The two men on the stage locked eyes, their auras surging yet held tightly in check.
The air grew heavy, a suffocating fighting spirit spreading outward until every surrounding marine was focused to the utmost, afraid to miss a single detail.
For them, this was a rare opportunity. Battles at the level of Vice Admiral were among the highest tiers of combat in all the seas. Even marines with experience at sea seldom witnessed such scenes, much less the many new recruits still in training.
All eyes remained fixed on the two figures standing still. At last, the cigarette in Onigumo's mouth burned down halfway, a length of ash falling.
"Shave!"
With a sharp sound, Onigumo struck first. His body vanished from sight, reappearing in front of Aizen. Eight blades thrust forward simultaneously, cutting off every escape.
"Rear Admiral, show me your true strength!"
Aizen did not move. He stood calmly, letting the blades pierce through his figure.
From the stands, marines cried out in shock.
"No way! With just one exchange?"
"Rear Admiral Aizen is finished? Hurry, save him!"
Compared to their panic, the higher officers remained composed.
"Silence!" Sengoku's shout rolled like thunder. "The battle has only just begun."
His immense aura crushed the uproar instantly. Though the soldiers were filled with doubt, the calm of their commanders forced them to obey.
Kizaru glanced at the scene, then toward an empty corner of the stage.
"So that's the power of the Illusion Fruit. He replaced himself with a phantom to mislead the opponent's eyes. He even slipped past Onigumo's observation haki. Remarkable. Now then, how will he follow up?"
As he spoke, the "Aizen" impaled on Onigumo's swords shimmered and faded into nothing.
"When--?" Onigumo's eyes widened in alarm.
He had never expected to defeat Sengoku's prized disciple easily, but to be deceived so completely, without noticing when the ability was used—astonishing.
As he searched, Aizen appeared at his left. Then at his front, his right, behind him, to every side.
In moments, more than a dozen figures surrounded him.
"Vice Admiral Onigumo~"
"Vice Admiral Onigumo~"
"Vice Admiral Onigumo, be careful!"
Voices came from every direction, layering over one another.
Onigumo unleashed his full Observation Haki, eyes darting rapidly, trying to locate the real one. But the Aizens would not give him the chance. One after another, they drew swords and charged.
With the illusions closing in, Onigumo had no time left to discern.
"In that case, I'll just cut you all down!"
His eight blades whirled in a frenzy, releasing a storm of slashes in all directions. Stray waves of energy tore through the illusions and streaked toward the stands, threatening to strike the marines.
Suddenly, a massive slash surged upward, scattering the errant strikes.
"Vice Admiral Onigumo, this is only an exam. Harming our marines is unacceptable!"
From the empty corner Kizaru had been watching, Aizen appeared, glasses glinting coldly.
He would never turn a blind eye to ordinary soldiers being caught in the crossfire.
Though his tone was icy, the marines he shielded felt warmth in their hearts. Eyes turned toward his back, filled with awe and admiration.
Rear Admiral Aizen—a commander who cherished his men like his own children.
…
"Only an exam?"
Onigumo lunged forward, air splitting beneath his feet.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
He used Moonwalk three times in rapid succession, accelerating with each step until he was upon Aizen. Eight blades gleamed black with Armament Haki, wreathed in blue sword aura.
Swinging them down, Onigumo roared, the words spilling from his mouth:
"Battle is fought with lives on the line—spare me your gentle mercy!"
Eight colossal slashes crashed down, far more terrifying than before. This time they were not scattered strikes, but a concentrated blow worthy of a Vice Admiral.
The arena shattered into rubble under the sheer power, the oppressive might spreading across the field.
Now, everyone truly felt the strength of a Vice Admiral.
The other Vice Admirals in the stands did not remain idle. They moved in unison, blocking the overflow of destruction at the arena's edges.
"Fleet Admiral, shouldn't we stop them?" Kizaru asked.
But Sengoku's gaze remained steady, locked on the two fighters.
"Continue," he said calmly.