Instant Kill!

The large trees on both sides were all cut in half, and terrifying sword energy permeated the entire forest. Anything it touched could not escape the fate of being shattered into pieces.

The densely packed blade edges wrapped August within them. No matter how fast Morito's Soru was, it couldn't harm him.

Because this was his absolute Gale Domain, which no one could penetrate.

"That's great, Lord August's ultimate technique, Blade Gale! There's nowhere to attack. It's an attack filled with absolute defense."

"That kid's speed is useless now!"

"Lord August is mighty!"

Seeing their boss August make a move, the pirate underlings' spirits immediately soared, and they cheered with excitement.

It was as if they could already see Morito being ground into a pulp by the impenetrable gale!

"Surrounding oneself with sword energy, causing anyone who gets close to be within the damage of this gale. The effect is a bit like a mobile Revolving Heaven."

"In terms of power, it shouldn't be as strong as Revolving Heaven."

Morito didn't rush to attack or defend. Instead, he concentrated his mind to observe the weaknesses in August's technique.

"Huh? Wait!"

Is this Armament Haki?

He actually knows Armament Haki?

Although the strength is relatively weak, is this really the level of 89 million Berries? In the story, Luffy was already 300 million and didn't even know what Armament Haki was, right?

If it were a month ago, Morito might have found it difficult to deal with.

But the current Morito was completely different from his past self.

This past month wasn't spent getting beaten for nothing.

The seemingly dense blade edges were actually just two swords. No matter how fast they were swung, that fact wouldn't change.

Was he trying to fool himself?

Morito quickly extended a hand. His fingers and palm were covered in an ink-like black, all the way to his wrist.

Armament Haki reinforcement!

Clang!

With a flick of his finger!

Morito easily flicked away the incoming blades with two fingers. August's densely packed Blade Gale also stopped instantly.

"Unless you can conjure a hundred swords, then..."

It was just self-humiliation.

August's dual swords were knocked away, leaving his center exposed. Morito seized the opportunity and kicked out.

Without any surprise, Morito's foot connected with August's chest.

The power of the Inch Punch erupted with a muffled thud. Under the terrifying force, August's body shot backward like a rocket.

"What terrifying power!"

August felt a tightness in his chest, almost suffocating from the kick.

It was completely different from the soft attacks just now!

He couldn't understand where this skinny kid got such strength from!

Gentle Fist and Steel Fist were naturally different, both in the force of the attack and the surge of energy when throwing a punch.

Morito's counterattack was too fast, so fast that everyone didn't know what he had done.

He had simply waved his arm lightly, then broken August's ultimate technique and kicked him flying.

"This..."

"Did Lord August's ultimate technique stop on its own?"

Everyone stared blankly at the scene before them. However, they didn't have much time to be shocked before Morito moved again.

Soru!

Morito flashed closer, and his dark fingers thrust out sharply.

The Byakugan's insight was terrifying.

With a single glance, he saw through August's opening.

August's body was in mid-air, making it extremely difficult to adjust his posture and change direction. He could only raise the dual swords in his hands to block.

"Too late!"

Morito secretly increased the power and speed of his strike.

Clang!

Accompanied by a crisp metallic ringing sound, Morito's finger struck the blade. The dual swords in August's hands shattered on the spot.

"Im... impossible!"

August opened his mouth, but ultimately didn't voice the shock he felt.

Morito's finger had already pierced through his chest, a single digit stabbing through his heart, blood oozing from the dark finger.

August's pupils dilated as his life force drained away.

"Was that Armament Haki just now?"

Second Lieutenant Jimmy was an officer of Marine Headquarters, and his eyes naturally saw things differently than a mob of grunts and pirates.

While others didn't understand how Morito had broken through August's ultimate technique, he had seen it clearly.

A finger strengthened by Armament Haki, and it had precisely tracked the movement of August's twin blades.

What seemed like a casual strike required countless hours of training to achieve such perfection.

"One minute on stage, ten years of practice off stage."

Morito had flicked away August's twin blades in an instant, but behind it lay countless drops of sweat and effort.

Those were twin blades wielded so tightly they formed a protective gale, and setting aside their strength, their dazzling speed alone was something an ordinary person couldn't counter.

Moreover, August's blades were enhanced with Armament Haki!

Yet, Morito had just broken through them with a single finger and plunged it directly into August's heart.

A one-hit kill that shook the entire venue!

"Marine Six Styles' Shigan?!"

Second Lieutenant Jimmy's pupils contracted sharply, his face filled with horror.

Shigan, one of the Marine Six Styles, was a technique rumored to have the power of a gunshot.

It gathered all the body's strength into the index finger, unleashing a blow in a flash with a hardened digit. The fingertip possessed bullet-like power, capable of easily piercing the human body.

This was just the most basic Shigan; Morito's attack was no ordinary Shigan.

Morito's finger was enhanced with Armament Haki and a mysterious power that Jimmy couldn't comprehend, though he could vaguely sense it.

"This kid isn't a regular Reserve Navy!"

"Could it be..."

At this moment, Jimmy began to guess Morito's identity. He thought of those monsters clad in Reserve Navy uniforms!

A member of the Elite Class of the Naval Academy's Reserve Camp!

The Naval Academy was where naval soldiers furthered their studies and where naval officers were trained. Graduating from the Reserve Camp guaranteed at least the rank of Officer.

And graduating from the Elite Class guaranteed at least the rank of Second Lieutenant!

"That explains everything!"

Jimmy recalled the attitudes of Vice Admiral Akita and his adjutant, Colonel Doug. It turned out Morito and Kazan were students of the former Admiral Zephyr from the Elite Class!

So that's how it was.

August, the strongest combat captain of the Bourne Pirates, being killed in one hit was like the last straw that broke the camel's back.

The remaining pirate grunts' last thread of courage snapped.

"Forget about me, save the people quickly!"

Second Lieutenant Jimmy shouted orders, and the naval soldiers immediately snapped out of their shock.

Two were left to care for Second Lieutenant Jimmy, while the others, led by two Sergeants, quickly charged up the slope.

The Navy and pirates immediately descended into a chaotic melee.

Although the numbers were roughly equal, with the pirates even having twenty to thirty more men, their courage had completely evaporated with August's death.

The battle became one-sided, heavily favoring the Navy.

"My training with Armament Haki wasn't in vain."

Morito didn't participate in the final battle. The remaining pirates were just a bunch of frightened weaklings, best left for the Navy to deal with.

He was reflecting on the recent fight.

Gentle Fist was suitable for fighting opponents who relied purely on physical techniques, while Steel Fist was better suited for fighting swordsmen.

This was because Gentle Fist only took effect when it hit the human body, channeling Chakra into the acupoints, whereas swordsmen, though also close-combat fighters, wouldn't let others get too close.

Their offense and defense were all focused on their swords.

"It would be great if I could combine Gentle Fist and Steel Fist."

Morito seemed to have found a new path for improvement.