"Honestly, I'm a little disappointed in our Marine's Vice Admirals."
Michael shook his head before turning his gaze to the nearest group of Naval Headquarters Vice Admirals—Strawberry, Momonga, Kizaru, and the recently promoted "Mad Dog" Doberman.
"Especially you lot, teetering on the edge of middle age… You could stand to be a bit more driven."
"Enough with the taunts, Michael! No matter how strong you are, facing an Admiral leading a full deployment of Vice Admirals, you'd better surrender now!"
It was Doberman who spoke, while Strawberry and the others remained silent but gripped their weapons, glaring at Michael.
Despite Michael nearly one-shotting Onigumo, none of the Vice Admirals backed down.
"Still, I'm at least comforted that none of you retreated in the face of overwhelming power."
As Michael spoke, he drew Morning Star.
"Since that was case, let me give you all a lesson!"
The moment Morning Star left its sheath, everyone's expressions darkened.
If just a Flying Slash from his fingers could defeat Onigumo, then how terrifying would Michael be with his weapon in hand?
Before they could dwell on it, Michael swung Morning Star, unleashing a pure white Flying Slash straight at the four of them.
Though not the strongest among the Vice Admirals, they hadn't expected a single Flying Slash to put them under such immense pressure.
"Don't let up!" Doberman roared, charging forward first to meet the attack.
Strawberry, Momonga, and Yamakaji also raised their weapons, joining forces to counter.
Yet, this casually executed Flying Slash sent an overwhelming force surging through their weapons the moment it made contact.
"You're all… still too weak." Michael smiled.
In that instant, the four of them were utterly overwhelmed by a single Flying Slash.
"Ahh, truly terrifying, this man," Momonga muttered, watching the scene unfold.
"Though it's my first time seeing it… I've heard rumors about Grand Inspector Michael's strength." Strawberry remained expressionless, but his eyes were filled with shock.
"Ahahaha, well, he is the Marine's finest in recent years!" Yamakaji chuckled heartily.
"What a shame, though."
However, in the time it took to speak, the giant vice admirals had already charged forward, overtaking the others.
Yet the giants' proud physical strength and power, when pitted against Michael, became utterly insignificant.
Instead, with two swift Flying Slashes, Michael severed their weapons.
"Giant vice admirals... What a pity. If you could use Ikoku, you might have been decent opponents to pass the time with," Michael shook his head, glancing at the sun about to breach the horizon with visible impatience.
"Honestly, just come at me all at once... Wave after wave is getting tiresome."
As Michael spoke, his four wings unfurled behind him, looking down upon the remaining vice admirals from above.
The disdain in his eyes ignited a fire in everyone's blood.
If so many vice admirals couldn't subdue Michael... they might as well quit!
Thus... Michael suddenly found himself under immense pressure.
The elite vice admirals, compared to their weaker counterparts, immediately revealed the stark difference in strength.
Onigumo had suffered from being caught off guard; had he been prepared for a direct confrontation, he could have withstood a few of Michael's moves.
Not to mention the simultaneous assault of over a dozen elite vice admirals.
And most crucially, among these elites were two admiral candidates and members of the SWORD Classified Special Forces.
Especially SWORD, who, in their anger, were going all out to match Michael.
It was hard to say whether these individuals were acting deliberately.
Though Michael was certain they were on his side.
But who knew? They might just want to take this chance to rough him up.
After all, Michael could be quite the provocateur on a normal day.
Opportunistic payback was always a possibility...
"Michael, I will definitely bring you back to the right path!" Tokikake declared.
"I believe in you, you must have your reasons..." Gion said, her Konpira already drawn.
These two, close to Michael yet kept in the dark, were perhaps the ones he owed the most in this entire scheme.
So he didn't respond to them, choosing instead to let his Morning Star do the talking.
The combat prowess of these two admiral candidates indeed far surpassed that of the elite vice admirals.
Flanking him, they managed to hold their own against Michael for a time.
This ability to fight two-on-one already placed him on par with an admiral.
Then, the vice admirals from the SWORD Classified Special Forces joined the fray.
"30,000,000 Volts: Raiju!"
"Desert Spada!"
"Fist Bone: Thunderous Iron Cloud!"
Enel, Crocodile, and Stella's attacks simultaneously cut off all of Michael's escape routes.
And Hawkeye, seizing the perfect moment, unleashed a massive Flying Slash that soared skyward, aiming straight for Michael's face.
"My, my, you're all working so hard... I suppose I should give you a proper response."
Michael nodded, as pure white Holy Flame and pale blue Judgment Flame brimmed over his Morning Star.
"Stellar Ember Blade: Judgement!"
This strike nearly triggered Crocodile and Hawkeye's PTSD!
The slash, brimming with explosive energy, instantly cleared everything in front of Michael.
Not only Crocodile, Hawkeye, Stella, and Enel, but even Gion and Tokikake were all spitting blood.
Though this sword strike didn't inflict serious injuries, it was enough to churn the blood and energy within their bodies.
In contrast, Michael remained composed and unshaken even after three or four rounds of relentless assault, showing no signs of fatigue.
"Vice Admiral Garp, aren't… you going to act?"
Issho, standing beside Garp, chuckled lightly and said.
"This is a great chance to beat Michael up, you know."
"Then why don't you go?" Garp shot Issho a somewhat disdainful look.
"Youngsters these days, always pushing the old folks to the front!"
After speaking, Garp turned his gaze to the center of the battlefield, his eyes filled with faint admiration.
Even though the entire Marine Headquarters had mobilized all its vice admirals this time, with two admirals leading the charge…
Only four among them could truly pose a threat to Michael.
Sakazuki, Kuzan, Issho, and Garp.
The others were less about combat strength and more about bolstering morale…
Or perhaps playing the emotional card.
After all, if anyone knew Michael's true combat prowess, wasn't it Sengoku?
So…
"The farce end here, Michael."
Sakazuki took a step forward, two cigars clenched between his teeth, flecks of magma spitting out as he spoke.
"As much as I dislike cooperating with Sakazuki… orders are orders."
Kuzan flicked his wrist lightly, and instantly, half the battlefield transformed into an icy wasteland.
Michael hovered in midair, watching them.
Ice and fire—two opposing element.
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