Noah vs. the Shichibukai!

Bzzz!

The blade, stirring up a violent gale, cleaved toward William's face. But with only a few dozen centimeters left between them, it was blocked by a massive flower bud that had appeared from nowhere, its layered petals forming a shield.

"What a surprise, kid..."

Recovering from his shock, William peered through the gap in the flower's core at the ferocious face inches away from him, smiling faintly.

"I didn't expect you to have the nerve to actually attack me."

"You really think highly of yourself, Prince William."

Noah stared into William's azure eyes, pouring all his strength into his arms. His tone and gaze were both filled with mockery. "If I were a coward, I wouldn't have joined the Marines."

Riiip!

The tough, enormous petals could no longer hold out and began tearing apart layer by layer from the outside. William's expression shifted slightly, the smile finally vanishing from his face as a chilling look surfaced in his eyes.

"Originally, I wouldn't even have needed to deal with you. One phone call would have been enough for your Marine higher-ups, even World Government officials, to make a brat as ignorant as you pay dearly."

"But now, I've changed my mind. In a moment, I'll personally snap your neck, then use knives made of petals to torture you to death, bit by bit..."

He glanced behind him at the furious Ganlan and Babu, who were about to rush forward, and snorted coldly.

"No one is allowed to help. Today, I'll let this brat understand just how vast the gap in strength between people can be—and how foolish it is to challenge my authority!"

"You sure do talk a lot."

Noah suddenly exerted force, completely slicing through the petals blocking his way. He burst into laughter. "Authority? A gap? You don't