The air on the deck seemed to freeze.
Even the breathing of the surrounding soldiers became clearly audible.
Vice Admiral Hack narrowed his eyes at Riberra Sami, his gaze settling on that defiant grin.
"Meng Po's soup?"
The unfamiliar phrase meant nothing to him—but judging from the tone, it was clearly not friendly.
"Arrogant pirate!"
"You all—stand back!"
His saber flashed out of its sheath.
In the next instant—
he vanished.
Shave!
Hack moved like a bolt of lightning skimming the ground.
Before the echo of his voice faded—
his blade was already slicing toward Riberra Sami.
Riberra Sami's pupils shrank.
At the last possible moment, he slid sideways—
the blade grazed his clothes and slammed into the deck behind him, carving a deep scar.
"Marine Six Styles… Shave."
Riberra Sami steadied himself, voice calm—but his eyes lit with interest.
"Much faster than the officers I've fought before."
"Now this is more like it."
"Don't get cocky!"
Hack's wrist flicked—
his blade exploded into dozens of overlapping slashes.
Sword Technique · Chaotic Blades!
This time—
Riberra Sami didn't dodge.
His left hand turned pink—
morphing into several semi-transparent, flexible tentacles—
which surged forward into the storm of blades.
SPLRT—! CLANG—!
The tentacles twisted and wrapped with strange elasticity—
entangling Hack's blade.
No matter how much force he applied—
he couldn't cut through them.
"You're not really a swordsman, are you?" Riberra Sami asked casually.
A flicker of surprise crossed Hack's eyes—
and he instantly released his sword.
"Correct."
He shook his wrist and shifted into a fighting stance.
"Swordsmanship is just basic training."
"My specialty—"
"—is hand-to-hand combat."
"Then why use a sword?" Riberra Sami retracted his tentacles, amused.
"Looking down on me?"
Hack smirked.
His foot stomped—
and he shot forward again.
"Because—"
"—it looks cool."
He closed the distance instantly.
His fingers aligned—
Finger Pistol · Rapid Pierce!
A storm of thrusts exploded outward—
each strike aimed at vital points—
faster, sharper, deadlier than his sword technique.
"Good!"
Riberra Sami's eyes gleamed.
He didn't retreat.
His fists blurred into motion—
meeting every strike head-on.
THUD! THUD! THUD!
The air filled with rapid, heavy impacts—
pure speed and power colliding.
Shockwaves spread outward—
forcing nearby Marines to stagger back.
"Hahaha!"
In the middle of the clash—
Riberra Sami suddenly laughed.
A heavy hook slammed forward—
forcing Hack to slide backward several steps.
Riberra Sami grinned, eyes burning with excitement.
"Ever since four years ago…"
"I haven't met anyone who could make me take things seriously."
"Vice Admiral Hack—"
"You might just push me to go all out."
"Big words for someone who's barely traded a few blows!"
Hack steadied himself.
His anger flared—but beneath it, caution grew.
This pirate was stronger than expected.
"Try this!"
He spun—
his leg whipping through the air—
Tempest Kick · Crosswind Rend!
A massive cross-shaped air blade tore forward.
Riberra Sami stepped forward instead of dodging.
His right fist pulled back—
then drove forward—
BOOM!!
The cross-blade shattered instantly—
exploding into wild air currents.
Riberra Sami rolled his wrist, battle intent blazing.
"Not enough."
"Not enough!"
"Come on—get stronger!"
"Entertain me!"
"As you wish!"
Hack roared.
No more holding back.
His body began to change.
Muscles swelled.
His uniform stretched tight.
Thick gray-brown fur grew along his cheeks.
Teeth sharpened.
Fingers elongated into claws.
A feral aura erupted.
"Look! Vice Admiral—he transformed!"
Riberra Sami's expression turned more serious.
"A Zoan…"
"Correct!"
Hack's voice deepened.
"I ate the Dog-Dog Fruit, Model: Wolverine!"
"Prepare to lose, pirate!"
"Wolverine?"
Riberra Sami blinked—
then blurted:
"Wait… like the honey badger?"
"WOLVERINE! NOT HONEY BADGER!"
Hack nearly choked with rage.
"You illiterate pirate!"
"Oh… not honey badger…"
Riberra Sami visibly relaxed a bit, muttering.
"Good… that would've been troublesome…"
(Honey badgers… poison resistance… bad matchup.)
"You think a wolverine is weaker?!"
Hack snapped, completely enraged.
His ferocity amplified by the fruit.
"Let me show you—"
"the Six Styles refined in this form!"
He lunged low—
his leg slicing upward—
Tempest Kick · Rending Claw!
Three claw-shaped air blades tore through the air—
wider, deadlier.
Riberra Sami immediately leapt to evade.
But—
Hack vanished again.
Shave!
Faster.
Stronger.
In wolverine form—
his speed had increased dramatically.
He appeared above Riberra Sami midair—
claw-like fingers thrust forward—
combining the dive of a predator with piercing force.
Finger Pistol · Fang Strike!
"So fast—!"
At that split second—
Riberra Sami twisted midair—
almost impossibly.
SHHK—!
The attack grazed his ribs—
drawing blood—
but missed his vital organs.
They landed.
Riberra Sami staggered slightly—
touched his side—
blood staining his fingers.
He licked his lips.
Grinning wider.
"Now that's more like it…"
"Vice Admiral Hack."
He slowly took a new stance—
one never seen before.
A faint pink glow began to shimmer around his body.
His aura rose steadily.
"Warm-up's over."
"My crew is still waiting for me."
Hack landed a few meters away—
his wolverine features twisted with ferocity.
"Perfect."
"The next strike—"
"I'll take your head."
The battle—
was about to escalate to its peak.
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