Ryokugyu's undersea expedition ends in defeat; the Empire sets its course for the first half! (Part two)

Even Ryokugyu dared not underestimate this slash in the slightest!

Ryokugyu's expression finally changed. He had never expected Zhang Liao's swordsmanship to be this terrifying!

He abruptly leaped up, avoiding the heart of the slash, and thrust both hands against the empty air. Countless massive wooden trunks instantly grew from his body, forming a wooden shield hundreds of meters thick. Coated in top-tier Armament Haki, it stood in the slash's path!

Boom-!!!

The silver slash slammed into the wooden shield, and an earth-shaking explosion instantly rang out!

A tremendous breach was instantly cleaved through the hard wooden shield. The terrifying aftershock of Sword Aura swept outward, and the three Marine warships behind Ryokugyu were all sliced in half before a single scream could ring out, sinking into the deep sea in an instant.

The Marines aboard had no chance to escape before the Sword Aura shredded them to dust.

Ryokugyu landed on the flagship's bow. Looking at the cleaved wooden shield, then at the sunken warships behind him, he could not help twitching at the corner of his mouth.

He finally understood why the World Government's repeated operations against the Hua Empire had all ended in crushing defeat.

Zhang Liao, a mere peak Admiral Candidate, already possessed such terrifying swordsmanship. With Gan Ning, who was practically invincible in the deep sea, fighting alongside him, even Ryokugyu could gain no advantage whatsoever against the two.

What was more, Fish-Man Island was Hua Empire territory. They could summon reinforcements from the imperial capital at any moment. If he really kept fighting, he might actually meet his downfall here today.

"My, my, how frightening." Ryokugyu resumed his languid demeanor, waved a hand, and smiled at Gan Ning and Zhang Liao. "I never expected you two to be so strong. You've certainly opened this