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Aizen Sousuke walked slowly toward the area where close combat was raging.
A pirate charging towards him immediately raised his sword upon seeing Aizen.
"Get out of my way, you scrawny glasses guy!"
Aizen Sousuke didn't stop, merely flicking his right hand. Kyōka Suigetsu danced a sword flourish in the air, and the pirate immediately collapsed with a thud at Aizen's feet.
"Bastard! Die!"
A pirate nearby roared, rushing forward to avenge his comrade.
Aizen Sousuke didn't even bother to turn his head. His Kyōka Suigetsu transformed into several streaks of silver sword light, sending all the pirates attempting to surround him flying.
"That's... Major Aizen Sousuke!" Many Marines recognized Aizen.
"As expected of the genius highly recommended by Vice Admiral Garp! That strength must be at least Captain or even Rear Admiral level!"
"Follow Major Aizen! Charge!"
Compared to the excitement on the Marine side, the faces of the Whitebeard Pirates grew considerably uglier.
"Damn it, we're not a match for him!"
"Retreat first! Go around him! Our goal is to save Ace! Don't get caught up in a fight!"
The pirates tried to fall back, but the Marines held them fast.
"You want to run? You'll all die here today!"
The vastly emboldened Marines pushed the nearby pirates back, causing them to retreat steadily.
"You scoundrel! What are you doing to our subordinates!"
Just then, two voices, almost fused into one, sounded from Aizen Sousuke's side. Two fists, clad in claw-like gloves, struck toward Aizen's vitals, one after the other.
Aizen Sousuke merely gave them a fleeting glance. They were the Decalvan Brothers, captains of an affiliated pirate crew under Whitebeard. Although their strength wasn't comparable to the Division Commanders, they were skilled fighters nonetheless.
"Die!"
As twin brothers, their coordinated attacks flowed seamlessly. However, Aizen Sousuke's body subtly swayed, like a leaf gently blown by the wind. In a single step, he slipped through the gap in the Decalvan Brothers' attack.
"Wha—what?"
The two felt a sharp tremor in their hearts and turned to pursue. However, they found that no matter how hard they tried, they couldn't take a single step.
Puff!
Blood spurted from both of their bodies. They looked down and saw a long, deep wound across their chests!
"How is that possible! I didn't even see him draw his sword!" This thought flashed through both their minds before they collapsed.
"Crap! This guy is strong!"
"Quickly notify the Captains! He's not someone we can handle!"
Aizen Sousuke continued to walk forward as if taking a stroll in a garden. Every pirate who dared to stand in his way was killed with a single strike.
Soon, his success drew the attention of both sides engaged in combat.
"Isn't that Garp's subordinate? Looks like he's quite strong!"
Sengoku stroked his chin. Another promising talent had emerged among the younger generation!
"Looks like a decent swordsman! I'll engage him!"
Seeing Aizen Sousuke almost single-handedly cut his way from the perimeter to the central area, the Fifth Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, Flower Sword Vista, couldn't sit idly by and charged toward Aizen Sousuke.
Coincidentally, both were 'Fifth Division Commanders' (Aizen being Garp's current, unofficial second-in-command). Was this confrontation some kind of fate?
"Hundred Flower Storm!"
Vista brandished his twin swords, ferocious sword energy swirling around him like a thousand blossoms, striking toward Aizen Sousuke.
Aizen Sousuke's eyebrows twitched slightly. This technique reminded him a bit of Kuchiki Byakuya's Senbonzakura! Too bad the power was lacking!
Aizen Sousuke raised Kyōka Suigetsu, and a thick layer of Armament Haki instantly covered the blade, turning it pitch black.
Clang!
Aizen Sousuke thrust his sword into the very center of the sword energy flower. The flower instantly dispersed, and the sword energy vanished.
Vista's face darkened. Could his opponent see the flaw in his technique with a single glance? No! Perhaps it was just a coincidence! Vista had great confidence in his swordsmanship. Otherwise, he wouldn't aspire to challenge Mihawk for the title of the World's Strongest Swordsman.
There were still a dozen more sword energy flowers remaining. He didn't believe Aizen Sousuke could counter all of them!
However, reality was far more cruel. Aizen Sousuke's successful strike verified his hypothesis.
He then rapidly wielded Kyōka Suigetsu, leaving only a blurry afterimage in the air. Vista's sword energy flowers shattered with a single blow from Aizen Sousuke, as fragile as soap bubbles!
"This... how is this possible!"
Vista was utterly dumbfounded. He was a renowned, established swordsman! Yet, an unknown junior Marine had broken his signature sword technique!
"Oh? It seems there are some skilled swordsmen in the Marines, too!"
In the rear of the battlefield, the World's Strongest Swordsman, Mihawk, glanced over and showed an appreciative expression. Both Vista and Aizen Sousuke were exceptionally skilled swordsmen. Given the chance, he would truly like to cross swords with them!
"Brat! No matter who you are, you won't hurt my comrades anymore!"
Vista raised his twin swords and launched a fierce assault against Aizen Sousuke.
"Rose Waltz!"
Countless red rose petals completely enveloped Aizen Sousuke.
"Flashy nonsense!"
A look of disdain flashed in Aizen Sousuke's eyes. This kind of technique might be great for bullying weaker opponents, but against a powerhouse of equal caliber, such a technique was full of weaknesses!
Spreading the power out, while seemingly giving the opponent no way to retreat, actually turned every point into a weak spot. Under equal power conditions, as long as the force was concentrated to break through a single point, this technique was useless!
Aizen Sousuke raised Kyōka Suigetsu, the Armament Haki on the blade, growing more concentrated. His Observation Haki was simultaneously activated, seeking the weakest point in Vista's attack.
"There!"
In an instant, Aizen Sousuke's eyes moved, and he brought his Kyōka Suigetsu down with full force!
Screeech!
A sound like cloth tearing rang out. Vista's Rose Waltz was instantly pierced through, revealing a sizable gap. Aizen Sousuke's body flashed, and he slipped directly through the opening. He used the Marine technique Soru (Shave), not the Shunpo (Flash Step) of the Soul Reapers.
After this exchange, a look of profound seriousness appeared in Vista's eyes. He dared not use any more ostentatious techniques and began to clash with Aizen Sousuke in a straight test of power!
Aizen Sousuke, judging that he had demonstrated enough, controlled his strength and began a drawn-out entanglement with Vista. If he defeated Vista too easily, Whitebeard might feel compelled to intervene personally. The main drama hadn't even started; he couldn't steal the show!
On the high platform, after watching the duel between Aizen Sousuke and Vista, Mihawk shifted his gaze to Whitebeard across the harbor.
Sensing Mihawk's restless aura, Doflamingo sneered, "Fuffuffuff! What, planning to join the fray?"