Pirate: It’s not a phantom beast, it’s a phantom god!

Chapter 297 Bloodshed

That incident has always been a taboo subject within the Navy.

Apart from those who were actually involved, no specific details about the rest, even those with high military ranks, have been revealed.

The fact that systematic training methods within the Navy, such as the 'Six Styles' and the Haki Manual, were handed over is less significant than the potential impact of the event itself.

The World Government, led by the Five Elders, directly intervened and controlled public opinion. At the same time, they arranged for CP to clean up all traces left before and after the transaction, and even went so far as to deliberately create some chaos to divert the attention of the major event fanatics represented by Morgans.

There's no way around it. Although I often say things like "the Navy is the face, the CP is the substance," face is face after all, not ass. If I get slapped, I still have to cover it up.

Moreover, as the designated next marshal, Sengoku absolutely could not have any blemishes on his record...

After all, if everyone knew he was captured by pirates, his career as a fleet admiral would be over.
Fortunately, only four people witnessed the entire incident and survived, so the pressure on the Navy's internal secrecy work was not great, which is a kind of dark humor.

The four lucky survivors, however, mostly embarked on completely different life paths after returning home.

Apart from the resolute Sengoku period who were largely unaffected, the rest either escaped death and chose to retire to their hometowns, or they began to distinguish themselves through hard work and talent scouting.

They will either be trapped in the past forever, their hearts gradually turning into vengeful demons.

……

"The Beasts Pirates once obtained a complete handwritten copy of the 'Six Powers,' which is why you, a member of the Beasts Pirates, can use 'Shave' from the 'Six Powers.'"

"Am I right, merman?"

Compared to the dramatic change in the other party's demeanor, the change in how they addressed him was negligible.

"..."

"You are right."

Jinbe nodded, acknowledging his identity as one of the 'Beasts'.

Meanwhile, Albury, standing to the side, was somewhat unsettled—

"Huh?! Is that really happening? When?!"

"The complete 'Six Powers' technique was leaked to pirates! What are those guys in the Secret Service doing?!"

"Or is there a traitor among us?"

Clearly, the person who escaped the ordeal by playing jungle was also kept out of the story afterward. He didn't even know that Sengoku and the others had been captured, and thought that they were just receiving secret treatment during that time.

Mien ignored Albury's shouts and continued to obey orders to keep his mouth shut... but the chilling killing intent emanating from him had already unscrupulously attacked Jinbe.

"One-Sword Style: Lightning Strike!"

A flash of white light—this time Mien didn't attack Jinbe's chest, but instead slashed directly at his neck... well, just below his mouth.

With its round and plump body, it's really hard to find a neck for a whale shark man.

Clang!
The sound of metal clashing instantly spread in all directions!
Mien's silver rapier struck Jinbe's skin, but unexpectedly failed to penetrate again.

An invisible layer of armor firmly blocked the sharp, cold light from reaching him.

Although Jinbe still couldn't see the opponent's sword move clearly this time, he guessed that Mien would attack his exposed parts, so he directly attached his Haki to his limbs and head in advance.

While this might seem like a waste of Haki, it's the only option given that our Observation Haki isn't yet up to par.

It's a bit clumsy, but it works.

……

"Armament Haki, huh... Indeed, it would be strange if you didn't know it."

Despite his failed attack, Mien was not too disappointed, as he knew the advantage was still on his side.

The opponent's still immature domineering aura cannot withstand such consumption. Next, I just need to increase the frequency of my attacks so that the opponent cannot organize a counterattack.

Drawing a completely different longsword from his waist, Mien assumed a dual-wielding stance, a style typically used for swift swords.

This is also a famous sword, even ranked among the fifty best swords, and it was the heirloom of Mien's deceased friend. The Wano Country-style best sword and the Western-style bright silver rapier are crossed together, which looks quite strange.

But Jinbe dared not relax even for a moment...

Dual Blades Style: Thunderclap!

[Here it comes!]
Jinbe instantly became alert and unleashed his Armament Haki and Observation Haki at full power... but he still didn't notice any of the opponent's attacks.

[Um? ]
[How to reply?]
Clang clang clang clang clang!

Just as the calm before the storm is always brief, in the next moment, before Jinbe could even wonder when the attack would arrive, countless slashes came crashing down like a dense barrage of thunder!

Completely unable to detect the opponent's attack trajectory, Mien's slashes appeared out of thin air, and the frequency of his swings was almost beyond the limit... Jinbe felt as if he were in a razor storm.

Jinbe's Armament Haki was being rapidly depleted, and he was powerless to stop it.

As a newcomer, he was adequate in dealing with a half-baked lieutenant general like Albury, but he was not up to the task when facing a genuine lieutenant general.

Now his opponent is the Swift Swordsman, Mien, who broke through to the Great Swordsman level several years ago and whose strength has theoretically surpassed the 'Vice Admiral' level. Calling him a 'Grand Admiral Candidate' would not be an exaggeration.

[No, my domineering aura is depleting too quickly. I need to find a way to counterattack.]
A prolonged defense will inevitably lead to defeat. Rather than being worn down by the enemy, Jinbe would rather take the risk of launching a counterattack.

"Drink!"

"Plum skin!"

With his arms crossed, Jinbe used a defensive technique he was still not very familiar with, trying to gain a moment to counterattack.

clang--!
"Ok?"

The moment the blade was deflected, Mien couldn't help but let out a soft "Eh!"
"It's now!"

With his palm raised and the bottom of his palm as the striking point, Jinbe exerted all his strength and pushed hard in the direction of the slash!
His arms, covered in Armament Haki, easily swayed past the two sharp blades and attacked the great swordsman who wielded them.

Just before the contact, Jinbe's Haki began to flow from his arms and gather towards his palms...

"Mlocculant Karate·Sameru Palm Base!"

Bang!
A powerful and fierce force blasted out, and the air exploded instantly!
but……

"too slow."

"Moreover... it's full of flaws."

Swish-!
A sword flashes coldly, blood splatters everywhere.

The crimson blood shot into the air in the instant the light and shadow intertwined, appearing incredibly dazzling and eye-catching.

"roar~"

"So, fish-men's blood is red too~ I thought it was blue like their skin~"

"But this is troublesome~"

Alberridge, standing to the side, squinted and murmured.

……

In the distance, Fishman Street.

Holding the baby he had found, and seeing that the baby was too weak from hunger to cry, Bulfat quickened his pace and moved toward the edge of Fishman Street.

He thought he should first go to the store to see if there were any milk or similar products so he could feed the baby in his arms.

But just as he was about to step out of that block, he suddenly stopped and looked in a certain direction as if he had heard something.

"This voice is..."

(End of this chapter)