Onigumo was sent flying by Rod's punch. His body became a blur as he shot backward, crashing through several buildings.
He'd already learned to project Haki at such speed!
That thought flashed through Onigumo's mind. Feeling the excruciating pain in his chest, his expression grew even more vicious.
There was even a hint of internal destruction to it.
This kind of guy...
Rising to his feet, Onigumo swung the long sword in his hand, stirring up a fierce gust that scattered the dust in the air.
"If I let you keep growing, you'll become an even greater evil! In the name of 'Justice,' I swear I'll kill you right here!"
Onigumo gazed at Rod with a chilling murderous intent.
He was so young, yet he'd already mastered such advanced Haki techniques and possessed such tremendous strength. Given time, he would undoubtedly become a major threat to the Marines.
But what concerned Onigumo most was Rod's terrifying ability to learn. After just two battles, he'd learned Armament Haki, and he was even gradually mastering its more advanced techniques in the middle of a fight. That kind of talent was downright horrifying.
"Tch. Let's see you try, Marine!"
Rod clenched his fist. Onigumo's threat didn't worry him in the slightest. If anything, it only made his blood run hotter.
With that last blow, he'd successfully projected his Haki. Now, he desperately needed a fight. Only an intense battle could help him master the technique quickly.
Before Onigumo could attack, Rod assumed a stance, stamped his foot, and shot toward him.
As he charged at Onigumo, Haki like black flames once again flowed over his body, making him look as though he were wrapped in a layer of ominous dark fire.
"Don't think you're the only one who can project Haki, brat!"
Black Haki spread across Onigumo's body. His long black hair began to dance again, but this time he didn't use it to control weapons. Instead, together with his flowing Haki, it covered his body.
"Life Return—Oni-Bui!"
The muscles throughout Onigumo's body rippled as he drew out even more strength. Combined with the hair controlled by Life Return, the two forces amplified each other. He gripped the long swords in both hands and thrust them at Rod, who was hurtling toward him!
BOOM!!
Before Rod's fist could touch Onigumo's swords, two invisible forces collided violently in midair. A powerful shock wave spread out from the point where they clashed, whipping Rod's red hair around.
"That's the feeling! You're really strong, Marine!"
Feeling the impact coming from his opponent, the fighting spirit in Rod's eyes blazed ever brighter. He was completely fired up.
Who would've thought that a Vice Admiral barely mentioned in the original story would be this powerful?
But that's exactly what I want! Fight me—be my whetstone!
......
"I hope nobody's noticed me."
Not far from the Polar Tang, Grey hid furtively in the woods, watching the two fights nearby with a conflicted expression.
Earlier, when he'd returned from shopping with Nia and the others, they hadn't set sail yet, so he'd gone for a stroll along the shore.
After all, once they set sail, they'd spend days at sea, staring at the endless ocean. He was already sick of that view. Since they'd finally come ashore, he'd worried the Marines might catch up before he got a chance to explore properly, so he'd settled for wandering around the woods by the coast.
He hadn't expected that by the time he heard the commotion and hurried over, the fighting would already have started.
"I can't believe the Marines caught up with us after all. I knew being a pirate would be a pain. They're always chasing us across the sea, leaving us no peace. There's no time to do any research at all."
Grey scratched his head, making his already messy hair even more disheveled.
"Looks like she's at a disadvantage..."
Even someone as weak as Grey could see how things stood on the battlefield.
Nia was completely outmatched. Her attacks couldn't touch her opponent. But for some reason, her opponent wasn't finishing her off. Instead, he was just playing along as she hopped about.
"Hmm... The cat who likes to toy with its prey is getting toyed with now, huh..."
Grey nodded, then turned his attention to the fight on Luo's side.
"I knew that kind of training was a bad idea! Rod's completely out of his mind! Luo's been seriously injured practically the whole time. How could he possibly be a match for the enemy?"
Watching Luo struggle to hold his own with Bepo's help, Grey couldn't help sighing.
Would they get captured here?
"Honestly, I'm just a scientist!"
"A scientist?"
"Yeah... Who!?"
Grey spun around.
"Marines!"
A squad of Marines in white uniforms stood not far behind him. They gripped their rifles tightly, their wide eyes fixed on Grey, with a strange glint in them.
"You are...?"
The Marine at the head of the squad stepped forward, staring intently at Grey.
Oh no!
They'd found him!
Grey's heart tightened, and a few beads of cold sweat silently slid down his head.
Nia and Luo were busy fending for themselves. Bepo was helping Luo defend against the enemy's attacks. Rod and Nerl still hadn't returned. As for Pekoms and Shakky, Grey had seen them heading off into the distance. They'd probably gone to find Rod.
There was no one who could help him!
Was he going to be captured? Then spend the rest of his life in prison? Would it be Impel Down?
He'd heard that Impel Down was filled with the most vicious criminals. Would they tear him apart?
No! He still had so much research he hadn't even started!
"You're a scientist, right?"
Seeing Grey frozen in place, the Marine stepped forward again. The barrel of his rifle nearly touched Grey's face.
"Um..."
Feeling the cold metal against his face, Grey turned deathly pale. His heart pounded furiously.
He was an expert in weapons, and he'd even designed firearms for Nerl that were far superior to standard Marine equipment. But having someone point a gun at his face was completely different from leaning close to a rifle while studying it.
I'm going to die!
"Idiot! You're standing too close! I told you to show scientists some respect!"
Another Marine stepped forward and slapped the head of the man standing right up against Grey. Then he placed both hands on Grey's shoulders, his expression serious.
"I'm Gilbert Galan, a Captain at Marine Headquarters. I sincerely apologize for my subordinate's rudeness."
Grey felt as if the two hands on his shoulders were a pair of pincers, gripping him so tightly that they could almost lift him clean off the ground.
Isn't this guy even more rude?!
Well, I'm about to be captured anyway. I shouldn't worry about whether they're being rude.
"May I ask if you're a scientist?"
Huh?
The pain in his shoulders and the slight sensation of being lifted off the ground brought Grey's wits back.
Come to think of it, hadn't they been speaking to him politely this whole time?
Before you continue