Sakazuki's Strength (Hmph, Clever Me)

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"Not good, Sakazuki is angry."

Strawberry and the others all moved away from the fighting area, afraid of getting caught in the crossfire.

"That guy called Vergo is definitely going to lose. If he isn't careful, he might die." Someone wiped away cold sweat, looking at the imposing Sakazuki and swallowing hard. After all, magma was no joke.

While everyone remained unaware, the situation here had already alerted Sengoku and the others. After all, Sakazuki was being groomed as a future admiral, and his every move was under observation.

It would have been fine under normal circumstances, but the Magma-Magma Fruit's destructive power was terrifying. A moment of carelessness could damage the buildings, so Marines had already gone to notify the higher-ups.

"Kid, lower your head and admit defeat. Otherwise, don't blame me for being rude."

Magma dripped from his hands as plumes of smoke rose up. Sakazuki looked at Vergo arrogantly, his bearing overbearing.

Without saying a word, Vergo answered Sakazuki with action. Armament Haki spread across both his hands as he actually took the initiative to attack.

"Courting death."

Vergo not only refused to surrender, but even launched the first attack. He was clearly not taking Sakazuki seriously.

Sakazuki attacked at once as well. His right fist transformed into magma and surged toward Vergo.

Sizzling sounds rang out. Everywhere the magma covered began to smoke.

Rather than take it head-on, Vergo used Soru to pull away. Then, in midair, he unleashed two Rankyaku.

Without even looking or defending himself, Sakazuki let the Rankyaku blast him apart. The next moment, he restored his original form and attacked Vergo.

Vergo's Haki was still too weak. He could only harden his body and could not coat the energy attacks he released. Otherwise, Sakazuki might have suffered a hidden loss.

If those Rankyaku had been kicked out by Zephyr, Sakazuki would probably have been severely wounded and near death by now if he had not elementalized in advance.

Great Eruption.

Magma churned as Sakazuki's right fist transformed into a gigantic magma fist. Like an erupting volcano, it roared as it engulfed Vergo.

The scorching heat was terrifyingly destructive. Vergo gritted his teeth, coated himself in Armament Haki, and punched forward.

Pfft.

Blood sprayed from Vergo's mouth. His face turned pale as he crashed into a cluster of buildings like a cannonball, causing them to collapse.

Step by step, leaving footprints behind as magma occasionally dripped down, Sakazuki clenched his fists and walked toward the ruins.

Whoosh.

One after another, countless wood chips shot out from the ruins, piercing toward Sakazuki with sharp whistling sounds.

They had no effect at all. Sakazuki ignored them completely, because the wood chips either passed through his body or were swallowed by magma.

Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, Vergo walked out of the ruins. His eyes remained fixed on Sakazuki, showing no fear whatsoever.

Whoosh.

Vergo vanished and appeared before Sakazuki. Gritting his teeth, he wrapped Shigan in Armament Haki and viciously struck at Sakazuki.

Dark Hound.

Sakazuki roared as his right fist transformed into a vicious dog, as though it had crawled out of hell, and slammed toward Vergo with tremendous force.

Crack.

Vergo let out a muffled groan, his face deathly pale. His entire arm bent out of shape as he flew in an arc and skidded heavily across the ground, leaving behind a long, violent fissure.

The destructive force and impact of magma were simply beyond what Vergo could withstand right now. Forcing a direct clash would only result in injury.

"Vergo!"

Not far away, Smoker's face darkened in rage. He immediately joined the battle and launched an attack at Sakazuki.

"Hmph, a Logia user actually hangs around with people like these. No wonder you're so weak."

Looking at the enormous smoke fist Smoker hurled at him, Sakazuki snorted coldly. Aside from Logia users, he looked down on all other ability users.

Great Eruption.

A magma fist as large as a house crashed heavily into Smoker's White Fist with unstoppable force.

Along the way, the magma split apart into countless fireballs, setting the surrounding buildings ablaze.

Sweat covered Smoker's head as he maintained White Fist, his feet digging firmly into the ground. Even so, he continued to be forced backward.

Across from him, Sakazuki advanced step by step, completely suppressing Smoker.

"Get lost!"

With a furious roar, the magma fist exploded. Smoker spat out blood and was sent flying, kicking up broken stones and dirt.

Looking at the two lying on the ground, Sakazuki said disdainfully, "With strength like yours, you dare come looking for trouble? You don't know your own limits."

Vergo lay on the ground with his arm bent and his body scorched by magma. He tried several times to stand up, but failed every time.

Cough, cough. Smoker continuously spat blood as well. He had likewise lost his ability to fight.

"Are you convinced now?" Sakazuki stood arrogantly, looking down at the two like a victor.

Vergo's face was cold, but his eyes were filled with mockery.

Pah. Smoker went even further, actually spitting at him and sneering disdainfully. His attitude said everything.

Sakazuki's expression immediately darkened, and black smoke began rising from his body.

In the shadows, three pairs of eyes had been watching from beginning to end. Seeing that Sakazuki was preparing to attack again, one of the figures moved to stop him.

"Sengoku, wait a moment. That guy is here."

"Zephyr, the one you have high hopes for?" A mature female voice sounded, carrying a trace of teasing.

That was right. The three were Zephyr, Sengoku, and Tsuru.

"With us here, nothing will happen. Let's watch a little longer." Zephyr did not explain further, merely saying that.

"Then let's watch!" Sengoku, who had been about to intervene, suddenly became somewhat interested.

Back at the scene, seeing that Vergo and Smoker still refused to submit, Sakazuki threw a punch without hesitation. A weaker magma fist smashed directly toward the two.

Sakazuki knew his limits. This attack would only leave them bedridden for a month or two and would not endanger their lives. If he killed them, he would definitely have a hard time afterward.

Whoosh.

At that critical moment, a figure appeared before the magma fist. With one punch, the magma shattered and splashed in all directions like scattered blossoms.

The entire area fell briefly silent as everyone looked at the suddenly appearing Ye Chen.

"Are you all right?"

Turning around, Ye Chen extended his hand. Seeing Vergo and Smoker in such miserable condition, he could not help frowning.

"If you'd come any later, I'd be in trouble. But now, I'm fine!"

Smoker reached out and, with Ye Chen's help, stood up.

Vergo was not as talkative as Smoker. He merely nodded at Ye Chen.

"Let's go."

Supporting the two, Ye Chen ignored Sakazuki and prepared to take them to the infirmary. Vergo's injuries were rather serious, especially that arm.

Ye Chen did not want to cause trouble, but that did not mean others felt the same. Sometimes, even if you did not seek trouble, trouble would come looking for you.

A figure directly blocked Ye Chen's path. Looking down at him disdainfully, Sakazuki said, "Are you this ill-mannered too? You don't even know to salute when you see your senior brother?"

Ye Chen raised his head, expressionless. There was not the slightest emotion in his eyes. Without even saying a word, he walked around him.

"I'm talking to you. Are you deaf?" For some reason, Ye Chen's indifference made Sakazuki even angrier. The other man showed neither rage nor disdain, as though Sakazuki simply did not exist.

That was even more infuriating than contempt. Sakazuki was especially proud and arrogant, so one could imagine how he felt now.

Yet Ye Chen still did not respond to Sakazuki's provocation. This time, he did not even look at him, directly supporting Vergo and Smoker as he changed directions again.

Once, twice. Finally, the third time, Ye Chen raised his head—but not to look at Sakazuki. Instead, he looked at the arriving Hina.

"Hina, help them to the infirmary."

Hina panted heavily, her chest rising and falling intensely, an extremely alluring sight.

"Mm." Hina hurried forward and supported Smoker.

"These injuries won't kill us. Help us get even." Smoker shot Sakazuki a vicious glare before leaving unwillingly with Hina.

Vergo said nothing in the end. He merely stood in the safe area and watched the center of the scene, having already straightened his arm.

Hmph, clever me already knows what you're thinking. But I'm telling you, that's impossible!