Izo drew a ragged breath. A moment ago, he had come within a hair's breadth of losing his head.
But he could not relax. A powerful enemy still stood before him.
He had seemed like nothing more than a newcomer who had never set foot in the New World, yet his strength was astonishing. Perhaps only Marco, Vista, and Jozu could fight Werther on even terms.
Cold sweat covered Haruta's face. His closest friend, Izo, had nearly died right before his eyes.
Haruta darted to Izo's side, and together they faced Werther.
Werther glanced at Whitebeard, then looked away. He doubted Whitebeard could protect his two sons forever. This was a battlefield, and a chaotic one at that.
"Thirty seconds."
Werther spoke quietly as he watched Izo and Haruta.
"What?" Izo stared at him, confused.
"I'll fight you both at full strength for thirty seconds. If you survive, I'll let you pass. Then I'll watch from the sidelines for the next thirty minutes."
Neither Izo nor Haruta took offense at his words. Werther really was that strong.
"Begin."
Werther charged them again, raising his body's activation Speed a little higher this time.
Haruta saw a flash of blue light, and Werther was already in front of him.
"Secret Sword: Tsubame Gaeshi!"
Darkness seemed to spread before Haruta's eyes. From within it flew three dark-purple arcs of Sword Aura.
Haruta met them with his sword and roared.
"Sea Blade!"
He slashed, and the sound of a surging tide rose with his blade.
Clang! Tsubame Gaeshi struck Haruta's sword. Its tremendous force drove him backward.
Izo had not been idle. He aimed both guns at Werther.
Bang, bang, bang! He emptied both guns.
But Werther was moving at full Speed, with his frequency state active. Izo could not even keep him in