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Chapter 33: Concerns Of The World-Renowned Swordsman, Five Elders
Wow!
The silence broke, and the Marine soldiers in the square could no longer remain calm. The World's Number One Swordsman had admitted defeat!
They had witnessed history with their own eyes—the change of ownership of the world's greatest title. From now on, the Number One Swordsman in the World was their own Marine Vice Admiral, Yuichi. Although they hadn't become the strongest themselves, the Marine soldiers felt as excited as if the honor were their own.
"Win! I really won!"
"Lord Yuichi really defeated the World's Number One Swordsman!"
"The strongest swordsman right now is our Marine Vice Admiral Yuichi-sama!"
The excitement on the faces of the boiling Marine soldiers was hard to contain.
Yuichi slowly put away Senbonzakura, returning the blade to its sheath.
Hawkeye looked at Yuichi. "What kind of power did you use for your sword just now?"
Hearing this question, Yuichi smiled faintly. "No Haki was used."
Hawkeye stared at Yuichi with wide eyes; it seemed impossible. His slash was a burst of intense Haki. How could the opponent not use any power? If no power was used, how did he break through the slash?
Looking at Hawkeye's puzzled eyes, it seemed he couldn't imagine how terrifying the sword skills of a Shinigami—who had practiced for decades, hundreds, or even thousands of years—could be. Hawkeye's "perfect" slash relied on releasing Haki through the cut. However, once released, the uncontrolled Haki was full of flaws in Yuichi's eyes.
At that moment, a random stab was enough to break through the opponent's attack. In layman's terms, Yuichi's stab disrupted the balance in Hawkeye's Haki. To others, it looked like an amazing technique. To Yuichi, it wasn't that magical.
It was only because Hawkeye launched the attack in that specific way that Yuichi could crack it so easily. If he had taken two steps closer instead of releasing a flying slash, and simply chopped down with the Black Blade, Yuichi wouldn't have beaten him so effortlessly. He would have at least needed to use Haki.
[Mission Completed]
[Reward: 100 Years of Reiatsu]
Suddenly, a shocking wave of Reiatsu surged out of Yuichi's body. This force emerged out of thin air. Before Yuichi could control it, the wave released instantly.
Hum!!
An invisible wave erupted from Yuichi's feet and spread outward. At this moment, the Marine soldiers all around felt a strong wind and pressure hit their faces. At the same time, it felt as though some invisible force was pressing down on their souls.
Fortunately, the sensation came and went quickly. Ordinary Marine soldiers didn't pay it much mind. However, it caught Sengoku by surprise.
Was that just now... Conqueror's Haki?
Not only did Sengoku feel it, but Aokiji, Kizaru, and Akainu also sensed it keenly. They were all guessing whether the power that erupted from Yuichi was indeed Conqueror's Haki.
Among the Seven Warlords of the Sea watching from the crowd, Doflamingo's eyes sparkled with excitement.
One hit... he defeated Dracule Mihawk. The aura just now seems to be a sign of the awakening of Conqueror's Haki!
A Marine officer with great swordsmanship and possibly Conqueror's Haki. Moreover, such an officer was valued by Sengoku, who wanted to make him the next Fleet Admiral.
Doflamingo smiled coldly. Interesting. The future of the Marines might be different.
Gecko Moria laughed, "Hee hee hee~ That Hawkeye guy actually lost! And he was defeated by one hit. Marine Vice Admiral Yuichi! This man is very strong!"
Crocodile scoffed, "It's a pity that such a person is a Marine."
Jinbe murmured, "If I hadn't witnessed it with my own eyes, I wouldn't believe that he didn't seem to use Haki in that sword strike just now!"
.....
Holy Land Mariejois
In a vast room, as large as half a basketball court yet containing only a simple tea table, sat the highest power in the world: The Five Elders.
It had only been ten minutes since the duel between Yuichi and Hawkeye concluded. Photos placed on the table captured the duel. Looking at the photo where the sword pierced the slash and reached Hawkeye's throat, seeing Yuichi condescendingly overlooking Hawkeye, the gap between the two was still visible even in the image.
"Without using Haki! How easy it was to defeat Hawkeye!"
"Sengoku seems to have secretly raised a monster without us knowing."
"After hearing that this guy beat Hawkeye, he seems to show signs of awakening Conqueror's Haki!"
When Conqueror's Haki was mentioned, the expressions of the five men darkened.
Although having Conqueror's Haki did not guarantee one would become a top-tier powerhouse—and conversely, one could be a top player like Garp without it—the World Government had to guard against any Marine possessing it. It was the qualification to represent a king.
It wasn't the power of Conqueror's Haki that scared the Five Elders; it was the restless heart that came with it. For the World Government, a restless individual, no matter how powerful, was always a problem.
Like Sengoku. He was a restless man who led the Marines out of the dark ages. While great for the World Government, it also caused trouble. The current Marine organization was too huge, completely overwhelming the other branches.
The three major institutions of the World Government—Enies Lobby, Naval Headquarters, and Impel Down—were meant to be in a state of balance. But now, Marine power terrified the Five Elders.
"Threats cannot be allowed to grow."
"But don't be too hasty," said one of the Elders, looking out the window. "Tomorrow, the report of the duel will be all over the world, and the name of the World's Number One Swordsman will officially change hands. Furthermore, tomorrow is the start of the Second World War. It is not suitable to act at this time."
The room fell silent.
After a few seconds, the bald Elder holding a sword spoke. "Don't worry for now. Push Sakazuki up first! As long as Sakazuki takes over, everything will still be under our control!"
.....
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