Strawberry knew Geppo's principle: continuous, skillful kicks against the air for propulsion.
But Gusion stood there, unmoving, not using any such technique.
It felt like the Float-Float Fruit, but Golden Lion was still locked away. Besides, intelligence said Gusion wasn't a Devil Fruit user.
So how was he doing it? Who was he really?
Snow Wind was equally stunned. Seeing Gusion's sword and his feet, she realized—he was a Shinigami!"
This was a high-level use of the Shinigami's flash step: creating footholds from spiritual particles to stand in midair. Compared to Geppo, it was a skill on another level.
"Snow Wind, stop gawking and set sail. I'll catch up after I finish testing my sword."
Gusion's authority was unquestionable. Without the navy's interference, this Sky Island trip would have been easy. But with Kaido's orders to protect Ulti and her brother, he had to consider their safety. Luckily, Snow Wind's team could help.
"Everyone, set sail!" Snow Wind called, trusting Gusion's strength.
As long as they entered the current zone leading to Sky Island, even the navy couldn't catch them.
Gusion hovered above the White Sea, watching the ship recede, eyes on the distant battle.
King and Aramaki were locked in a fierce fight. Though Aramaki was strong, the White Sea's floating islands made it hard for him to use his powers fully. King, meanwhile, could fly unrestricted, giving him the advantage.
But as a Logia user, Aramaki was tough and resilient, able to recover from almost any injury. He was determined to kill Gusion for a shot at promotion.
Their battle kept moving upstream, drawing closer to the Gusion-Strawberry duel.
"You want to test your sword on me? I'm not like other rear admirals!"
Strawberry was shaken by Gusion's air-walking, but not afraid.
He was puzzled—he'd blocked Gusion's slash, and both their projectile attacks should have canceled out. With Haki, the aftershock shouldn't have hurt him.
But Gusion had left a cut on his waist. Not serious, but puzzling.
"I haven't met other rear admirals, but as a Beasts' All-Star, I should be able to kill one easily, right?"
Gusion's secret: his Soul Devourer ring inflicted true damage—3% of the target's soul capacity with every hit. Upgraded, it boosted the effect by 50%, for 4.5% per blow. Even in the tough One Piece world, this would wear anyone down.
"Your Haki is impressive, but I can do the same," Strawberry retorted, coating his swords in advanced, dark-purple Haki.
"My teacher was Admiral Zephyr—of course I know this trick. Prepare to die, pirate!"
He advanced with Geppo, though not as confidently as he sounded.
Gusion sensed Strawberry's advanced Haki was unreliable—sometimes it worked, sometimes not. He wasn't a natural talent; it would take him years to master what Luffy and Gusion picked up in days.
No more words. Gusion took a breath and used flash step—far faster than the navy's Soru.
Strawberry tensed, blocking with crossed blades, crouched like a bull about to charge. In a flash, he launched his own cross-slash with advanced Haki.
"Two-Sword Style: Cross Kill!"
Going all out, Strawberry banked on his superior physique to overpower Gusion.
This time, his advanced Haki worked perfectly.
Gusion shot forward, but strangely made no sound—no sonic boom, just a ripple on the White Sea.
Rather than dodge, Gusion met the attack head-on, switching to a single-handed grip and drawing a smooth arc in the air, his sword's force stirring a whirlpool below and clouds above.
Where he stood became a vortex, sucking in water and clouds alike.
Secret Sword Technique—Gathering a Hundred Rivers!
Strawberry's blades, compelled by a strange force, were drawn off course, nearly torn from his grip. Forced to choose, he let go of one sword, body pulled sideways.
Gusion didn't let up. As soon as the blade finished its arc, he spun and kicked Strawberry in the waist.
Boom!
Strawberry, exposed and unable to dodge, was sent flying, organs churning even through Haki. The true damage effect ruptured his kidney.
Gusion had activated the Soul Devourer ring's active skill, dealing an extra 15% of Strawberry's soul capacity as real damage—enough for a serious internal injury.
No chance for respite—Gusion followed up, sword flashing. Strawberry barely managed to block with his remaining blade, but was knocked away again, crashing through floating islands.
Before he could catch his breath, Gusion was already above him, twin hands gripping Mazuko, lightning flashing, face marked with ghostly patterns—like a demon descending.
He slashed down, even before the blade landed, carving a gash in the White Sea.
Secret Sword Technique—Earth Splitter!
Strawberry, terrified, could barely lift his sword in defense. The clash shattered his named blade—one of the 50 Skillful Grade Swords—while Mazuko, wreathed in crimson Haki, kept descending.
The blade cut flesh and bone, severing Strawberry's right arm and shoulder.
"Strawberry!"
Aramaki, fighting nearby, cried out in disbelief. How could a strategist defeat a rear admiral?
But Gusion did not hesitate. As Strawberry fell, Gusion flashed downward, slicing through his neck—ending him for good.