Chapter 129 129: Roldy’s Sword
A flash of cold steel split the air.
Roldy's twin blades left their sheaths.
Both were clearly high-grade Renowned Blades, their quality unmistakable.
Zephyr's interest was piqued.
He knew of Roldy's talent with the sword. Back at Marine Headquarters, the boy had already displayed extraordinary aptitude and a strong fascination with swordsmanship. His teacher at the time had been a Great Swordsman who practiced Single Sword Style, and under that guidance, Roldy's foundation had been respectable.
But that distinguished officer had since retired.
Roldy had become a pirate.
And Single Sword Style had turned into Dual Sword Style.
There was no doubt—
This was Shiki's influence.
Roldy must have improved considerably to dare draw his blades against him.
Still—
"You think you can defeat me with swordsmanship?" Zephyr scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous. Even Shiki the Golden Lion's swordsmanship is nothing special in my eyes. And you, a brat, abandoning your greatest strength—your physical combat—just to try breaking the deadlock with swords?"
Swordsmanship was not like hand-to-hand combat.
It required years—decades—of refinement.
Objectively speaking, Zephyr had rarely seen Roldy use blades. He knew him primarily as a monster of physical strength.
And realistically, even at his current level, Roldy's swordsmanship should not pose a real threat.
That assessment wasn't entirely wrong.
Roldy had advanced rapidly and had already entered the realm of a true swordsman for some time. But defeating Zephyr with swordsmanship alone?
That would be fantasy.
Roldy didn't respond directly.
He simply grinned.
Jet-black Armament Haki Coating flowed over both blades.
A sharp, cutting aura erupted from his body.
It was strange—
Such a pure physical powerhouse radiating the presence of a blade.
"Whether it works… we'll find out after we clash!"
"Dual Sword Style — Wild Dance!"
Roldy's blades blurred.
Ordinary eyes could not even trace the path of his swings.
Countless slashes roared toward Zephyr in a dense storm. The number was overwhelming—impossible to dodge.
But Zephyr showed no concern.
He clenched his fists and advanced head-on.
Each incoming slash was shattered by his hardened fists.
Techniques meant to clear fodder were meaningless against a fighter of his caliber.
"Dual Sword Style — Soaring Crossfall!"
The previous barrage had only been a probe.
Now came the killing move.
Roldy soared into the sky and descended at full speed.
His two blades crossed before him in an X-shape as he plummeted like a meteor.
His speed surged unnaturally—clearly amplified by the Moa Moa no Mi.
Yet with his highly refined Observation Haki, Zephyr locked onto him.
He threw a punch.
Fist met crossed blades at the point of impact—
And Zephyr's expression shifted.
Leaving aside power and speed—
The Sword Intent contained within those blades startled him.
This was undeniably the level of a top-tier swordsman—already approaching that of a Great Swordsman.
There were traces of many influences within Roldy's style.
The elusive unpredictability of his former Single Sword Style instructor.
The ferocious dominance of Shiki's Dual Sword Style.
And layered over both—
Roldy's own interpretation.
It was still rough in places.
But in the critical aspects…
Zephyr was certain.
Within five years, a new top-tier Great Swordsman would emerge upon these seas.
Swordsmanship and physical combat cultivated together.
Armament Haki of the highest caliber.
The presence of Conqueror's Haki.
A monstrous physique.
Limitless potential not yet in his prime.
A Devil Fruit developed to terrifying heights—even without Awakening.
Even Rocks D. Xebec, long dead, had not possessed such comprehensive foundations at this stage.
For a fleeting moment, Zephyr felt as though he were witnessing the birth of a new overlord—one who would dominate the seas through absolute force.
And once—
He had been a Marine.
The thought stabbed Zephyr's heart like a blade.
He would never have imagined this future—
That he, a retired Admiral of Marine Headquarters, would be sent to suppress a pirate of limitless potential.
That this pirate should have been the Marines' brightest prodigy.
He might have single-handedly altered the Navy's standing across the world.
The future had once been radiant—
But it had been crushed by the arrogance and foolish pride of the Celestial Dragons.
And now—
He was fighting the child he had raised with his own hands.
Rage and resentment surged wildly within Zephyr.
For the first time, the justice he had clung to wavered.
"Teacher Zephyr! Losing focus in battle is dangerous!"
Roldy had noticed the shift.
His attacks intensified.
Yet every strike aimed to disable—not to kill.
His blades never targeted Zephyr's throat or heart.
Being admonished by his own student made Zephyr pause for a fraction of a second—
Then he let out a sharp laugh.
This was not the time to think about such things.
Who could predict the future?
Perhaps the World Government would pardon Roldy one day because of his strength.
Perhaps Zephyr would retire fully.
Or perhaps…
There was a far more extreme possibility.
If his student extended a hand—
And invited this old man to join him—
What would he do?
His resolve trembled.
"You've only eaten a few years of rice and spent a handful of years at sea—and you dare lecture me?"
Zephyr attacked more ferociously, trying to crush the dangerous thoughts in his mind.
They fought from the sky down to the sea.
The shockwaves from their clashes claimed countless pirates and Marines alike. Even a few unfortunate Sea Kings had surfaced—only to become floating corpses moments later.
Roldy's swordsmanship was indeed astonishing.
But against Zephyr, it was still insufficient.
In sword combat, Roldy was completely suppressed. He could only rely on Armament Haki and the Moa Moa no Mi to barely maintain parity.
There was another strange detail.
Zephyr had studied the Moa Moa no Mi extensively.
According to historical records, it could amplify the user's speed and strength up to one hundredfold.
Though no Awakening had ever been documented, even in its unawakened state, it should far exceed a mere thirtyfold amplification.
Roldy had developed the fruit impressively and was not far from Awakening.
Yet…
Something about it defied common sense.
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