The bookstore was located in the 75th district of the Sabaody Archipelago, exactly halfway between the Marine base and the lawless area. In other words, Murphy and Sheila were heading straight for the Marine base.
When the outline of the bookstore came into view, an impressive detachment of sentries appeared before them, led by a rear admiral. This was none other than Bernard, whom Murphy had met once before.
Bernard still held his arrogant demeanor. Noticing the people approaching him, including the mermaid, he raised an eyebrow and stopped them with a gesture.
Then the secretary-like lookout reported, "Rear Admiral Bernard, according to the information just received from the auction, this mermaid is a slave that Saint Charm acquired, and the young man next to her is most likely the culprit of the incident!"
"What luck that we ran into each other!" Bernard burst out laughing.
But the next moment, seeing Murphy stopping, he narrowed his eyes and his face darkened: "So it's you! I suspected from the very beginning that something was wrong with you! After all, you were the one who handed over those photos, or maybe you are that journalist Hagoromo!"
He had doubts before: how could an ordinary journalist be so close to the battlefield and remain so calm? Connecting this with the current incident, he realized that this man was clearly not ordinary.
Although there was no direct evidence regarding the photographs, he was now one hundred percent sure that this man had planned everything. Remembering that scene, Bernard blushed slightly with shame - just think, some boy had fooled him!
- Passed it on? Mr. Rear Admiral, as a photographer I can give my pictures to any journalist, can't I? - Murphy answered indifferently.
He didn't deny it, but he separated himself from the journalist, presenting himself as a photographer. After all, the Hagoromo pseudonym would eventually appear in more and more high-profile and numerous reports, inevitably becoming a thorn in the side of the World Government. It was better to remain in the shadows.
As for his true identity, although he did attack the Tenryubito, if he were to overcome the current crisis, he would only be pursued as a common pirate. From start to finish, he would remain just an attacker, and his danger to the World Government in the future would clearly be inferior to the danger of his alias.
- Pfft, excuses! I'll teach you how to talk properly! Besides, you even dared to raise your hand against Tenryubito - apparently you really are tired of living! - Bernard could not contain the rage that surged through him, and his fists clenched with a crunch.
Murphy frowned slightly as he watched Bernard prepare to attack. He had expected that there would be patrols to act as a barrier before Akainu arrived, but he had expected to meet an officer of the rank of vice admiral or higher, not a rear admiral.
Although a rear admiral was the lowest rank among admirals, he was at the bottom of the chain. Even so, a rear admiral was a big milestone, and those who reached it were invariably elite.
Well, a few days have passed since the last boost, it's time to check your current capabilities. After all, it was not a simple boost, but a large-scale one, costing a whopping 230,000 points.
Murphy drew Saburosa, made a few movements with the sword, and returned it to its sheath - with basic fencing skills, it was better not to embarrass yourself.
Bernard also seemed to have no weapons, so close combat would be ideal.
"Take care," Murphy said to Sheila, not taking his eyes off Bernard.
- And... you be careful too! - Sheila answered fearfully.
Stepping aside, she noticed that the sentries were not surrounding them, but were allowing the rear admiral to step forward alone.
- We were lucky today, we ran into them right away!
"Since Rear Admiral Bernard is personally entering the battle, there is no point in our getting in the way."
- It's just a boy, he probably attacked Tenryubito in his youth and passion. I feel sorry for him, I can only imagine how he'll scream in a second.
The lookouts behind Bernard whispered to each other every now and then, their faces expressing complete confidence, as if Murphy and Sheila had already been caught.
Their commander, Rear Admiral Bernard, who had risen to such a position at such a young age, had enormous ability and potential. Aside from a little arrogance, he was almost perfect.
The difference in strength seemed obvious. How could a boy stand up to him? In their eyes, the upcoming action could not even be called a fight - just a detention of the enemy, and nothing more.
However, Bernard himself, looking at the calm Murphy, did not perceive the situation so simply, although he did not attach too much importance to it.
"Even though I don't know what your abilities are, but since you dared to attack Tenryubito, you must have some power. I hope you can hold out for a little while longer!" Bernard grinned evilly, and his figure disappeared.
This is... Soru!
Bernard disappeared before Murphy could see him move, but some feeling told him that the threat was near.
Left!
Murphy's hand instantly became covered in a black layer, his fingers clenched into a fist, and without hesitation he delivered a powerful blow in the direction from which he sensed danger!
Boom!
The power flowed out like a torrent and met with a fist that suddenly appeared, which was a size larger than Murphy's fist and was also covered in black.
The two fists collided, and the blow sent Bernard back three steps, his face twisted in astonishment. He looked at the mark on his fist, unable to believe that this boy not only had Haki, but was stronger than him.
Murphy, equally surprised, took a step back. In the few battles since he had set sail, his 50 points of strength had won him victory time after time, but now that it had increased to 500 points, against this rear admiral he could hardly say he had a slight advantage.
A well-deserved representative of the Marines, a force without the slightest exaggeration. With such power against the likes of Nelson or Nydam, he would deal with the likes of a small fry with one blow.
- At such a young age... impressive! - Bernard got rid of the surprise in his eyes and even rarely uttered praise, but the next moment his tone changed: - It's a pity that you met me. Your path is over!
He had barely finished speaking when he disappeared again.
Soru!
Shigan - Steel!
Bernard suddenly appeared behind Murphy, and all his power, along with his Armament Will, was concentrated in a few fingers. A black glint flashed on their tips, and they quickly rushed towards Murphy's head.
Murphy tilted his head slightly, dodging the sudden attack, then, strengthening his right elbow with Armament Haki, he slammed it back.
Bernard's eyes flashed with surprise, but his movements didn't slow. He turned sideways, also avoiding the elbow strike. Then, taking advantage of Murphy's overly wide swing, he shoved him forward, sending him flying.
Without stopping, Bernard pointed his fingers at Murphy, who had no foothold.
Shigan - Polar Lights!
In the blink of an eye, several thin shockwaves shot out from his fingers at a speed faster than the eye could see. They were simply impossible to see. Such an attack was almost impossible to dodge, but Murphy, in mid-air, barely moved, and Bernard's unerring strike was wasted.
"So this is the Will of Observation!" Bernard muttered through his teeth.
When Murphy had dodged Shigan earlier, he had already felt some surprise and suspicion, but now he was finally convinced that this boy possessed not only the Will of Armament, but also the Will of Observation.
Thoughts swarmed in his head. As a rising star of the Marines, having undergone the most systematic and elite training, he had mastered both types of Will before the age of twenty, something he could rightfully be proud of.
But what did he see now?
The boy, who had not yet reached adulthood - judging by his appearance, 15-16 years old at most - also possessed both types of Haki. This shook him to the core. Fortunately, he still had the advantage of Rokushiki, otherwise wouldn't it have turned out that he was weaker than some boy?!
However, the next moment his eyes almost popped out of their sockets.
As soon as Murphy landed, he noticed that Bernard was slightly distracted. Although Murphy's combat experience was inferior to his opponent's, he immediately took advantage of the opening.
Soru!
Murphy's figure suddenly disappeared, and then appeared at Bernard's side. He clenched his right fist, filled it with Haki, and delivered a powerful blow.
Boom!
Bernard didn't have time to react and only raised both hands, barely forming a defensive line, after which he flew back under a powerful blow from Murphy.
BAM!
The only sound that could be heard across the battlefield was the sound of Bernard hitting the ground. The sentries stood with their mouths wide open, in complete silence - what was happening was beyond their imagination.
"You really are... amazing!" To avoid being followed, Bernard stood up immediately, overcoming the pain. He wiped the blood that had come out of his mouth with the back of his hand and glared at Murphy.
"You'd better put aside your surprise, otherwise, if we continue the fight, I'm afraid you'll die not from my blows, but from shock. And that won't allow me to demonstrate everything I'm capable of," Murphy adjusted his glasses and said these words in a chilling tone