"Gion, are you alright?"
Seeing Gion wounded, Tsuru looked over with concern.
"Tsuru-nee, just a small cut... it's poisoned."
Tsuru's expression darkened. She placed her hand over the wound and used the power of the Awa no Mi (Purification Fruit) to cleanse the toxins from Gion's body.
"The ability of the Senren no Mi can eliminate toxins from the human body, but it has no effect on the poison of Genrou."
For a moment, neither of them found it easy to land a solid hit on Genrou.
"Senren no Mi's power is ineffective against Genrou's poison."
"Poison, huh?"
Tsuru furrowed her brow and waved her hand toward Gion, releasing a stream of foam-like substance with her ability.
Seeing this, Genrou immediately launched several Rankyaku (Tempest Kick) attacks in rapid succession to blow away the foam.
Though the poison of the Inori no Yumi (Bow of Prayer) couldn't be cured by ordinary means...
Tsuru, being the Senren no Mi user capable of purifying toxins from others, still couldn't neutralize the poison of the Inori no Yumi.
Right now, Genrou was hoping Tsuru and Gion would slip up because of the poison.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru, I know quite a bit about you."
"If you're trying to stop me, then don't expect to have the leisure to detoxify Vice Admiral Gion."
Genrou smiled.
"I see... So that's your goal, huh, Genrou?"
"As expected from a former CP0 agent. Even though you've become an excellent swordsman, you lack the pride typical of most swordsmen."
Tsuru's gaze was ice-cold as she "glared" at Genrou.
"Invisibility, theft, poison—you really will stoop to anything."
Tsuru's gaze grew sharper as she spoke.
"Don't try to provoke me. That trick doesn't work on me."
"You're both trying to capture me, right? Then what's wrong with me fighting dirty?"
Genrou chuckled again, launching several more invisible arrows toward Gion and Tsuru, forcing them to dodge or block.
Now that they knew the arrows were poisoned, and with no clear idea of what kind of poison, the two naturally didn't dare to block them with their bodies.
Still, despite everything, Gion and Tsuru's pressure left Genrou—despite his invisibility—with no easy path of retreat.
"As expected of a Navy Admiral Candidate and Grand Staff Officer... troublesome opponents."
"Should I use the Noble Phantasm Inori no Yumi?"
Genrou considered, glancing at the crossbow in his hand.
"No... If I use the Noble Phantasm now, I may not even be able to hit Gion."
"Even if I do, I'll have expended too much stamina, and there's no guarantee I could escape Tsuru's grasp."
"I'll have to think of another plan."
With that, Genrou twisted his body again, unleashing a barrage of venomous arrows toward the two.
Meanwhile, on the other side—
"Zoro, turn the rudder to the left! Sanji, shift the sails to the right!"
"Damn it, these Sea Kings just won't give up!"
Nami summoned thunder to strike at the Navy officers approaching with Geppou (Moonwalk).
"Don't worry, Nami-swan! I'll protect you with my life!"
Sanji's eyes turned into hearts as he shouted earnestly.
"Y-Yeah... but for now, please just help steer the ship."
Nami sighed.
Though Sanji's strength was decent, without having received a Heroic Spirit Template yet, he couldn't be considered a true powerhouse.
After all, the Marines using Geppou to chase after them from their warship clearly weren't weak.
Zoro was also unable to go all out due to the earlier battle with Mihawk.
And in terms of firepower, the Going Merry couldn't compare to a Marine warship.
That they were holding on at all was largely thanks to Luffy's exceptional performance... and Usopp's outstanding performance.
Thinking of this, Nami's gaze shifted.
She looked toward Usopp—who had, at some point, also entered King's Heroic Spirit Mimicry state. He stood at the stern with arms folded, expression calm, exuding a mighty presence while his "Emperor Engine" roared loudly.
Honestly, a major reason the Marines hadn't stormed the ship yet... was because of Usopp.
With this realization, Nami's eyes gleamed. She quickly rushed to Usopp's side and exclaimed with admiration:
"Usopp, you're the strongest on the crew besides Genrou! Now that Genrou is tied up, you need to come up with something using your invincible Emperor Engine!"
Usopp glanced at her, instantly understanding what she was implying.
"Sorry, Nami. I'm not like Luffy—I don't have anti-air capabilities."
"But don't worry. Once they step foot on the Merry, I'll take them down one by one."
As he finished speaking, the Emperor Engine's roar intensified, and with his stern face—thanks to King's Heroic Spirit Mimicry—the Marines in the sky performing Geppou couldn't help but frown deeply.
"What now?!"
"That woman said he's the strongest aside from Genrou. Could he really be stronger than Luffy? But... isn't Luffy the captain?"
"If Genrou the vice-captain is stronger than the captain, it kinda makes sense that this long-nose guy could be stronger too... I guess?"
"Then what do we do? Should we test him?"
"No matter what, we have to stop him. Everyone, let's—"
A female Marine took the initiative and launched several Rankyaku blades at Usopp.
Luffy saw this and wanted to help, but he was already entangled in a fight and couldn't break free—he could only watch as the wind blades sped toward Usopp.
Usopp's heartbeat grew faster and louder as the Rankyaku blades approached.
The pressure was immense—even the female Marine who had attacked hesitated, feeling something was off.
Just as she thought Usopp was about to retaliate, Zoro—still injured—suddenly charged forward.
"Usopp, don't overdo it."
"Leave this to me..."
Zoro stood tall and glanced at Usopp, who had his head lowered and body faintly trembling, intending to persuade him to retreat temporarily.
But before he could say another word, a surge of black lightning flashed across Usopp's body.
A powerful aura erupted from him, instantly cutting Zoro off.
As the aura swept past Zoro and Nami—
"This is... Haoshoku no Haki (Conqueror's Haki)?!"
The female Marine who had attacked earlier widened her eyes in shock, body frozen—she almost fell from the sky.
(End of Chapter)
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