted later.
But... where were the Holy Knights? Why were they not visible?
With such doubts, Sherwin unhurriedly drew his recently acquired spoils of war—Kogarashi and Outou.
In a group combat situation like this, the more flexible "dual-wielding " style was more suitable.
Monster Hunter Style: Calamity Covering the Heavens!
Sherwin swung his arms rapidly, sending countless flying slashes in all directions. Not only did they sever all the sanity-eroding golden tentacles, but they also forced the pouncing CP0 agents to halt their advance.
Tesoro, whose attack had been blocked, did not continue to strike at Sherwin group. Instead, he controlled the omnipresent gold to rise into tall barriers, separating Sherwin and the others from the rest of the guests.
At the same time, he held a golden microphone and shouted reassuringly, "Everyone, do not panic! Please leave the spectator stands in an orderly fashion! This is the Celestial Dragons taking revenge against the Hunter.
As long as you move away promptly, you need not worry about being caught in the crossfire! We will also ensure your safety!"
Tesoro subordinates, who had been stationed nearby beforehand, also stepped forward in a timely manner to escort the guests away from the battlefield.
Neither Sherwin nor the CP0 interfered with Tesoro actions, because...
This was exactly what they had agreed upon.
The reason the World Government allowed Tesoro to remain an outsider was not only because he was the Celestial Dragon money bag, but more importantly, because the arrogant Holy Knights believed they did not need Tesoro help.
Sherwin, needless to say, was Tesoro true ally and had no need for his assistance either.
"Finger Pistol: Madara!"
Guernica, having been momentarily halted, launched another attack at Sherwin, while the other CP0 agents set their sights on the others (Felynes) around him.
It was worth noting that no fewer than three CP0 agents were targeting Robin it seemed the World Government prioritized her far more than Sherwin.
After casually slashing Guernica away, Sherwin was about to turn back to assist Robin when a sudden sense of crisis welled up in his heart...
Monster Hunter Style: Hunter Art: Critical Juncture.
He quickly braced both blades at his side. After blocking a sudden flying slash, Sherwin tilted his head toward the direction the attack had come from.
A man dressed in an exquisite black robe walked over slowly.
Well, he didn't have a crescent-shaped head Sherwin didn't recognize him.
In the serialized content Sherwin had seen, the only revealed member of the Holy Knights was that crescent-headed man who was almost certainly an elder of Shanks, and Sherwin had even forgotten his name. Naturally, there was no way he would recognize the person in front of him.
However...
Sherwin gaze fell upon the Western-style sword in the man hand, which looked quite magnificent.
The sword of a Holy Knight should be a famous blade, right?
"Go deal with the others leave him to me."
This black-robed member of the Holy Knights spoke with a face full of arrogance, not even casting a glance at Guernica.
Yet Guernica dared not disobey the other command in the slightest, bowing respectfully. "Yes! Saint Bertrand!"
With that, he turned and left without looking back.
"The Holy Knights?" Sherwin asked, knowing full well the answer. "Is it just you?"
"Hmph, for a rebellious commoner like you, I alone am enough!" Saint Bertrand adopted a condescending posture. "It is your honor to die by my hands."
"I've killed plenty of Celestial Dragons, but I haven't killed one of the legendary Holy Knights yet. Today seems like a good day to make up for that regret."
When it came to bickering, Sherwin, a veteran keyboard warrior, was never one to back down.
Besides, with the Celestial Dragon impoverished vocabulary—consisting mostly of 'commoner' or 'lower race'—you could grab a primary school student from Earth and they would win an argument against them.
Sure enough, feeling insulted, Saint Bertrand opened his mouth and spewed the same old cliches: "Lower-class commoner! I will torture you for three days and three nights before I cut off your head!"
As he spoke, he swung the rapier in his hand toward Sherwin.
Sherwin raised the Outo to block the attack, mocking him with a relaxed expression: "With just you?"
This member of the Holy Knights was indeed not a useless glutton like the ordinary Celestial Dragons in terms of sheer strength, he was even stronger than the surrounding CP0 agents. But as for beating Sherwin...
He might as well go home and sleep.
That flying slash he had just unleashed wasn't even as strong as a casual swing from Mihawk.
Exerting a sudden burst of power, Sherwin shook Saint Bertrand off. His other hand, holding the Kogarashi, lunged forward smoothly, piercing toward his chest.
Puchi!
Although Saint Bertrand had dodged immediately, the gap in strength between him and Sherwin was quite obvious. He barely managed to avoid his vitals, yet Sherwin sword still pierced through his chest.
"Damn it!" Saint Bertrand spat out blood while rapidly retreating, shouting at the top of his lungs, "Abibula! Seth! Why haven't you made a move yet?!"
Bang!
At the same time he cried out for help, a bullet coated in Armament Haki flew from a distance, aimed straight at Sherwin temple.
Simultaneously, a whistling sound of tearing air came from above Sherwin head. A man wearing a cattle bone mask and a flashy suit gripped a large hammer with both hands, smashing it down toward Sherwin.
Casually swinging his sword to deflect the incoming bullet, Sherwin didn't dodge. He raised his other sword to meet the masked man above him.
Monster Hunter Style · Hunter Art · Shoryugeki!
Clang—!
The slender blade collided with the heavy hammer. Despite being at a disadvantage in terms of weapon weight and positioning, Sherwin remained motionless.
The masked man, however, was sent flying upward for a distance before performing a somersault and landing beside Saint Bertrand.
"Didn't you say you didn't need us and could handle the Hunter alone?" The masked man mocked him first, then said seriously,
"The opponent is a guy who escaped from Navy Admirals and even managed to injure Akainu in return. If you don't want to die, you'd better cooperate with us!"
"Seth is right," a woman voice drifted in from an indeterminate location.
"You wouldn't want to be punished by that old fellow from the Figarland family because the mission failed, would you?"
"Mm..."
Saint Bertrand nodded honestly.
In fact, the cry for help just now had already made his attitude clear.
Although the members of the Holy Knights were elites among the Celestial Dragons, they were still Celestial Dragons—the vast majority remained cowardly wretches who feared death and even the slightest injury.
Saint Bertrand was naturally no exception.
Therefore, after taking a strike from Sherwin sword, his previously arrogant demeanor vanished instantly, replaced by compliance.
"Hmm?"
Sherwin flicked the residual blood off his longsword, raising an eyebrow with a mocking sneer.
"Didn't you say you could deal with me all by yourself? What about those two? Are they not people? Oh, that right—in the eyes of you Celestial Dragons, slaves aren't considered human, so they must be the slaves you keep, right?"
"You sharp-tongued inferior human! Die!"
The previously elusive female voice let out a piercing shriek, frantically firing a barrage of bullets at Sherwin.
However, a triumphant smile curled at the corners of Sherwin mouth.
"Heh! Found you..."
Hunter Time: On!
Monster Hunter Style: Heavenward Dive!