Tap!
Arthur stopped just three steps short of Gion.
At this distance, he could have killed her instantly. Even if she still had strength left, in her heavily wounded state she would have had no chance of survival.
"Cough… cough…"
Weak and kneeling on one knee, Gion clutched her sword Kinpira tightly and asked, "Arthur, isn't it? Why didn't you take that last step?"
"…Forget it."
Arthur glanced at her, then deliberately stepped back.
The most terrifying thing about the Red Dragon bloodline wasn't just raw power, but the heightened instinct. An uncanny sixth sense. And Arthur's intuition screamed at him now.
Danger.
Though Gion looked like a lamb ready for slaughter, in Arthur's senses she felt more like a gaping abyss, waiting to devour him the moment he advanced.
"Even if I can't tell exactly where it's coming from… the danger is close."
His eyes swept the area. The threat was everywhere—yet nowhere he could pinpoint.
"Soru!"
"Rokushiki Secret Art—Rokuōgan."
Suddenly—
Three figures burst forth, attacking from the left, right, and rear.
And—
"Rabbit Shadow!"
From the front, Gion herself lunged at him.
In a flash, four coordinated attacks converged, surrounding Arthur from all directions.
"Thunder Bagua!"
"Worororo~~~!"
Kaido intercepted, sending Gaji flying. But Gaji was a Logia-type user—hitting him wasn't so simple.
"Arthur! Don't you die on me!"
"Wind King's Shield!"
Arthur instantly unleashed a storm of wind, forming a barrier around himself.
BOOM!
The combined shockwaves and slashes struck home, exploding into a mushroom cloud.
Whoosh!
Arthur's figure burst out of the smoke, clashing against the three attackers. Sparks flew. His Hammer of the Wind King and Wind King's Shield, though simple techniques, became lethal weapons in his hands. His relentless offense and defense forced the three Marines to a standstill.
As for Gion, she had already withdrawn. Her earlier gambit had succeeded in luring Arthur into the trap, but her body was at its breaking point. Any further strain on her organs would mean certain death.
"Hammer of the Wind King!"
"Rokuōgan!"
BOOM!
Another explosion rocked the battlefield, mushroom clouds rising again.
Yet the battle didn't slow. Arthur fought three at once, pushing back with terrifying physique, sharpened Haki, and mastery of his techniques. The earth cracked beneath them, craters spreading with every clash.
"Now!"
One Vice Admiral seized a fleeting opening. Arthur's body couldn't react in time—his eyes narrowed sharply as a deadly finger thrust shot toward him.
"Shigan!"
Arthur's smile faded. His expression turned grim. These weren't ordinary opponents. Each of the three was nearly his equal.
He now understood.
Three Vice Admirals of Marine Headquarters.
Together, their combined strength surpassed his own.
"Hah."
Arthur exhaled coldly. Suddenly, a teal gale erupted around his body.
"Retreat!"
"Got it!"
The three Vice Admirals fell back instantly, sensing the change.
A raging storm exploded outward from Arthur, tearing across the battlefield. As the winds died down, his appearance had changed—his clothes replaced by a light knight's armor. Not bulky plate, but fitted and efficient, designed for single combat.
"Hahaha."
Arthur laughed softly. "To think I'd be pushed this far. As expected, this world is crawling with monsters. No matter what, I can't afford to let my guard down."
"Well then—"
"Shall we begin the second round?"
CRACK!
Arthur stomped down, the ground collapsing beneath his foot as he shot forward at the Vice Admirals.
"Careful!"
"Right!"
The three moved with seamless coordination, countering his ferocity with equally sharp teamwork, gradually pressing him back.
"Shigan!"
Clang!
One Vice Admiral's strike hit Arthur's armor—and did nothing.
"What?!"
Arthur smirked and retaliated. "Hammer of the Wind King."
"Rankyaku!"
Another Vice Admiral intercepted.
This armor… though unnamed, was no ordinary gift. It had come along with the summoning of Excalibur, the Sword of Promised Victory.
Excalibur had two states:
Sword of Promised Victory:a sealed form, the weakened "holy sword" gifted by the Lady of the Lake.
Excalibur, Sword of Oath Victory: its true, fully unsealed form—thirteen seals broken, the blade that shines to save the stars.
Though still sealed, even the equipment tied to Excalibur carried formidable power.
"Hammer of the Wind King!"
Arthur unleashed blow after blow. His mana seemed inexhaustible, a storm of strikes hammering the three Vice Admirals without end.