Chapter 62
As a close aide to Marine Vice Admiral, he naturally knew a lot of confidential information.
"I understand what you mean, that White Ghost is innocent... that's roughly the idea." Vice Admiral Comil patted his adjutant on the shoulder. "But whatever the reason, fighting Pirates is the Navy's duty!"
[Chapter 115. Encounter at Sea]
The weather was fine and sunny, the sky was clear and the sea was calm and tranquil.
After leaving Drum Island in his two-masted sailboat, Adrian was fortunate to encounter good weather.
The gentle sunlight streamed onto the deck of the sailboat, so comfortable that one couldn't help but want to take a nap.
"Huh?"
Early in the voyage, Adrian released Mini Hollow Astral Cruise to act as a lookout on the sea.
Just then, he suddenly sensed the distant sea view transmitted back by the Mini Hollow.
"1, 2, 3... 8?"
"A full eight Marine warship? Would there be such a powerful force in the Paradise stage that requires the full force of the nearby navy?"
Adrian thought with some curiosity.
"I haven't heard of any powerful newcomers arriving in the Grand Line recently..."
"Um, these navy personnel probably didn't come here for me, did they?"
In the naval fleet.
The colonel's adjutant held up a brass telescope and observed for a while a small two-masted sailboat on the distant sea.
Not long after, he hurriedly walked out from under the watchtower and headed towards the deck of the warship.
Soon, the colonel's adjutant came to Vice Admiral Comil's side and said very respectfully:
"Reporting to Lieutenant Vice Admiral Comil! A two-masted sailing ship has suddenly appeared on the distant sea! There are no identification markings on the sails or hull!"
Vice Admiral Comil touched his smooth, barren head. "Does it match the appearance of the sailboat that White Ghost was riding in, as reported in the intelligence?"
It should be --
"So they really came for me, Navy guys?"
Vice Admiral Comil's eyes suddenly turned incredibly sharp. He reached for the hilt of his sword with his right hand and looked up at the same time.
The colonel's adjutant and the other naval soldiers, upon hearing the stranger's voice, also realized what was happening and looked up.
Near the white ensign on the mainmast of the Marine warship, a young man wearing a top hat floated out of thin air. He had his head down, and his expression was obscured by shadows. He was wearing a black suit, and two knives, one long and one short, were clipped to his waist.
"It's the White Ghost!"
"The White Ghost is above us!"
"Alert! Alert the whole ship!!"
A group of naval soldiers immediately became noisy, with some raising their guns and aiming at the enemy target that had suddenly appeared in the air.
The one who just spoke was none other than Adrian!
If Adrian had found out beforehand that the Navy's target was not him, he wouldn't have made a fuss and could have simply returned quietly, pretending he hadn't seen anything.
But now that he knew the navy's target was him, there was no need for him to return!
A firefight between a small wooden two-masted sailing ship and eight well-armed Marine Warship?
Have you ever planted a B tree in your heart?
Adrian's eyes flickered as he looked at the leading high-ranking officer among the naval soldiers. The officer had a smooth, bald head with messy, light-colored hair that resembled pine trees.
He wore a dark red double-breasted short coat over a bright green shirt, with a blue tie around his neck. Two large Tachi, almost as tall as a person, were tucked diagonally into his right hip, while a uniquely shaped wooden box was slung across his left hip.
"Are you Vice Admiral Comil of Marineford, Marine Headquarters?"
Although it was a question, Adrian's tone was calm, clearly indicating that he had already confirmed the other party's true identity.
Vice Admiral Comil suppressed his men's restless urge to attack, and calmly said, "The White Ghost from the West Blue, I didn't expect them to have such a deep understanding of the Marine Headquarters' intelligence."
"Of course!" Adrian's figure vanished from near the mainmast in an instant, then reappeared before the sailors on deck. "Paying attention to enemy intelligence and information is a very important and excellent habit!"
Wow, that's fast!
Vice Admiral Comil was slightly taken aback. He had just activated his Observation Haki, but White Ghost's movement speed still far exceeded his expectations!
As expected of a powerful character that even Sakazuki couldn't defeat!
But...
When headquarters sent me to deal with you, it wasn't without any preparation!
This is a weapon specifically designed to target Devil Fruit User!
Vice Admiral Comil touched the wooden box at his left hip, calming himself slightly.
"White Ghost, while I do admire your actions in the South Blue, your ability to..." Vice Admiral Comil said in a deep voice, "Fighting Pirates is the Navy's duty, and I will not show you any leniency because of your past behavior!"
"Really? That just so happens I wanted to test the skills of a veteran Vice Admiral from the Marine Headquarters!"
Adrian narrowed his eyes, not daring to be careless in the slightest.
Vice Admiral Comil is one of the veteran vice Vice Admiral in the Navy. He is Armament Haki and Observation Haki, and his superb Two-Sword Style Swordplay is second to none in the vast Navy. (Note)
Without relying on Devil Fruit abilities, Vice Admiral Comil could barely be considered the ceiling of combat power among ordinary Marine Vice Admiral.
"Then first, let's send the grunts away!"
Negative Hollow!
Numerous illusory Ghost appeared out of thin air from the atmosphere, and with lightning speed, they pierced through the bodies of all the sailors on the deck of the Marine Warship.
The only two Marines still standing were Vice Admiral Comil and his colonel adjutant, because they had activated their Observation Haki beforehand and dodged the attack from the Negative Hollow.
"White Ghost! How dare you—"
"Calm down! No one is hurt!"
Vice Admiral Comil shouted angrily, stopping his adjutant.
As Marine Vice Admiral and the main person in charge of this operation, Vice Admiral Comil naturally had a lot of information about the abilities of the White Ghost beforehand. This information was compiled and reported by Vice Sakazuki after his personal experience with the Vice Admiral!
Vice Admiral Comil knew very well that White Ghost possessed a terrifying Devil Fruit ability that could instantly render an enemy unable to fight!
Looking at the large number of disheartened naval soldiers kneeling on the deck, Vice Admiral Comil felt a surge of genuine admiration for Sakazuki.
I really don't know how Vice Admiral Sakazuki managed to dodge such a surprise attack from White Ghost...
However, it would be too difficult for these naval soldiers who haven't mastered Haki to deal with the White Ghost. Letting them retreat directly is a good idea at this point...
Several thoughts flashed through his mind, and Vice Admiral Comil simultaneously drew his sword from his waist, holding one in each hand, his eyes fixed on the composed White Ghost in front of him.
"White Ghost! Let me test your Swordplay!"
Swish--
Two extremely fast white Sword Aura were unleashed from Vice Admiral Comil's hands, forming a huge cross shape in mid-air, and slashing directly at Adrian.
Faced with such powerful Sword Aura, Adrian's figure instantly disappeared from his original spot, leaving only the warship deck where he had been standing, which was directly cleaved by the intersecting Sword Aura, leaving two deep and huge cracks.
At the same time, Adrian appeared behind Vice Admiral Comil.
The Yubashiri high into the air, covered by Armament Haki that subtly shimmered with light, and with an unstoppable momentum, they slashed down fiercely!
[Chapter 116. Seastone weapon]
Vice Admiral Comil's Observation Haki is quite strong.
He sensed Adrian's location almost instantly, reversed his longsword, covered it with Armament Haki, and launched a swift interception.
Swords clashed, sparks flew, and the crisp sound of weapons clashing spread out.
Clang--!
Just then, the colonel's adjutant, who had been standing to the side, finally reacted. He drew his longsword from his waist and attacked Adrian with gritted teeth.
Adrian glanced at him contemptuously, his Yubashiri sliding off Vice Admiral Comil's longsword and sweeping towards the unknown colonel.
"What--"
The colonel's adjutant felt a sudden blur before his eyes, and Yubashiri's blade had already reached him without him noticing. The sharp Skillful Grade nimbly dodged his longsword and slashed directly into his chest.
Laugh--
The dull thud of the blade slicing through leather rang out as Yubashiri a huge gash into the colonel's chest, slicing diagonally from his right shoulder to his left waist, almost cleaving him in two!
Puff--
The remaining force sent the colonel's adjutant flying backward, and a torrent of blood gushed from his wound, staining the deck of the ship where he had passed a deep crimson.
"Tuck!"
Vice Admiral Comil exclaimed in surprise, looking sadly at his adjutant who had followed him for many years. Even as Headquarters Vice Admiral who had experienced countless bloody battles, he could not control his emotions at this moment.
Adrian flicked his wrist, shaking off the blood droplets from Yubashiri's body, and said coldly, "Vice Admiral Comil, didn't you teach your Subordinate not to interfere in other people's battles?"
Vice Admiral Comil used his Observation Haki to sense the condition of his lieutenant, Tuck, and was pleasantly surprised to find that although Tuck's injuries were extremely serious, he might be able to be cured if he received treatment as soon as possible!
"White Ghost!"
Vice Admiral Comil roared, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword tightening so hard it almost left a mark on the steel handle.
At the same time, his body transformed into an almost imperceptible afterimage, wielding a long sword in each hand, the blades swirling with Armament Haki, and fiercely slashing towards Adrian's head.
Facing Vice Admiral Comil's attack, Adrian remained remarkably calm.
Armament Haki surged and gathered, instantly forming a black layer on Yubashiri's sword, directly meeting Vice Admiral Comil's twin blades.
Two extremely powerful attacks collided instantly, and a violent shockwave spread out in an instant. The wave, carrying strong wind pressure, squeezed and shattered the surrounding objects.
One by one, the naval soldiers who had not yet recovered from the Negative Hollow were also thrown off the deck by the extremely strong shock wave, crashing into the cabin walls in all sorts of ways!
"Everyone... step back!"
Seeing the Vice Admiral locked in fierce combat with the powerful White Ghost, the heavily wounded and fallen Lieutenant Tuck mustered his strength and directed the naval elites, who had begun to recover, to retreat swiftly.
A fleeting look of relief crossed Vice Admiral Comil's eyes.
At this moment, he kept his right-hand knife still, but suddenly drew his left-hand knife, which was originally parrying with Yubashiri, and thrust it at Adrian at an extremely tricky angle.
The advantages of the Two-Sword Style Swordmaster are particularly evident at this moment!
Adrian lightly touched the ground with his toes and leaped into the air, dodging Vice Admiral Comil's sword strike.
At the same time, he opened his left hand and released the fruit's power!
Mini Hollow - Nova Fire!
Countless Mini Hollow leaped out of the void, bombarding Vice Admiral Comil relentlessly with a barrage of Ghost Bomb, forcing him to cover his entire body with a large amount of Armament Haki.
Facing the illusory spirit Ghost Creation that can freely change its effects, there is no room for carelessness!
After successfully forcing Vice Admiral Comil to retreat, Adrian did not relax his vigilance at all.
Using his Demon Swordsman abilities, he instantly swapped positions with a Mini Hollow that was lunging at Vice Admiral Comil. Yubashiri, his black eyes gleaming with Armament Haki, slashed directly at Vice Admiral Comil's body!
One moment he was facing the bombardment of Mini Hollow, the next he was suddenly Yubashiri. Faced with such a sudden attack, even Vice Admiral Comil could not withstand it and was blasted away by the sword for more than ten meters!
With several muffled thuds, Vice Admiral Comil pierced through several layers of walls and crashed into the warship's cabin, stirring up a cloud of dust.
Amidst the worried gazes of the naval soldiers, Vice Admiral Comil staggered out of the cabin.
Just now, in order to defend against the Hollow-Hollow Fruit's power, he directly covered his entire body with a large amount of Armament Haki, but he didn't expect that this "clumsy" method would unintentionally help him resist the powerful attack from Yubashiri!
"Ahem!" Vice Admiral Comil coughed a few times. "It's indeed a rather troublesome ability! It seems we have no choice but to use 'that thing'..."
As soon as he finished speaking, he crushed the wooden box at his left waist, revealing a strangely shaped weapon to everyone.
"Jitte?"
Adrian's gaze sharpened, his tone surprised.
At this moment, Vice Admiral Lieutenant Comil took out of the wooden box was clearly the "Large Jitte" that Smoker, the later Devil Fruit User of the Smoke-Smoke Fruit, would use!
Vice Admiral Comil brandished his weapon, deliberately omitting the key point, "That's right! This is the Jitte, specifically designed to counter swords!"
And it's Seastone weapon?
At this moment, Adrian finally Satori why the Marine Headquarters had the confidence to send a vice admiral Vice Admiral deal with him: it turned out they were equipped with special Seastone weapon.