Blood Explosion

The grand competition had lasted four days. Because many cadets had been injured, which could affect the later battles, it had taken quite a while. Still, over those past three days, most people had already seen the likely outcome from several individuals.

The top-ranked contenders were undoubtedly Sakazuki, Borsalino, Kuzan, Vergo, Ye Chen, Smoker, Onigumo, Momonga, and the others. Barring surprises, the top spots would be decided among them.

Today was the fifth day, and the final day when the results would soon be determined. Many people were looking forward to it, because everyone remaining was a monster.

Even Kong and the others were somewhat expectant.

If anyone had advanced most easily, it had to be Sakazuki and the other two. Their opponents had surrendered outright. As for Ye Chen, Vergo, and Smoker, some people had refused to admit defeat at first, but gradually, many cadets came to recognize just how absurdly strong those three were.

Unfortunately, Hina, Shu, and Very Good were still a little lacking in strength. All of them had ranked outside the top ten and lost their qualification to graduate.

That was right. Although this ceremony offered a chance to graduate early, there were only ten slots, so the three of them still had to remain at the academy for some time.

Even though Ye Chen's arrival had brought some changes to them, future Navy pillars like Onigumo and Strawberry were no pushovers either. Whether in age or time spent in the Navy, they surpassed the three of them. Diligence could make up for shortcomings, but it could only barely close the gap.

Perhaps once the three of them successfully developed their Devil Fruit abilities according to Ye Chen's ideas, they would truly grow stronger. But for now, they were still just a little short.

As a result, Hina had thrown a tantrum, though she slowly pulled herself together after everyone comforted her.

Now, Hina and the others had gone from participants to spectators. Only ten cadets, led by Sakazuki and the others, remained in the arena, preparing to draw lots and decide their opponents.

"First match: Ye Chen versus Doberman."

Ye Chen's luck was good today. He was the first to take the field, and his opponent was Doberman, a swordsman proficient in the Six Powers and two types of Haki. His strength could not be underestimated.

The two stepped forward and stared at each other. Doberman's expression was especially grave.

He had watched Ye Chen's battles over the past few days and knew full well how terrifying the man before him was.

As Ye Chen entered the arena, Hina, Shu, and Very Good shouted encouragement from the nearby stands.

With a cold expression, Ye Chen immediately removed his weights. His opponent was no weakling, and he was not sure he could win while wearing them.

Seeing Ye Chen remove his weights, Doberman's expression immediately improved. His opponent was showing him great respect. Even if he lost in the end, he would have nothing to complain about.

"Doberman."

"Ye Chen."

After introducing themselves, both released powerful auras, and the once-noisy venue instantly fell silent.

Shing!

Doberman made the first move, drawing his longsword. A bright white slash tore through the ground and swept toward Ye Chen.

This was no longer a ring match. Victory could only come through defeat or surrender, because the arena had already been shattered into pieces during the previous battles.

The rushing slash stirred up a gust of wind, lifting Ye Chen's black hair, which had not been cut in two years. Seemingly without moving, Ye Chen sent a dazzling slash crashing into Doberman's attack.

Wind scattered in every direction. Ye Chen vanished from where he stood and appeared before Doberman the next instant, his kick tearing through the air as it sped toward him.

Doberman's expression changed. He reversed his sword, rapidly coated it in Armament Haki, and raised it before himself.

Doberman's reaction was astonishingly quick. With a deafening boom, the ground exploded, and his feet sank deep into the earth as he slid more than ten meters sideways.

The moment he steadied himself, Doberman's scalp went numb. Ye Chen had appeared behind him without him noticing and launched another kick.

Absolute Defense.

His muscles bulged as Tekkai and Armament Haki covered his body. Doberman intended to take Ye Chen's strike head-on while bringing his longsword down at him with an icy cutting edge.

The spectators were dazzled, holding their breath and staring unblinkingly at the battle.

Among them, Hina gripped Shu's thigh tightly, completely ignoring his pained expression as his leg turned blue and purple.

Pfft!

Bright red blood sprayed out. Doberman cried out in agony, his expression twisted with pain. Even so, he endured it and swung his longsword through the air.

Clang! Sparks flew as Ye Chen raised his right hand. Black Armament Haki covered it, and despite the blood flowing from it, he actually blocked Doberman's counterattack.

The ground shook as cracks spread outward. Ye Chen twisted around and delivered another backward kick to Doberman.

As Doberman flew backward, distance opened between the two.

His arm hung at his side, drenched in blood. A gaping wound had torn through Ye Chen's arm, exposing flesh and even bone.

His Armament Haki was still too weak. Otherwise, he definitely could have blocked that counterattack.

Ye Chen's expression remained calm, though he was somewhat dissatisfied with his Armament Haki.

Outside the arena, everyone looked at Ye Chen's blood-soaked arm and assumed it was ruined. But why had this guy not even frowned? Did it not hurt?

Cough, cough.

In the distance, Doberman swayed as he rose, continuously coughing up blood with a pained expression.

"You really are strong."

Holding his longsword, Doberman looked solemnly at Ye Chen, feeling immense pressure.

Ye Chen said nothing. He merely watched Doberman.

"However, I won't surrender so easily." With that, Doberman charged straight at Ye Chen.

Watching Doberman rush toward him, Ye Chen had already lost the desire to continue fighting. His opponent could no longer give him any pressure.

Ye Chen raised his blood-soaked right hand and flicked a finger. A drop of blood shot toward Doberman like a bullet.

What killing power could a single drop of blood have? If someone at Zephyr's level used it, they could kill Doberman in one strike. But Ye Chen was still far from that level.

Doberman sneered and shifted aside without slowing down, continuing to charge at Ye Chen.

But just as the blood drop passed Doberman, a deafening explosion erupted. A small mushroom cloud rose like muffled thunder, unleashing violent gusts that swept across the ground and startled every spectator.

The ground collapsed in chaos as countless rocks and clumps of dirt flew everywhere. A massive crater ten meters wide was left behind, while Doberman stood within it, covered in blood and staring blankly at the sky.

"Holy shit!"

Outside, some people stood with their mouths hanging open. How was that drop of blood any different from a bomb?

Expressionless, Ye Chen walked to the edge of the crater and looked down at Doberman, whose head was covered in blood. He prepared to attack again, because Doberman had not surrendered.

He extended his hand, and a drop of blood began sliding down from his index finger.

"I surrender." Doberman's eyes widened, his face pale. If that exploded again, even if it did not kill him, it would strip several layers off him. He knew he was no match for this guy.

When Doberman surrendered, the blood fell to the ground without the expected explosion. Ye Chen simply turned and left.