Chapter 56: The Power of a Sword
At this time, the Marines were in a generational transition.
The three Admirals of the legendary generation—Akainu, Kizaru, and Aokiji—along with numerous Vice Admirals and Rear Admirals, were gradually entering middle age. However, the younger generation that followed them found themselves in an awkward position, with none truly standing out as exceptional.
Ain's talent and strength were genuinely outstanding among her generation of Marines. While there were those stronger than her, the gap wasn't significant—they were essentially on the same level.
Growing up in such an environment, Ain naturally possessed considerable self-confidence, viewing her peers as equals at best.
But today, she had suffered an unexpected blow to her pride.
She had tried to rationalize her loss to Rhodes in their sword duel by telling herself he was a disciple of a Great Swordsman, but the overwhelming difference in combat ability she'd just witnessed was beyond anything she could have imagined.
"How can such a monster exist?" Ain muttered quietly.
No wonder Vice Admiral Momousagi had accepted him as a student.
After all, Vice Admiral Momousagi was a rare female powerhouse in the Marines—perhaps even in the entire world—who had always maintained impossibly high standards. It was said she had rejected the romantic advances of fellow Admiral candidate Vice Admiral Chaton over a hundred times.
Meanwhile, Rhodes, having decisively eliminated his enemy, had no idea the young woman beside him had just experienced such an emotional rollercoaster.
He slowly approached Ain and asked, "Have you encountered the top executive Harmon or any of the other officers?"
"Oh, uh..." Ain snapped back to attention at Rhodes' question, then quickly replied, "I didn't run into them on my route, and you didn't encounter them either."
"Then they most likely engaged Shuzo and the others."
Before the mission began, Ain and the other commandos had been assigned specific patrol zones. Their objective was to prevent the Devil Pirates' leadership from reaching the main battle lines—eliminating them if possible, or at least delaying them to buy time for the primary force.
The overall tactical plan was to concentrate superior numbers to clear the battlefield before confronting the pirate captains.
"Shuzo can't defeat Harmon alone, but he should be able to hold him off, especially with Binz nearby," Ain said confidently, well aware of her comrades' abilities.
Binz was a user of the Paramecia-type Mosa Mosa no Mi. While not particularly skilled in direct combat, he excelled at battlefield control and defensive tactics.
Shuzo, on the other hand, specialized in Taijutsu and possessed tremendous physical durability. Together, the pair had successfully contained many powerful opponents comparable to Harmon.
"I'm afraid it won't be that simple," Rhodes shook his head.
Unlike Ain, who had been held up by a single swordsman, Rhodes had thoroughly swept his assigned area and noticed several individuals who clearly didn't belong to the Devil Pirates.
They were stronger, more arrogant, and naturally met far more gruesome ends.
"If my intelligence is correct, members of the Donquixote Family should also be involved in this battle. Shuzo and the others are likely facing more than just Harmon right now."
"The Donquixote Family?!" Ain's voice carried a sharp edge of alarm.
"Then we need to support them immediately! The Donquixote Family are not to be underestimated," she said urgently, worry evident in her tone.
The Donquixote Family commanded respect throughout the New World, wielding considerable influence and boasting numerous powerful fighters. While Ain estimated they wouldn't send their top executives for a covert transaction, whoever they did send would likely rank among their elite.
Shuzo and his team could hold off a formidable opponent like Harmon, but facing two such enemies would likely spell disaster.
Just as Ain had predicted, Shuzo and his companions were in desperate straits.
If they hadn't stumbled upon a small park with flowers and trees, which Binz had manipulated to construct multiple defensive barriers, they would have been overwhelmed long ago.
In fact, they had only managed to hold out this long because the enemy leader had mysteriously ceased his attacks, leaving only the pirate officers to continue the assault.
"Well, have you given it some thought?" Lao G's expression was stern, carrying an air of intimidation.
"Spark is finished. With Zephyr and Momousagi working together, escape is impossible. Even if we went to support him, we'd only be throwing our lives away."
"Your leadership and combat abilities are both excellent. I'll recommend you to the Young Master."
Upon learning who was besieging Spark, Lao G had realized the Devil Pirates' inevitable destruction.
Even if they could somehow defeat the Marines on the main battlefield, Zephyr and Momousagi alone would be more than sufficient to sweep through the entire pirate stronghold, leaving no survivors.
Harmon's eyes flickered with internal conflict. After all, Spark had once been his partner on the seas.
"There isn't much time to consider this," Lao G said coldly.
"If we wait until Zephyr and Momousagi finish off Spark, you'll be trapped here even if you want to switch sides!"
Harmon's expression wavered. He took a deep breath and asked, "Do you have a way off this island?"
"The harbor has been seized by the Marines."
"That's not your concern," Lao G replied calmly. "Let's eliminate these two troublesome Marines first."
"Understood," Harmon said with newfound deference.
Having decided to defect, he naturally had to demonstrate his commitment. He moved forward to take the lead.
Just then, something unexpected occurred.
A blue-haired woman suddenly burst onto the battlefield. Taking advantage of the element of surprise, she struck a pirate captain with her power, regressing him twelve years in age, then cut him down with a single slash while he was still in shock.
"Damn it!" Harmon exploded in fury, charging forward instantly.
These pirate captains were his trusted lieutenants—the very people who would help him establish his position within the Donquixote Family. Watching one die before his eyes was unbearable.
However, the moment he began his charge, a brilliant sword slash suddenly tore through the air, ripping forward with an extremely sharp whistling sound, like a fighter jet skimming the ground at supersonic speed.
"What?!"
Despite his shock, Harmon remained composed, displaying incredible battle instincts.
His charging figure instantly shifted from extreme motion to absolute stillness. His fist hardened with jet-black Armament Haki as he struck out to intercept the incoming slash without hesitation.
BANG!
When fist met sword energy, Harmon's expression changed drastically. His massive frame slid uncontrollably across the ground for seven or eight meters, his entire face flushing red from the impact.
"Break!" he roared, stomping down hard to anchor himself while simultaneously throwing another punch that shattered the sword slash.
Hiss! Hiss! Hiss!
The remnants of the destroyed sword energy scattered in all directions, carving dense, intricate cracks across the ground—a terrifying display of residual power.
Harmon caught his breath, his eyes wide with shock.
What devastating sword energy!
Had a master swordsman arrived? Or perhaps even a Great Swordsman?
His expression turned grim as he looked up in the direction the attack had come from. There, he saw a young, handsome figure in white clothing, standing with sword in hand, regarding him with cold indifference.
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