Drake was trembling with fear, yet Squard's intensity surged to a murderous pitch.
Blade after blade, he slamd his razor-sharp katana against Drake's allosaurus-scaled head!
Drake hadn't anticipated this sudden berserker mode. He only saw a flash and felt seven or eight cuts rain down on his skull.
Fortunately, his hybrid scales held firm… and his Armant Haki gave him extra protection. Otherwise, he would've been cut open instantly.
Still, the impact felt like a hamr pounding his brain.
Drake staggered backwards, flailing wildly with his axe overhead. He managed to block the continued assault, but his right hand was already shredded—bone cracked, blood pouring.
His arm went numb, almost unable to grip the weapon.
How strong a warrior was wielding this slender katana? Such raw power was just unreal.
Seeing the fear and disbelief in Drake's eyes, Squard withdrew his blade with a triumphant laugh:
"Boys, bring my great cleaver!"
His crew—silent before out of respect—snapped into action, presenting a massive broadsword.
Squard handed off his slim blade, hoisted the great cleaver onto his shoulder, and sneered at Drake:
"Just so you know, I haven't really practiced this heavy sword yet—if I cut you, sorry in advance!"
Drake glanced up at Roya on the command platform and suddenly realized the truth:
Roya wasn't just forging a powerful blade-wielder—he was using these Supernovas as live training fodder for his sword dog!
At that mont, out of the corner of his eye, Drake saw a flash of black lightning—it ca faster than his cleaver!
Holy—!
His blood pressure spiked; his eyeballs seed ready to explode out of their sockets.
It was supposed to be a heavy cleaver, yet it moved even faster than Squard's light-level blade!
Drake knew full well he had no hope to dodge unless reflexes beat his blood pressure—but they wouldn't.
He shut his eyes and braced for the end.
"They must've read my Marine undercover identity with their Observation Haki, and gave Squard this lethal blade."
"Can't send back any intel on Roya…"
"Father… Admiral Sakazuki… I failed you."
Black lightning sliced across his entire body—but he felt no pain.
Drake understood: true sword masters could kill before their enemies even sensed it.
"Roya's sword dog… has truly reached swordmaster level."
A cold breeze drifted across him. He felt the quiet:
"Ah—sorry I didn't board your flagship in ti due to… uh… so mishap," said a lodic voice.
It was "Scratchn" Apoo, speaking gently.
Drake jolted—he was still alive.
Looking up, the deck erupted with laughter.
"Red Flag, your look... quite sothing!"
Drake glanced down. His black robe was shredded—cut into identical lozenges by Squard's cleaver, all over the deck.
"Even Mihawk wouldn't match this..."
Sheathing his weapons, Drake silently retreated behind Kid.
Kid stretched his neck and fists, then strode boldly toward Roa.
"Squard's no match for —now it's your turn, Fifth Emperor! If I win, that title's mine!"
Roya shook his head, smiling slightly.
That 'title' again. So he was serious about it?
He motioned to Marco and said:
"Why don't you wait a mont—see how Dracule 'Hawk Eyes' Mihawk fares first? Then decide if you want to face ?"
His tone carried a fatherly bemusent—kinda like coaxing an intellectually challenged kid.
As soon as Hawk Eyes' na was uttered, all attention shifted to the horizon.
Roya brushed Marco's shoulder:
"So you think the Fifth Emperor himself ca forward because he saw Mihawk coming?"
Marco adjusted his glasses:
"Do you think Mihawk needs the Fifth Emperor's personal welco?"
Roya considered it, nodding:
"You're right—makes sense."
Marco continued:
"Regardless, the Fifth Emperor always has a reason. We just need to follow his lead."
Roya smiled warmly:
"Good. Finally, you get it."
Their conversation was interrupted by the sudden appearance of a massive vessel—a floating red palace atop a giant serpent.
All the n, especially Marco and Roya, exchanged knowing glances: they all recognized Boa Hancock.
Of course the Fifth Emperor wouldn't need to greet challengers—but if the Empress herself showed up, well, a man can et her personally.
The stunning presence and pure danger in her aura commanded everyone's attention.
All eyes followed her as she stepped down from her serpent Salo, walking slowly toward the command platform.
She tilted her head slightly, glancing at Roya with a asured frown:
"Please tell Whitebeard I have urgent matters to discuss with him."
Roya offered a small smile:
"We will head to Amazon Lily soon. But you'll need to wait a mont."
PS: Access advance (30 ) chapters at
spatreon/c/NanamiTL
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