Watching the merchant ship captain fall into a pool of blood, Drake flicked off the bloodstains from his curved blade and smirked, "I've endured your stupidness for a long time, fatty!"
Such actions were by no means something a Marine who held justice in their heart would do. Dante, with a serious expression on his face, calmed himself down and drew his sword as he stood straight while facing Drake.
"You do have some courage, but soon you'll be begging on your knees!" Drake said before he took a deep breath.
Gurgle, Gurgle!
Strange sounds emanated from beneath his skin, and under the astonished gaze of everyone, Drake's body manifested green scales the size of fingernails.
His eyes transformed into vertical pupils, his skull morphed into that of a lizard, his teeth became sharp, and his nails grew long and menacing. A thick tail emerged from behind him, creating a "thud" as it cracked the ground!
Drake had indeed activated the unique state of Half Beastification granted by his Zoan Devil Fruit ability!
In this form, his Devil Fruit ability had a lesser extent of power compared to full Beastification. He retained his human features, making it a more versatile and convenient form for Zoan Devil Fruit users in battle.
Recognizing Dante's display of courage, Drake wouldn't underestimate him since his plan was to capture Dante as a hostage.
"Then… I'll give you the chance to make the first move!" Drake slowly uttered as he grew to a towering height of nearly three meters, facing Dante.
Dante remained composed, showing no signs of anger or excitement on his face. He simply raised his sword blade and replied, "Very well… I accept your offer."
Soru!
Moonlike Stream Murdering Sword – Suigetsu (Reflection of Moon In The Water)…
Buzz!!
A piercing buzz suddenly erupted, enveloping the area. Amidst the shattered silver light, a surge of killing intent permeated the air, akin to the darkness of night!
The intensity of this killing intent was astounding, leaving the soldiers terrified and breathless, rendering them unable to speak.
"Damn it! What kind of Sword Technique is this?!"
Confronted with such a lethal move, Drake's internal alarm bells rang furiously. In the next moment, he realized he had lost track of Dante.
Sword lights filled the surroundings, obscuring any sense of direction. Suddenly, a chilling killing intent emanated from behind Drake's head, causing his alarm bells to reach their peak!
Instinctively, he swiftly ducked down.
Swoosh!
As expected, the sword lights passed just above his head. Even through his scale armor, Drake could feel the agonizing sensation caused by the razor-sharp blade. One misstep, and even his indestructible body would be gravely wounded!
Drake was astonished. As a rare Ancient Devil Fruit user, the scale armor provided by his Rampaging dinosaur Form was as impenetrable as steel. It was his most reliable defense against swordsmen. However, Dante's sword made him perceive the threat of death. Did this not imply that despite his young age, Dante had already attained the realm of a master swordsman?!
The Esoterics of Iron Cutting!
"Indeed, you're worthy of such arrogance! I admit I underestimated you!" Drake coldly snorted, intending to retreat and create distance between himself and Dante.
However, at that very moment, a swift sword shadow suddenly materialized and continued its slash toward Drake's head.
"Nani?!!"
Moonlike Stream Murdering Sword – Suigetsu… Mirror Blossom!
Who said the initial strike had to be genuine?
Swoosh… Splurt!!
In this critical moment, Drake's heightened instincts as a Zoan Devil Fruit user saved his life. He tilted his head backward, narrowly evading the sword tip grazing his nose bridge.
But simultaneously, a deep gash appeared on his chest, forming an "X"-shaped scar.
Dante's Sword Technique left a profound impression on Rowen, surpassing expectations and earning high praise despite Dante's relatively weak physical strength. The technique possessed the remarkable ability to inflict significant damage, even when faced with opponents who were stronger and more formidable.
In recent years, the Quinn Family's standing within the Headquarters had gradually diminished due to their declining military ranks. Nevertheless, they still retained their reputation as a renowned and prominent household, boasting a lineage of ten generations of skilled swordsmen.
What set them apart, even more, was the fact that five generations ago, they had produced the world's first great sword hero, unrivaled in Sword Technique during that era.
Unlike other widely known great sword heroes who relied on special powers or external forces to match their opponents, the Quinn Family's legacy showcased pure mastery of the blade.
Only a few esteemed swordsmen Admirals in Marine history could match such prowess. The sword method employed by Dante, known as the "Moonlike Stream Murdering Sword," was the same technique utilized by the Quinn Family's legendary ancestor.
However, as time passed, this sword method, much like Yan Shisan's "Snatching Fate 13 Swords," gradually became more uncontrollable as its secrets were further explored.
In the initial stages, Dante managed to subdue the inherent unruliness of the technique through his unwavering willpower. Those who observed his skill merely assumed he belonged to the uncompromising War Faction and saw nothing extraordinary about it.
However, when Dante broke through to a new realm and developed the ultimate Esoterics, a fierce battle forced him to confront the true nature of this sword method. In an act that commanded respect from all, the venerable ancestor of the Quinn Family, being a Marine Admiral himself, made a decision that would safeguard the sea.
Realizing that if this sword method brought only death and destruction instead of protection and justice, it was better for it to be erased from existence, the ancestor resolved to take the final Esoterics to his grave, shielding it from the prying eyes of those with nefarious intentions.
In a courageous sacrifice, he sealed away the sword method, becoming the foundation of the Quinn Family's decline across generations. Subsequent Fleet Admirals held great respect for the family and offered them protection, allowing the once-ordinary household to persist from that era to the present day.
Over the course of hundreds of years, the sealed history gradually transformed into a legendary tale. Dante, driven by an insatiable thirst for power, would become the first inheritor of the technique in several centuries.
Drake, perhaps underestimating Dante due to his own formidable strength, would soon discover the magnitude of his mistake. Dante's "Moon in the Water" move resembled the mesmerizing Ghastly Nine Blade Style series displayed by Zoro in the original work.
It employed a potent killing intent to weave illusions within the minds of his opponents, effectively disrupting their judgment. Without exceptional Sword Technique skills or the heightened perception granted by Kenbunshoku Haki, individuals could only passively resist its influence.
Unfortunately for Drake, he possessed neither of these abilities. He was a typical user of Devil Fruit powers who had overly relied on developing his fruit abilities while neglecting his Haki practice. Furthermore, his proficiency in wielding both the curved sword and the axe was limited.
From Rowen's perspective, Drake inexplicably leaned towards thin air, unwittingly providing Dante with a golden opportunity.
Capitalizing on the opening, Dante swiftly stepped forward and swung his sword in a vertical arc, narrowly missing decapitating Drake. The power and precision of Dante's technique were now laid bare for all to witness.
…
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