The Youngsters' First Real Battle
Flames and flashing blades mingled, the sea breeze was scorching, and the beach was already stained with streaks of charred black and blood red.
Goraz's giant blade, imbued with Armament Haki, collided violently with Ace's blazing fire fist!
"Clang--!"
Sparks flew everywhere, and waves of heat surged!
Goraz grinned maliciously, a fierce glint in his eyes. "Kid, your flames are strong, but you're still too green!"
He suddenly exerted his strength, his giant blade sweeping diagonally to deflect Ace's fist, then twisted his body and slashed back furiously!
"Blood Blade ·Horizontal Slash!!"
A jet-black slash swept out, Ace's pupils contracted, flames exploded beneath his feet, and he forced a retreat—
"Boom!!"
The sand was blasted open, creating a trench tens of meters long, and surging seawater poured in, with waves splashing several meters high!
"Don't be intimidated by their momentum!!" Goraz roared, "They're just a bunch of brats! Fight back!!"
"Kill--!"
The core members of the Blood Blade Pirates finally snapped out of their daze, unleashing their weak yet fierce Armament Haki as they swarmed forward!
First mate "Iron Hook" Baton confronts Luffy, who is currently wreaking havoc among the Pirates, Luffy, "Kid, your fists are pretty hard!"
Baton grinned maliciously, the thick Iron Hook on his right arm gleaming coldly as it hurtled down with a whirlwind!
Luffy grinned, and in Flash—
"Shave!"
He instantly appeared to Baton's side, his fist imbued with Armament Haki, and slammed it hard into the opponent's abdomen!
"Breaking Iron Fist!!"
"Bang!!"
The fist struck Baton precisely in the ribs, causing his internal organs to shudder Backtrack several steps, spitting out a mouthful of blood!
"Holy crap, why does it feel like I've been hit with a hammer?! It hurts so much?!"
Luffy clenched his fist and grinned, "My grandpa taught me! Go ask him!"
Combat Captain "Dual Blades" Rex, seeing Zoro wielding two swords and cutting down several Pirates, suddenly launched a surprise attack!
"You use Two-Sword Style too? Let me see what you're made of!"
With a light tap of his toes, he unleashed a fierce cross-shaped wind blade!
Zoro didn't dodge, meeting the attack with both swords, leaping sideways and shouting, "Two-Sword Style: Rhino Cyclone!!"
"Clang!!"
A metallic roar erupted in the air, sparks flew, and the two almost brushed past each other!
After the attack, both men retreated simultaneously. Rex's hand went numb, and he was shocked. "This brat's strength... actually surpasses mine?!"
Zoro licked his lips, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit. "Not bad... Let's go again!!"
"Backtrack Slash!"
Ain moved across the Battlefield like a ghost. With a slash of her dagger, a cadre's right arm instantly atrophied and Backtrack to a child's state, his strength greatly reduced!
"Ouch!! My hand?!"
"What kind of weird ability is this?!" The cadre retreated in fear.
He retreated in terror, only to be slashed in the back by Ain, instantly falling unconscious!
Binz then lay on the ground and pressed down with his hands, causing vegetation to grow wildly!
"Luxurious & Entangling!!"
Several Pirates were immediately bound firmly by the Vines!
"Well done, Binz!" Ain reaped the rewards with precision, cleanly and efficiently cutting down several trapped enemies!
Behind the Battlefield, Zephyr stood like a rock, arms crossed, his gaze sweeping over every position like a hawk's.
"Ace's flames are powerful enough to burst forth, but lack control... He needs to train his Observation Haki more."
"Luffy's Martial Arts are improving rapidly, and his attack power is strong, but he has too many weaknesses."
"Zoro's sword is already beginning to show the rudiments of 'slicing through iron'."
Just as a Pirate quietly circled around, intending to attack a distracted student—
"Bang!!"
Zephyr struck with lightning speed, unleashing an Armament Haki that slammed the enemy into the sand, instantly injuring him and knocking him unconscious.
The rescued trainee stared at him in astonishment. Zephyr said calmly, "On the Battlefield, you must always pay attention to your surroundings and not be distracted."
"Yes!!"
The student suddenly rallied, his eyes growing even more determined!
Firelight, sword flashes, roars, and Vines crisscrossed the Battlefield.
The Blood Blade Pirates suffered repeated defeats, but this group of young trainees took their first step into becoming true Marines amidst the gunfire and bloodshed!
At this moment, Goraz was panting heavily, with multiple burns on his body, and cracks had appeared on his greatsword.
"Damn it... how can this kid be so strong?!"
He gritted his teeth and looked at Ace, who, though also somewhat tired, still had a burning gaze.
"Flame Ring - Explosive Flame Bullet!!"
Ace clasped his hands together, compressing the enormous fireball to the size of a fist, yet the aura it emitted was terrifying!
Goraz's pupils constricted sharply. "Wait... I'll volley—"
"Boom--!"
The fireball crashed down, and the explosive flames engulfed everything!
The smoke of Battlefield had not yet cleared, and unconscious Blood Blade Pirates lay sprawled on the beach, yet the fighting spirit remained undiminished in the eyes of the young men.
Ace's Explosive Flame flames completely engulfed Goraz.
As the flames subsided, the Scorched Earth remained warm. Goraz lay on the beach like a tattered sack, his charred skin emitting Smoke. His once arrogant gaze was now filled with fear and emptiness.
The other Battlefield--
"Two-Sword Style - Ushi Bari!!"
Zoro crouched low and charged forward like a charging bull, unleashing a devastating thrust with his twin swords!
"Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!!"
Rex's pupils dilated violently; he could barely parry the first two attacks before the rest rained down on him.
"Hateful!!"
"--cut!!"
As Zoro brushed past him, a flash of light appeared on his blade. Rex staggered back several steps, his chest slashed open with numerous fine wounds, blood splattering everywhere. He dropped his twin swords and collapsed to the ground with a thud.
Zoro slowly stood up, letting out a heavy breath. "Hoo... This is the strongest attack I can unleash right now."
Sheathing his sword, he stood steadily before the fallen Rex, and murmured calmly, "You've lost."
Not far away, the Pirate officers that Ain and Binz had been suppressing together had all been defeated. Vines entangled the fallen enemies, and Ain swiftly finished them off with a swift stroke of her blade.
The Pirates ' morale collapsed instantly; the previous clamor receded like the tide, leaving only fear and trembling.
However, the battle was not completely over at this point. Luffy, in the midst of a fierce battle with his vice-captain Baton, gradually moved away from the main Battlefield and fought his way to the edge of the jungle.
"Bang!"
Luffy's fist slammed into Baton's Iron Hook, sparks flying as Armament Haki clashed with the metal!
"Kid... you're pretty strong!" Baton grinned through gritted teeth, twisting his Iron Hook to try and lock Luffy's fist.
Luffy grinned, and suddenly his body shrunk—
"Shave - Instant Step!"
He instantly flashed behind Baton, his right leg sweeping out like an iron whip!
"Tempest Kick - Whip!!"
"Boom!!"
Baton was kicked and sent flying, crashing through several trees and finally landing in the bushes at the edge of the jungle!
Luffy stood there, his hands on his knees, breathing slightly heavily, sweat trickling down his cheeks.
"Phew... this guy's pretty tough."
After making a slight adjustment, he was about to turn around and return to the beach Battlefield when he suddenly frowned.
"Rustle..."
From deep within the jungle came the faint sound of branches rustling.
Luffy suddenly turned around, his pupils contracting sharply!
"Who?!"
Two figures slowly emerged from the dim shadows of the trees.
One was large and the other small, both with cold eyes and a menacing look.