"Answer my question first. If you still want to fight later, I'll naturally accompany you!"
After repelling Sherman with a single strike, Taro spoke softly.
Although Sherman was arrogant, the fact that Taro had blocked his attack with a casual finger made him much more serious.
"I am a Ensign of the Marine G-5 Fortress in the Grand Line. The Base Commander is Vice Admiral Vergo!"
Vice Admiral Vergo? That name sounds a bit familiar!
Taro was stunned for a moment, thinking carefully for a while before he remembered.
Holy crap, isn't that Mingo's undercover Vice Admiral!
"You're just a Ensign, how did you come to Marineford?" Taro then asked.
"Don't you look down on me! I just didn't use my full strength earlier. I'm very strong!"
Sherman was so angry he almost jumped up.
Taro was amused by the kid's reaction.
"Mm, I know you're very strong. 'The Sole Sovereign,' right? How could you be unworthy of that title if you weren't strong! Your swordsmanship is quite good, who did you learn it from?"
Sherman was young, after all, and didn't catch the teasing in Taro's tone. Thinking Taro was genuinely praising him, he cooperated and answered the question. "My swordsmanship was taught by Teacher Issho..."
"Who did you say?" Taro was stunned, then cried out in surprise.
Taro's startled reaction gave Sherman a fright. After being dazed for a long while, he said, "Teacher Issho. He is a powerhouse with astonishing strength!"
Holy crap, I was wondering why your sword-holding posture looked so familiar. It turns out it's him!
Taro was excited inside, but he tried to keep his tone as calm as possible. "Mm, I know of him. Why hasn't he joined the Marines?"
"You know Teacher Issho?" Hearing Taro ask this, Sherman felt it was a bit strange. "Teacher doesn't want to be a Marine."
Taro chuckled. "I'm just curious, why doesn't he want to? He's clearly so strong!"
Sherman felt even more certain that Taro must know his teacher. Hardly anyone knew that Teacher Issho was extremely strong.
Thinking this, Sherman's answer became less guarded. "For many years, the Marines have summoned the Warlord of the Sea to fight, and Teacher is a bit..."
Taro waved his hand to interrupt him. "Mm, I understand. Don't say these things carelessly at Headquarters."
The reverse-grip sword posture, dissatisfaction with the Warlord of the Sea System, and the name 'Issho'—it was definitely the future Admiral 'Fujitora'.
In his memory, Fujitora was a rather gentle middle-aged man. How could he have such an arrogant student?
At this thought, Taro's gaze became strange again.
Sherman, on the opposite side, noticed immediately and felt indignant. "Taro, the duel isn't over yet. Let's go again!"
Taro smiled. "Fine, come on."
Sherman then pulled back some distance, his gaze locking onto Taro as his Aura suddenly surged.
Then his body suddenly accelerated, carrying a sharp Sword Qi that was almost tangible as he slashed straight at Taro.
Clang
Taro drew his blade and blocked Sherman's strike. With a forceful twist of his wrist, he swept his blade horizontally, forcing him back.
Sherman dodged Taro's strike and didn't hesitate, closing in once more as the longsword in his hand continuously attacked Taro.
Taro stood his ground, his military saber parrying left and right, blocking every one of Sherman's attacks.
After another jumping slash was parried away by Taro, Sherman was slightly out of breath. "You're not attacking—are you looking down on me?"
Without waiting for Taro's answer, he said proudly, "With the next strike, I will use my full strength. You'd better be careful!"
Taro smiled indifferently. Through the exchange just now, he had formed a judgment of Sherman's strength. Among his peers in the Marines, he was indeed quite good, but he was still far from being able to defeat Taro.
Sherman's Aura continued to rise, and his eyes actually turned blood-red, welling up with intense killing intent.
Is this some kind of mutation?
Just as Taro was pondering, Sherman moved.
His speed had actually increased several times over.
"Omnislash!"
With a loud shout, Taro was suddenly surrounded by Sherman's figures on all sides. These phantoms slashed at Taro at a speed the eye couldn't track, their momentum overwhelming!
[Learning Omnislash failed]
[Lacks Bloodline conditions, cannot learn]
Taro was slightly stunned, and blue-black Haki enveloped his entire body.
Clang clang clang clang clang clang
Dozens of slashes arrived simultaneously. Relying on his protective divine technique and Haki reinforcement, Taro blocked them one by one. At the same time, his Observation Haki discovered Sherman's true body.
"Mihawk Slash"
Taro swung his blade, and the powerful sword technique slashed toward Sherman with unrivaled power.
Boom
Sherman blocked with his sword, but in the next second, with a "bang," he was sent flying off the ship, crashing into the harbor Breakwater and kicking up a cloud of dust.
As the dust settled, Sherman jumped back onto the ship from the rubble. By now, he had returned to his normal state; the blood-red color in his eyes had faded, and the killing intent on his body had vanished.
"Vice Admiral Taro, you really are strong!" Sherman sheathed his sword and saluted Taro.
What Taro cared about, however, was the "Bloodline condition" mentioned by the System earlier. He then asked:
"What was that state just now?"
Sherman said casually, "Oh, that. I call it 'Bloodlust Awakening.' It can increase my strength and speed several times over."
"I've had this ability since I was a child, but I don't know where it came from. Also, it doesn't seem like I can Cultivate it; it only lasts for a very short time."
Taro carefully searched through the memories in his mind, but he still couldn't find a single trace of this young man.
Finally, he nodded helplessly and murmured, "What a pity!"
"Huh? Vice Admiral Taro, what did you say?"
"Nothing, don't worry about it." Taro waved his hand, then looked at Sherman. "Go and take care of your wounds first."
Sherman looked down and saw that the webbing between his thumbs and index fingers had split slightly, and blood was seeping out. He didn't care at all and bowed to Taro.
"Please teach me swordsmanship!"
Holy crap, I'm just a guy with a cheat. What do I know about swordsmanship!
After bowing, Sherman looked at Taro with great anticipation. Taro's mouth twitched, and after a long silence, he finally said:
"A swordsman must sever all emotions and love!"
"Women will only affect the speed at which you draw your sword!"
Taro spoke some nonsense off the top of his head, but he saw Sherman's eyes flickering as if he deeply agreed.
Holy crap, I was just talking nonsense. Don't you dare believe it! Fujitora will kill me if he finds out!
He quickly cleared his throat and continued, "That is the lowest level of swordsman!"
Sherman was confused, his face blank.
Taro's head was starting to hurt.
"The strongest sword is the power to protect what you want to protect and to cut what you want to cut!"
"A sword that harms everything it touches is not a sword at all in my eyes!"
Hearing this, Sherman became lost in thought, and then his face lit up with excitement. His gaze toward Taro became even more respectful.
Taro's eyebrows twitched violently.
I'm sorry, Lord Koushiro. To save a lost lamb, I'll borrow your famous quote.
Don't blame me!
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