"To be honest, I'm a little disappointed in our Vice Admirals of the Navy."
Michael shook his head, then glanced at the nearby Vice Admirals from the Navy Headquarters.
Stainless, Mozambia, Cancer, and the recently promoted "Doberman.
"Especially you guys, hovering on the edge of middle age… you're not exactly ambitious, are you?"
"Don't get too cocky with your words! Michael! No matter how strong you are, facing a situation where Admirals lead the charge and all Vice Admirals swarm together, you'd better surrender quickly!"
The speaker was Doberman. Although Stainless and the others stayed silent, they all held their weapons tightly, eyes fixed on Michael like predators.
Even though Michael had almost instantly defeated Onigumo, these Vice Admirals showed no sign of retreat.
"But seeing you face a formidable enemy without backing down… that alone is enough to make me feel relieved."
Michael spoke as he drew Myōjō from its sheath.
"Very well then, let me give you a lesson!"
As Myōjō was unsheathed, everyone's expressions turned serious.
If a simple Shigan could instantly defeat Onigumo, then Michael with a weapon in hand…
Before they could think further, Michael gripped Myōjō and unleashed a pure white flying slash toward the four of them.
Among the Vice Admirals, these four weren't particularly strong, yet the flying slash alone pushed their pressure meters to the max.
"Don't slack off!" Doberman shouted, charging first to meet the flying slash.
Stainless, Mozambia, and Cancer raised their weapons and joined the counterattack.
Yet, the moment that casually swung flying slash made contact, all four immediately felt an enormous force surge along their weapons.
"You're… still too weak."
Michael smiled.
At that instant, their combined effort was completely defeated by a single flying slash.
"Ah… terrifying… this man." Momonga gazed at the scene, unable to hide his amazement.
"Though it's my first time seeing him… I've heard rumors about Michael." Strawberry remained expressionless, yet her eyes were full of shock.
"Ahahaha, after all, he's been the most outstanding Navy officer in recent years!" Yamakaji chuckled, "what a shame."
However, in the brief time they spoke, the giant Vice Admirals had already rushed forward.
But the physical strength and pride the giants boasted vanished when facing Michael.
Instead, Michael's two counter flying slashes cut through their weapons.
"Giant Vice Admirals… it's a pity. You don't have Hakoku, or else at least you'd be fun to deal with." Michael shook his head, looking at the sun about to rise above the horizon, seemingly impatient. "Honestly, why don't you all come at me at once… wave after wave… it's starting to annoy me a bit."
After saying this, four wings unfurled from Michael's back, overlooking the remaining Vice Admirals from above.
The disdain in his gaze stirred the blood of everyone present.
If all these Vice Admirals couldn't take down Michael together… then they were truly hopeless!
Instantly, Michael felt the pressure rise.
Compared to the weaker Vice Admirals, the elite ones' gap in skill became immediately obvious.
Even Onigumo had suffered from being caught off guard. If prepared for a direct confrontation, it could have withstood a few of Michael's attacks.
Not to mention when a dozen elite Vice Admirals attacked simultaneously.
Most importantly, among the elite Vice Admirals, there were two Admiral substitutes and members of SWORD's Secret Special Force.
Especially since SWORD was angry about coordinating with Michael—they were attacking with full force.
It was hard to tell if these people were acting deliberately.
Although Michael was certain they were his allies, they might try to take the opportunity to hit him.
After all, Michael often had a mischievous streak. Revenge could easily be on their minds…
"Michael, I will bring you back on track!" Tokikake declared.
"I trust you, you must have your reasons…" Gion said, drawing Konpira.
These two, close to Michael but kept in the dark, were perhaps the people he felt most guilty about in this plan.
So he didn't respond with words, letting Myōjō communicate for him.
The combat abilities of these two Admiral substitutes far exceeded the elite Vice Admirals. Flanking him from both sides, they were nearly equal to Michael.
This one-versus-two strength alone rivaled an Admiral's.
Then, the SWORD Secret Special Force Vice Admirals joined the fray.
"Thirty million volts!"
"Desert Sabre!"
"Thunder Iron Cloud!"
Enel, Crocodile, and Stella's attacks simultaneously blocked all of Michael's escape routes.
And Hawk Eyes timed it perfectly, sending a massive flying slash straight toward Michael's face.
"Ah, you guys are working so hard… I should give you a proper response too."
Michael nodded, and atop Myōjō, pure white Holy Light and pale blue Judgment Flame simultaneously surged.
"Judgment!"
This strike nearly triggered PTSD in Crocodile and Hawk Eyes!
The explosive energy within the slash instantly cleared everything in front of Michael.
Not only Crocodile, Hawk Eyes, Stella, and Enel, but even Gion and Tokikake spat blood.
Though the slash didn't fatally injure them, it caused their internal energy and blood flow to surge violently.
Michael, after three or four rounds of encirclement, remained calm and unfazed, showing no signs of fatigue.
"Vice Admiral Garp… aren't you going to intervene?"
Issho stood beside Garp, smiling lightly.
"This is a perfect chance to thrash Michael."
"Then why don't you go?" Garp glanced at Issho with mild disdain. "So young, yet always pushing the elders forward!"
After speaking, Garp looked at the center of the battlefield, a hint of admiration in his eyes.
Even though the entire Navy Headquarters' Vice Admirals had mobilized, and two Admirals were leading them…
Only four people actually posed a threat to Michael.
Sakazuki, Kuzan, Issho, and Garp.
The presence of the others was more for show…
Or perhaps to tug at emotions.
After all, nobody knew Michael's true combat power, but Sengoku surely did.
So…
"The farce is about to end, Michael."
Sakazuki stepped forward, two cigars clenched in his mouth, sparks of lava flicking as he spoke.
"Though I don't like working with Sakazuki… orders are orders."
Kuzan flicked his hand lightly, instantly turning half of the ground into ice.
Michael hovered midair, watching them.
Ice and fire, dual extremes.
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