Chapter 58: A Single Slash

The howling sea winds whipped up towering waves, as if cheering for the battle that was about to unfold.

Renji gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, sensing the overwhelming presence of the colossal creature before him.

His body and mind seemed to merge with the blade in his hand, and with every surge of energy, the edge of the sword seemed to tremble in anticipation.

Renji drew the sword from its sheath.

"Clang!"

In the vast expanse of the ocean, the clear, resonant sound of the blade rang out, sharp and piercing, like a long, drawn-out note from a musical instrument, carrying his intent to kill far and wide.

With a swift motion, Renji swung the blade through the air, the sharp sound of the sword cutting through the atmosphere as if tearing through the fragile fabric of time and space.

His movements were precise and deadly, each swing of the blade seeming capable of splitting the entire sea in two. The deafening sound of the blade was like the roar of a collapsing world, shaking the ocean and making the waves themselves seem to hold their breath.

The sound of the blade had never been so clear, especially in the middle of the vast ocean. Kuzan and the Marines could hardly believe their ears.

The Sea King seemed to sense Renji's overwhelming presence. It paused for a moment, a flicker of surprise in its eyes.

But that momentary hesitation was fleeting. Soon, its eyes burned with even greater destructive intent. It reared its massive body, as if trying to crush the very sky above.

Renji showed no fear. His eyes gleamed with a fiery light, and he even licked his lips. The Sea King before him was already his prey. So far, he had never tasted the flesh of a Sea King.

"ROAR!!!"

The Sea King was massive and ferocious, its body like a moving mountain, covered in thick, metallic scales that shimmered in the light.

Its eyes glowed with a menacing light, filled with a murderous aura, as if it wanted to devour Renji whole.

Renji leapt into the air, his blade flashing like a bolt of lightning cutting through the night sky, illuminating the churning sea.

The blinding white light lit up the entire world, and for a moment, even the sun's rays seemed dim in comparison. As the sword's energy cut through the heavens and the earth, Doflamingo felt his jaw drop in disbelief.

"WOW!!!"

On the warship, the Marines gathered on the deck gasped in awe. Before their eyes, a massive slash mark, like a divine miracle, appeared in their vision.

And where the slash had passed, the giant Sea King that had filled them with despair was cleanly split in two...

The Sea King didn't even have time to feel pain before its massive body swayed and then collapsed heavily into the sea, sending up a huge wave.

The ocean was instantly stained red with blood...

The Marines stared at Renji's figure, standing on the surface of the water.

He stood there like a god, his coat billowing in the wind.

They had witnessed the battle, seen how effortlessly Renji had slain the giant Sea King, and their awe for him swelled like an unstoppable tide.

As the Sea King fell, the Marines felt a huge weight lift from their chests. They stared at Renji, their eyes filled with shock and reverence.

"This is unbelievable! Captain Renji is incredible! His swordsmanship, his presence... it's beyond anything I could have imagined!"

"I've never seen anyone face such a massive creature so calmly. He... he's my idol!"

Renji floated on the surface of the water, but now he was faced with a dilemma. He felt like he had stumbled upon a treasure trove but had no way to carry it all.

"This thing is way too big. The ship can't possibly carry it all. What am I supposed to do...?"

"..."

"Is Captain Renji inspecting his prize? Even now, he looks so cool!" a female Marine said with admiration.

Kuzan looked at the Marines around him and chuckled wryly. He had been worried about Renji's image among the crew, but it seemed his concerns were unnecessary...

...

Behind him, the massive corpse of the Sea King now seemed as insignificant as a grain of sand. Renji could only take a portion of the most tender meat from the creature.

As for the rest, Renji had no choice but to leave it behind...

He moved from the bow of the ship to the stern, watching until the Sea King's body disappeared from view before reluctantly turning away.

Doflamingo couldn't understand Renji's mindset. He had just accomplished something incredible, yet he seemed more concerned about the Sea King's meat.

"I want to be like you!" Doflamingo's eyes shone with determination, a mix of admiration for Renji's strength and a burning desire for power.

"What?" Renji was confused by Doflamingo's sudden declaration.

"I mean, I want to become as strong as you! This is the first time I've seen what true strength looks like. I want the power to overturn everything!" Doflamingo was lost in his dreams of the future.

He wanted to drag those self-proclaimed "descendants of the gods," the Celestial Dragons, from their thrones and crush them underfoot!

And now, the path to power was laid out before him. As long as he followed Renji, he believed his dreams would come true.

Renji looked at the boy, who had started grinning foolishly after his declaration, and took a step back, unsure of what to make of him.

"How much are you still hiding from me?" Kuzan's voice whispered in Renji's ear.

He had thought he knew Renji well (after all, he was a fan), and while he knew Renji could defeat a Sea King, he hadn't expected him to do it in a single move.

"Whoa!" Renji jumped, startled. "Can you not talk like that? It's creepy..."

The tone sounded like a scorned lover, and it was unsettling coming from a grown man.

Renji crossed his arms, feeling goosebumps rise on his skin.

After a moment of thought, he replied, "My strength? It's... decent."

"Someone like you... I could probably take on ten of you."

Uh...

The Marines nearby, who were also curious about Renji's strength, were stunned by his blunt assessment.

When had Kuzan become a unit of measurement? This was something they had never dared to imagine.

"I really can't figure you out anymore. I wonder how much stronger you'll be the next time I see you in action."

Unnoticed, darkness had enveloped the sea.

The vast ocean was shrouded in darkness, its endless expanse hiding untold mysteries and dangers.

Moonlight pierced through the gaps in the clouds, casting a faint silver glow on the turbulent waves, like a lone moon hanging in the sky.

But this faint light only illuminated a small portion of the sea, leaving the rest in deep shadow.

In the darkness, the waves roared with a low, rumbling sound, like beasts calling out to some unknown force.

Or perhaps it was the unseen creatures lurking in the depths, their presence faintly discernible in the dark, giving off an eerie and unsettling feeling.

Without the bright sunlight and clear blue skies of the day, the sea at night was a place of deep, ominous atmosphere.

Sailing through these waters at night felt like stepping into a world filled with the unknown, where every shadow could hide a deadly threat.

"Men, there's a warship ahead! It's time to show what you're made of!"

...

(TL/N): For every 50 Power Stones, I will release one new chapter! If you enjoy the story, don't forget to leave a comment and drop a Power Stone! 🚀🔥