Chapter Twenty-Three: Lieutenant General Maas Falls in Battle, Seiji Awakens His Observation Haki

After Whitebeard delivered a fierce beating to Blackbeard, his body had reached its limit. He wanted to throw one last punch to put an end to that bastard, but Blackbeard pulled out a pistol and shot him. Seeing that his attack was effective, Blackbeard quickly fired two more rounds and shouted at his crew, “You idiots, don’t just stand there! Get in there! Finish him off!”

The men behind him, seeing that Whitebeard could no longer even dodge bullets, let their guard down and charged at him.

Suddenly, a figure appeared, blades flashing, forcing the attackers back.

Vice Admiral Mars stepped in front of Whitebeard, taking a deep drag from his cigarette as though steeling himself for a great resolve.

Whitebeard spoke in a deep voice, “Hey, Navy man, are you pitying me?”

Mars looked coldly at the fledgling Blackbeard Pirates before him and exhaled a cloud of smoke. “Your men once slaughtered my entire village chief. Don’t get cocky. I have no sympathy for pirates…”

“I’m just fighting pirates, that’s all. Besides, Magellan is a close friend of mine. What have you done to him?” Mars raised his sword, pointing it at Blackbeard.

Blackbeard staggered to his feet and spat out a mouthful of blood. “Zehahaha, how interesting—a navy vice admiral? You’d better get out of my way.”

Sengoku looked on in confusion at Mars’s actions. What was that old fool up to? Wouldn’t it be better to let the pirates destroy each other?

Sengoku shouted at Vice Admiral Mars, “Hey! Vice Admiral Mars, what are you doing? Get back here, now!”

Aoshi watched Mars, alarmed by his sudden move. What was he trying to do?

Vice Admiral Mars replied, “Fleet Admiral Sengoku, I have a strong premonition—these pirates must not be allowed to live.”

“Whitebeard is already finished. Why waste our strength? Let’s deal with those escaped pirates directly.”

Sengoku pondered briefly, still unable to decide. It was true that Mars’s observation haki was unique—allowing him to briefly glimpse the future.

However…

At that moment, the pirates charged once more.

This time, their target was Vice Admiral Mars. Injured as he was, with their focus and defenses in place, Mars was quickly covered in wounds after just a few exchanges.

Aoshi hurried over, calling out to Sengoku, “Fleet Admiral Sengoku! Why aren’t you sending reinforcements?”

Sengoku frowned but remained silent.

Aoshi’s brow furrowed as he guessed the truth. He glanced at the embattled Mars, at Kizaru and Aokiji loafing in the distance, at Garp still lying seemingly lifeless on the ground.

The only one who could help—Akainu—was still trapped below the fissure.

“Damn it!”

Cursing, Aoshi dashed into the battlefield. He exchanged a single punch with Burgess and was sent flying, rolling several times before landing at Whitebeard’s feet.

A mouthful of blood burst from his lips.

Vice Admiral Mars shouted, “Aoshi!”

He was momentarily distracted, and a flurry of attacks surged toward him. Shiryu’s sword pierced through Mars’s chest, and after withdrawing it, he swiftly struck several more times.

Aoshi’s heart was gripped by terror—Vice Admiral Mars…

It felt as though a boulder pressed against his chest, his breath heavy and labored. Blackbeard’s wild laughter echoed in his ears, growing louder and louder.

Sengoku clenched his teeth, still refusing to give the order.

What now?

Now not only was Vice Admiral Mars dead, but Aoshi himself would likely perish here as well.

Damn it! Why couldn’t I have a stronger Devil Fruit? What a useless ability!

Not enough Haki to copy, the range was limited, and even when copied he couldn’t unleash its full power!

“Kid… your ability is to copy Devil Fruits, isn’t it?”

Aoshi looked up—the speaker was Whitebeard. His eyes brightened. “Are you willing to lend me your power?”

Whitebeard coughed, blood mist spraying from his mouth. “Cough… someone who protects those he cherishes doesn’t deserve to die like this. Help me teach that ungrateful bastard a lesson…”

Blackbeard jeered, “Zehahaha, old man, still not dead? You’re tough as nails. Now die quietly.”

He raised his gun, and Van Augur and the others opened fire on Whitebeard.

Crack!

The air shattered, mirror-like fissures blocking the bullets before rebounding toward Blackbeard and his crew.

Everyone was stunned.

What was happening? Wasn’t that Whitebeard’s Tremor-Tremor Fruit power?

How could this young marine use it?

No one was more shocked than Blackbeard and his crew. They easily deflected the bullets hurtling back at them, then shouted, “The Tremor-Tremor Fruit’s power! Impossible! You also have a way to steal Devil Fruit abilities?!”

“No—it can’t be! Whitebeard isn’t dead yet… You’re a Devil Fruit user!”

Sengoku’s eyes widened as he stared at Blackbeard. “What? The power to steal Devil Fruits?!”

Blackbeard’s grin faded slightly. “Zehahaha, I let that slip in my excitement, but it doesn’t matter…”

Sengoku finally realized the gravity of the situation. Staring at the fallen Vice Admiral Mars, his frown deepened.

“Damn it… Stop Blackbeard from seizing the fruit!”

With that, a wave of marines surged toward Blackbeard.

Aoshi, seething with rage, looked at Blackbeard not far away. Suddenly, several words appeared before his eyes: [Blackbeard, Sin Value: 300]

He rubbed his eyes, but the words vanished. “Was that an illusion?”

No, it wasn’t. The numbers flashed before his eyes again.

[Sin-Clearing System Activated!]
[Defeating pirates increases Sin Value, which can be used to enhance Haki.]

Aoshi turned to Whitebeard. “Uncle Whitebeard, if you have any last words, say them now—you don’t have much time left.”

He then dashed toward Shiryu, who had just killed Mars.

“Soru!”

Shiryu, cigarette between his lips, locked eyes with the rapidly approaching Aoshi. Their blades clashed, sending sparks flying.

Aoshi’s arms went numb; he immediately activated the Tremor-Tremor Fruit. His blade shimmered with white light.

Shiryu’s eyes widened in surprise, pupils contracting as Aoshi’s blow sent him staggering back several meters, leaving a shallow wound on his chest.

Shiryu exhaled a cloud of smoke. “What’s this? Looking for revenge for that marine? You’re still too green, kid.”

Aoshi clenched his fist, a white energy shield forming around it. He stared at Shiryu. “Trying to provoke me? You’re the one who’s green, kid.”

He threw a punch, the air trembling as he charged at Shiryu, following up with several more strikes. Shiryu weaved and dodged, zigzagging with his blade ready, then lunged at Aoshi.

Aoshi’s pupils dilated as a wound split his left side, blood spurting out.

He swung at Shiryu, but his opponent quickly backed away, making him miss again.

Shiryu was a seasoned fighter, darting around Aoshi and slashing whenever an opening appeared.

From the start, Aoshi’s mind was in turmoil over Mars’s death—his fighting skills were far below his usual level. Besides, Shiryu possessed Observation Haki, while Aoshi did not. Even with the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, he couldn’t fully unleash its power.

He forced himself to calm down, steadying his breath…

Seeing Aoshi stand motionless, Shiryu sneered, “An opening. Have you given up? Then die!”

Aoshi suddenly spoke, “To the left.”

He tilted his head right as Shiryu’s steel blade swept past.

Aoshi seized Shiryu’s face, his fruit power activating instantly. “Don’t underestimate me, bastard!”