Ivan appeared behind Hana-Fuda, his Snowfall blade now coated in a deep black. Though his Armament Haki had only just awakened, it was in no way inferior to Hana-Fuda's.
Because it was so powerful, it was difficult to awaken—but once awakened, it would shake the heavens and earth!
This was a talent unique to the truly strong!
"One Sword Style: Black Azure: Twisting Vortex!"
Ivan's body spun violently, twisting into a whirlpool of water.
The blue-black watery vortex instantly struck Hana-Fuda's back. Against such sharp, high-speed water slashes, the Tyrannosaurus's skin was like paper, easily torn apart.
Splash!
A torrent of blood sprayed from Hana-Fuda's wound, pouring down on Ivan like a heavy rain. Yet before it could touch him, it was blocked by a repulsive force, unable to get close.
"Aaaah!"
Severely wounded by Ivan's slash, Hana-Fuda was sent flying backward, crashing heavily onto the wreckage of the Tyrannosaurus Pirate Ship.
The debris shattered instantly, and the surviving pirates on it were crushed into pulp. Hana-Fuda himself fell completely into the sea, utterly powerless to resist.
If not for a loyal subordinate who fished him out, this generation's Warlord of the Sea might have drowned!
Pulled from the water, Hana-Fuda lay on a wooden plank, coughing up blood as he stared fearfully at Ivan.
This guy's strength was far too terrifying. How could such a powerful fighter only be a Marine captain?
Suddenly, Hana-Fuda realized with shock that Ivan, wielding his black blade, was charging toward him at high speed. Now completely devoid of fighting spirit, he transformed into his half-dragon form and fled madly into the distance.
At this moment, he truly felt the threat of death. No longer able to maintain the arrogance of a Warlord, he pleaded desperately:
"Wait, Captain Ivan, I think there's some misunderstanding between us. I can compensate you.
Besides, there's no irreparable conflict between us, right? If you kill me, the World Government will hold you accountable, and even Kaido will come after you. So please, let me go!"
Yet all his pleas fell on deaf ears, stirring no emotion in Ivan whatsoever.
Ivan sneered coldly. "Are you joking right now?"
His Burning Justice would burn away all evil—and the Warlords were part of that evil!
In moments, Hana-Fuda's body was covered in sword wounds, blood seeping from each one. Gravely injured, he had completely lost the ability to resist.
Standing on the wreckage of a pirate ship, Ivan pressed his foot on Hana-Fuda's head and raised his black blade, ready to end his life.
Just then, the Den Den Mushi in his pocket rang.
Answering it, he heard Fleet Admiral Sengoku's voice. "Captain Ivan, are you currently engaged in battle with Hana-Fuda?"
Ivan glanced down at Hana-Fuda, whose head he was stepping on, now barely alive, and replied calmly:
"That's correct, Fleet Admiral Sengoku. I have already defeated Hana-Fuda and am about to cut off his head to uphold the Marine's honor!"
"It's fine if you lose, just give the Den Den Mushi to Hana-Fuda, and I'll warn him… Wait, what did you say? You won?"
"Yes, Hana-Fuda no longer has the strength to resist!" Ivan pressed down with his foot, causing the shattered pirate ship wreckage to nearly split apart, and Hana-Fuda let out a miserable cry.
Only then did Sengoku realize that Ivan had said he won!
This was unbelievable to him.
After all, upon receiving reports from his subordinates that Ivan and Hina had been attacked by the Seven Warlords of the Sea member Hana-Fuda, he had hurriedly made the call to save them.
Both were rising stars in the Navy, possessing the combat strength of rear admirals at such a young age.
Especially Ivan, who was only eighteen yet already wielded such formidable power, making him a future candidate for admiral.
He had intended to use his authority as Fleet Admiral to persuade Hana-Fuda to spare them, but he never expected events to unfold beyond his expectations.
Hana-Fuda had actually been defeated by Ivan!
Was this child's growth rate really so fast?
After a brief moment of shock, Sengoku sighed, his voice tinged with bitterness. "I'm sorry, Colonel Ivan, but... you probably cannot kill Hana-Fuda."
Ivan's tone remained unchanged, as if he felt no anger at all. "Why, Fleet Admiral Sengoku? Hana-Fuda nearly killed Colonel Hina. He no longer deserves to be one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea!"
If Ivan had shouted in rage, Sengoku might have felt slightly better, but now, faced with Ivan's calm questioning, the words he wanted to say stuck in his throat.
After a moment of silence, Sengoku spoke gravely, "I'm sorry, Colonel Ivan, but the world needs order now..."
Ivan wasn't surprised by Sengoku's choice. While the Fleet Admiral had zero tolerance for pirates, he cared even more about maintaining order.
Ivan sighed, unable to hide his disappointment. "I understand, Fleet Admiral Sengoku. I will spare him."
Sengoku felt even more guilty and, after some thought, decided to compensate Ivan in other ways.
"Colonel Ivan, don't worry. Hana-Fuda's actions will certainly be punished by the World Government... Also, your current rank no longer matches your strength. At the next headquarters meeting, I will propose promoting you by one rank."
Despite the promotion, Ivan's tone showed no trace of joy. "I understand, Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
After a dead silence, Sengoku softly apologized and hung up.
Ivan stood in place, his expression as stern as a stone statue, revealing nothing of the turmoil within. In contrast, Hana-Fuda beneath his feet seemed to regain some vitality and burst into laughter, taunting him.
"Hahaha, what Navy rising star? You're nothing but a dog of the World Government.
Remember this, kid: to survive in this world, you need strength, but even more, you need connections. You can't kill me, hahaha!"
But as he laughed, Hana-Fuda's laughter died in his throat. Ivan showed no anger; instead, he smiled and nodded at him.
Just as Hana-Fuda began to worry that Ivan might defy orders in a fit of rage and kill him, Ivan suddenly turned and walked away.
This left Hana-Fuda utterly puzzled. Although Ivan had been smiling just moments ago, the killing intent in his eyes had been stronger than ever. How could he let him go so easily?
However, he no longer had the energy to dwell on it. After regaining some strength, he ignored his injuries and ordered his crew to row the wreckage of the pirate ship toward the nearest island.
But just a few kilometers after setting off, Hana-Fuda suddenly noticed a figure wearing a tanuki mask descending from the sky. The next moment, the corner of the mouth revealed beneath the mask curled into a smile that felt all too familiar to him.
Then, his vision was replaced by two intensely scorching crimson beams. His head was directly cleaved open by the terrifying Heat Vision!
Only at the final moment before death did Hana-Fuda realize that Ivan was actually connected to the Shadow Garden, the current focal point of the world!
What a terrifying guy. What exactly was he planning by infiltrating the Marines? And what was his identity within the Shadow Garden?
Hana-Fuda didn't know. The only thing he knew was that this world would eventually be turned upside down by lawless individuals like Ivan!
Meanwhile, aboard the Orange Ship not far from where Hana-Fuda fell, Ivan wore an expression of shock identical to everyone around him. Unhurriedly, he took out a Den Den Mushi and dialed the number he had just hung up on.
His tone was astonished, his expression horrified, and his entire demeanor radiated unmistakable sincerity:
"Ahhh, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, it's terrible! Hana-Fuda has been killed by a newly emerged member of the Shadow Garden!"