In a fight, naturally, you had to give it your all!
A sharp gleam flashed through Akainu's eyes.
"Very good! You still dare to step forward. That means you're no coward!"
Xiu picked his ear and gave Akainu a disdainful glance.
"Tsk, barking so fiercely. I hope you don't end up a homeless stray in a moment..."
"You!!"
At those words, Akainu's blood pressure shot up.
But he held himself back and did not erupt inside the office!
Seeing the two already vying against each other, Sengoku could only nod in agreement.
"All right, since it's come to this, have a fight!"
Sengoku's gaze swept over the two.
"If Xiu wins, you cannot have any complaints!"
"Conversely, if Akainu wins, Xiu's promotion to Commodore is off!"
"Do either of you have a problem with that?"
"Hmph, no!"
"Then we'll do as you say, old man."
Sengoku nodded. "Very good. Then let's head to the Training Ground!"
With that, he led the way toward the Training Ground.
Zephyr appeared beside him.
"Hey! Sengoku, what are you thinking?"
"That boy's physical abilities might be decent,"
"but you're making him fight Akainu straight away..."
"Isn't that sending him to his death?!"
Hearing Zephyr's slightly anxious words,
Sengoku smiled and said,
"Zephyr, things might turn out differently than you expect..."
Zephyr froze. What did that mean? Could he actually beat Akainu??!
But Sengoku said nothing more.
The group soon arrived at the Training Ground.
The Elite Class under Zephyr was still training there.
"Everyone, assemble!!" Zephyr shouted.
The Elite Class quickly assembled.
Xiu glanced over the Elite Class before him.
He spotted two rather familiar faces: Hina and Smoker.
"Huh? They're still cadets right now?"
Xiu furrowed his brow. As for these people's circumstances,
he did not actually know that much.
He only remembered Smoker because the man was a chain-smoker...
As for Hina, the reason was even simpler. Pretty... ahem.
Hina, standing in the ranks, also felt Xiu's gaze.
"Huh? That boy... why is he looking at me? Hina doesn't understand..."
But before Hina could think further,
Akainu had already walked to the middle of the field.
He adjusted the Marine cap on his head.
"Brat, get down here!"
Xiu curled his lip and looked toward Sengoku beside him.
"Tsk, old man, has he always been this arrogant? Has no one ever beaten him up...?"
Sengoku had no answer.
Xiu shrugged and took his place opposite Akainu.
"What's going on??!"
"It looks like Vice Admiral Akainu is going to fight that boy..."
"You're kidding... won't that boy get beaten to death?"
The Elite Class cadets began discussing it among themselves.
After all, Xiu was about the same age as them,
or even a little younger...
Just then, Sengoku spoke.
"Quiet!"
As his voice fell, the scene instantly went dead silent.
"The sparring match between Vice Admiral Akainu and Ella... Xiu begins now!!"
An uproar erupted!
"They're actually going to fight!?"
"Are you kidding!?"
"Won't Vice Admiral Akainu pound him to death??!"
Ignoring the crowd's startled cries from the sidelines,
Xiu's lips curved into a slight smile.
He drew Ryūjin Jakka and pointed it straight at Akainu!
Akainu snorted.
"All flash. Come on!"
Xiu said calmly,
"Don't die on me..."
Whoosh! Shunpo!
In the blink of an eye, Xiu appeared right in front of Akainu!
So fast! Akainu's pupils contracted slightly.
His expression gradually grew serious!
His Observation Haki instantly caught Xiu's movements!
Clang!!
Ryūjin Jakka was blocked by Armament Haki!
Such force! Akainu was inwardly startled!
Seizing the moment Akainu was distracted, Xiu attacked without hesitation!
He swung Ryūjin Jakka in his hand again and again, slashing at Akainu!
"Brat, don't push your luck!"
"Hell Hound!!"
Akainu's right arm rapidly turned to magma,
then stretched out, smashing toward Xiu's face!
"Tsk... a powder keg, all right..."
"Worried you'll become a real beaten stray, Akainu...?"
Xiu did not block it head-on, instead pushing his taunts to the limit!
His right foot tapped lightly against the empty air,
and his body withdrew beyond Hell Hound's range.
He gazed indifferently at Akainu opposite him.
By now, Akainu's expression was pitch-black.
A trace of killing intent flashed in his eyes!
No, it could no longer be called a fleeting trace of killing intent.
It was brimming with killing intent, enough for everyone present to notice!
"Brat, you're asking to die!"
"Dog Biting Crimson Lotus!!"
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