Impel Down, Level 6!
"Blackbeard? Maybe we are not enemies. I've been waiting for a man like you!"
As the chief guard of Impel Down, Shiryu said something that shocked everyone present.
Shiryu and Hannibal formed a sharp contrast. Hannibal risked his life to prevent the criminals from escaping, while Shiryu, the chief warden of Impel Down, appeared ready to rebel against the prison itself.
"Oh? Shiryu! I didn't expect to gain such an interesting partner. What a pleasant surprise! Let's have a great time!"
Blackbeard, Marshall D. Teach, laughed wildly, his missing front teeth only adding to his arrogant grin. After lying dormant for many years, his era was finally coming.
So far, everything had gone according to his plan. Shiryu was an unexpected bonus. It seemed fate favored ambitious men!
"Let's have a big fight, but first… I have to kill this man!!!"
Shiryu gripped his buzzing saber, his eyes locked on Victor.
This man had qualities that could give Magellan a headache—but how dare he stand in front of Shiryu with a knife? He was Shiryu of the Rain, a true great swordsman.
"Victor, are you prepared to die? You're not worthy of that evil sword in your hand. After I kill you, it will be mine!"
Swish! Buzz!
A powerful slashing blow cut through the air and came straight toward Victor.
"Victor, get out of the way!"
"What the hell is this brat doing!?"
"Victor!"
Jinbe, Crocodile, and Luffy had all witnessed Victor's incredible speed. Although Shiryu's slash was deadly, an ordinary swordsman would be severely injured—but Victor seemed unconcerned.
Instead, he gripped the knife tightly and faced the attack head-on.
Iron clash!
The weapons collided with a domineering force.
Victor's mind raced. Shiryu was an extremely powerful swordsman.
Confronting him directly offered no advantage—but the system had triggered the option: confront Shiryu head-on for two rounds to earn the reward of Great Swordsman-level swordsmanship.
Victor had no choice but to bite the bullet.
Pong!
With a loud bang, Victor was flung backward, landing in an embarrassing heap.
"He actually dared to use a sword against Shiryu! Does he think he's a great swordsman?!"
"He has no idea what he's doing. He'll die at Shiryu's hands for sure!"
The fugitives erupted in chatter, thinking Victor was seeking death.
"Shiryu, come again!"
Victor stood up, aided by the Second Generation Kitetsu, ignoring the rubbish voices. One more move, and he'd achieve Great Swordsman-level swordsmanship.
"Tsk… what is this brat planning?!"
Crocodile frowned, cigar in mouth. He didn't understand Victor's actions, but something about him felt extraordinary.
As Victor and Shiryu prepared for the first round of battle, another conflict erupted between Luffy and Blackbeard.
"You are Blackbeard! The pirate who handed Ace over to the government in exchange for Shichibukai status?!"
"When you get to Ace's grave, you better thank him! Without him, you'd be dead, Straw Hat!"
Blackbeard towered over Luffy, his arrogance unmistakable.
"Then let's try now! I won't let Ace die!! Gum-Gum Jet Pistol!!!"
Fueled by hatred over Ace's fate, Luffy activated Gear 2 and launched a furious attack. At the same time, Shiryu's second slash came at Victor.
Boom! Boom!
Both Victor and Blackbeard were repelled by their opponents' attacks.
"Captain!" Van Augur, Blackbeard's sniper, shouted in surprise.
"Victor!" Jinbe called out, dodging and catching Victor. In front of the great swordsman Shiryu, Victor clearly seemed outmatched.
"Straw Hat Luffy! As expected of a supernova with a bounty of 300 million!"
"So tough! Men like the Straw Hat are the real big shots!"
"That Victor got beaten up again… hahaha…"
The prison escape team whispered among themselves. Luffy had barely beaten Blackbeard, while Victor had been knocked back twice by Shiryu.
"Jinbe, thanks, I'm fine. My battle with Shiryu has just begun! Go and stop Luffy. He can't beat Blackbeard alone!"
Victor tightened his grip on the Second Generation Kitetsu.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing the selected task and receiving the reward: Grand Swordsman-level swordsmanship!]
Buzz! Buzz!
A surge of exquisite swordsmanship filled Victor's mind, carrying all the techniques and experiences of a great swordsman.
"This Victor is ungrateful. He even dared to hold a knife against Shiryu. Does he really think Shiryu can't kill him? He is a great swordsman!"
"Exactly. And he still has the nerve to comment on the Straw Hats' battle? Shameless!"
Two jealous fugitives continued slandering Victor, hoping it would ease their conscience.
"I gave you a chance, but you're useless!!! Then shut up forever!!!!"
Victor's eyes flashed. Raising the Second Generation Kitetsu, he slashed at the crowd.
Swish!
A black slash sliced through the air, splitting into two slashes aimed at the talkative fugitives.
Swordsmanship: One, Two!
In a flash, the two fugitives' heads rolled to the ground.
Boom!
Meanwhile, Luffy's second confrontation with Blackbeard ended badly for him, stopped by Jinbe. Victor, standing straight like a sword, faced Shiryu head-on. Their sword energy clashed perfectly, evenly matched.
The jealous fugitives, now terrified, covered their mouths. They finally understood why Straw Hat Luffy and the others respected Victor so much.
Victor, once unknown, was a real big shot.
No trash could insult him now!