Shichibukai, Die!

Ivan appeared behind Hanafuda, Yubashiri in his hand already coated in a layer of black. Although his Armament Haki had only just emerged, it was in no way inferior to Hanafuda's.

Because it was so powerful, it was difficult to awaken, but once awakened, it was bound to shake heaven and earth!

This was a talent unique to the strong!

"One Sword Style: Black Blue: Twisting Vortex!"

Ivan spun his body through a wide arc, twisting into a spinning top of water.

The blue-black spinning top of water struck Hanafuda's back in an instant. Against the sharp, high-speed slashes of water, the tyrannosaurus's skin was as flimsy as paper, easily torn apart.

Splash!

A torrent of blood sprayed from Hanafuda's wound, pouring down on Ivan like rain. But before it touched him, a repulsive force stopped it from coming any closer.

"Aaaah!"

Grievously wounded by Ivan's slash, Hanafuda was sent flying backward and crashed heavily onto a piece of the Tyrannosaurus Pirate Ship.

The wreckage was instantly smashed to pieces, and the pirates who had survived on it were crushed into pulp. Hanafuda himself fell straight into the sea, completely unable to resist.

If a loyal subordinate had not fished him out, the Shichibukai might well have drowned!

Pulled from the sea by his subordinate, Hanafuda lay on a plank, coughing up blood as he looked at Ivan in terror.

This man's strength was far too terrifying. How could someone so powerful be just a Navy captain?

Suddenly, Hanafuda saw to his dismay that Ivan was charging toward him with a Black Blade in hand. His will to fight gone, he abruptly transformed into his half-dragon, half-human form and fled madly into the distance.

For the first time, he truly felt the threat of death. No longer able to maintain the pride of a Shichibukai, he desperately begged for mercy:

"Wait, Captain Ivan, I think there's been some misunderstanding between us. I can compensate you.

Besides, there's no irreconcilable conflict between us, is there? If you kill me, the World Government will condemn you, and even Boss Kaido will kill you, so let me go!"

But all his pleas fell on deaf ears, stirring no emotion in Ivan whatsoever.

Ivan sneered. "Are you joking at a time like this?"

His Burning Justice would burn away all evil, and the Shichibukai were no exception!

Before long, Hanafuda was covered in sword wounds, blood constantly seeping from them. Gravely wounded, he had lost all ability to resist.

On a piece of pirate ship wreckage, Ivan planted his foot on Hanafuda's head and swung his Black Blade, ready to end his life.

Just then, the Den Den Mushi in his pocket rang.

He answered it, and the Fleet Admiral's voice came from the other end. "Captain Ivan, are you fighting Hanafuda right now?"

Ivan looked down at the dying Hanafuda, whose head was beneath his foot, and said calmly:

"That's right, Fleet Admiral Sengoku. I've defeated Hanafuda, and I'm about to cut off his head to show the might of the Navy!"

"It's all right. It doesn't matter that you lost. Give the Den Den Mushi to Hanafuda, and I'll warn him... Wait, what did you say? You won?"

"Yes. Hanafuda can no longer resist!" Ivan pressed down with his foot, nearly splitting the battered wreckage beneath them, and Hanafuda let out a miserable wail.

Only then did Sengoku realize that Ivan had said he had won!

He could hardly believe it.

After receiving a report from his subordinates that Ivan and Hina had been attacked by the Shichibukai Hanafuda, he had hurriedly called to save them both.

Both were rising stars of the Navy, possessing the combat strength of a Navy Headquarters rear admiral at a young age.

Ivan in particular was only eighteen and already possessed such formidable strength. He was a future Admiral in the making.

He had intended to use his position as Fleet Admiral to make Hanafuda spare them, but events had unfolded beyond his expectations.

Hanafuda had actually been defeated by Ivan!

Was this child growing so quickly?

After a brief moment of shock, Sengoku sighed, his voice somewhat bitter. "I'm sorry, Captain Ivan, but you... I'm afraid you can't kill Hanafuda?"

Ivan's tone remained unchanged, without a trace of anger. "Why, Fleet Admiral Sengoku? Hanafuda nearly killed Captain Hina. He's no longer fit to be a Shichibukai!"

If Ivan had shouted in anger, Sengoku would have felt a little better, but faced with Ivan's calm questioning, he could not bring himself to say what was on his mind.

Sengoku fell silent for a moment, then said gravely, "I'm sorry, Captain Ivan. The world today needs order..."

Ivan was not surprised by Sengoku's decision. The Fleet Admiral had zero tolerance for pirates, but he cared even more about order.

Ivan sighed, unable to conceal his disappointment. "I understand, Fleet Admiral Sengoku. I'll let him go."

Sengoku felt even guiltier. After some thought, he prepared to make it up to Ivan in another way:

"Captain Ivan, don't worry. The World Government will certainly punish Hanafuda for what he did this time... By the way, your rank no longer matches your strength. At the next headquarters meeting, I'll propose promoting you one rank."

Although he had been promoted, there was no joy in Ivan's voice. "I understand, Fleet Admiral Sengoku."

Then, after a deathly silence, Sengoku quietly apologized and hung up.

Ivan stood where he was, his face as stern as a stone statue, revealing nothing of what he felt. Hanafuda, on the other hand, seemed to regain some vigor beneath his foot. He laughed and began to mock him:

"Hahaha! Some rising star of the Navy you are. You're nothing but a dog of the World Government.

Boy, remember this: to live in this world, you need strength, but even more than that, you need backing. You can't kill me, hahahaha!"

But Hanafuda's laughter soon died away, because Ivan showed no anger at all. Instead, he smiled and nodded at him.

Just as Hanafuda worried that Ivan might lose his temper and defy his orders to kill him, Ivan suddenly turned and left.

This left Hanafuda utterly baffled. Although the man had been smiling just now, the killing intent in his eyes had grown even stronger. How could he let him go so easily?

But Hanafuda had no mind to dwell on it now. After recovering some strength, he paid no heed to his injuries and ordered his subordinates to row the piece of wreckage toward the nearest island.

But after Hanafuda had traveled only a few kilometers, he suddenly saw a figure wearing a tanuki mask descend from the sky. The next moment, the corner of the mouth visible beneath the mask curled into a smile he knew all too well.

Then his vision was filled with two searing, fiery-red beams, and the terrifying Heat Vision sliced straight through his head!

Only at the final moment before his death did Hanafuda understand: Ivan was connected to Shadow Garden, the current focus of the world's attention!

What a terrifying man. What was he trying to do, hiding in the Navy, and what was his identity within Shadow Garden?

Hanafuda did not know. All he knew was that this world would eventually be turned upside down by a lawless man like Ivan!

Meanwhile, aboard the Orange, not far from where Hanafuda had fallen, Ivan wore the same shocked expression as everyone around him. Unhurriedly, he took out his Den Den Mushi and called the number he had just hung up on.

His tone was shocked, his expression horrified, and everything about him spoke of sincerity:

"Aaaah, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, this is bad! Hanafuda was killed by a newly appeared member of Shadow Garden!"