The instant Reno's aura erupted, the surrounding air seemed to freeze.
Crimson lightning crackled violently around him, tearing through the sky like enraged serpents. The girls subconsciously stepped back, their hair and skirts fluttering wildly under the pressure.
Maya's pupils trembled.
She had never seen such a terrifying presence before.
The green mist that had been rushing toward Reno suddenly halted mid-air, as if it had encountered an absolute ruler. Then, under the overwhelming pressure of Reno's will, it began to retreat frantically.
"Suppress!" Reno's voice rang out, calm yet unquestionable.
Boom!
His Conqueror's Haki exploded outward, forming an invisible shockwave. The green mist shattered instantly, turning into wisps that scattered into the air.
The Shichiseiken in his hand began to vibrate violently.
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
The blade flickered with alternating green light, struggling as though resisting Reno's domination.
"Still trying to resist?" Reno smirked.
He tightened his grip, and the red lightning intensified. His will poured directly into the blade, clashing head-on with the sword's dark consciousness.
Inside the Shichiseiken, the sinister will roared like a beast.
But Reno's presence was like a towering mountain.
Unmovable.
Unshakable.
The violent trembling gradually weakened. The green glow dimmed bit by bit, as if being forcibly pressed into submission.
"Submit," Reno said softly.
Crack!
A faint sound echoed, as if something inside the blade had been broken.
The Shichiseiken suddenly went quiet.
The eerie green mist completely disappeared, and the blade's glow became gentle, no longer aggressive.
"It… it stopped?" Kaya blinked in surprise.
"So fast…" Vivi murmured, her tension finally easing.
Robin crossed her arms, smiling knowingly. "As expected of our Captain."
Maya, however, was frozen in place.
Her worldview had just been overturned.
The cursed sword feared by Aska Island for centuries… had just been suppressed in less than a minute?
Reno casually swung the Shichiseiken once. A faint humming sound followed, but no dark aura appeared.
"Seems obedient now," he said with satisfaction.
Tashigi's eyes shone brightly. "Captain, can I take a look?"
Reno handed it over without hesitation.
Tashigi carefully held the sword, her breathing slightly quickened. She raised it and lightly slashed toward the distant hillside.
Swish!
A compressed slash shot out instantly.
Boom!
The hillside cracked, rocks tumbling down with a rumbling echo.
"So strong!" Tashigi exclaimed, her hands trembling slightly with excitement.
"There's no… no reaction?" Maya stepped forward cautiously.
She stared at Tashigi, waiting for signs of madness or corruption.
Nothing happened.
Tashigi remained perfectly normal.
Maya's lips parted slightly. "How… how is this possible…"
Reno walked over and lightly tapped her forehead with a smile. "I told you, it only bullies those with weak willpower."
Maya hesitated, then gathered courage. "Can… can I try?"
"Of course," Reno nodded.
Tashigi handed the sword to her gently.
Maya swallowed nervously and held the Shichiseiken. Her eyes shut tightly at first, as if preparing for something terrifying.
One second.
Two seconds.
Nothing happened.
She slowly opened her eyes.
"I… I'm fine?" she whispered.
Then her expression brightened instantly. "I'm really fine!"
The girls laughed softly.
Reno leaned slightly closer. "So, now you don't need to guard it alone anymore."
Maya looked at him, stunned.
He continued gently, "If you join us, you can watch over it anytime. And we'll travel the sea together."
Maya's heart began to waver.
She glanced at the cheerful girls around her, then at the calm Reno holding everything under control.
For the first time, she felt that perhaps… the world outside Aska Island was much larger than she imagined.
But before she could answer—
The subdued Shichiseiken suddenly emitted a faint hum, as if acknowledging its new master.
Reno smiled.
"Looks like it agrees too."
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