As the Flying Slash drew closer, Bogard drew his long sword and leaped into the air, bringing his Armament Haki-coated blade down hard against it.
"It's actually this heavy."
Although Bogard only held the rank of Rear Admiral, he was stronger than the average Vice Admiral. He had yet to reach the level of an ordinary Admiral, but he was not far off.
Of course, Vice Admirals like Garp were an exception.
It was precisely because Garp was so exceptional that Bogard willingly stayed aboard his warship as his adjutant, even with only the rank of Rear Admiral.
For a slash to feel heavy to him, its wielder should be no weaker than he was.
Bogard stopped holding back. Gripping his sword with all his strength, he slashed the Flying Slash clear of the warship.
Taking a deep breath, Bogard used Geppo to return to the warship.
"Thank goodness, we're saved."
"That's Rear Admiral Bogard for you. He really makes you feel safe."
"Hahaha, not just any nobody can sink our warship."
Being aboard Garp's ship, the soldiers were a rather tough bunch, but an attack they could do nothing to resist like that still left them drenched in sweat.
By then, Garp had also reached the bow and demanded loudly, "What was that Flying Slash about?"
"Vice Admiral Garp, the threat from the slash has been dealt with, but we didn't see who attacked us."
"It could also have been launched from somewhere far away without being aimed at us. We might have just happened to cross its path."
"Judging by its force, whoever launched it is no weaker than me, and might even be stronger."
Bogard reported what had just happened to Garp and offered some of his own analysis.
"Even stronger than you?"
Garp had not expected the East Blue to be so lively lately, with powerful enemies popping up one after another.
He knew Bogard's strength better than anyone and trusted him deeply.
"Hahaha, that slash came from the east, so we'll stay on course and keep heading toward Loguetown. If we're lucky, we might even catch that swordsman too."
Garp had a lovely plan in mind. If the other party had a clean background, he would capture them himself and forcibly take them to Marine Headquarters.
He believed his old friend Sengoku would have a way to get them to join the Marines.
The seas were growing increasingly restless, and Garp certainly would not pass up a powerful asset delivered right to his doorstep.
He even had a ready-made excuse: they had actually attacked a Marine Headquarters warship. Whether it had been intentional or not did not matter. He would slap the charge on them first.
"Men, I'm going to pick up the pace again! We'll be ashore in just a little while!"
Garp hurried back to his post and swung his fists hard, punch after punch.
The gusts from his punches struck the sea, sending the Dog-Head Warship speeding forward as though it were skipping across the water.
Hm?
Kazu was still using Aokiji for practice. Although he was at a disadvantage without using his Devil Fruit ability, it was no big deal. The gap was only slight, and Aokiji still could not defeat him quickly.
But just then, Kazu's Observation Haki picked up a powerful presence approaching rapidly.
With the boost from the Space-Space Fruit, his Observation Haki had an extremely wide range. Aokiji had yet to notice Garp's arrival, but Kazu already knew in advance.
Aokiji had only recently been promoted to Admiral, and his strength had yet to reach its level in the original story.
If his peak in the original story was rated at one hundred, his current level would be around eighty-five to ninety.
His physical combat skills and combat experience were sufficient. The key was how long he had possessed his Devil Fruit.
None of the Three Admirals had originally possessed Devil Fruit abilities. Akainu and Kizaru had even been talented swordsmen, at least at the level of a swordmaster.
Aokiji, meanwhile, had trained in physical combat under Garp, pummeling plenty of those decommissioned warships.
After obtaining Logia Devil Fruits, Akainu had abandoned swordsmanship, while Kizaru had become more fond of speed being power. He still used swordsmanship, but not often.
Kazu could sense that Aokiji had yet to achieve Devil Fruit Awakening.
After all, when he and Akainu fought at their peaks, they had permanently changed an island's climate, creating a world of ice and fire. That was precisely the sign of a Logia Devil Fruit Awakening.
Kazu weighed things for a moment, unleashed a slash, then used Space Swap to appear directly beside Carlmand.
"Carlmand, things have changed. We need to pull out."
Kazu placed a hand on Carlmand's shoulder, signaling that it was time to retreat.
"All right, all right."
"I'll settle things with this Marine Captain next time, then."
Although Carlmand did not know why, Kazu looked a little serious, and he could read the situation well enough.
"We're leaving, you two."
"Bye~"
Kazu vanished from the spot with Carlmand, appearing aboard their ship the next instant.
"Damn pirates, you're not getting away!"
Smoker hurriedly charged down, but Carlmand and Kazu were already nowhere to be seen.
Smoker had been stalling for time, hoping to arrest Carlmand as well once Aokiji won.
He had not expected them to suddenly withdraw halfway through the fight. The situation had changed so abnormally that they had been caught completely unprepared.
"Smoker, don't chase them."
"Even if we caught up, I wouldn't have any confidence in keeping him here."
Aokiji walked over as well, looking into the distance as though he could see Kazu's figure.
Hearing even Aokiji say that, Smoker said nothing more. He could only clench his remaining right hand and grit his teeth in silent anger.
He was not angry at anyone else, but at himself for being too weak to help at all.
Against small-time pirates, he could still handle himself with ease.
Against someone as strong as Kazu, he could only become a burden. The gap between their strength was too great.
If he were stronger and could defeat Carlmand, he would have a chance to assist Aokiji from the side and attack Kazu from both sides. Then perhaps they could capture all these pirates.
"Captain, Carlmand, you're back!!"
"Kazu, you came back safely."
Seeing Kazu and Carlmand suddenly appear, Makino and Behrens happily came over to greet them.
Behrens had already told Makino that this battle was far too dangerous. A Marine Admiral was extremely powerful, and it would be a tough fight.
Now that their companions had returned safely, that was enough.
"Hahaha, of course! Who could possibly trap me? I'm the lord of space!"
"A mere Marine Admiral? I could come and go as I pleased."
After saying that, Kazu even tossed his hair showily.
"I'm too handsome for my own good."
"Really."
Someone capable of fighting a Marine Admiral one-on-one-the whole world would soon know of that feat.
Even if the Marines feared damage to their prestige and wanted to suppress the news, it would be impossible.
There were too many people in Loguetown. Add the elusive Morgans to the mix, and civilians around the world would surely hear about it right away.