The Conqueror's Haki unleashed by Tsugikuni Yoriichi instantly covered all three pirate ships.
The pirates charging toward the warship's deck were utterly unable to withstand the effects of Tsugikuni Yoriichi's Conqueror's Haki. Their eyes rolled back, and they collapsed one after another.
Some of the less fortunate pirates had just stepped onto the wooden ladders when they toppled headfirst into the sea and were swallowed by the waves.
Kuzan and Yoriichi had initially intended to use this as training for the troops, but when the Marines on their ship were overwhelmed by the pirates at the first clash, Yoriichi abandoned that idea and directly took control of the battlefield.
"W-What happened? The pirates all collapsed in an instant?"
"W-What's going on?!"
The pirates had fallen soundlessly to the ground. The Marines on deck were all astonished by the sight and cried out in surprise. Kuzan raised an eyebrow as he watched Tsugikuni Yoriichi use Conqueror's Haki to overwhelm the pirates, unable to stop himself from remarking:
"It's only been a little over a year, yet your control over Conqueror's Haki has already reached this level."
"You can even release your Haki selectively, just like Vice Admiral Garp."
"Yoriichi, just how strong are you now?"
Tsugikuni Yoriichi did not answer Kuzan's question. To be honest, even he himself did not know exactly where his strength stood. After a rough assessment, he felt that he had probably reached the level of an Admiral Candidate.
However...
If an Admiral relied purely on Devil Fruit abilities and did not possess strong Haki, then as long as he had the chance to strike first, defeating an Admiral was not impossible.
He had not fought any powerful opponents recently and did not know what methods the top experts possessed. It was better to keep his assessment