Next day,
The news of Blaize rejoining the rank of Vice Admiral position made the Marines jump for joy while it frightened the pirates who understands his true strength.
Onboard the ship assigned to him, Blaize relaxed in a lounge chair specially prepared by Regis. In front of him stood Regis and Kuina, who rushed to Marineford overnight after hearing his return.
Regis bulked a little and pruned the shoulder-length silver hair to a low fade which suited his current physique.
As for Kuina, she's nothing like Tashigi; contrary to his vision. Standing at 6'2 feet of height, she carried herself with gracefulness and boldness which gave her a strange sense of beauty.
Her physique is ruggedly feminine but full of charm coupled with a sharp jawline and chin, as well as thin lips and nose. Part of her raven black hair was braided and reached her lower back while some fringes covered her forehead.
She wore a long-sleeved kimono with a long white Marine jacket draped over her shoulders like a cape and carried a katana-styled sword in her sheath.
"Look at the beauty, is it the same little Kuina that I know?" Blaize teased and looked at the newspaper in his hand before continuing: "Moreover, you even have a title, Sword Witch Kuina."
Hearing his tease and praise, Kuina blushed in embarrassment while Regis laughed.
"How did you guys fare in my absence?" Blaize asked, putting the jokes aside.
"Everything was good. I have been promoted to the Rear Admiral level and have my own crew and ship. Kuina's been at my side the whole time.
Once, she went to the training camp to learn haki skills and stayed there for around six months." Regis replied.
"Mn, good!" Blaize nonchalantly responded. But the next moment, an invisible force smashed Regis squarely in the jaw and sent him flying in the air.
It happened to Kuina, but the latter parried the invisible attack with a quick draw of her sword; thanks to her exceptional observation haki and hard training.
Regis's figure smashed into the ship's side. He rose to his feet in no time as Blaize's strike carried no force, but Regis couldn't hide the embarrassment and shame present on his face.
He knew he'd failed Blaize-san's trust. It has been three years since he practiced his skills as he was just enjoying his days as Rear Admiral without doing anything.
With head down, Regis stood silent.
Stretching his body to the limit until it released loud cracks, Blaize stood up from his seat and faced Regis. "Look at me..."
When Regis's eyes met Blaize, he felt a mountain of pressure pressing upon him. As Blaize took a step toward him, the coercion multiplied tenfold.
The overwhelming might created web-like cracks on the ship floors that stretched to the main mast. Without being able to struggle, Regis's knees hit the ground.
Looking at the expanding blue sea, Blaize uttered. "I can accept people who are weak but I have no use for people who are undetermined and lazy even if they are strong. You can leave!"
Hearing his words, Regis froze for a second before his head loudly hit the ground while tears flowed from his eyes. "Blaize-san, forgive me.
It's not I am lazy and undetermined, it's just I lost my motivation to get strong after your disappearance. Please give me another chance, I will..."
"Ok. Get up." Blaize changed the subject so that Regis could relax, "Where's Rosinante?"
"Rosinante was transferred and working in headquarters, by Fleet Admiral Sengoku's side. Probably he's not in headquarters, otherwise, he would have rushed to meet you." Regis responded.
Nodding his head, Blaize looked at Kuina. "I'm surprised, Kuina. I can feel your spirit, you have improved so much in the short five years."
"My strength is nowhere near enough to become the strongest swordsman in the world," Kuina replied in a determined tone while gripping the hilt of her sword.
"Don't push yourself. Blind sword swings won't make you a better swordsman. Experience the battle and enjoy the process, it's what makes you strong." Blaize advised and noticed Kuina's sword. "Show me your sword"
Drawing the sword from the scabbard, Kuina gave it to him.
As soon as Blaize grabbed the sword, he felt its unique make and extreme sharpness radiating from the sword as if trying to keep others from grasping it.
"Good sword! Where did you get it?" Blaize asked in wonder.
"She used all her merit points and mine as well as a devil fruit to exchange it from the Marine Exchange department. I heard Vice-Admiral Garp helped her in the process." Regis explained.
Kuina asked. "Is there something wrong with the sword?"
"No. It's a great sword." Blaize replied and walked to the edge of the ship before swinging the sword in a vertical motion.
His simple downward slash generated a pressurized bluish sword energy of phenomenal force that cleaved the sea into two halves and traveled a long distance in a straight line.
The simple slash without any haki and devil fruit power stunned both Kuina and Regis. But, it alarmed the entire Marineford as the ship is currently docked at port.
"The sea is divided into two!! Who did it?" A Marine exclaimed in shock.
"Is Dracule Mihawk visiting the Marineford?" Another Marine wondered.
The Marineford went on high alert, but Sengoku's roar from his office revealed the act was done by Blaize.
Blaize commented, without caring about the commotion caused by his simple attack, "The sword is a little short from transforming into a 'Black Blade'."
Kuina and Regis were shocked by his words as they knew what Black Blade meant.
Blaize continued. "But, it won't be that easy."
"Why?" Kuina asked curiously.
"There's a reason why only a few Black Blades are present in the world. Many strong people use a sword but their swords won't turn into a black blade no matter what they do.
Only a true swordsman who trains in the way of the sword can create a black blade after forging the sword with Haki and emotion for countless years.
People like you and Zoro who hold a sword in their hearts are scarce!"
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