Kizaru's usually nonchalant expression twisted into a pained grimace. "Oh yo, things seem to have suddenly become troublesome~~"
Doflamingo had been killed by Adrian. Just going back to Marine Headquarters, he knew he was in for a scolding from Kong. His "handsome face," as he internally called it, twitched in annoyance. Damn. As long as I don't meet Adrian, this little bastard... it's definitely good. The normally handsome Admiral looked anything but.
"That trash who overestimated himself should have died a long time ago. The fool didn't know how to cherish his own life when captain let go off him, and he dared to come back..." Bullet watched the scene unfold with disdain. In his view, Doflamingo's return to Dressrosa was an act of suicide. With Adrian's character, it would have been a miracle if he hadn't killed him.
"However, Kizaru, you're still in the mood to care about that guy's life and death? Do you think my fist isn't hard enough?" Bullet's voice rumbled.
BOOM!
A blow, heavy with Emission Haki, shattered Kizaru's Ame no Murakumo and sent him flying.
"It's really scary... a physique and strength like a monster~~" Kizaru picked himself up, a helpless sigh escaping his lips. He relied too much on his Devil Fruit, and facing Bullet was like meeting his nemesis. The man's strength, physical durability, martial arts, and Haki were all on a level Kizaru felt he couldn't match.
Especially the massive concentration of high-intensity Armament Haki. Even barehanded, Bullet's fists were a force to be reckoned with. Kizaru's Ame no Murakumo couldn't even break his defense. This made the Admiral feel incredibly aggravated and depressed.
Another fight in this fucking battle? Sakazuki, Sakazuki... It surprises me that you, the hardcore-justice guy, openly waste time now. The old man received a beating today, and half of it is because of you, you idiot.
The situation on Aokiji's side wasn't much better. Dead Song, a tireless and pain-immune force, relied on his formidable physical skills and Armament Haki to overwhelm him. Although Aokiji was also skilled in physical combat, he was no match for Dead Song, who had inherited Garp's "legacy." The gap between them was immense.
And Akainu, the strongest and toughest of the three Admirals, remained seated on the warship, with no intention of joining the fray.
In truth, Aokiji and Kizaru had misunderstood him. Akainu had initially chosen to "waste time" because he saw no reason to fight for Doflamingo. But even after the Warlord's death, he still refrained from making a move against Adrian. As long as Adrian stayed out of the battle, the situation was still in the World Government's favor. But if the man himself entered the fight, the outcome was uncertain.
With the appearance of Aloof Red, the advantage in high-end combat power had been broken. Akainu had never imagined there were crew pirate members thay even a Marine Admiral couldn't subdue, even with their combined strength. If this gets out, the Marine's reputation and prestige would be completely ruined.
Meanwhile, the battle between Redfield and Hawkeye had reached a fever pitch. The terrifying slashes tearing through the air painted the sky, and the ice around them was shattered into countless pieces. They were now fighting on an ice floe less than five meters wide.
"Is this terrifying slashing really a realm that humans can achieve?" a spectator whispered in awe.
"This...is this the true strength of the Great Swordsman?"
"To be able to fight the world's number one swordsman for so long, that old guy must be a famous swordsman. I never thought he, the one holding an umbrella, is also a great swordsman!"
"Looking at his strength, I think he is no less than Hawkeye."
"Bullet... Redfield... How did Adrian tame these two monsters!"
With every clash of their blades, shocking waves erupted on the sea's surface. The turbulent aftermath spread outward, and the sharp sword aura sent chills down everyone's spines.
But what truly terrified them was the young figure sitting calmly on the shore. Even if most of them hadn't witnessed Adrian's power at the Summit War, the fact that he could command old monsters like Bullet and Redfield was proof enough that he was an existence of unimaginable power.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Although Redfield's weapon was a simple umbrella, under the blessing of his ultimate Armament Haki, it became a weapon not inferior to the black blade, Yoru. Its swift, unpredictable stabs, like a gun, even brought a hint of confusion to Hawkeye.
But this was Hawkeye's true purpose. As someone who pursued the ultimate in swordsmanship, he sought a breakthrough. He needed a strong enemy, someone like Redfield or Adrian, to reach a higher level.
'Succinct and efficient sword moves!' Hawkeye's eyes burned. 'Overbearing sword intent! The swordsmanship of the man across from me is definitely higher than mine... If I had met him when he was young, I would have died within a hundred moves.'
Hawkeye, who hadn't fought with all his strength in over a decade, was now unleashing the terrifying, power within his body. Redfield, in turn, seemed to see him as a kindred spirit, like Red-Haired Shanks. A feeling of exhilaration swept through his body.
SWISH!
Redfield suddenly gripped the umbrella handle with both hands and unleashed a slash close to the ultimate. A reddish, crescent-shaped wave, like a dead moon, emanated a chilling breath of death as it cut through the sky toward Hawkeye. It was an incredibly powerful slash containing his Sword Intent.
"I won't lose so easily..." Hawkeye frowned, and a cyan sword aura shot out. The moment his black blade Yoru came down, the air in front of everyone seemed to split, creating a brief sense of separation. Even the thick clouds above were suddenly split in two by the sheer force of the blow.
HISS!
Those who witnessed this scene were all shocked by the terrifying aura of the two swordsmen. Such a terrifying blow, even as a bystander, was enough to make one's knees buckle.
The next second, a deafening explosion echoed as the two slashes collided. A terrifying energy fluctuation erupted, impacting outward like a tsunami. A nearby warship was torn to shreds in an instant, leaving no trace of the soldiers on board. If Akainu hadn't stood up to block the energy wave that continued to rage, the casualties would have been far greater.
"Is this really the strength an old man in his sixties or seventies can unleash?" Hawkeye's eyes were filled with a mix of admiration and shock. Admitting that others were better than him was never difficult for someone as frank as he was. Hawkeye was already wondering if he could unleash such a terrifying strength when he was Redfield's age.
"What's your name, brat?" Redfield asked with an aloof expression. "Since you can take the blow I just gave you, it proves that you are qualified to be known by the old man."