El watched the approaching mass of vegetation.
He shook his head.
"Your strength… is far from enough," he said calmly.
With his right hand, he casually gripped his supreme-grade blade, Slash God.
Black Armament Haki and Conqueror's Haki swirled and wrapped around the blade, turning it pitch-black and menacing, like a wild beast ready to devour anything in its path.
El opened his eyes slightly and fixed his gaze on Aramaki.
Then, he slashed!
This strike was incredibly fast.
No one saw him draw the sword, nor did they see him sheathe it.
They only saw a brilliant flash of blade light, like a white line cutting through the air.
Everything around seemed to freeze in time.
Then, as if a storm had erupted out of nowhere…
BOOM!
With that single strike, every plant and tree surrounding Aramaki was severed clean in half!
Including Aramaki himself — he was sliced completely into two pieces!
Everything around Aramaki turned into fine dust.
Only a tiny sapling remained on the ground.
From that sapling, Aramaki's true form grew out and emerged.
As soon as he appeared, his face was filled with panic.
Aramaki quickly spoke to El, "I know I was wrong! I never should have challenged you!"
"I am no match for you. I will leave immediately!"
He turned around at once, ready to flee for his life.
"Wait."
El spoke softly.
Aramaki froze instantly in his tracks.
Countless thoughts raced through his mind.
What does he want? Is he unhappy? Is he going to kill me after all?
In that split second, his whole life flashed before his eyes.
Contrary to his fears, El simply said in a calm tone:
"Stay until the next challenger has finished his challenge… then you may leave."
"The next challenger?" Aramaki was utterly confused. He had no idea what El was talking about.
Just then, from the distant woods, the sound of clapping was heard.
Clap… clap… clap…
Accompanied by the applause, a blind man carrying a sword walked out.
He wore purple clothing, and across his face were two striking scars. He had wooden sandals on his feet and held a white cane in one hand.
He walked out from the forest. There were many obstacles in his path, yet he walked as smoothly as if the path was flat and clear. It was as if he could see everything perfectly.
Impressive Observation Haki… Aramaki thought to himself.
As the blind man walked closer, he spoke to El. "Worthy indeed of the title of the strongest legendary pirate…"
"From such a distance, and even though I deliberately suppressed my breath and movements, you still noticed me."
"Truly remarkable!"
El looked at him. "Did you also come to challenge me because of the World Government's conscription?"
The blind man replied seriously, "Precisely."
"Ah, forgive me — I haven't introduced myself yet."
"My name is Issho."
El nodded in understanding. So it is him… Fujitora, the future Admiral.
But it seems because I have become so powerful, the World Government had to start their recruitment drive much earlier than expected.
El looked at both Issho and Aramaki.
Suddenly, he asked with genuine curiosity: "Why is it that both of you came to me to prove your strength?"
"Do you think I am the weakest of the Emperors?"
As he spoke, he thought to himself: I haven't been out making my presence known for so long… it seems people have almost forgotten who I really am.
Issho shook his head repeatedly. "No, how could that be?"
"I came to find you precisely because you are acknowledged as the strongest among all pirates."
Just as he finished speaking, before El could reply, Aramaki cried out in shock:
"Huh?! What? He's the strongest?!"
Issho paused, then turned his head toward Aramaki, confused. "What? You didn't know?"
Aramaki nodded honestly. "No, I didn't! I came here simply because your territory is the closest to mine!"
Issho smiled wryly, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. "Well… at least now you will get to witness the strongest man in action."
Aramaki glanced at El, then asked Issho, "How did you know… that he is the strongest pirate?"
Issho looked at him in disbelief. "Do you even need to ask?"
"Lord El is a warrior who defeated even Rocks and Roger. He is the man who stood against the four top powerhouses of the Marines alone… and won."
"If someone like that isn't the strongest in the world… who could possibly be?"
After hearing Issho's explanation, Aramaki was completely stunned.
"Why… why have I never heard about any of this before?!"
Issho couldn't help but ask Aramaki, "Do you not read the newspapers or keep up with current events at all?!"
Aramaki replied casually, "Too much trouble. I don't bother."
Issho and El were both speechless.
Especially El.
He had thought that anyone bold enough to aim for the position of Admiral must be a truly exceptional talent. But it turned out this guy was just a fool who knew nothing.
"Enough idle chatter."
El said to Issho, "You dare come challenge me… you truly have no fear of death."
Issho's face showed an expression of reverence mixed with melancholy.
"To be able to fight a master like you… is the greatest honor of my life."
"Even if I die here today, my wish will be fulfilled."
Hearing him say this, El actually felt some respect for this man.
Compared to Aramaki, Issho was on a completely different level.
Aramaki watched Issho, shocked and amazed.
"He's actually willing to die just for a chance to fight…"
Thinking this, Aramaki suddenly felt incredibly lucky.
I challenged the strongest man in the world without even knowing who he was… and I'm still alive. I really must have incredible luck!
"Very well."
El said calmly to Issho, "If you can survive one strike from me, you live."
Issho did not take this as an insult.
On the contrary… to him, this was a test. A trial.
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