Chapter 38: The Clash of Strengths

The Rear Admiral's fists crashed into Vulcan's guard like a cannonball, the force of the blow sending shockwaves through his body. Vulcan gritted his teeth, bracing against the power of the strike. He could feel the raw strength in the man's punch—a strength that wasn't easy to overcome.

"You're stronger than I thought, kid," the Rear Admiral growled, pulling his fist back for another attack. "But strength alone won't save you!"

Without missing a beat, the Rear Admiral followed up with a swift roundhouse kick, the speed of it far greater than Vulcan had expected. Vulcan barely managed to leap out of the way, using Soru to dart to the side, just in time to avoid the kick that smashed into the ground with enough force to leave a small crater.

Vulcan's eyes widened. This guy was no joke.

He skidded backward, taking a breath to collect himself. The Marines who had been knocked down earlier were now watching the fight unfold, murmuring amongst themselves. The Rear Admiral, their commanding officer, was well known for his strength, and the fact that this young stranger was standing toe-to-toe with him had them stunned.

The Rear Admiral wasted no time, charging again with a speed that seemed impossible for his size. Vulcan focused, his mind clear despite the adrenaline pumping through his veins.

I've trained for this, he thought, his body already reacting. As the Rear Admiral threw another powerful punch, Vulcan's body flickered out of sight with Soru, reappearing behind the Marine.

"Too slow," Vulcan muttered, bringing his fist down toward the Rear Admiral's back.

But the Rear Admiral was ready. He pivoted quickly, his massive arm blocking Vulcan's punch before it could land. The sheer impact of their blows colliding sent a shockwave through the air, stirring the dust around them.

"Good speed," the Rear Admiral grunted, pushing Vulcan back with a forceful shove. "But you've got a lot to learn, kid!"

Vulcan stumbled back, but quickly regained his balance. The man was strong, stronger than anyone he had fought so far. But strength alone wouldn't be enough to stop Vulcan. He had trained hard, honed his skills through endless battles with beasts, and survived the Grand Line's harsh conditions. This fight would test him, but he was ready for it.

The Rear Admiral charged again, this time feinting with a punch before bringing his leg up in a powerful spinning kick. Vulcan ducked low, dodging the attack, but the Rear Admiral followed through with a downward punch aimed at Vulcan's head. Vulcan raised his arms just in time to block the hit, though the force of it sent him crashing into the dirt below.

For a moment, the Rear Admiral stood over him, confident. "You're outmatched."

Vulcan's eyes narrowed, a smirk creeping onto his face. "Am I?"

In an instant, Vulcan pushed off the ground, using Shigan to stab forward with his fingers like a spear, aiming directly at the Rear Admiral's ribs. The man's eyes widened as he leaped back, but not before Vulcan's attack grazed his side, tearing through the fabric of his uniform.

Blood trickled from the cut, and the Rear Admiral grunted, his expression shifting from confidence to cautious respect.

"You're faster than I thought," the Rear Admiral admitted, wiping the blood away with the back of his hand. "But you'll need more than that to beat me."

Vulcan stood tall, his muscles tense and ready for the next exchange. He had landed a hit, but this man was tough. Every time they clashed, Vulcan could feel the raw power behind each strike. But Vulcan wasn't about to back down. He had trained too hard for that.

The Marines watching the fight were whispering to each other now, shock evident in their voices. "He actually landed a hit on the Rear Admiral…" one murmured, while another said, "No one's ever done that before…"

The Rear Admiral's eyes gleamed with a new intensity as he cracked his knuckles, preparing for the next round. "You've got potential, but let's see if you can handle this!"

He moved with surprising agility for his size, launching himself forward with Tekkai, hardening his body like iron. Vulcan knew what was coming—he had seen Tekkai before in his training, but he wasn't sure how to counter it.

The Rear Admiral's iron body collided with Vulcan's naginata, sending sparks flying as Vulcan tried to hold his ground. But the force behind the Rear Admiral's attack was too much—Vulcan was pushed back, his heels digging into the dirt as he struggled to stay upright.

Vulcan's mind raced. Think. Don't just rely on brute force.

He let the Rear Admiral's momentum carry him forward, and at the last second, Vulcan twisted his body, using the weight of his naginata to swing around in a wide arc, aiming for the Rear Admiral's exposed back.

But the Rear Admiral was quick to react, using Kami-e to soften his body and dodge Vulcan's strike. He turned, delivering a sharp punch to Vulcan's side that sent him flying into the nearby wall.

The impact rattled Vulcan's bones, but he quickly rolled to his feet, his breath heavy but his determination unshaken. He was starting to feel the strain—the Rear Admiral was skilled in close-quarters combat and had years of experience over him.

But Vulcan wasn't the same person he had been when he first set out. He had faced impossible odds before. He had trained day and night to push his limits. He wasn't about to let some high-ranking Marine officer beat him down without a fight.

"You're tough," Vulcan said, wiping the blood from his lip. "But I'm not done yet."

The Rear Admiral smiled, a mix of admiration and amusement in his expression. "Good. I was hoping you'd say that."

They clashed again, their movements a blur to the onlookers. Vulcan used Soru to close the distance, launching rapid strikes with his naginata, each swing calculated to find an opening in the Rear Admiral's defense. But the man was skilled, deflecting each attack with his hardened body and countering with devastating punches and kicks.

The fight dragged on, both fighters refusing to back down. Vulcan's body was beginning to wear down from the constant blows, but the fire in his eyes never wavered. Each time the Rear Admiral struck, Vulcan found a way to counter, his speed and instincts sharpening with each exchange.

Finally, as the sun began to set, both fighters stood panting, sweat dripping from their faces. The courtyard was torn apart, the ground littered with cracks and debris from their battle.

The Marines watching were silent, their eyes wide with awe. They had never seen anyone stand toe-to-toe with their Rear Admiral like this.

The Rear Admiral wiped his brow, his breath ragged but steady. His eyes locked onto Vulcan, who stood poised, ready for more.

But instead of attacking, the Rear Admiral slowly straightened up, his expression softening. "You're from HQ, aren't you?"

The words hung in the air, and Vulcan blinked, caught off guard. "What?"

The Marines murmured among themselves, confused and shocked. HQ? They had only ever heard rumors about Marine HQ and the monsters it produced. Some of the younger Marines gasped in disbelief.

Vulcan frowned, lowering his naginata slightly. "How do you know I'm from HQ?"

The Rear Admiral smiled, wiping the sweat from his brow. "There's only one place that could produce someone like you. Only HQ trains monsters of your caliber."

Vulcan's tense stance finally relaxed, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. So, he had been recognized.

Before he could respond, the sound of a bell rang through the base. It was loud, urgent, and unmistakable.

The Rear Admiral's face turned serious as he glanced toward the direction of the sound. "Pirates have been sighted."

The Marines immediately scrambled into action, rushing toward their posts and preparing for battle. The atmosphere became tense, as though the calm had shattered into chaos.

The Rear Admiral turned back to Vulcan, his expression hardening. "It seems we've got company. You want to join in?"

Vulcan's smile returned, more determined this time. "Of course. I'm not going to sit this one out."