SPOP Chapter 23 Keep a Close Watch

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"Lieutenant Commander."

Rojen's face beneath the mask was cold as he nodded slightly, his expression indifferent.

In the eyes of the Marines, the mysterious pirate hunter, Sword Saint Ge Nie, was known for being a stoic and aloof swordsman. Therefore, Xiros didn't mind his cold demeanor; instead, he smiled and gestured for Rojen to take a seat opposite him.

"I've been curious about you for quite some time, so when this opportunity arose, I thought I'd meet you in person. I hope you don't mind."

Rojen nodded slightly and sat down across from Xiros without hesitation, remaining completely silent.

After waiting for a while and receiving no response, Xiros felt a bit awkward. He gave a light chuckle and spoke again.

"Ge Nie, aren't you going to say something?"

"Say what?" Rojen countered calmly.

"For example, your background, birthplace, and your master." Xiros's eyes gleamed as he asked softly.

In truth, the Marines routinely gathered intelligence on powerful pirate hunters. With their current deployment in East Blue, they needed more combat power, and these hunters, who operated between the Marines and pirates, were prime recruitment targets. 

Using promises of rank, wealth, or even seduction, the Marines had already recruited many pirate hunters into their ranks.

Among these, many branches were particularly curious about the mysterious and formidable Sword Saint Ge Nie. They had tried to gather information on him several times, but what puzzled them was that Ge Nie seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. Before his recent rise to fame, there wasn't even a whisper about him.

It was as if this person had descended from the sky, leaving everyone astonished.

"Background? Birthplace?" Rojen's tone carried a hint of amusement, with an undercurrent of suppressed anger.

"Lieutenant Commander, did you detain me just to dig into my origins?"

Xiros was momentarily startled but quickly smiled. "I must admit, I'm very curious."

He then stared intently at Rojen's mask for a long moment.

"After all, you're an excellent partner. We want to ensure that someone we trust has a clear origin."

"What kind of person are you beneath that mask?"

"And what if— just what if— you were a pirate? Now wouldn't that be interesting?"

With a playful glint in his eye, Xiros finished his sentence, his voice laced with amusement.

"A pirate?!"

"Heh, you're quite the joker. Everyone knows that I have never shown mercy to pirates," Rojen said coldly. "As for my identity, I can tell you."

"My hometown isn't in East Blue. I recently came to East Blue by chance."

"I learned my swordsmanship back in my homeland, South Blue. My master is known as the Sage of Ghost Valley, and I practice his Unhindered Sword Method."

"You can check all of this if you wish."

Rojen's voice was cold and indifferent, clearly displeased by the inquiry into his personal background.

"Heh, please don't be upset. The Marines are always cautious by nature— I hope you can understand."

Hearing Rojen's straightforward explanation, Xiros memorized the key details— South Blue, Sage of Ghost Valley, Unhindered Sword Method— and chuckled heartily.

"Not from East Blue, huh? No wonder we couldn't trace his origins. South Blue, Sage of Ghost Valley, and the Unhindered Sword Method..."

Xiros silently noted down these key terms, planning to report them to his superiors later. Since the Marines had branches in all four seas, verifying the truth of this information would be an easy task.

"Is there anything else? I've already been delayed here long enough." Rojen's blunt tone pulled Xiros back to reality.

"Well, I hate to impose, and I understand this may be inconvenient for you, but..."

Xiros's tone suddenly became serious.

"Please remove your mask, sir!"

Xiros's deep, serious tone, combined with the gradually rising imposing manner emanating from him, caused Rojen's eyes to narrow sharply.

"As expected, these guys are starting to get suspicious of me," Rojen thought, his heart sinking as he raised his guard.

"That's not happening!"

"Lieutenant Commander Xiros, I am not a Marine, so don't go too far."

His tone became resolute, and his right hand rested firmly on the hilt of his sword. A fierce wave of sword intent radiated from him, making Xiros's expression grow even graver.

"As expected of the legendary Sword Saint Ge Nie. Such mastery of sword intent is truly impressive," Xiros remarked, his voice calm but unwavering. "However, today, I will see your face!"

His tone was resolute, and without further hesitation, Xiros suddenly stood up.

In the next instant, the fencing sword resting beside his chair was already in his hand, and with a sudden thrust, he lunged forward.

Rojen sensed the violent surge of airflow as a sharp current cut through the air, heading straight for him with fierce momentum.

"Are we really doing this?"

"Clang!"

With a resonant cry, Rainbow Abyss swiftly unsheathed. As the sword flashed out, Rojen stepped back three paces, spinning his right hand. A brilliant sword flourish blossomed in the air, and the glimmering sword tip halted abruptly in front of him.

"Clang!"

A crisp clang echoed through the room as dazzling sparks flew. The two very different swords clashed, their tips colliding precisely in midair.

Xiros's pupils shrank, and his right hand holding the sword trembled slightly as shock rippled through his heart.

Though he had launched the attack first, Rojen had somehow managed to strike later but still intercept his thrust perfectly, as if he had anticipated the exact trajectory. The moment their swords clashed, a tremendous force traveled down the blade, nearly making him lose his grip.

Such overwhelming power and extraordinary swordsmanship! In that brief instant, Xiros realized he was no match for Rojen.

"A true master of swordsmanship!"

"If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving now," Rojen said coldly, withdrawing his sword with a smooth motion. Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away.

Xiros watched in silence as Rojen's figure disappeared into the distance. Only then did he slowly lower his fencing sword. His right arm trembled slightly, the aftershocks of the clash still rippling through his muscles. Beneath him, the wooden chair let out a low creak before shattering into pieces three seconds later.

"Such perfect control of strength... such extraordinary swordsmanship. Where did this guy come from?"

Deep in thought, Xiros glanced hesitantly at the golden Den Den Mushi beside him but ultimately refrained from giving the order to intercept Rojen.

He wasn't entirely sure whether the power Rojen had just displayed was his full strength.

Had he been certain, he would have taken the risk of arresting him. However, Rojen's calm and confident demeanor in that final moment left him uncertain. It was as though Rojen believed he could escape unscathed even if he faced the entire Marine branch.

"South Blue, huh? I'll have them investigate first."

"But... there's an eighty percent chance that story is a lie."

"That guy's identity is definitely suspicious!"

Xiros's eyes flickered with determination as he came to a conclusion.

"He must be watched closely!"

(End Of The Chapter)