Watching the four figures in the plaza collide with overwhelming momentum, everyone observing swallowed hard. Even Sengoku's expression grew tense.
After all, this battle was directly tied to the Marines' future plans against the Grey Kingdom.
If Sakazuki and the others could successfully probe Rosinante's true limits, the Marines would be able to adjust their strategy accordingly. That way, no matter how strong Rosinante was, they could minimize casualties when the real plan was carried out.
But if they failed to test his strength, then once the plan was set in motion, should Rosinante's power far exceed their expectations, or if he had developed unknown trump cards over the past three years, the consequences would be disastrous. Not only would the Marines suffer enormous losses, there was even a chance Rosinante could turn the tables and escape.
"Yata no Kagami Sword!"
Borsalino spread his hands, and a longsword formed entirely of condensed light appeared in his grasp.
"It's the Logia Glint Glint Fruit!"
"So dazzling!"
"I've heard the Glint Glint Fruit is the fastest Devil Fruit of all!"
"That's not necessarily true. I heard the Grey Kingdom has a Rumble Rumble Fruit user whose speed is no slower than Admiral Borsalino's."
"You mean the Thunder God? He's the Grey Kingdom's ultimate weapon, guarding Never Night City. Even Supernovas get taken out casually by him!"
Seeing the blade of light in Borsalino's hand, the crowd erupted in astonishment.
They had already learned of Borsalino's Devil Fruit from newspapers and from the Marines' introductions earlier, but seeing it with their own eyes was an entirely different matter.
That was light itself. Just thinking about the speed of light made many people feel powerless. At such speed, how could anyone possibly resist?
"Looks like quite a few people are placing their hopes on you, Borsalino," Rosinante said with a faint smile. "But who gave you the nerve to stand before me again? Have you already forgotten what happened last time on Skypiea?"
"Spare me," Borsalino replied lightly. "This time I'm just providing support. Besides, I'm very curious to see whether light truly has no way to deal with your domain."
As he spoke, Borsalino's body turned into a streak of light and vanished. In the next instant, he appeared beside Rosinante, swinging his blade down at him.
"So fast!" someone among the VIPs cried out.
Rosinante was about to shift and evade, but at that very moment, his feet were suddenly frozen solid by a sheet of ice.
He moved, but failed to break free.
It was not that the ice was too strong for Rosinante to shatter, but because he had not anticipated it and had not applied enough force in that instant. He lost a fraction of time.
And that was enough.
Borsalino's sword came down. Rosinante tilted his head, narrowly avoiding a fatal strike, but the blade still slashed across his shoulder.
"He hit him!"
"But he couldn't hurt the Dragon King!"
"Armament Haki!" the crowd shouted.
At the point of impact, a thick layer of Armament Haki had formed, preventing the light sword from cutting through Rosinante's defenses.
"Oh? How curious," Borsalino said with an exaggerated tone. "It actually landed. Dragon King, you seem to have let your guard down. Careful now, the next slash might take your head."
"Nice coordination, Kuzan," Rosinante said calmly, not even sparing a glance at Borsalino or the blade still resting on his shoulder. He tilted his head toward Kuzan instead. "That timing on the ice was flawless. You two clearly didn't practice this for just a day or two."
"When dealing with you, Dragon King, we have no choice but to be cautious," Kuzan replied evenly.
"I say, Dragon King," Borsalino added from the side, sounding almost aggrieved. "I'm an Admiral too, you know. Being ignored like this puts me in an awkward position."
"I'm not ignoring you," Rosinante said. "Since you cut me once, it's only fair that I return the favor."
His long sword slid free of its sheath, a flash of steel lighting up the air.
With that flash came a domineering, razor-sharp will, carried along with the blade as it slashed toward Borsalino.
The instant Rosinante's sword left its sheath, Borsalino's expression changed. He raised his Yata no Kagami Sword just in time to block.
The collision erupted with terrifying force, sending Borsalino skidding backward across the ground.
Rosinante was about to press the advantage when a bone-chilling wave of frost surged in from the side.
"Ice Block: Pheasant Beak!"
A gigantic ice bird shot toward Rosinante.
With no choice, Rosinante abandoned his pursuit of Borsalino and punched forward. Crumbling Fist, stacked impact.
With a single blow, the air shattered again. The massive ice bird fragmented instantly, breaking apart into countless pieces before being obliterated by the shockwave.
The shockwave continued onward toward Kuzan.
But Kuzan had already witnessed this technique before. Anticipating the follow-up, he had moved out of the way in advance.
Before Rosinante could retaliate against Kuzan, another attack arrived.
"Crimson Lotus Fang!"
Sakazuki's assault came at precisely the right moment.
And just as that attack was dealt with, another followed immediately.
"Light-speed kick!"
Borsalino's kick came crashing in.
Boom!
After three years, Borsalino's light-speed kick was far faster than before. Even Rosinante only had time to raise his arms in defense.
Just as Borsalino had said, speed was power. That terrifying velocity translated into overwhelming force, sending Rosinante sliding sideways across the ground.
"This boring game is over. I'll take one of you down first!" Rosinante roared in fury.
Anger surged through him, raw and unrestrained.
To be toyed with like this, kited back and forth, it ignited his pride.
Enraged to the extreme, Rosinante finally unleashed his full power.
The will of Eternal Silence burst forth from his body, spreading wildly across the battlefield in every direction.