139. Vice Admiral

Cracker ate the biscuit-biscuit fruit. He is able to create biscuits that can act as a shield.

The ship Cracker was in was fully covered in biscuits. However against Leo's attack cracks started to form on it's surface.

Cracker's face started to change. He expected his opponent to be powerful as he was able to capture Smoothie. Normally a fleet should have been enough to sink their ship and rescue Smoothie but this marine he was facing was not normal.

Crack!

One of the biscuit shields crumbled. Soon like dominos the other shields also broke down.

Slash!

The ship was torn in two.

Cracker was fast enough to dodge the attack. However they were not on land, his biscuits would lose it's hardness once it touch seawater.

Jumping on a few biscuits floating in air he was able to steady himself but he was still in danger.

Leo turned his attention towards him after he sunk the other ships. He shot forward with incredible momentum.

As he wasn't proficient in air battles Cracker could only brace himself and defend.

He raised his biscuit shield to block Leo's sword.

Leo's sword was pitch black with a shade of red, it sliced down towards Cracker's biscuit shield. The sword met it's target and paused for a split second before it ran through it.

Cracker's arms went numb when the sword struck. He failed to react when his shield was broken in two.

Leo took a step forward and punched out. His fist was tainted with black as he sunk it inside Cracker's gut.

Bang!

The sound of fist hitting something solid rang through the air. Cracker took a step back, his gut was filled with cracks.

Leo wasn't surprised when he saw cracks appearing on a human body. He increased the strength on his fist and pushed through.

Boom!

Crackers body was thrown away. As he flew through the air his body cracked completely and burst apart.

A shadow flew from Cracker's body and fell into the sea.

Leo stepped through the air and went where Cracker fell.

A man with violet hair was struggling to stay afloat. His head and body were bleeding.

So this is the real Cracker. He created an armour around him using his ability. Even the bounty posters have the image of his armour incarnation.

Leo smiled and went down. He picked up Cracker who retaliated when he was out of the water.

Leo kneed his gut. Cracker's body bent like a shrimp and coughed out blood, then he lost consciousness.

Leo went back to his ship and threw Cracker on the deck.

"The brig."

Some of the crew came forward and dragged Cracker to the brig.

"What's the damage?"

Leo asked Mace.

"The hull was damaged, however it's within manageable range. We can set sail in three hours."

Mace reported.

Leo nodded and went back to his cabin. Shinobu was inside playing with several needles.

He asked, "How did your weapon testing go?"

Shinobu threw a needle at Leo who caught with two fingers. He saw a fine thread extending from the head of the needle, it was connected to her finger.

"Very good."

He commented.

Shinobu was trying to find a different form of combat, one that suited her. After trying various methods she finally settled on this.

With her exquisite control these needles would become extremely dangerous.

"You captured two of the four Sweet commanders."

Shinobu said with a smile.

Leo shrugged, "Hey, who asked them to find trouble."

Both of them looked at each other and laughed.

...

Marineford.

Sengoku was listening to a report with a frown.

"So he is here with two of the four Sweet commanders?"

The marine infront of him nodded.

Sengoku rested his elbow on the table and thought. After a while he said, "Alright. You can go."

After the reporting officer left Sengoku smiled. He never expected a casual reference from East Blue would turn out to be such a treasure.

Now that his strength has been exposed it's ok to give him a better position, vice admiral should do.

Leo was inside a building hammering down a piece of fine metal. It looked like a needle.

He asked for a building for himself to forge when he was free. Sengoku found no reason to deny him his request since he was raking in so much merit.

After several hours Leo used his haki to perfect the body of a needle.

He wiped his forehead and let out a smile. With the help of his spiritual sense and his haki Leo was able to create Nine by Five weapons consistently. Only on rare occasions would he fail.

This much should be enough.

He thought to himself. He was keeping his promise to Shinobu and made her a batch of needles.

A set of Nine by Six needles. It took him a while to create this set. He lost count of how many times he failed. Fortunately he had a consistent rate of creating Nine by Five weapons, with some luck and patience he was finally able to create a set of Nine by Six needles.

It should be known that Nine by Six weapons come under the category of Great Grade weapons. Now he was giving Shinobu a bunch of Great Grade category needles.

Of course the raw power of swords and other weapons outclass a needle. But what about several dozens of them used ingeniously?

Placing the needles on a wooden box Leo washed up and went to his quarters. Shinobu was practicing with her new style when he got back.

He beckoned to her.

"As promised."

He pushed the wooden box to her and smiled. He then opened it and picked the needles one by one. He started to stack them in different angles.

Shinobu was confused but she didn't disturb him. Under her watchful eyes the disorderly stack of needles started to take form, it turned into a beautiful piece of butterfly hairpin.

Leo waved his arm. The hairpin rose from the table and started to float.

Shinobu covered his lips and let out a light gasp.

"Do you like it?"

Leo asked with a teasing smile.

Shinobu suddenly hugged him and buried her head into his chest.

"I love it."