The sound of the laser blast—a silent, instantaneous vaporization of Vice Admiral Lacroix—had been the signal. The fighting wasn't over; it had merely attracted a crowd.
Suddenly, a swarm of pirates, bounty hunters, and low-level Marine stragglers emerged from the sides, drawn by the chaotic spectacle. They froze at the sight: Kuma collapsed and sparking, one Vice Admiral down, and the remaining two facing off against two figures hidden beneath dark robes.
Murmurs ripped through the growing crowd. "What's happening here? Is this a war?" "Look, two figures are hiding under the robe! Have they defeated that Vice Admiral?"
Leo, watching the sudden influx of onlookers, noted, "There are too many spectators here; we should not reveal ourselves."
Sekiro, his focus sharp and unwavering, nodded in agreement. "Alright. Let's not get distracted from the fight—look, they're ready."
Vice Admiral Strawberry and Vice Admiral Onigumo snapped their attention away from the crowd, fury overriding their caution.
"Don't be arrogant just cause you have coated your sword with Haki!" Strawberry roared, his voice laced with venom. "We will reveal your identity by killing you!"
"Then why are you both standing there like a strawberry plant and a spider who has attached his web to it?" Leo taunted, letting the insult sink in.
The two Vice Admirals roared in anger and charged simultaneously.
Leo grinned, a spark of manic excitement in his eyes. "Yes... Yes!"
He turned to Sekiro, his voice low and firm. "Sekiro, you handle the Spider—he with many arms. I'll handle this, Strawberry."
Sekiro nodded. "Let's do it."
The Dual Engagement
The clash was brutal and immediate. Leo and Sekiro met the charge, the ring of their Haki-coated steel momentarily silencing the crowd of onlookers.
Vice Admiral Strawberry, fast and aggressive, launched a continuous assault with his two identical swords, their unique hilts a blur in the air.
CLANG! CLANG! SHING!
"Whoa, whoa, cool down, old man!" Leo shouted, pushing his borrowed Marine saber to its limit. He was rapidly pushed back, forced to rely on his Observation Haki to keep up. He deflected with parries but gained no ground.
On the other side, Vice Admiral Onigumo was struggling to land even a single hit.
Sekiro was a whirlwind of controlled defense and minimal movement, the Tenseiryū moving only inches to deflect every one of Onigumo's eight simultaneous attacks. The pirates watching gasped, "Whoa! Look at him deflecting every attack without a sweat! Who is he?"
Onigumo snarled, his eight arms blurring as he concentrated his power into a single, massive, focused thrust—the ultimate strike, aimed at Sekiro's throat.
The pirate spectators screamed, "That attack will kill him! He can't deflect that!"
Sekiro's movement was sudden and shocking. He didn't deflect; he shifted. He leaped high, planting one foot directly onto the Vice Admiral's massive head, using it as a pivot point.
Sekiro launched himself upward, the Tenseiryū coming alive in his hands. He spun, turning his body into a focused vortex of steel.
FWOOM! SHING-SHING-SHING!
It was the Whirlwind Slash—a spinning attack that shattered every single Haki-coated saber of the Vice Admiral. The fragmented metal rained down. Sekiro landed lightly, the Tenseiryū raised in a straight, high posture.
Sekiro didn't pause. He lowered his stance, drawing a deep breath, and released his finishing move.
FWOOM!
The devastating energy slash pierced the ground and slammed directly into Onigumo, who was staggering from the shock of losing his weapons. The Dragon Flash hit the Vice Admiral like a cannonball, sending him flying backward, heavily injured and coughing blood.
"He defeated a Vice Admiral this easily!" the stunned pirates murmured.
Leo whistled, impressed. "Wow! That was fast, Sekiro!"
Sekiro, having dispatched his opponent, turned toward Leo, his gaze flat. "Should I help you?"
Leo was barely hanging on, his parries growing weaker, the Vice Admiral's speed overwhelming him. He roared back, feigning confidence, "Do I look like I need help?"
Sekiro looked at Leo's strained defense and replied simply, "Yes."
The Final Cut
Leo looked at his opponent, sweat stinging his eyes. I should defeat him now, Leo thought, panic starting to mix with his Haki-fueled determination. I can't rely on Sekiro. If anime watchers see this, that the crew member is stronger than the captain, I will be trolled until the heavens explode.
Leo spotted his chance. Strawberry committed too heavily to a sweeping attack with both his weapons.
Leo met the assault with a desperate vertical slash, pushing all his Armament Haki into the borrowed saber.
SHINGGG!
The weapons of both warriors shook violently, the force of the clash locking them in place.
"You're done, Strawberry!" Leo roared, pulling back quickly.
He saw his opening: Strawberry's head momentarily exposed. Should I use the classic anime attack? Leo wondered. I always wondered if a person would die if I did that attack!
The Vice Admiral tried to attack Leo's head, but Leo ducked quickly. Seeing his opportunity, Leo flipped the sword in his hand, grasping the blade itself (his Haki protecting his palm) and using the heavy, metal pommel (sword handle) for a powerful, downward thrust.
CRACK!
The heavy pommel landed with a sickening thud, directly on the Vice Admiral's groin.
The pirates watching shrieked in shocked delight. "Look at that! He did it!" "He cracked the Vice Admiral's... his balls!"
Leo stood in a triumphant, low pose, the sword handle still pressed into the Admiral. He thought the Admiral's eyes would be popping out right now, just like in the comics.
He looked up, expecting the classic, defeated comedic pose. But the Admiral was still standing, his eyes wide, but his posture intact.
"WHAT!" Leo shouted, his own eyes popping out in genuine shock.
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