-------------
If you enjoy please support me on my patreon Future 80+ chapters at patreon.com/Darkphoenix11
-----
Stomp!
At this moment, the Vice Admiral of the Navy Headquarters, dressed in a navy justice robe and clad in brown from his hat to his pants, stepped forward wearing a pair of wooden clogs, taking "tap" steps as he smoked a cigarette, slowly advancing.
He regarded Marco, exhaled a smoke ring, and said with a flat expression, "I didn't expect to find an unexpected gain on this island!"
"Oh?" Marco replied calmly, looking at the aging face that bore no visible scars or bruises. "You have quite the reputation, alternate Admiral… Tokikake!"
Wow~~!
Upon hearing the title "alternate Admiral," the pirates in the distance erupted in an uproar!
What a joke; this was a top figure in the Navy with the strength of an admiral! How could he possibly be here on this island?! Each pirate's eyes were filled with terror.
Admiral of the Navy Headquarters!
Those six words alone were enough to strike fear into many pirates. Even in the New World, where piracy runs rampant, the prestige of an Admiral from the Navy Headquarters can deter even the fiercest of rogues!
"It's an alternate Admiral!"
"Why is the alternate Admiral here?!"
"They… appear to be chasing the Kidd Pirates!"
"We… need to run away! Battles of this caliber—general-level battles—are beyond our capability! If we don't escape now, we won't have a chance to live!"
Once again, the pirates were shocked to their core, and they began to retreat cautiously into the shadows. They understood that a clash of this magnitude would undoubtedly annihilate the entire town, rendering the island unsafe.
The mere presence of Tokikake frightened the pirates and forced them to flee from the town.
This was the authority of the Navy Headquarters' Admiral; even though he was merely an alternate Admiral, his sheer strength was terrifying! Just by showing up, he caused countless pirates to scatter in fear. The momentum he exuded left the sailors nearby looking at Tokikake in admiration.
"Although Lord Tokikake is only a Vice Admiral, he possesses the aura of an admiral!"
The sailors thought to themselves.
With Lord Tokikake on their side, they were assured of taking down the Immortal Phoenix Marco.
"Over there… What is that?!"
Suddenly, a sharp-eyed sailor spotted a blood-stained corpse not far behind Marco and exclaimed.
Many sailors turned their gazes, and as they did, their eyes widened in horror!
They saw a bloodied corpse lying to the side, its body riddled with cracks, a shocking sight!
"That's… Eustass Kidd's body!!!"
A sailor who had been responsible for tracking the movements of the Kidd Pirates recognized the clothes on the corpse, confirming it was indeed Eustass Kidd—the number one supernova!
Hiss!
A wave of gasps erupted from the sailors. The terrifying image even made battle-hardened sailors feel their scalps turn numb upon witnessing it!
"Did Marco do this?!"
"It's ruthless! Pirates are indeed cruel and ferocious!"
Sailors murmured in dark amazement.
"Everyone stand back."
Tokikake ignored the chatter among the sailors, flicking the ash from his cigarette calmly. "This is not a battle for you to participate in! Go and capture those fleeing pirates! Here… I can handle this alone!"
"Tokikake-sama!"
Some sailors were reluctant but ultimately did not dare to resist the orders given by Tokikake and withdrew from the town, pursuing the escaping pirates.
"One person is enough? you are quite confident indeed," Marco said evenly, his gaze fixed on Tokikake.
"When Whitebeard was alive, our Navy could take down and kill him. After his death, you are nothing more than a bunch of headless rats. Of course, we will catch you without a second thought!" Tokikake replied nonchalantly.
The pressure from his very presence started to rise steadily.
Although he spoke with an air of contempt, it was clear that he regarded this battle with utmost seriousness.
"Holding the heads of stringing rats, and there are still remnants...?" Marco's eyes narrowed with a dangerous glint as the tension built in the air. Pirates and naval officers have historically been enemies; encountering one another had only one conclusion!
His voice had barely faded when both combatants launched themselves forward without hesitation!
Two figures surged toward each other!
The powerful Armament Haki of both fighters enveloped their fists simultaneously, and as they charged, a white haze appeared behind them, resembling long serpents dancing in the air!
"Do you challenge me with your Armament Haki?"
Tokikake sneered inwardly, confident in his mastery of physical prowess and Armament Haki. He knew only a few in the entire Navy Headquarters could surpass him in these skills!
Rumble~~!
The two warriors clashed fists, and the tremendous force of their impact created an immediate shockwave, radiating outward like a hurricane. The destructive energy swept through all surrounding areas, sending debris and rubble flying everywhere!
In an instant, the ground beneath them cracked and fractured violently, spreading outward in all directions!
This was a pure physical confrontation!
No fancy moves or tricks—just raw power striking flesh. The slightest mistake would result in being reduced to a bloody pulp, blood splattering in all directions!
Swish!
After the initial punch, Marco pivoted, swinging his other fist with immense force, backed by his formidable Armament Haki, imbuing it with destructive power!
Tokikake, a little taken aback by the first punch, leaped into the air, flipping to evade Marco's fist while preparing a counterattack with a swinging punch of his own!
As Tokikake turned and unleashed his punch, Marco didn't even glance back; he simply raised his hand and punched forward!
Seeing this, a look of satisfaction appeared on Tokikake's face…!
-------------
If you enjoy please support me on my patreon Future 80+ chapters at patreon.com/Darkphoenix11
-----