"Look! That's Whitebeard's First Division Commander! Marco!"
"They say First Division Commander Marco is no weaker than any Admiral!"
"The second-in-command of an Emperor's crew? He really is impressive."
"What are you afraid of? We've got an Admiral, the Marines' greatest fighting force, on our side!"
The sharp vines collided with talons wreathed in blue flames, and an unyielding force spread outward from the point of impact.
The invisible shock wave tore up the surface of the plaza, shattering it into chunks.
The impact whipped up fierce winds that sent Luffy's and Ace's hair and clothes flapping.
Aramaki felt the tremendous strength coming through the talons and was somewhat shocked.
But it lasted only an instant before his expression returned to normal.
As a Marine Admiral, one who bore a deep grudge against Pirates, he knew something about every famous Pirate in the entire Pirate World.
Especially the Commanders of all the Four Emperors' crews.
Marco the Phoenix, standing before him, was naturally among the best of them.
He was also someone whose presence Aramaki had sensed through the cracks in the ground just now, a presence no weaker than his own.
The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, with a hint of bloodlust.
He said, "First Division Commander Marco? Your strength is nothing special. Don't get too cocky!"
As his words fell, he increased the strength in his hand while reinforcing the Armament Haki on his Vine Arm.
Feeling that force, Marco's expression remained quite calm.
"Aramaki, Ryokugyu from the Marines' World Military Draft? You really are a powerful opponent."
Though he said that, he increased the strength in his foot as well.
A bang rang out.
The sharp vines coated in Armament Haki gave way first, shooting back toward Aramaki!
Bang!
Aramaki tilted his head slightly, and the