Phew!
With a sharp exhale, Bai Yu vanished in a blink, executing Soru, one of the Rokushiki techniques.
"Rokushiki? That speed...!"
Sentomaru's eyes widened in surprise.
Mastery of the Six Powers was standard training for Marines—but few could master all of them. Even fewer could perform them with such precision and explosiveness.
Sentomaru himself was no slouch—well-versed in the Six Powers—but Bai Yu's Soru was beyond anything he'd witnessed.
"This... might be the fastest Soru I've seen," he thought, tense.
What Sentomaru didn't realize was that Bai Yu's Six Powers weren't just proficient—they were perfected. His mastery had reached 100% through the system's enhancement.
The result: overwhelming superiority.
With a flicker, Bai Yu reappeared—right behind Sentomaru.
In his hand, the Dragon Flame Katana gleamed with anticipation, its blade descending swiftly toward Sentomaru's shoulder.
"Quick—I'll give you that. But that won't work on me!"
Sentomaru's voice was steady, almost smug.
Clang!!
In the same instant, before the katana could land, Sentomaru pivoted without looking back, swinging his colossal axe in a sweeping arc. The trajectory mirrored Bai Yu's slash perfectly.
Steel met steel.
A harsh metallic clash echoed as sparks burst between them, both men recoiling from the powerful collision.
Bai Yu's eyes narrowed.
"Observation Haki," he murmured, stepping back.
There was no other explanation. Sentomaru had predicted his movement with precision—it had to be Kenbunshoku Haki.
According to Bai Yu's knowledge of the world and its notable fighters, Sentomaru wielded both Busoshoku and Kenbunshoku Haki at high proficiency. Even back in the main storyline, he stood out as one of the World Government's elite science guardians under Admiral Kizaru.
"I know you're no stranger to Haki either," Sentomaru called out.
"Word is, you've awakened all three colors. Show me. This half-hearted display won't scratch the likes of me."
Bai Yu understood now. This wasn't just a casual interception.
Sentomaru, chief bodyguard of Vegapunk and right hand to Admiral Kizaru, wasn't here to chat.
He was here to test him—to judge if the rumors around Bai Yu's strength held weight.
And he was confident.
"So the student mirrors the master," Bai Yu scoffed.
"Kizaru's arrogance must be contagious."
His tone turned icy.
"You people from Marine HQ think you can just barge in, attack first, and ask questions never?"
"Fine then. We'll play your game."
"If I lose, I'm yours to deal with."
"But if you lose—next time we meet, you address me as 'Patriarch Bai Yu.'"
The challenge was clear. And he even threw in a jab at Kizaru, baiting Sentomaru's pride.
"You—!"
Sentomaru growled but was swiftly cut off by Bai Yu's sharp retort.
"What? Scared?"
"Then grab your axe and leave. Don't stand here barking."
The provocation stung deep. Sentomaru's pride ignited.
"Scared?! Don't insult me!" he snapped, stepping forward, weapon in hand.
Tension exploded. Both fighters locked eyes, weapons gripped, Haki radiating like a coming storm.
Fwoom!
Bai Yu took a breath—and his Azure Dragon Sword Intent flared.
It surged from his palm like a river of spirit energy, fusing into the Dragon Flame Katana.
Within seconds, the blade ignited in verdant flame, and the air around him shimmered from the rising heat.
"Azure Dragon Slash!"
Bai Yu roared, raising his weapon high.
With a clean motion, he brought it down toward Sentomaru.
Boom!
The slashing flame screamed forth, taking the shape of a coiling green dragon, the air rippling in its wake.
Roar!
The dragon let out a spectral howl as it charged, its eyes gleaming with sword intent.
Sentomaru's eyes sharpened.
"That... sword intent!"
Even he was stunned by its ferocity.
But he didn't hesitate.
With a grunt, Sentomaru slammed his giant axe into the ground and raised his hands.
"Hmph!"
He extended both palms, arms level—palms open.
A shimmer appeared around his body as he concentrated.
"One-Man Guard!"
Just as the flaming dragon closed in, Sentomaru unleashed the energy he'd gathered.
Boom!
The Azure Dragon Slash crashed head-on into an invisible wall—a pulse of advanced Armament Haki released directly from his palms.
A shockwave erupted as both forces clashed, green fire exploding against invisible pressure.
The flames crackled and hissed, then flickered—and finally died out.
The dragon was gone.
Even Bai Yu frowned.
"That wasn't just hardening..." he muttered.
Sentomaru had used Ryō, the advanced form of Busoshoku Haki—letting Haki flow from his body and attack without contact.
Unlike normal hardening, Ryō could penetrate or repel attacks before they even landed.
It was a skill only elite users possessed, requiring rigorous training and spiritual control.
Sentomaru had clearly trained under the best.
"Didn't I say?" Sentomaru grinned smugly.
"You may have Haki—but yours isn't on my level."
Bai Yu didn't argue.
Instead, he silently pointed toward the lower right side of Sentomaru's uniform.
Sentomaru glanced down.
Flick—
A corner of his coat had been cleanly sliced, and a flicker of turquoise fire still clung to the fabric.
His expression changed instantly.
He hadn't even noticed the hit.
With a hurried pat, he extinguished the lingering flame.
Bai Yu's smile was sharp.
"Sure, you've got fancy tricks," he said.
"But when it comes to raw Haki…"
"Mine is simply stronger."
The words rang like a blade unsheathed.
Sentomaru gritted his teeth.
Despite his defense, the slash had nearly bypassed it. Bai Yu's sword intent, fused with enhanced Busoshoku, was no ordinary force.
What Bai Yu lacked in technical mastery, he made up for with overwhelming power—a gift from the system that enhanced all three Haki colors beyond human limits.
Even Sentomaru felt it.
This wasn't over.
But Bai Yu had made it clear—
If you're coming for the dragon... you'd better be ready to get burned.