The atmosphere enveloping the viewing platform exuded an eerie sense of foreboding, compelling Rocks to intervene sharply: "That's enough, watch the performance!"
Rocks's directive diffused the tension among the crowd, teetering on the edge of erupting into violence. In the pirate world, strength dictated authority, and Rocks happened to possess the mightiest fist.
"But seriously, Newgate, I think Nicholas is right," Rocks chuckled, seemingly entertained by something. As he spoke, he affectionately patted the head of the beauty beside him, soothing her, while he savored a sip of the nearby wine.
In the arena, as the space dwindled and the undercover Marine emerged from hiding, only fourteen individuals remained alive. It was worth noting that those who dared infiltrate Rocks's pirate faction were genuinely skilled; few pirates could contend with them alone.
Now, in the field, the Marine, alongside Kaido and the remaining twelve, staked out their territories, facing off against each other.
At that juncture, Kaido, seated upon a corpse, vigorously shook a wine jug, though visibly empty. Dismissing the jug carelessly, Kaido rose unsteadily, brandishing his club.
"Hiccup! You lot aren't finished yet? Seems I'll have to deal with you all before I can enjoy another drink! Hiccup!" Kaido, inebriated, aimed his blood-stained club at the others.
"Hey, even though my cover is blown, these folks don't seem to regard me much. If I can dispatch such perilous individuals before I meet my end, then Tast has upheld the tenets of Fleet admiral Kong's training!" With survival odds dwindling, Tast resolved. With his declaration, his arms were instantly cloaked in Armament Haki.
Then, propelled by a sudden burst of force, he vanished in an instant.
"Where is he? He's airborne!" The other survivors, prompted by the pirates, gazed skyward, witnessing the Marine traversing the air, defying gravity.
"You sea scum, meet your end! Rankyaku!" Tast's declaration heralded a flurry of blue light blades, emanating from his rapidly kicking feet, targeting the twelve pirates below.
With manic laughter, Tast assaulted relentlessly, evidently intending to clear the field before confronting Kaido alone.
Boom! Dust clouds billowed, the ground cracked, and mud bullets flew.
"It's not over! Fist of Meteor!" Tast's right fist, shrouded in Armament Haki, bore down fiercely amidst the lingering smoke!
"Ahh~" Agonizing cries echoed, signifying the Vice Admiral's overwhelming strength, unbearable for the remaining twelve pirates.
Coughing, Tast knelt, his Armament Haki-clad fist piercing a pirate's corpse and sinking into the ground, causing the earth within a ten-meter radius to subside. After extracting his bloodied arm and wiping his nose, Tast rose, glaring coldly at Kaido.
Dealing with Kaido would define his legacy.
Pirates, inherently ruthless, regarded Tast with indifference. Nonetheless, his demise was imminent.
"Marine, Armament Haki, intriguing," Kaido's slurred voice resonated, laden with murderous intent palpable to Tast.
The onlookers, initially stunned, erupted into fervent cheers. After all, this spectacle—Vice Admiral versus Pirate Monster Blood Feast—was the excitement they craved. Some hastened to place bets on the ultimate victor.
Tast remained silent, fixating coldly on Kaido.
"Whoever you are, your end approaches!" Tast, resigned to his fate, grew increasingly ferocious. For individuals of his caliber, fighting to the death unleashed terrifying power.
Mud splattered as Tast propelled forward, even swifter than before.
Yet, faced with the charging Marine Vice Admiral, Kaido, seemingly undeterred and partially intoxicated, grasped his club, readying to strike.
Coincidentally or not, Kaido's swing intersected flawlessly with Tast's charge.
Witnessing this, Tast's pupils constricted. Time seemed to warp, and his dynamic vision peaked, discerning bone fragments and flesh adhering to the enlarging club.
In the pivotal moment, Tast crossed his Armament Haki-clad arms before him.
Bang! Tast hurtled even faster, crashing to the ground with a plop, spewing blood. Even his Armament Haki-clad arm twisted irregularly, testament to the earlier blow.
As danger loomed, Tast's brain scrambled with warning signals. Yet, before he could raise his shattered arm, a bullet pierced his forehead. Blood gushed, obscuring his vision, as he glimpsed a figure, drenched in blood, emerging amidst the compressed walls.
Watching his fallen adversary, Simon found no respite. Rolling away hastily, he narrowly avoided a massive club, its handle protruding from the ground.
"You dared to meddle in my duel!" Tast's demise sobered Kaido. He recognized the hidden threat and acted decisively.
Facing the looming menace, Simon's countenance soured. Initially deceived, he maneuvered covertly, disrupting alliances among pirates.
His stratagem—bide time until ten remained, then eliminate the weakest—unraveled. An undercover Marine, seemingly a vice admiral, vanquished the remaining pirates.
As indifference pervaded the onlookers, Simon discerned his fate. Gambling on the pirates' reaction post-Marine's demise, he realized their fickleness.
As he raised his sniper rifle, intending to meet his end, a blue lightning bolt materialized. The horned man, endowed with Herculean speed, was thwarted.
"Shiki, cease your ability, the competetion has ended" Nicholas commanded, retracting his foot calmly.