After Michael's arrogant declaration, the SWORD members didn't protest further.
Instead, they unanimously retreated to a safe distance to spectate.
"Even if I'm smoke, I don't want to experience being burned by Holy Flame again."
The user of the Smoke-Smoke Fruit who had suffered greatly in this regard said so.
Upon hearing this, a trace of disdain flashed across Michael's face.
This guy Smoker had completely lost his rebellious edge under his command and was increasingly turning into a comic relief character!
Just then, a voice suddenly reached everyone's ears.
"WTF!? Excuse me? About whether to fight or not, can't you ask for my opinion? Don't just decide on your own!"
The one roaring these words was none other than Crocodile.
To be honest, his tone sounded somewhat hysterical and defensive.
Was it just because they'd dragged him into this?
And more importantly...
"Crocodile, get this straight—you're a pirate, I'm a marine..." Michael shook his head with a light chuckle.
"Do I need your opinion to fight you? Well, maybe I do, but it's completely irrelevant."
Before the words had even faded, explosive power erupted from his feet, propelling him towards Crocodile at an astonishing speed.
The Morning Star in his hand was wreathed in pure white Holy Flame, nearly catching Crocodile off guard as he instinctively tried to evade damage through his Logia intangibility.
But this was Crocodile in his prime.
At the last possible moment, he raised his golden hook, now coated in Armament Haki.
He managed to block it—but not really.
While he did intercept Michael's strike, the sheer difference in strength sent him flying backward despite the successful parry.
"Tsk tsk, impressive reflexes, Crocodile." Michael flicked the Morning Star, savoring the sensation of sending someone flying.
"The seas only praise your mastery of the Sand-Sand Fruit, but few know your physical skills and Haki are also remarkable... Truly worthy of the man who earned an 81 million berry bounty right out of the gate."
"What the hell kind of sarcastic nonsense are you spouting!?"
Crocodile jerked his head up, blood already spurting from his mouth.
The orange checkered vest he wore was once again stained with red.
The barely healed wounds had reopened after that forced block.
Crocodile was seething with rage!
Both Hawkeye and this damn marine were complete bastards!
He hadn't even said a word, yet he'd still been dragged into this fight!
He came to Alabasta to recover from his injuries, not to push his limits!
Michael raised an eyebrow.
With his keen perception, he immediately noticed the fresh bloodstains.
While he had grown stronger, he wasn't strong enough to casually one-shot someone of Crocodile's caliber.
Was Crocodile injured?
Had he already challenged Whitebeard?
But no—that challenge should have happened after Crocodile became a Warlord, when his confidence was at its peak.
"Done spacing out?" Hawkeye's voice came from behind Michael. "Though it's your choice how many people you fight, my intention from the start has only been to battle you alone."
Michael turned to see Hawkeye gripping the Supreme Grade Sword "Yoru," already in a combat stance but not yet attacking.
"Won't you strike someone who turns their back on you?"
"No, normally I would." Hawkeye shook his head with surprising honesty.
"This time, victory isn't that important, but facing each other properly is."
Hawkeye's words left Michael momentarily stunned.
What kind of logic was this?
You're a pirate... no, wait—Hawkeye doesn't fly pirate flags or claim to be one.
Just a wanted man.
A wanted man with a 400 million bounty!
Aren't your words and actions a bit too righteous!?
"...I am Michael. Rear Admiral of Marine Headquarters, Leader of SWORD Secret Special Forces and Commander of the Alabasta Marine Branch."
With that, Michael swung Morning Star and charged at Hawkeye.
Compared to the severely wounded Crocodile, Hawkeye was clearly far stronger.
At the very least, he didn't get immediately knocked back when crossing blades with Michael.
But by the sixteenth exchange, Hawkeye was still sent flying three to four meters by Michael's slash.
Though young and vigorous, Hawkeye hadn't yet reached his true peak strength.
"So this is why you can sweep across the seas yet leave almost no traces... strong enough to eliminate all witnesses."
"You're not bad either. Even now, I have to admit that purely in terms of swordsmanship, I'm no match for you." Michael shook his head. "You're destined to become the world's greatest swordsman in the future. The future belongs to you."
"That doesn't sound like praise at all—more like the taunt of a victor to the defeated." Hawkeye rubbed his arms, his hands already numb from the sheer physical power Michael had exerted.
"How could this be a taunt? I'm serious—the future is yours..." Michael's lips curled into a sly, wicked grin. "But if I want, I can make sure you never reach that future."
Watching the holy radiance surrounding Michael's entire being, paired with his 'slightly' handsome face and that devious smirk, even members of the SWORD were starting to have doubts...
"Is Rear Admiral Michael actually a good person?"
"Honestly, Hina isn't sure either right now... That nasty grin and even more nasty personality of him are really hard to judge."
"Michael's got a bit of a split personality. Once he starts fighting, he switches to this mode where he damages your body with his hands while destroying your soul with his words."
"The most infuriating part is... everything he says is true, leaving you completely unable to argue back!"
"CAN YOU GUYS AT LEAST KEEP YOUR VOICES DOWN WHEN BADMOUTHING YOUR SUPERIOR!?" Michael rolled his eyes before turning serious again, addressing Hawkeye,
"As you can see, I'm babysitting here and can't waste too much time, so... take this move from me."
"If you die, consider it bad luck."
"If you survive, remember this—the old Hawkeye is dead from this day forward."
Without waiting for Hawkeye's response, Michael ran his other hand along the blade.
Suddenly, several mysterious and eerie runes appeared on 'Morning Star'.
As the runes lit up, surging white Holy Flame continuously poured into 'Morning Star'.
Michael raised 'Morning Star' high and swung it down fiercely towards Hawkeye.
It was a condensed slash of Holy Flame, its surface shimmering with blue light.
"Starlit Rune Blade: Judgement!"
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