His right hand was coated in ink-black Armament Haki, entwined with golden grit and black-and-red arcs of Conqueror's Haki.
Clang!
A crisp, heavy metallic clash rang out across the entire stretch of sea.
Lorne's right hand gripped the edge of the massive sword, dozens of times larger than his own body.
The terrifying force carried by the sword vanished without a trace the instant it touched Lorne's palm, like a clay ox sinking into the sea.
No matter how Smoothie gritted her teeth and strained with every muscle taut, the massive sword could not advance another inch.
"This monstrous strength... is he a Giant?"
"No, he's clearly so small. How can he catch my massive sword with one hand?!"
Smoothie roared inwardly.
Her hands trembled slightly from exertion, but the massive sword remained immovable, as though welded in midair.
"Is this all the strength a Sweet Commander of the Big Mom Pirates has?"
Lorne looked at Smoothie and asked calmly.
"You monster."
Smoothie gritted her teeth, veins bulging on her forehead.
"Our commanding officer is so strong!"
"He actually caught that massive sword with just one hand!"
Aboard the Fearless, the Marines erupted into enthusiastic cheers.
"Haha, I knew it! Our commanding officer is invincible!"
Bakel shouted excitedly.
Ryan also breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile.
"It looks like we worried for nothing. Even a Sweet Commander of the Big Mom Pirates can't gain the upper hand against our commanding officer."
Kuina watched Lorne in midair, admiration shining in her eyes.
"Is that Admiral-level strength... when will I ever reach that level?"
As Smoothie looked into Lorne's calm eyes, the fear in her heart grew deeper.
She tried to pull back her massive sword, but Lorne's fingers clamped onto its blade like iron pincers, making it