"Oh, you figured it out? As expected of a rising star in the Navy, you truly live up to your reputation!"
Kyle wasn't too disappointed; he read the newspapers regularly and knew that Vic had fought the notorious pirate Red-Hair.
The two were evenly matched in swordsmanship, neither of them weak. It would be best to kill him by sneak attack, but even without a sneak attack, he wouldn't be disappointed. If it didn't work this time, there would be another time; he was very patient.
"Hahaha, I've never met an enemy who can make me go all out. Don't disappoint me today!" Cohen's arrogant laughter came from behind Vic, followed by intense heat.
" The Flame-Flame Fruit? I never expected it to be a Logia. Is this fate?" Although Vic didn't turn around, he knew that the severed section of Cohen's body behind him had turned into flames, and his body was merging back into one.
Cohen's people can only be said to have suffered from their lack of knowledge; they are still unaware that there is something called "Haki " that can grasp and harm their physical form.
They think that Logia Logia can't be elementalized either, that they can just run rampant on the Grand Line. Many pirates are like that, they haven't experienced the harsh realities of life, and as a result, they were brutally beaten. Some lost their hands, some went blind, and some even lost their lives.
"Oh! You're quite knowledgeable, you even know this is the Flame-Flame Fruit. That's right, the invincible Logia — the Flame-Flame Fruit. I call it the most lethal. This little princess's guards were all burned to ashes. You're next, how dare you kill my dear brother!"
Cohen first smiled and praised Vic, then his expression turned ferocious again; his body had recovered. He should thank Vic for not using Armament Haki in his previous strike, otherwise he would have been dead.
" Rebecca, that one over there is for you. I'll take this one that plays with fire!" Vic gestured with his chin toward Kyle and said to Rebecca.
Then Vic vanished from his spot in an instant. The others were alarmed by this. He was no easy opponent; his speed was beyond their comprehension. If he tried to escape, even the captain probably couldn't catch him. They searched the cellar for Vic's whereabouts.
Vic didn't choose to attack anyone. Instead, he flashed to the side of the bound Princess Paula and cut the iron shackles binding her hands with a single stroke. Princess Paula's hands were bound to the wall above her head and behind her, but her feet were unrestricted.
Vic helped Princess Paula up from the ground. At this moment, the bald man and the others looked over when they heard the sound of iron shattering. Vic smiled at them, and two intersecting Sword Gang flew towards the roof of the cellar.
"Boom"
Above the cellar was the ground. After Vic chopped open the roof, the ground above collapsed. Vic picked up Princess Paula around the waist and jumped to the ground, protecting her.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Princess Paula stared at Vic's face with fascination and said, "Even Vic can't figure this out."
"Pfft, ptooey, ptooey!"
The others wouldn't be buried under this little bit of mud either; they weren't ordinary people. When the roof collapsed, Cohen, Rebecca, and Kyle jumped out after Vic, and the bald man and his henchmen climbed out afterward. Not a single person was missing, except for that big guy Colin was buried underneath.
" Vic, Rebecca, are you alright?"
It was Zephyr's voice. He had already arrived here with the Elite Camp. This was precisely why Vic wanted to tear down the roof and put the battlefield on the ground, giving the Elite Camp students a chance for real combat.
Soon, the Elite Camp dispersed and surrounded the area, their eyes gleaming with intense fighting spirit—this was their first battle as members of the Elite Camp.
Vic, carrying Princess Paula, flashed to Zephyr's side and released his arms from around her Princess Paula.
"Teacher, please keep the princess by your side. I'll go take care of that Logia guy!"
Vic knew that although Zephyr was present, he wouldn't usually take action. Otherwise, what would he be doing bringing his Elite Camp out here—on vacation?
Naturally, they need to participate in the training. With Vic already possessing the power of Haki, this year's class will basically not have a chance to make a move. He also wants to see where his Elite Camp is inferior to the previous one, and whether this training model can be continued in the future.
"My God, please don't leave me!" Princess Paula cried out as Vic released her and tried to leave, grabbing Vic arm and holding him tightly.
"I'm not some god, I'm just an ordinary marine. I saved you because of my mission. Don't take it too seriously. Let go, I still have to deal with the pirates!" Vic said helplessly. Why did they treat him like a god?
"My Lord, please don't go! That pirate is incredibly powerful; you can't hit him. Just like what happened, he'll burn you to death!"
Princess Paula still wouldn't let go. When Colin was about to lick her, she was truly in despair, her fear and despair reaching their absolute limit. It was Vic who saved her body and soul, so she wanted to fulfill her prayer and offer her soul to Vic.
Zephyr watched Vic with amusement, a hint of amusement in his eyes.
"You yourself said I am a god, how could I not be his opponent? You must believe in the power of the gods!" Vic could only persuade the princess by appealing to the power of the gods.
The pirate crew and the Elite Camp were locked in a standoff, but all eyes were now focused on Vic. Although Rebecca was standing opposite Kyle, her gaze remained fixed on Vic. Now, seeing the beautiful princess clinging to Vic and refusing to let go, she was immediately annoyed, her large eyes widening even further.
Cohen was furious. Vic didn't take him seriously at all. They were still being all lovey-dovey at this time. Cohen's head was burning, and flames were appearing in his eyes.
Paula thought about it and agreed; God is omnipotent and there is nothing He cannot do, so she released Vic's arm just then.
" Great Eruption "
A Fire Pillar spewed from Cohen's mouth and shot towards Vic. This was Cohen's punishment for Vic's disrespect as his opponent; he intended to burn all three of them to ashes.
Vic remained calm and unhurried. He unleashed a Sword Gang, instantly splitting the Fire Pillar in two. Even Cohen was cleaved in two, but the Fire Pillar did not harm anyone.
"A swordsman? He's really strong!" Kyle murmured after witnessing this scene.
" Vic is naturally strong, but I am your opponent!" Rebecca directed her anger at the princess at Kyle, drawing her longsword and thrusting fiercely. Kyle was a master of physical combat; he did not use any weapons, relying solely on his perfect coordination to fight.