Creed and his men disembarked.
The pirates froze at the sight. Marines? Here? And G-K—what was that? Hadn't the New World only ever housed G-5?
Seeing the Marine warship had short-circuited their minds. In the New World, you could encounter anything—but Marines? Here, the Navy held no authority. Even the World Government ignored this sea.
In Paradise, Marines chased pirates. In the New World? The reverse.
"You destroy our ships and offer no explanation?"
The crowd parted, revealing a sharp-eyed man surrounded by his subordinates.
The captain of the Sword Dragon Pirates—Admiral Barem.
"Pirate ships require no explanation," Creed said coolly. "If you insist… I've set my sights on your crew. And this island. It'll serve as the foundation for my new Marine branch."
Murderous intent burned in Barem's eyes. "A mere Marine dares boast so boldly?"
This was his base, cultivated over years. His 500 men could erase these interlopers with ease.
"Kill them! Show these fools who rules the New World!"
"Form ranks! Attack!"
Lieutenant Renter roared, charging into the fray, hurling over a dozen men with a single punch. The other two majors followed, strength blazing.
The cadres of the Sword Dragon Pirates—veteran warriors, not to be underestimated—leapt forward to clash with them.
On Creed's shoulder, the drowsy Xiao Zi perked up, eyes gleaming at the battle. With a shrill cry, it too dove into the chaos.
The battlefield erupted in fury. Blades, fists, and monstrous powers collided, explosions shaking the town.
Creed's gaze locked onto Barem. He gauged his foe's strength.
[Name: Barem]
[Strength: SS | Agility: S+ | Defense: S+ | Spirit: A]
[Abilities: SS+ Swordsmanship, SS Armament Haki, SS Observation Haki, S+ Swordplay]
[Overall Power: SS+]
A half-step Great Swordsman—strong, but lacking.
Creed smiled faintly. "Let's begin."
His blade slid free. The first clash of his New World campaign.
Barem drew his own weapon, solemn. Even against Marines, he never underestimated an enemy. A predator fought with full force, even when hunting prey.
In an instant, Creed vanished, leaving only a whirlwind.
Barem too disappeared.
Steel screamed as they met mid-air.
Barem's face twisted—an immense force hurled him back, smashing him through a house.
"Slash!"
Crescent blades of light carved toward him. He burst free of rubble, eyes narrowed. This Marine's power… dangerous.
Boom!
Barem unleashed his sword aura, saturating the air. He looked up—then froze.
Creed's eyes glowed crimson, windmill patterns spinning.
Barem's mind blanked. He staggered, shook his head. When he looked again, Creed's gaze was normal. A trick of the eye?
No time to wonder. He lunged, clashing blade to blade.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Creed reeled, body torn with wounds, cries of pain spilling from his lips.
Thrust!
Barem's sword pierced a Marine's chest. He grinned. Overwhelming power had triumphed.
He glanced across the battlefield—his forces driving the Marines back, victory assured. He sneered at the boy's corpse at his feet. Some high-born brat from the Government, no doubt. What a fool to enter the New World.
But… strange. The boy looked oddly familiar.
Then—
Crack.
The sky itself split apart.
Barem blinked. A voice rang—
"Surprise!!"
Lightning exploded before his eyes, spearing through his chest. A gaping hole yawned where his heart had been.
Staggering, he turned. Creed stood whole, untouched. Alive.
But he had killed him—hadn't he?
The truth struck like thunder. Illusion. The eyes—those eyes!
The youngest Marine major general. The one who defeated Crocodile. Monkey D. Creed.
But how—how had he slain what wasn't real?
His body failed. Blood drained, strength fading. As his consciousness slipped, he glimpsed his men routed, torn apart by five hundred frenzied Marines who shattered three thousand pirates.
It made no sense. Just moments ago, they had been equals.
Eyes wide, uncomprehending, he collapsed.
Dead. Unaware, even in death, of how he had been undone.
Unwilling.
(End of Chapter)
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