Chapter 57

"What?! She can fly in the sky just like Genrou?!"

"What do we do? What do we do?! They're catching up! Is my pirate career ending before it even begins?!"

Usopp frantically ran back and forth on the deck of the Going Merry, and his Imperial Engine involuntarily kicked into action.

"Idiot! Calm down."

"Just steer the ship like I told you!"

Nami smacked Usopp on the head, knocking him back into place.

After that, she turned to Genrou.

"Dear Vice-Captain, those people are clearly here for you."

"I'm sure you've got a way to deal with them, right?"

Genrou just shrugged, drew his famed blade, and grinned.

"Well, I suppose it's my turn."

Zoro and Luffy looked over.

One clenched his palm, the other slightly unsheathed Wado Ichimonji, neither showing a hint of fear.

"Elite pursuers from Marine HQ, huh? I've always wanted to see how strong they are."

That was Zoro speaking.

"Genrou said one of them is a Taishō kōho (Admiral candidate), and Admirals are supposed to be the Navy's strongest fighters. I wanna see just how strong she really is!"

Luffy grinned.

Ever since receiving their Heroic Spirit Templates, both had grown far stronger than in the original timeline.

Until now, they had only sparred amongst themselves and never felt any real pressure in a battle.

Now that the Marines were coming again, both were undeniably excited.

"Luffy, I'll be blunt..."

"Your grandpa is afraid of her."

"How about it? You still wanna fight them after that?"

Genrou didn't even turn around. While keeping an eye on Gion and the others as they stepped closer using Geppō (Moonwalk), he spoke lightly.

"Eh?! Even Grandpa's scared?!"

Luffy trembled, recalling the endless beatings he suffered growing up, and promptly backed down.

By then, Gion had reached the area near the Going Merry.

Seeing Genrou standing at the stern, she didn't hesitate — she drew her blade and unleashed a flying slash.

Facing this probing attack, Genrou exhaled and spun around, striking out with a powerful Rankyaku (Storm Leg) that clashed with Gion's flying slash midair.

Boom!

The twin blades of wind collided, creating a blast that cancelled out both attacks.

"Genrou, you shameless scoundrel!!"

Gion yelled.

"Which incident are you referring to, Taichō (Vice Admiral) Momousagi? Can you stop being so vague?"

"And give me back my sword, you bastard! You're not even a real swordsman — you don't deserve to wield Konpira!"

"Oh? Who told you I can't use a sword?"

Genrou rested Konpira on his shoulder, smirking.

"Gion, let's not waste time talking to him — let's attack!"

"That's right! If we can stop the ship, then the Vice Admiral and the rest of the fleet can back us up."

"With that, Genrou won't escape, and your sword will be returned to you."

The other female Marines had also arrived behind Gion via Geppō, urging her to strike immediately.

Gion nodded, Busoshoku Haki (Armament Haki) coating her blade.

With a sharp roar, she unleashed over ten flying slashes that crashed down over the entire Going Merry, enveloping the ship in a storm of cutting wind.

Not to be outdone, the other female Marines began launching their own flying slashes and techniques.

The sky above was filled with slicing arcs descending like a barrage.

"They're not holding back at all..."

"But..."

Genrou's lips curled into a smirk. A cold red glint flashed in his eyes, and ominous energy seeped from his body.

Zoro, who had just been preparing to use Tsuki no Kokyū (Breath of the Moon), paused when he felt Genrou's aura.

"The aura of Kokushibō...!"

"Heh. Show me how you use his power."

Zoro sheathed his swords and stepped back.

He had once seen Genrou use Zaraki Kenpachi's power to split the sea with a single slash, and ever since then, he'd been itching to challenge him again.

But Genrou had never accepted those challenges and rarely used a sword in real battles.

Now, seeing him not only draw Kinkurō but also channel Kokushibō's power, Zoro wasn't going to interrupt.

Genrou lifted Kinkurō overhead.

Within seconds, the blade transformed — eyes opened along the hilt, handle, and blade, mutating into a terrifying weapon with jagged, chaotic edges.

Then he coated the blade with Ryūō-level Haki.

"Tsuki no Kokyū, Roku no Kata — Engetsu Renmen!"

(Breath of the Moon, Sixth Form — Continuous Salt Moon!)

With terrifying speed, Genrou unleashed a torrent of slashes infused with moon-blade wind, targeting Gion and the others in a chaotic overlapping pattern.

The flying slashes they had sent down collided with Genrou's — and were instantly shredded apart.

Some of Genrou's slashes even bypassed the clash and flew toward the women themselves, forcing them to defend.

"So this is an original form beyond the Sixth? Incredible!"

Zoro's grip on his swords tightened as he stared at Genrou's back.

Just one move, and Zoro could feel the massive gap between them.

Even after fusing Tsuki no Kokyū into his Santoryū (Three Sword Style), none of his current forms could match what Genrou had just displayed.

He burned with renewed determination.

"You bastard... when did you learn to use a sword?!"

Gion was forced back several meters, glaring at Genrou in shock.

He hadn't shown a single sword move this whole time — and now suddenly, he was fighting like a seasoned swordsman?

"And how is your technique so refined?!"

"Who knows."

Genrou shrugged, but then his eyes sharpened as he looked toward the Marine battleship.

From the ship's bow, Tsuru had jumped into the air.

"I'd like to show you I'm worthy of this blade."

"But I don't fight well with too many eyes watching."

"So let's save our reunion for next time."

Since Tsuru had made a move, Genrou no longer intended to waste time talking.

But Gion wasn't about to let this chance go. She charged again with a burst of speed.

"Everyone, hold onto something — I'm about to speed up the Going Merry!"

Genrou shouted back at his crew, sheathing Konpira as he leapt off the deck.

Luffy, Nami, and the others didn't know what he was doing but obediently found something to brace themselves.

Once he confirmed their positions with Kenbunshoku Haki, Genrou extended his hands toward Tsuru and the battleship.

"Well then... see you around!"

"Rengoku Musō Bakunetsu Hadōhō!!"

(Purgatory Peerless Exploding Heatwave Cannon!!)

BOOM!

A deafening explosion erupted.

Massive energy beams blasted from Genrou's palms, swallowing Tsuru in an instant.

At the same time, the recoil from the blast rocketed the Going Merry forward like a slingshot.

FWOOOOSH!

"Vice Admiral!!"

Gion shouted as she chased after the blinding energy that had engulfed Tsuru and even the battleship itself.

Moments passed, and when the light finally faded, Gion looked forward anxiously.

Tsuru, though still composed, had her coat and hair slightly scorched and tattered.

"I'm fine."

She nodded and looked back — the battleship had been pushed back several kilometers, but fortunately, there were no injuries.

"Tch... That Genrou can use laser attacks on top of swordsmanship?!"

"What the hell else is he hiding?!"

"Has he been deceiving us this entire time?!"

Gion clenched her sword, glaring across the now-empty sea.

But the Going Merry had already vanished.

Back on the battleship, Tsuru returned via Geppō, examining her burnt uniform.

"Genrou's swordsmanship is odd. Maybe he never had a proper sword until now, so during our earlier clashes, he fought bare-handed."

"But that laser… that's strange. Could it be a Devil Fruit ability?"

At that moment, a young Marine, Naomi, ran over with a replacement coat.

"Vice Admiral Tsuru, Vice Admiral Gion — the sword techniques Genrou used resembled the ones we saw from Roronoa Zoro..."

"Though Genrou's were way stronger."

"And considering he's used card-based powers like Nami before, I suspect Genrou is teaching his abilities to his crewmates."

Naomi concluded.

Tsuru nodded.

"Seems Genrou isn't just a dangerous criminal… he's also a skilled teacher."

"No wonder he joined Monkey D. Luffy's crew — perhaps he wants to train the next generation of pirates."

As she spoke, she removed her burnt cloak and put on the one Naomi handed her.

"Vice Admiral, should we keep pursuing them?"

Another Marine asked.

Tsuru paused, then shook her head.

"That strange laser pushed us back several kilometers — and pushed their ship ahead by the same distance."

"That pirate ship may be small, but it's agile. Tracking them now would be difficult."

"Unless we have someone strike immediately before Genrou can act..."

Gion gripped her sword.

"Leave that to me."

"Next time, I'll sneak up on him and go all out."

"If our sisters can back me up in time — we'll catch Genrou and his crew!"

Her eyes burned with resolve… and a trace of guilt.

She knew if she hadn't hesitated at his swordsmanship earlier, she might have been able to pin him down before the laser fired.

"If possible… I'll end it next time."

Tsuru nodded, then seemed to remember something. She pulled out her Den Den Mushi and dialed a familiar number.

Soon, a gruff voice responded:

"Yo, Tsuru. What is it? Don't tell me you already caught Luffy and the others?"

It was none other than Marine Hero Garp.

"No. That Genrou used another bizarre ability — he escaped again."

"Escaped? What now?"

"He blasted out some kind of laser that overwhelmed both me and the ship. The power was insane."

"Maybe you or Sengoku could've stopped it, but I couldn't."

Tsuru sighed.

She, Sengoku, Garp, and Sengoku were all old-timers — none of them weak. In terms of raw power, they were even stronger than many active officers.

But in destructive power… Genrou had them beat.

"Then I'll wait until we regroup and go after them together?"

"I'm already in Loguetown. Won't be long before I can meet up."

Garp offered.

"Don't bother. I'm calling to ask you to guard Loguetown."

"Based on their route, Luffy and Genrou will probably head there soon."

"We'll search at sea. You make sure they don't enter the Grand Line."

"…Fine. I'll do it."

Garp replied dully.

—

(End of Chapter)

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